Enhance Your Central Florida Property's Appeal: The Key Benefits of Vacant Home Staging

Are you considering selling your home in Central Florida? If so, you've likely pondered ways to maximize its appeal to potential buyers. One often overlooked yet incredibly effective strategy is vacant home staging. Vacant home staging involves furnishing and decorating an empty property to showcase its potential and create an inviting atmosphere for prospective buyers. Here are several key benefits of staging your vacant home:

1. Enhanced Visual Appeal: An empty home can feel cold and unwelcoming, making it difficult for potential buyers to envision themselves living there. By staging your vacant property, you can transform it into a warm and inviting space that resonates with buyers. Thoughtfully placed furniture, decor, and accessories can highlight the property's best features and create a lasting impression.

2. Highlighting Functionality: Staging allows you to demonstrate the functionality of each room, helping buyers understand how they can utilize the space to meet their needs. Whether it's showcasing a cozy reading nook in the living room or highlighting the versatility of a spare bedroom as a home office, staging helps buyers see the potential in every corner of the home.

3. Creating Emotional Connections: A well-staged home has the power to evoke emotions and make buyers feel a connection to the property. By incorporating elements that appeal to the senses, such as soft textiles, pleasing scents, and soothing colors, you can create a memorable experience for potential buyers. These emotional connections can ultimately lead to quicker sales and higher offers.

4. Highlighting Key Selling Points: Every home has unique selling points that set it apart from the competition. Whether it's a stunning view, architectural details, or spacious layout, staging helps highlight these features and make them the focal point of each room. By drawing attention to these selling points, you can capture the interest of buyers and compel them to envision themselves living in the home.

5. Boosting Perceived Value: A professionally staged home conveys a sense of quality and attention to detail, which can lead to a higher perceived value in the eyes of buyers. When potential buyers see a well-appointed home, they're more likely to associate it with luxury and desirability, making them willing to pay a premium price. In fact, studies have shown that staged homes typically sell for higher prices and spend less time on the market compared to vacant properties.

6. Stand Out in the Market: In a competitive real estate market like Central Florida, it's essential to make your property stand out from the crowd. Staging sets your home apart from vacant listings by helping buyers envision the lifestyle it offers. A staged home not only attracts more attention online and during showings but also leaves a lasting impression that increases the likelihood of a successful sale.

In conclusion, vacant home staging offers numerous benefits that can help you sell your Central Florida property faster and for a higher price. By investing in staging, you're not just furnishing a house; you're creating an unforgettable experience that resonates with buyers and drives results. If you're ready to maximize the appeal of your vacant home, consider partnering with a professional staging company to bring your vision to life and achieve your selling goals.

Interior Decor Tips for Spacious Living Rooms in 2023

Do you want to make your large living space even more inviting? If so, you've landed in the right place. Since guests are most likely to be seen in the living room, it should reflect your personal style and taste. Large living rooms are extremely challenging when it comes to decorating. But, with a few easy adjustments, you can make your living room the envy of all your friends and family.

Here are some of the best interior decor tips for large living rooms. Use them up and make your living room more cool and inviting.

Let’s get straight into it.

Interior Decor Tips for Spacious Living Rooms

Separate areas off.

It may take creativity to make the most of an unconventional room in shape or size, but a spacious living room's many potential uses make it well worth the effort. Think about the different activities that might take place in the space and designate specific locations for them, such as an eating area, a writing desk, a console, a game table, a reading nook, or a series of conversation sections.

Make Use of Color

Color has the power to transform any space completely. If you have a larger living room, try adding bold pops of color throughout the room. It could include colorful artwork on the walls or bright pillows on the couch. If you're in the mood for a little risk, try painting one wall in the room a vibrant color to bring the eye to that section. Try out swatches of paint and cloth in various colors until you discover a combination that works with your current decor.

Incorporate Multiple Seating Areas

A great way to utilize your large living room is by incorporating multiple seating areas into the design. As a result, people won't have to squeeze together to have meetings in different sections of the space. Having various seating options is also beneficial for dividing up a huge room into smaller, more intimate gathering spaces for things like reading, playing games, and watching television. You can even divide these areas with furniture pieces like armchairs or benches!

Bring Nature Indoors

Adding natural elements to your interior design is another great way to add life and color to any space—especially if it’s a larger one like a living room! You can try placing plants of varying sizes throughout the space, such as miniature plants on shelves or tables and larger plants near the windows or doors. Additionally, potted plants offer a sense of depth and texture to an otherwise flat area. Flowers are always nice accents that can instantly brighten up any area!

