Staging Controversy:

What color to paint your walls (okay so not that big of a controversy…but still). Traditionally a stager would, nearly always, say neutral –and NEUTRAL ONLY.

So, stagers will recommend eggshell, or cream, or latte-foam-whatever color that is a variance of the same. This isn’t bad advice, and it most cases it is still wise. Wall color can overpower a room, a buyer can be distracted by a color they dislike and it can (pardon the pun) color their experience.

 But, though I tend to recommend subtle tones, I have seen from experience that sometimes color is the better choice (and carefully picked can add a unique “life” to the home that will keep it in the buyers mind). Part of understanding when colors will work is understanding the buyers for your area and more localized – the neighborhood.

A recent home I staged on 3914 SE Schiller ST Portland, OR was an interesting case. Already sitting on the market, already painted punchy colors, and without a budget for “neutral.”

When empty, the vibrant wall colors became the vocal point, and distracted from the features of the home that should have been showcased. This gave me the wonderful opportunity of using the memorable colors as an asset.

 Carefully staging in a way that both complimented the coloring, and drew attention  to the highlights of the home  -I was able to create a visual experience that was memorable partly because of the bright colors that in other circumstances could have been seen as a detriment.

I’m pleased to say this home sold within two weeks of the staging : )