Maximise A Rental Property’s Appeal With Seasonal Staging
Home staging prepares a houses or apartment to attract the broadest possible range of prospective tenants or purchasers. The process draws attention to a place’s best features while, crucially, enabling viewers to picture themselves living there, so creating an instant sense of connection.
Ultimately, the goal is to let or sell a property more quickly and for a better price than you would otherwise. Home staging transforms a house into a desirable product, one which spends significantly less time on the market than an unstaged property, and which won’t need price reductions to secure tenants or a buyer.
And because most people find it easier to visualise a place as their future home if it’s been staged, there’s an emotional connection which typically makes buyers less price-sensitive. By showcasing a home's full potential, a vendor can justify a stronger asking price, with some research suggesting returns of 500-1500% on the cost of staging.
At the same time, staging prevents lengthy void periods of having somewhere standing empty between tenants or ahead of a sale; the speed of a sale or let can often be up to three times faster than with an unstaged counterpart. This starts from the outset, with high-quality photos which grab attention instantly in a crowded market, leading to more viewings and reducing the amount of time a property stands empty. Equally, if a home for rent is beautifully presented, it may well attract tenants who are likelier to look after the place and stay longer, again reducing turnover in the future.
Seasonal staging
Some principles apply whatever the season, from clutter control and cleanliness to perfect lighting and having a neutral colour palette to broaden appeal. But your home stage company may make some strategic suggestions for different times of year:
Winter
Winter and Christmas time are better seasons to let out or sell a property than you may have thought. Seasonal scents (vanilla, pine and cinnamon, for example), a wreath on the front door and festive decorations, plus welcoming exterior and window lights, can all work.
Your home staging expert may also add some cosy soft furnishings – warm rugs, cosy throws and cushions and the like, layering different textures. And if there’s a fireplace, they may make this the focal point. Interior lighting will be warm yet subtle, perhaps using soft white bulbs.
Spring
A professional will make the most of natural light, for example by opening curtains or blinds. Seasonal touches might include seasonal flowers, soft pastel shades and lighter fabrics, floral patterns or bright white accents to add pops of colour. If you have an outdoor area, the staging company may arrange garden furniture and incorporate some greenery to optimise this feature.
Summer
Again, lightweight materials work at this time of year, plus you can highlight any available options for outdoor living. Lighter, sheer curtains keep things bright while also providing some shade. During this season, your home staging partner will work to declutter your space and suggest an airy, roomy place.
Autumn
Autumnal shades make a place welcoming, as do warmer and heavier fabrics, and lamps rather than overhead lights. Make the most of natural light and keep curtains open during the day. Strategically placed mirrors will bounce light around. You may also be advised to introduce some fall fragrances, from apple and spiced orange to cinnamon.
Seasonal staging with McGlashans Interiors
McGlashans Interiors specialises in premium London properties, creating stunning homes to deadlines and briefs, whatever the time of year. Our services include the rental and purchase of high-quality furnishings as part of our expert professional property staging. You can see these for yourself in our shop and showroom.
We’ll design our vision to your brief, following a site visit. Next we’ll source what we need to bring this to life, before completing the staging and getting some professional photos taken. You can then show people around your property before toasting a successful sale or let. Get in touch to learn how we could help transform your property with clever staging, leading to a speedier, more successful transaction whatever the time of year.