14 Feng Shui Tips to Staging a Grand Entrance

Put Your Bling On!

Oh, the anticipation is building. The phone’s ringing and you have a date for the first viewing. Don’t worry, you’ve done all your homework, rather you are about to. You’ve “Honestly Edited for Success”, now you’re ready to set the mood in order to create a positive emotional response.

You touch the ♥. You fill the need. You sign the deed of sale.

We’re about to entice all the senses, visual, auditory, tactile, scent and taste. That’s correct, even taste, all the very best things engaged during a first date. You want them to remember the experience long after they’ve left and signed the deed. Let me show you how.

My mom always told me that a good date is one that always comes to the door to pick you up. Yes, the foyer is where we’re going to start. What the buyers see, smell, feel when they first open the door sets the mood for the rest of the visit. You want these guests to linger, the longer they stick around the better the chances of getting the gig.

Some staging gets a little too zealous in the editing phase creating spaces that look and feel like hotel rooms. Hotels are designed as a stop and go, drop off your packages, do a little net surfing and hit the hay. A home is a place where you feel warm and comfortable, safe and secure. A home is what buyers are looking for and why hotels charge by the night.

Setting the Mood

14 Staging Tips for a Grand Entrance

I’m going to share my most favorite “Feng Shui for intentional design” secret with you. I love the “Scentsy’s”, a wickless candle substitute for scented candles and other plug in alternatives. There are over 80 scents and numerous warmers to choose from. As there are many people who have perfume allergies these are a beautiful enhancement, with food based wax scented with essential oils. Scents can also invoke strong emotions so for the sake of saving a negative response, try and stick to a natural scent such as “Thunder Storm”. Beautiful and fresh, like a spring day. Excellent inducing a positive memory imprint. Place the “Scentsy” in a neglected corner of the front room. The warmer melts the wax with a small nightlight which adds a nice touch to the room.
Visual, first things that hit buyers is the wall colours. Secondary is the furniture and accessory colours. Yes, this might require some painting, however, paint it relatively in a can.” Painting could make the difference in securing the confidence of a quick offer.
You don’t have to go with cookie-cutter builder beige; there are many designer neutrals that create a sophisticated emotional impression. Work with colours that enhance the furniture you already have. Exceptional staging doesn’t mean you have to spend a bundle. It does mean you may have to invest a little to make a lot. Create a sense of Opulence
Illuminate an expanse of space with bright lighting
Keep foyer spacious and immaculate (put all shoe and coats away)
In winter place a good sized area rug on the floor. Too often people lay the tiniest welcome mat down. You will see guest trepidating around, leaning on doors and corners to take their shoes off. People see this postage stamp rug and feel they can’t and won’t step on the floor. Give them plenty of room to prepare for the grand viewing.
If room permits provide a bench or chair for foot wear removal. If not do your best to create a space close by the door.
Create an illusion of space by hanging a mirror large enough for tall and petite buyers to view themselves in, do not place the mirror directly across from the door nor in a place that startles new comers. Here’s another trade secret, hang the center of the mirror 60″ from the floor, this placement will be perfect for all height of viewers.
Set up a small table with a bowl of foiled covered chocolates or candies.
Place your listing profile in a simple and beautiful frame on the table; after all your house is something to be proud of.
Place a small decorative glass bowl on the table for Agents Cards. You want to know who’s been in your house and when. When you get home, date them and file them away.
A bouquet of silk flowers is a beautiful enhancement and shows you’ve put thought and effort into creating the mood.
Hang a picture of a landscape or beach.
If you have the room introduce a tabletop fountain to the space. Water instills a sense of clarity and calm. Calm people make wise choices. You want them so see that your house is clearly the best choice for them.

You have now built the anticipation for more. You’ve wet their desire to stay and get a sense of what life would be like to come home at the end of a long day at work. Next time; we’ll invite them in and ask them to stay awhile. Till then, enjoy the fun in “Setting the Mood”.