“Be careful with color when selling.” This might sound familiar, doesn’t it? It is one of the golden rules of staging. But no color might seem a bit boring either. Here’s some ideas how to safely add color and which tones to choose.
I am a minimalist. It took me some time to study myself and name this. And I know one thing. You might think you know what you are, what you like and you might think this is not important. But I’ve always been methodical on every level and I can tell you this – this really helps. It organizes and drives your aesthetic choices and saves you time and money. I really recommend you identify your style.
I recently read a book by Emily Henderson “Styled” and took her test. Emily, I think is one of the few decorators that really gives you that hands on approach, not just pretty photos. You read her blog like a textbook, and it might be the first textbook you will enjoy!:)
I am a minimalist, but I’m not a fundamentalist. So I tend towards white and black, BUT I love color too. I always did. And always loved color pop trend. This has been out there for a few years now. “Small flashes of strong color can really lift a space and change the mood dramatically.” ( from “Decorate Workshop” by Holly Becker). And that’s the idea behind – color story might be very collected and bring the calmness and harmony, so much desired on open house, but this might also quickly turn your space into very generic and no character. And the experience potential buyers will have is…exactly, they won’t remember. This might just not be enough. We have to be more creative.
The trick how to choose the right color when selling
The trend is evolving though. The golden rule of home staging while choosing colors is to stay away from strong colors, keep it clean, fresh and calm. I agree. The hot pink wall might look super trendy for you, friends, but it might not find the same rapport with that older couple that really loves the location, not the paint work to be done or the painter’s receipt. Now, you say, “OK, I don’t paint the wall but I will display my lovely sofa in burgundy or even these awesome bright teal cushions”. OK, do it and you’ll quickly see something’s off. You want to draw their attention, but not in aggressive way – in a flowy and understated way. Instead, I urge you to use darker or medium, moodier and paler hues. I can actually say, the tones of the colors you love. By tone I mean there’s some grey added to it. Expose wood floors you have, add white and black and you’re done in the color palette step.
Keep it short and sweet. Less is truly always more.
By definition, color pops are used mainly on furniture, for instance painted cabinets, seats, sofas. But for the home staging purposes I would stray away from the really big pieces and use it with an extreme discipline. Instead, put it on the artwork. Flowers, like lilacs for instance, will do the trick. Two or three “statement” pillows. The lamp shade. Like you were trying to say: “Yes, I know color, we are good friends and we are happy people, but we don’t have to talk a lot to know what’s a real friendship”:)
My favorite tones:
Soft Pumpkin/Carrot
Olive
Mid-century Mustard
Rose
Pale Safire
What do you think about calm color pops? What is your favorite color when selling your house?
More on minimal props and lighting choices on the blog.
Cover photo from via elisabethheier.blogspot.com.es
