Kim, Fix My House!
Staged to
Sell with
Christine Rae
How can I have a design-savvy space when renting
a home?
Staging a home for resale doesn’t have to
cost a lot of money! I’ve put together a few
options that will fit any budget, to help you
navigate through the staging process.
GET THE BEST BANG FOR
YOUR BUCK
Photo by Stephani Buchman
Like an ugly stepsister, decorating a rental
is usually less enticing than designing a
purchased home. But there are lots of
benefits to NOT being a homeowner! Here
are a few ideas for updating your rental
without losing your damage deposit.
MOONLIGHTING Sure, you might not see
yourself living in your current rental for more
than a couple years but that’s no reason
not to upgrade your light fixtures. Lighting
is usually the worst feature of a rental and
many older buildings come with generic
fixtures that look cheap and dated. Go bold
or go home! In a bathroom, changing out a
boring flush mount fixture for a chandelier
adds pizzazz. Lighting is also easy to change
because you can often do it yourself or ask
that cute neighbour down the hall for a little
help.
If you’re not able to upgrade your fixtures
due to budgetary or technical reasons, don’t
overlook the addition of stylish floor and
table lamps. Or simply exchange an ugly old
lampshade for a new one with a geometric
pattern in black and white.
HARD CORE DESIGNER You don’t
have to be stuck with shabby inexpensive
hardware on your cabinets. Switching them
out can drastically change the look of your
kitchen or bathroom. This is an easy way to
get rid of boring hardware and add your
own personal touch. Peruse your local
hardware store to see what strikes your
fancy. Remember to keep the old hardware
so you can replace it when it’s time to move.
TAP TO THE RHYTHM Ditch your
sputtering, low-pressure showerhead and
replace it with a fancy rain showerhead,
an adjustable model, or even a flexible
handheld. A new showerhead can literally
change your life, and it’s something that’s
easy to do yourself and can be transferred to
your next home. Take a ho-hum space and
transform it into a relaxing spa or an elegant
powder room. Don’t overlook towel racks,
hooks and the toilet paper holder. There
are so many stylish models to choose from
that you can complete the look with a few,
affordable additions.
WITH A FRINGE ON TOP Lacklustre
window treatments are a clear indication that
your home is temporary. With their dusty,
old drapes or bent vertical blinds, window
coverings are another area where rentals
are sorely lacking. Upgrade your space
by hanging stylish curtains in a colour or
pattern that pops. Installing a new rod with
interesting finials can make all the difference.
Even simple Roman blinds can freshen up a
room, delivering a custom feel without the
custom price.
FROM HEAD-TO-TOE Usually you are
stuck with whatever finishes are in place
once you sign the lease. Perhaps it’s dated
parquet or wall-to-wall carpeting in a dull
colour. Changing those features is usually not
an option, or worth the money required,
but you can camouflage the problem with
an extra large area rug that coordinates with
your other décor. Rugs help add texture
and colour to a space. A truly great area rug
will cover up a multitude of sins as well as
helping to tie together your design vision.
Remember this is an investment piece that
you can bring with you whenever you move.
- Text by Kim Bartley
FREE
CLEAN everything top to bottom.
RAKE the grass, collect any debris, trim
overgrowth and remove or replace dead
plants.
$50
OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR, line multiple
planters with newspaper for protection and
plant spring bulbs. I recommend the following:
blue or grape hyacinth, red and white tulips,
and yellow daffodils.
ADD A CLASSIC black doormat that is size
appropriate to the entrance.
$100
PAINT THE FRONT DOOR in a neutral
colour. A glossy black always looks rich and
luxurious.
ADD BLACK MULCH to your garden beds
to help increase your curb appeal.
TRADE OUT YOUR OLD LINENS for
luxurious white linens to create a hotel-chic
look.
$250
Get inspired and visit us at
www.pinterest.com/HomeTrendsMag
BEFORE LISTING YOUR PROPERTY
have a market preparedness consultation
with a staging professional to ensure you are
maximizing your equity. - Text by Christine Rae