Create Balance in Your Living Room

When decorating a large space like a living room, balance is key. You don’t want one side of the room to be filled with big furniture or decorations while the other side is empty. Instead, create balance by ensuring each side of the room has something visually interesting.

If you have an oversized couch on one side of the room, add some statement chairs that are slightly smaller on the other side and maybe a small bench or table in between them. This creates visual balance without making one piece too overpowering.

Choose Furniture That Fits Your Style

The best way to ensure your furniture works together is by choosing pieces that share design elements such as color palette and texture. Consider purchasing items from collections designed to coordinate with each other – this will give your living room a unified look and feel while still allowing you to express your style. If you want to avoid clashes with future additions, neutral colors like white and gray are the way to go.

If you love to save space, Minimalist, Scandinavian-style furniture that may serve multiple purposes can be a game changer. Clawfoot tables and velvet sofas from the past can also make a big difference. These pieces of furniture tend to be more modest, yet they always elevate your living room's aesthetic.

Add Some Wall Artwork

The best way to keep your living space looking modern yet well-curated is to hang up a few large pieces of art. Use a few items of the same size to create the impression of a luxurious, well-planned area.

Create Visual Flow

Your furniture should also work together to create a visual flow throughout your space. Try grouping pieces together in clusters rather than spreading them throughout the entire area – it will help define different areas within your large living room without making it feel cluttered or cramped. Additionally, use rugs and artwork strategically placed around the space to draw attention toward certain areas and create focal points within your large living area.  

Choose the Right Layout

Another important tip is to figure out the best layout for the space. Consider how you want people to move through the space and how much seating you need for entertaining guests. You can also use area rugs to create distinct zones within the room for different activities, such as reading or relaxing.

Use Decorative Screens

Decorative screens are useful for creating a more private and cozy atmosphere in a wide-open room. A partially folded screen behind your sofa can make the room seem more compact without blocking the view or the volume of people.

Focus on Comfort

When furnishing a large living room, comfort should be a top priority. Choose furniture pieces that invite people to sit back, relax, and stay awhile. Look for sofas with plenty of cushions and armchairs that are big enough for two people to share comfortably. To ensure no one feels cramped, opt for low-slung furniture with armrests rather than bulky pieces with higher backs and legs.

Mix Patterns and Textures

Since you have extra space in your large living room, don’t be afraid to mix patterns and textures when selecting furniture pieces. Don’t feel like everything needs to match; instead, choose colors and fabrics that complement each other while providing contrast in terms of texture or pattern.

For example, pair a velvet sofa with an intricate rug or add some accent chairs with bright colors or interesting fabrics like linen or jute. This way, your space will look interesting but not overwhelming or too busy.

Use That Odd Corner Wisely

After arranging the main seating in a large living room, there is usually still an odd nook or cranny that is left empty. Put as much thought into this section as you would in the "central" seating area, and you could find yourself spending more time here than anywhere else.

 Here are some potential uses for your unused space: Put in a window seat, arrange two slipper chairs for a cozy chat corner, or build a makeshift library out of wall-to-wall bookshelves and an oversized armchair.

Wrap Up

Making a large living room feel like home is simple. Just by following these easy steps, anyone can transform even the largest living room into a relaxing retreat that will be the envy of all their guests. There are many methods to spice up your interior design game without sacrificing coziness and comfort in your house; you just need to implement them correctly.

Benefits Of Working With A Designer.

Did you just purchase your dream home? Or maybe you are finally ready to give your current home a freshened-up feel, or maybe you are ready to take it even further with bigger design renovation. In these situations, it is always best to leave it up to a professional interior designer to do it! Especially, if just having recently gone through the stress of home-buying.

Hiring a designer is definitely something to consider if you have not done so already. Hiring a interior designer is a smart decision especially, if you have invested a good bit of money into your home and want to showcase it to look its best! Decorators truly serve a purpose for everyone. Interior designers and decorators know how to form harmony into homes all while keeping your interests, unique style and vison in mind! Designers have many resources, often working closely with sought after vendors making your home projects not only achievable, but more enjoyable by taking the pressure off of you.

Here are some benefits of working with a designer you may not have known.

Furniture Purchasing.

Did you know, professional interior designers are not just here to help you with paint schemes, cabinets, and flooring? Yep! One of our many looked over specialties is furniture purchasing and décor! Often, after meeting with your design professional, they will create a custom mood board based off of your desired look and feel of your space. In this mood board, you will be given furniture and décor options. Making it a smoother purchasing process for you!

Purchasing through your designer also means most of your furniture will be delivered directly to you and be installed by a professional, saving you time and money

Cohesive Design + Pinpoint Your Design Style.

