Amazing Spaces Gallery

Entry Foyer – View 1
BEFORE

Entry Foyer – View 1
AFTER

Big, bulky furniture in the entry foyer creates a distraction from what should be an open, inviting space. Also, the dated blue carpet and western-themed art is not going to appeal to the majority of potential home buyers. The coffee table in the corner is awkward and needs to go. An attractive floor vase with tall stems and coordinating wall art are a much better choice.

Entry Foyer – View 2
BEFORE

Entry Foyer – View 2
AFTER

Replacing the over-sized armoire with a console table not only makes the staircase stand out as the selling feature but allows us to add decorative accessories that add a touch of elegance. Neutral carpet and well-placed artwork offer universal appeal. This foyer is now a grand entry that’s sure to welcome visitors!

Dining Room – BEFORE

The orange walls in this “before” dining room picture definitely make a statement, but unfortunately, not one that will appeal to a lot of buyers. A light, neutral paint color makes the room feel larger and creates a sense of unity with other rooms in the house. The brass chandelier was replaced with an oil-rubbed bronze fixture for a more updated look. The large table was more of a dumping ground than a place to enjoy a meal, so we cleared off the clutter and set an inviting table. Moving the chairs opens things up for better traffic flow. Placing artwork and a fern plant in the corners of the room is another way to increase the perceived size of the space by drawing your eye around the room instead of just focusing on the center.

Dining Room - AFTER

Living Room – BEFORE

This living room has a very masculine look with the dark furniture and hunting scene wall art. To soften things up, we added window panels to frame each of the windows and added glass-top tables with lamps to add light. The rug was shifted under the sofa and a smaller TV stand replace the large table to open up some floor space and make it feel less cramped. Moving the large chair to the opposite wall creates better balance in the room. Artwork and accessories help put more of a focus on the fireplace, and a strategically placed wall clock in the reading nook at the far end extends the space.

Living Room – AFTER

Family Room – BEFORE

An empty room raises questions in the buyer’s mind as to how it might be used and whether their furniture will fit. Staging this as a family room not only gives it function, but it is much more inviting so the buyer can imagine themselves relaxing in the space. Recognize that armoire? It was originally in the entry foyer, but it makes much more sense here.

Family Room – AFTER

Front Entry – BEFORE

A cluttered entry way is not the first impression you want to make on potential buyers.

Front Entry – AFTER

Removing the area rug and dog bed, along with de-cluttering the entry way, go a long way toward making this space feel more open and spacious. We changed out the busy black & white curtain panels for a neutral cream-colored sheer, allowing more light into the room while making the window seem bigger. Neatly arranged pillows help create a calm, soothing environment. Finishing touches like silk greenery and flowers, a small wall mirror and a tray on the ottoman make the space more inviting, while pops of yellow add some cheerful color.

Living Room – BEFORE

There’s a lot going on in this small space between the rug, wall design, window panels and artwork.  All those patterns tend to make the room feel busy, and busy translates to clutter which tends to make a space feel small.

Living Room – AFTER

Removing the rug, as shown in the previous entry picture, not only makes the room feel larger, but it reveals the hardwood floors – a key selling feature for this home. From this view, you get a better idea of how the neutral window panels brighten the space. Two large art prints on the patterned wall help tone down the busy-ness of the bold geographic design. The artwork above the TV was replace with a smaller, simpler piece above the TV, and some accessories below it add visual appeal. Toward the back of the room, we removed the tool chest that clearly doesn’t belong, as well as the shelf unit that made the space feel cramped. The new dining set we brought in works better with the rest of the furnishings in the room, giving it an overall more updated feel.

Dining Room – BEFORE

Dining Room – AFTER

A close-up view of the before & after dining room space.

Kitchen – BEFORE

Kitchen – AFTER

Galley kitchens can make a home harder to sell, mainly because they tend to feel cramped. We made this kitchen feel as large as possible by a) de-cluttering; and b) painting the bright yellow wall the same gray as the opposite wall. A modern glass-tile back splash updates the space and adds considerable appeal. Some unusual wall art was replaced with something more suited to the space and to a broad range of buyers.

Kitchen, view 2 – BEFORE

Kitchen, view 2 – AFTER

While taken from slightly different angles, you can see what a difference these simple changes have made. Too much clutter on shelves and counter tops gives the impression there isn’t enough cabinet space, so it’s important to put away all but a few essentials. A basket or bin on a shelf can provide storage that is visually appealing. Notice the pops of yellow that carry through from the living and dining room spaces, creating a sense of flow.

Bathroom – BEFORE

Bathroom – AFTER

About the only thing you notice in this “before” bathroom picture is the wild shower curtain. We create a much more appealing space by replacing it with a white one and pulling it open to reveal the window and glass tile wall.  Suddenly, we’ve added a whole new dimension to this tiny bathroom. Removing the rug also helps make the space feel larger. Fresh towels and wall art complete the look of an attractive, functional space.

Master Bedroom – BEFORE

Master Bedroom – AFTER

Positioning the bed opposite the entry point tends to make a small bedroom feel larger. We moved the dresser to the opposite wall and added a large mirror, adding functionality and light to the space. A small table was brought in to provide a proper nightstand and place for a bedside lamp. Wall art, extra pillows and a coordinating throw help convert this into an inviting and comfortable master bedroom.

