Category Archives: Home Staging

Celebrating Twenty Years! 2005-2025

General Info., Home Staging, Organizing, Redesign & Decorating

It’s hard to believe we’ve been staging and organizing Denver area homes for that long. Over the years, and in every kind of market, we’ve had the privilege of working in over 3,500 homes, helping thousands of homeowners, realtors, and sellers showcase their spaces in the best possible light.

From transforming vacant houses into warm, inviting spaces to helping homeowners organize and refresh their surroundings, this work has been endlessly rewarding. I’m so grateful for the incredible clients who have trusted me with their homes—and for the chance to do what I love to do, every day.

From 500 sq. ft. condos to 10,000 sq. ft. mansions, we’ve loved every challenge and transformation along the way. Thank you to our clients who have trusted us with their homes—we can’t wait to see what the next few decades bring!

Let us help you make the value of your home Abundantly Clear, too!

2024 – Getting Back to Basics – Or, Why I Get Up in the Morning

General Info., Home Staging, Organizing, Redesign & Decorating

For many reasons, 2023 has been a challenging year. It was one of those years that gives you time to reassess. For almost 19 years, I have been helping clients through many of life’s transitions, and through many different economic climates. I’ve helped thousands of clients prepare their homes for sale, through something as simple as a consultation, to a full vacant staging with rental furniture and accessories, to everything in-between.

I have helped clients sell their homes faster and for more money than similar homes in the area. On average, when comparing the statistics with the typical Denver home for sale, the homes I have helped stage have sold in 1/3rd of the time and for 6% more. I have also helped clients re-decorate their homes, choose paint colors, select finishes for a new-build, organize their spaces, and generally be a problem-solver for the day-to-day quandaries of living a modern life in a home that may be 1 month or 100 years old.

So, after all these years, what have I brought to the table? What have I really been proud to accomplish? I’ve helped clients pick-out light fixtures and various elements for a remodeling project, and they’ve told me how happy they feel in their new spaces – but what really gets me out of bed in the morning are the staging projects that led to clients making more money, not spending more money.

We all have areas in our homes that could use a little spruce or update, and helping people choose the right thing the first time is a worthwhile skill – but I equally value the times I have told clients that they don’t need to replace something. Sometimes just re-arranging what you have can solve a functional problem in a home. Sometimes a fresh coat of paint can take years off the look of a kitchen, avoiding the need for a large-scale and costly remodel. Sometimes things can be fixed, instead of tossed out.

Growing up in a family that valued repairing items and “making-do” for as long as possible gave me the foundation for creative problem solving. Anyone can throw money at a problem – but if I can help a client sell their home for more with just a small investment or maybe even just their time, I know I’ve provided help that could benefit them and their families for years to come.

If you’d like to chat about the ways I can help you prepare your home for sale, or just life – give me a call (yes, a call – it’s not as scary as you think)!

(303) 322-5327

I’ve had this number for 19 years (too long to get rid of it) – it’s a voice line that forwards to my cell – so if you prefer to type – email me at holly@abundantlycleardesign.com

Staging in 2023

Home Staging,

Like fashion, staging trends come and go. What have I noticed this year? Nothing is predictable, and it’s okay to mix it up (old, new, modern, traditional). Take this staging we did last week.

Because of the busy street out front, I knew I wanted to frame the window in some way, calming down the outside. When staging, we don’t usually put new curtain hardware up, so I had to find a way to do this with our items. I had these lamps in mind, but the rest wasn’t decided until the selection at the rental warehouse. The door to the patio and the office door to the left meant that the seating couldn’t come into the room too much (like a sectional), however, the room was very deep. In the “before”, there was a couch so far away from the fireplace, it felt like a lot of wasted space. In order to feel like the space could be fully utilized, we needed to have the best of both worlds – a deep seating area that didn’t encroach. Enter: the curved couch and glass coffee tables.

I deliberated between this couch and another one for a while. I was concerned it would be too deep, but combining it with the glass coffee tables mitigated that feeling. These tables add to the coziness of the room without adding too much bulk. More curves also mean you can walk around them to the patio, easily.

To me, a living room doesn’t feel finished without two distinct seating items (generally, at least a couch and a chair). This curved chair is near the entry, and because of the curve and the low back, it doesn’t create a wall. I also haven’t used this skinny piece of art in 3 years, but when I saw it, I had to grab it. The black frame works with the tables and some black dining chairs in the adjoining kitchen. https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=592740472833784&set=pcb.592740582833773 – I like how the reddish orange goes with the brick outside. And, the plate on the table has some orange that ties into the art. That creates a visual through-line from the middle of the room to the patio. That was a surprise, too.

Anyway, this house sold in a couple of days. I’d like to say that was a surprise, but since 2005, we’ve seen that staging a home just… what’s that word… oh, yeah – works. That’s why I love it, and always try to make each project better than the last.