Have you ever walked into a house and been overwhelmed by not only the loudness of a room but the mix matched spaces? Interior designers are here to help you navigate achieving cohesive design within your home and pinpoint your unique design style. What is cohesive design? A cohesive design inside a home is one where each room seamlessly blends and flows together, creating harmony and rhythm inside a space. Each room and space is carefully designed by your interior design professional, for color scheme, décor, and even furniture to complete each other. Ultimately creating an ease and comfort within your home.

Doing this also helps your designer pinpoint your design style or color scheme within your home. Creating a home that feels welcoming, comfortable but also most importantly feels like you.

Express Yourself.

How do we express ourselves through design in a way that represents our true self? Well another incredible thing that interior designers understand about their craft is the ways in which you’ve decorated your space allows you to show off your personality. This can be done in various ways with art, décor, funky furniture or bold paint colors.

Whether designing a living space or a business, interior design services carefully consider the message that a space needs and the feeling the space gives off. Great design enhances the qualities and the personalities of their client, family, or company in which they already possess.

Save Time + Money.

Avoid making costly and timely mistakes. The majority of home owners trying to do projects themselves, end up spending more time and energy than if they had hired a professional interior designer. One of the biggest myths is that hiring a professional costs more, whereas having their assistance through the entire process can actually help you avoid making costly mistakes. Saving you both time, money and stress in the long run!

Huge Selections.

I bet you did not know that design professionals have huge selections and resources for all your design project needs! Most have many vendors they work closely with, which in turn for you gives you so many more options when it comes to choosing furniture for your home. Which is a bonus for you, because in turn this gives our design clients a more custom and unique feeling in their home that caters to not only to your unique personality but also your style.

Unique Items.

Are you wanting that WOW factor in your home? Since designers work closely with vendors, design professionals are often able to offer you a more unique, and custom experience with your design projects. Creating an enjoyable unique process and yes, that means even finding you more unique furniture and décor options! Bringing in more of your style and personality into your treasured spaces. Often starting by your chosen scheme, color, textures and balance. Which in the end, will all create symmetry to provide an all-over stunning cozy appearance.

Visual Story Teller.

Do you have the look of your dream home but lacking the feel you are craving? Design professionals don’t always have to be hired on for big scale projects, they can often help you with just your décor needs. Whether it be pillows for your family room sectional, giving your shelves a make-over or helping you pick out art to fill an empty space. All these little home décor tweaks make a huge difference in how your home feels. Acquiring  help from your designer on these basic needs can help tell your homes story along with creating a space that feels uniquely you.

Increase Home Value.

Not only can interior designers take your idea and vison and transform it into reality, but their designs and decisions for your home can also lead to increased value! Whether you just bought your dream home or you are flipping a property in the upcoming months, using an interior designer can help you achieve more value and higher sales for your home. Think of your design professional as your ultimate guide to the materials and finishes that will age gracefully, standing the test of time and appeal to variety of buyers if you were to ever move.

Minimal Holiday Design

It is that time of year again, to whip out your holiday décor and get to work. Can you even believe it? There is nothing like the holiday season. From the changing of the seasons to gathering together with family and friends, the holidays are often a time of joy. The bright twinkling lights, colors and decorations help bring us into the magic of the holidays. Like for most people, having seasonal and holiday decorations out, makes them feel festive and cozy. There just is something so special about this time of year.

 However, this time of year can also be a little overwhelming at the very least. Between all the parties, dinners, gift giving, and events. It can all be very over stimulating. Which is one of the reasons why we are seeing more and more people adapt minimal holiday design inside their homes! Having a clean, clutter free space to come home to after engaging in all the holiday fun is vital. Incorporating more of a minimal holiday design theme into your home, doesn’t mean you can’t decorate at all. It means making your décor less cluttered and a little more peaceful. Adding cozy charm and traditions without the overwhelming addition of too much of everything. A minimal holiday season is exactly what you hope it will be: a low stress, peaceful but high impact way to embrace this coming holiday season.

There are many ways to find creative ideas on embracing a minimum holiday design into your home and we’re here to help you do just that with these five aways to incorporate it into your holiday season this year!

Five ways to incorporate minimal holiday design into your home

1. Chose which areas of the home to decorate

This is one of the easiest ways to keep your holiday home décor minimal and clutter free! So how to decide which areas to put your seasonal décor? Well, as they often say.. to much of a good thing can definitely be bad thing. This goes for holiday decorating as well. Holiday décor absolutely does not need to be on every surface of your home. This creates clutter. Typically, we see season and holiday décor on fireplace mantals, foyer tables, in main living spaces of the home like, living rooms and in the kitchen.  Adding simple meaningful touches to those few select spaces in your home, creates a more enjoyable cleaner feel to your space.

