Cost Effective Tips for a Light Staging or Smaller Budget Stagings

I don't have a problem with doing a "light" staging in a vacant home. It is not a less quality staging as long as it is done correctly and it can be a much more affordable option for those sellers that don't have the budget to do a "full or complete staging".

I always say, doing something is better than doing nothing at all. I'll work within most budgets and will never say no to someone who says that they can't afford a full staging, but want to do something. Why should we turn anyone away? My objective is to help people sell their homes - period.

Plus, my "light stagings" have been very effective. I use quality pieces and add my creative talents in making a house look good. I've had much success with selling homes that have had only vignettes and smaller furniture pieces from my own inventory. If it didn't work, then I wouldn't do it, but my experience has shown that it works just as well, especially when staging a smaller sized home. I would not recommend "light staging" for larger, higher-end homes, it just won't work. A small vignette will get lost in a large room, and in a high-end home, the buyer will expect to see higher-end furnishings.

With people spending less money these days, it's an option that I like to offer. Here are some money saving ideas for keeping the staging "light" and costs low for smaller budgets.

• A Queen blow-up air mattress in the master bedroom or guest bedroom
  • Buy a good mattress that guarantees no leakage
  • Use high-end bedding, king size to cover mattress completely, looks pretty good and most can't tell the difference
  • I always put a large sign on the bed to let people know that the bed is for display only and not for sitting
  • Cuts down on delivery cost of having a real mattress delivered
• Rather than using a real headboard, hang metal art above the bed
  • Use large metal art that spans the width of the mattress
  • Looks great and cost savings compared to a real bed are significant

• Decorator tables made of plywood with screw on legs
  • Cover with beautiful, complimentary colored fabrics to go with a room's theme
• Use ottoman/s as a coffee table
  • 2 Cube or 1 bench Ottoman are usually less expensive than using a real coffee table
  • Is a very popular design trend that buyers love
  • Ottomans are versatile and can be used as a coffee table, at the foot of a bed, with a reading chair (as an ottoman) - great to have a few in a stager's inventory
• In a kitchen nook, use a small table and 2 chairs only
  • Can be just as effective as using a larger table with 4 chairs

• Instead of a complete sofa and love seat set in a living room, use a standard sofa and a matching large reading chair
  • After adding an area rug, a coffee table and two end tables, the look can be just as affective
• Apartment sofas are much smaller than the standard sofa and work well in a smaller room.
  • Are less expensive and appeal to a more contemporary/transitional crowd
  • Works well when marketing a home to younger couples

• Butlers Tray Tables make beautiful accent tables
  • Can be less expensive than end tables or night stands
  • Fold-up nicely and are easy to store, make a great addition to any staging inventory
• Pillow Covers
  • If you're like me and love pillows, keep a good supply of pillow covers and less pillows
  • Covers are less expensive than buying a pillow, they come in a variety of colors and designs
  • Best of all, they take up less space than pillows, so less storage costs
  • If you're handy with a sewing machine, this option is even less expensive and the sky's the limit when it comes to styles
• Fabric art work - Use picture frames or stretch frames to make these.
  • Buy a couple of yards of elegant fabric with large, interesting print
  • Cover picture frame backing with fabric or stretch fabric on frames.
  • Hang 3 or more matching frames with matching or complementary fabric to make a bold art statement at a low cost

These are all low cost alternatives that I've used in the past and still use for the smaller budget staging jobs. I hope I gave some of you some creative ideas that you can use. If you have any of your own, please share with the rest of us, I'd love to hear your creative solutions to low-cost vacant stagings.