Everywhere you look these days are articles about going “Green”. Seems you can't pick up a magazine or newspaper without noticing how important this has become in every aspect of our lives. It struck me recently that Stagers are experts in regards to repurposing, recycling and reinventing. We have to be. It's just not feasible or reasonable to buy new items for each staging job that comes along. Yet to make each home have it's own distinctive “look” requires some inspirational thought and input.

Between the initial consultation and the actual staging are many hours of prep time that would surprise most people who are not in the business. Examining photos of each room and then choosing appropriate furniture and accessories can take many hours. This time the chair that was in a living room may show up in this bedroom with a different throw and pillows to achieve a new look. The wicker chest that doubled as a coffee table is now at the end of the bed as a bench. The lamp has a slightly different shade that goes better with the bed coverings. The tray on the wicker chest was a wine tray in another living room and now has a couple of colorful mugs and faux fruit for a relaxing “Breakfast in Bed” look. The small table with a chair previously from a breakfast nook is now a desk in the room. Two small file cabinets do double duty as nightstands. Candle holders have their look changed by adding foliage and different colored candles to blend with the room's decor. And so it goes with each room to be staged.

No one would ever guess that most of these items are being reused because all good stagers know how to repurpose, recycle and reinvent. It's just our nature.

Deanne Ellen Interiors copyright June 2009

With the real estate market in flux many people, who were thinking about selling, have made the decision to stay in their homes. So maybe you are one of them and have decided to invest  money in  addressing some of the issues that have been bugging you for ages.

Where to start?

The best way  is to grab a sheet of paper and start making a list. What rooms or areas in your home need attention? Are there problems that have been in the back of your mind but you just never seem to get around to addressing? Put them on that list.

Once you have put everything you can think of on the list, start thinking about what is really the most important to you. Is it more important to address the landscaping in the front or replace the carpet in the living room? 

Another priority, of course, is what can you afford? Only you can answer this question. Talking to home improvement specialists can help you determine what is going to get you the most bang for your buck.

Once you have that figured out, you are well on your way to having the home you love. Just keep plugging away on your to-do list and don't get discouraged. Home improvement projects always take longer than initially planned. 

The best part of working on a to-do list for your home is that when and if you decide to put your home on the market, you will be well ahead of the game because most likely these are things that will need to be taken care of when you are ready to list, anyway.

Ok now. Grab that list and get started!Your Stager and Realtor will love you for it!