As far as your Christmas tree, it should be the centerpiece of your holiday theme. When placing your tree, try to avoid blocking natural light, direct pass ways through the home and making sure your tree is not exposed to direct heat. Also flowing your tree’s theme of colors throughout the home, helps tie all your decor and colors together.

2. Seasons over holidays

We love this idea, decorating your home for seasons over holidays. Sure, the holidays are always fun. Each one brings in many different ways to celebrate with food, family, friends and of course… décor.  As temping and fun as it can be to dive right into holiday decor, it is often exhausting keeping up with each years design trends. Which often go out of style fast and this habit over time creates an abundance of items which in turn, turns in to cluttering your space.

When you take your focus off of specific items and focus on the season, you will have more space for things that are cohesive and you will be able to enjoy all of that season décor for much longer.

3. Ban clutter

Somewhere in all the season’s fun and festivities, things can get a little out of control. Instead of bringing in new items and waiting until the accumulation is so overwhelming that it reaches a tipping point to purge things. Try the one thing in and one thing out rule! This has been recommended by the pros for years to prevent clutter from taking over. The rule is simple.. for each item you bring into your home, one thing must leave. This simple but highly effected rule maintains the equilibrium of your home, so holiday clutter doesn’t pile up. Oh and hey, less to shove into your holiday storage bins.

4. Bring the outdoors in

For holiday décor inspiration this season look no further than right out of your very own home. Bringing in the outdoors is a great way to incorporate the beauty of outdoor elements, along with the season.

Set the scene by bringing in lush greenery. This element adds in a layer of dimension and texture to your design. It is also one of the simplest ways to bring the outdoors in. And we’re not just talking about your stunning Christmas tree. Not only is this typically fairly easy but its inexpensive! Think beautiful full luscious garlands, wreaths and centerpieces to match your family’s tree. Pine tree clippings also bring in an inviting seasonal aroma for all to enjoy.

You can take this a step further and hop on the holiday fruit trend. By adding citrus fruits to your Christmas trees and greenery. We are seeing this trend done with lemons, limes and our very own Florida oranges! These fruits can be dried out and hung on string, creating unique garlands.  These fruit garlands are not only a fun project but they pair so nicely with greenery already in the home.

Be sure to also bring in natural woods as it pairs well with holiday colors but also adds warmth and depth to your space. Which creates a atmosphere that is inviting, warm and cozy!

5. Choose your color scheme or theme.

The holiday season is a colorful time of year that presents the perfect opportunity to explore color from a design perspective. However, settling on a theme will help you stay focused. It also helps with an over use of color or mix matching colors that do not flow. There are many schemes for the holiday season to choose from whether it is, traditional green and red, buffalo plaid, blue and silver or all neutrals this year, pick one that best fits you and your personality and let it flow effortlessly through your home.

 We hope you enjoyed these ideas for keeping your holiday season warm and cozy, but also simple and minimalistic!

Designing with Neutrals

Why we love neutrals | Neutral Home Interior

We are aware that everyone has their own taste when it comes to their homes feel, design choice and their homes color scheme. Choices can range from an array of neutrals to the boldest of hues. And we cannot deny the power of color and character in a home, but there are many reasons why neutral color schemes are taking on a whole new life.

 Perhaps you've had daydreams of coming home from a long day of work to relax in your calm minimalist cozy home. Somewhere you can wash away the weight of the outside world. Well, a neutral home can help do just that! It’s rather simple, neutral colors are much easier on the eyes. They are visually pleasing because they do not fire up neurons in your brain. In contrast, when we tend to think about a color such as red... It's a strong color that makes you feel alive, energetic and maybe even bold. However, on the other hand, it can be rather exhausting to see too much red. Right?

Simple, clean lines teamed with natural, soft hues, interesting textures, lots of natural light and organic elements all combine to create a warm and inviting space. A neutral home palette, creates a calm and tranquil atmosphere. Which can be a great escape from the hectic outside world. These tones do not compete with each other, they go hand and hand. Which is easier on the eyes creating a cozy, inviting space.

Cool neutrals such as light shades of blue or gray are particularly known for their ability to create a soothing effect. Aside from the soothing and coziness effect of neutrals in the home, we also love how easily it is to incorporate changing seasons, trends that may come, pops of color and holiday decor.

What’s In

Curved shapes, textures, and nature inspired interiors + lots of greenery are all trends named by top interior designers! Many believe we're going to see a return of earthy browns from cognac to burnt umber in homes. Specifically, chocolate browns, camels and caramels, displayed in fabrics + furniture like leather. 