Office – BEFORE

Office – AFTER

This is a great office set-up for two that just needs to be seen! Removing the obstacles at the entry was the first step. We hung a contemporary piece of art at the entry and moved the printer from under the desk to the red shelf. The wall stickers were removed and a curtain panel added (notice the larger window!). Shelves and desk tops were straightened, and a touch of greenery adds warmth. Your eye is drawn into the room in the “after” photo, whereas before, you were stopped short.

Nursery – BEFORE

Nursery – AFTER

A little organization goes a long way in this child’s nursery.

Family Room – BEFORE

Family Room – AFTER

A long, narrow family room is a challenging area to stage, but we start by removing the ottomans to open up the walkway. The chairs at each end of the couch just elongate the space, so we removed one chair and added a silk tree to soften the edge. Opening a French door calls attention to that feature and softens the opposite corner.  Moving the blanket from its horizontal position in the center of the couch to a vertical position on the far chair larger pillows more in proportion to the couch are subtle changes that help the space feel wider. The orange wall art was replaced with art that simplifies the color scheme. The dark window panels are replaced with a light-colored valance that better fits the window. The result is a much more inviting family room space!

BEFORE - View 1

BEFORE - View 2

This small living room and kitchen floor plan is typical of many Minneapolis area homes.  We start with a fresh coat of paint in a soft linen color for the walls and a crisp white to highlight the trim.  Outdated furniture is replaced with modern but comfortable chairs much more suited to the space and to the younger audience likely to be looking at this home.  Taking out the area rug reveals the beautiful hardwood floors and also helps to open up the space.  Heavy, dark curtains are replaced with a sheer window scarf that frames the large window and allows more natural light to flow into the room.  A large silk plant and pair of lanterns are placed on the upper ledge to draw more attention to that architectural feature.  One bar stool was removed, and place settings for two are added to make the counter area an inviting dining spot.  Removing the items from the refrigerator gives the kitchen a clean, uncluttered look.  The result:  an open, inviting living room and kitchen that is staged to sell!

AFTER

BEFORE

AFTER

Placing a seating arrangement in front of this beautiful stone fireplace helps potential buyers imagine themselves relaxing in a cozy retreat.  Random stacks of books and DVDs on the built-in bookshelves are stored behind cabinet doors and replaced with carefully arranged vases, silk plants and picture frames to make the entire space more inviting.  The once empty mantel comes to life with some appealing accessories.  Two coordinating art prints are hung vertically to add the finishing touch.

BEFORE

AFTER

Too much furniture in this girl’s bedroom make what is actually a spacious room feel small and cramped.  Removing some of the smaller pieces and arranging the bed and night stand on the wall next to the window helps open the space.  We opened the curtains to let in the natural light and make the window feel as large as possible.  A neatly made bed and simple bedside accessories are all that’s needed to complete the staging.

BEFORE

AFTER

Office space in the home has become high on a buyer’s list of criteria, so it’s important to make that space appear as functional and appealing as possible.  This office area was extremely cluttered and lacked organization.  The plaques on the wall were very personalized making it difficult for a potential buyer to  imagine it as “their space.”  Bringing in a floor lamp from a spare bedroom added much-needed light, and an outdated light fixture on the ceiling has been replaced.  A bench below the window offers a place for visitors to sit.  Moving the bookshelf next to the file cabinet helped to organize as well as extend the space making the office area appear larger.  Neutral artwork adds a nice touch without being too personal, and notice how one large wall hanging makes the space seem less cluttered than many small wall hangings.

BEFORE

AFTER

This spare bedroom had become a dumping ground for extra linens and off-season clothes.  To convert this space to an inviting retreat for overnight guests, we replaced the mismatched bedside tables with an upholstered chair from another room and placed a round table and table lamp in the corner in place of the office-style floor lamp.  Adding sheer brown window panels helps to soften the window and give it less of a basement feel.  Coordinating bed linens, pillows and other accessories help to create a relaxing and soothing ambiance.

BEFORE

AFTER

The lower level family room in this home lacked purpose and was more of a pass-through area than a functional space.  After the pile of toys were stored in a closet and the iron & ironing board moved into the laundry room, the fireplace is defined as the focal point by positioning a sectional sofa around it.  A silk tree adds balance and frames the left side, while a large mirror and simple accessories give the mantel some pop.  To give the space a cozy feel, we added a soft blanket and several throw pillows.  Wall art helps to coordinate the overall color scheme.

BEFORE

AFTER

Adjacent to the great room in the previous post is this open concept kitchen and dining area.  The same cream colored paint over the wood paneling makes this side of the room feel updated and spacious and shows off the gorgeous vaulted and beamed ceilings.  Additional updates included new granite counter tops and light fixtures.  Counter tops have been cleared of clutter to give a cleaner, more spacious appearance.  The wood cabinets were cleaned and polished, and the back plates were removed to give the cabinet hardware a fresh look.  Moving the table perpendicular to the wall opens up the traffic flow and adds to the feeling of spaciousness.  Silk greenery above the island cabinet helps to highlight that unique feature and draw the eye upward to the gorgeous vaulted and beamed wood ceiling.