Designers are also seeing a rise in nature inspired surfaces and accents, think lots of cozy textures such as marble, terracotta, ceramics. Anything that feels warm, welcoming and cozy.

Less Is Better

Less is better in most aspects of life, as we continue to focus on what really matters during life post pandemic. What goes on in the outside world directly reflects in our home. 

With the push to escape the chaos of the outside world. People are wanting to simplify all aspects of their lives, including their home. This can come in many forms all the way from ditching the clutter to shifting their design scheme of their home to more of neutral palette. Which leads me to... a new very popular design trend by the name of, Organic Modern style. This is a new design trend that we are seeing and people are raving! Why is everyone loving it? This design style is timeless, harmonizing both minimalism with nature's beauty. This design duo marries warm neutral tones, textures and natural materials. Creating the ultimate peaceful escape. 

Creating Contrast

Yes, even neutral color schemes need a little contrast, it is important to create this because you do not want your space to lack life. Avoid only sticking to light neutrals such as ivories, light grays and beige. Incorporating depth and texture is very important to the harmony of your home. Adding in pops of black, browns and darker grays can all achieve this. This creates layers of color and warmth into your home, making it feel cohesive and not boring.

Kitchens 

The biggest shift we’re seeing in kitchen spaces lately, is organic modern kitchens. If done correctly these kitchens will be timeless. Long gone are the all-white stale, lifeless kitchen trends. People are craving cozy homes, and well, the kitchen is the heart of the home!  Interior designers are seeing wood and warmth come back into the space. Think warm natural woods, mixing of textures and airy earthy colors. All adding coziness and warmth to the space. Which creates a much-desired welcoming environment.

As for kitchen cabinet colors, we are seeing an array of neutral earth tones. Including natural cream cabinets, off whites, natural wood, oak, beige, black and even some greens. Cabinets are being paired with open wood shelving and beautiful organic stones and tiles. Think marble and beautiful quartz. With touches of black and gold in the hardware, finishing touches and light fixtures. To keep the space looking updated but yet timeless. Giving you all the flexibility to incorporate your own touches.

Nature-Inspired Surfaces

With people looking to bring magic into their lives after a couple of tough years, we see earth's magical calming abilities, taking center stage. I believe in some way we’re all seeking calmness and the pull to strengthen our connection with the outdoors. This has undoubtedly inspired more natural surfaces and greenery to be seen in our homes.  Imagine stoneware, terracotta, marble, earthy neutral toned colors and travertine being used across the board. 

We’re seeing this from backsplashes to bathtubs and even in our decorative objects. The raw, imperfect nature of these organic materials adds depth, uniqueness, and warmth to any space. All while giving off a calming ambiance of the nature. Which pairs immensely with a neutral home color palette.

Textiles and Textures

Textures and patterns are a wonderful way to add depth to our spaces. One of the essential fabric trends, much like mentioned above, we’re looking into neutrals, simplicity, nature and the outdoors. The more we tend to appreciate nature, the more our creativity towards natural products increases. This overflows into the interior design world, as we’re seeing a demand in plant based and raw materials such as flax, hand-woven leathers, linen blends and hemp. 

These fabrics and materials go seamlessly with the natural neutral home trend. Raw color palettes naturally infused with warmth and coziness of groups of beiges, earthy greens, whites, and browns.  Incorporating these textures into your home can be easy. You can add them into your home by adding pillows, woven baskets, soft cozy blankets, rugs and bedding.

Now you know why we, as Interior Designers, love using a neutral color palette. Overall, designing with neutrals is win in every space.

Designing during Covid

Times are weird. Some people have lost jobs, insurance, and loved ones while others have blossomed and lived as if nothing has changed.

In the design and staging world… things have been WEIRD.

At first, most clients cancelled their projects because they were scared. Scared to spend money, scared to open their doors to contractors and movers. It was a very confusing time. Then, when everyone started to work from home they decided to remodel, decorate or move because now their home felt cramped. This caused a HUGE shortage in trades people and inventory (both materials and homes). Projects that would normally take weeks are now taking months.

We can’t seem to keep up with the demand for our clients needs. Running out of furniture left and right. Trying to place orders for new items as soon as they became available. It’s been HECTIC.

Homes are selling fast and for higher square foot prices. Inventory is so low! Interest rates are great but financing for some is impossible. Weird is the only word that seems to fit 2020.

I think the world is ready for our new ‘normal’.- whatever that may be.

Enjoy the time you’ve been given to be with your families & stay safe.