Thanks for reading. – Holly

2020 Staging Tips – Or, Spots in your Home You May not Have Thought Of…

Home Staging

Spring is here, and that means “For Sale” signs sprouting up almost as fast as tulips.  Once the stay-at-home orders are lifted, and showings go from virtual to in-person, it may be time to “up your game”!

Most sellers understand that some preparation is necessary to sell a house, but they often don’t expect how much work it really entails. We know the counters should be clear, and rooms should be neat, but what about the spaces that may not get photographed?

Home stagers like to talk about how selling is more about psychology than decorating. What “feeling” do buyers have when they walk through your house? The buyer wants to feel welcome when they enter a home.  This is very similar to how you prepare your home for a special party, detail your car when you want to sell it, or wear a suit to an interview. Do they feel like this house will give them a better life, or one the same or maybe worse than what they currently have? Stuffed linen closets, basements that are too full to walk through, cabinets that cannot close, and un-expected items in the master closet (scrapbooks, anyone?), can send the wrong message to a potential buyer.  These common issues might tell a buyer that the house is too small, or it has inadequate storage space.  No matter the size, if you can’t walk into your walk-in closet, it’s not a walk-in closet!

What about the clutter outside of the storage areas?  Mail on the kitchen counter, stacks of clothes in the bedrooms, open bookshelves packed to overflowing, collections and projects covering every flat surface – these are all sending the message that the seller isn’t ready to sell.  Even if they can see beyond the clutter, buyers will hesitate to make an offer on a house if they feel that the seller isn’t really serious. It might feel to them that you may change your mind or not be open to negotiations if they make and offer.

So, what can you do about it?  Off-site storage is an option, and it can come in handy if the storage areas in your house are minimal.  With this in mind, here are some ideas for staging the storage areas:

Basement – buyers do understand you will be moving, so having boxes in the basement is perfectly acceptable.  In fact, seeing them will also tell a buyer that you are ready to go.  Keep the boxes neat and against the walls, and away from the door/entry.

Linen Closets – Have you seen how Martha Stewart folds her towels?  Her website says: “A properly folded towel has a neat, fluffy appearance and hidden edges”. Towels should be folded in thirds, lengthwise, then in in half or thirds widthwise, depending on the length of the towel.  That way, different sized towels can look more uniform because you can control the width of the folded towel in the first step.  Stack like items together, like towels and sheets, and minimize the height of the stacks so they don’t tip. It sounds like a picky item, but it looks great when done this way!

Bedroom Closets (especially the Master Bedroom) – Wire hangers and dry cleaning plastic must be banished from all closets (“no wire hangers”)!  They are unsightly and they can even ruin your clothes.  Inexpensive white plastic hangers can make a closet look neat and uniform – and if you really want to get fancy – buy the wooden hangers (you can find good bulk deals at home and hardware stores).  Make sure only shoes are on the floor, and minimize the items on the top shelf.  A crowded top shelf, with a lot of items out of reach, could say the closet is too small and inefficient.  Finally, don’t store anything in your master bedroom closet except clothes and shoes.  Use other storage spaces for your books, luggage, paint cans (!), etc.

Kitchen Cabinets – Yes, buyers look through your cabinets, maybe not all of them, but at least the larger ones and the pantry.  You don’t need to have your spices in alphabetical order, but food containers with overflowing contents, sticky shelf surfaces, and over-sized items preventing doors from closing just won’t fly.  Kitchens sell houses, so make sure yours feels large, with plenty of storage space.

Garage – If you have a two car garage, then it should look like it!  It’s better to store things in the basement then to make your garage look too small for a Mini Cooper (especially in Colorado – the land of SUV’s).  If you have an extra fridge in the garage, it may be time to part with it.  If you can store larger “toys” off-site (and that includes those for the grown-up kids – like quads, etc.), that’s ideal.

Although it’s crucial to make the living areas feel warm and inviting first, never underestimate the importance of storage areas to a buyer.  A little extra work on those areas will help your home stand out, and sell faster.

And if you need a little assistance figuring out how to get started – give us a call! (720) 289-3986. We offer in-person (safe-distance requirements and/or mask policies will be followed), or even virtual staging consultations. They include a thorough room-by-room list to give you a detailed road-map so you can confidently prepare your home to sell. Call us for more information – thanks!

Intimidated By Accessories?

Home Staging, Redesign & Decorating

 Accessories transform a nicely decorated room into a perfect, finished space.  But many homeowners have a hard time choosing the right ones.  Consequently, rooms are often left unfinished.

 Now, with this simple checklist, this can be a thing of the past:

When you see an accessory that you are considering for your room, make sure it meets these guidelines: 

  • Does it have the right mood?  In order for an accessory to “work” in a room, it needs to be in harmony with the mood of the space.  That means that it evokes the same feelings.  Is your room romantic?  Sleek?  Cozy?  Make sure the accessory feels that way, too.  However, accessories that change a room’s mood can work as well if done correctly.  For example, a modern space feels warmer with rustic or hand-made accessories like woven bowls or rough textiles.  Rooms with a lot of patterns in the fabrics can benefit from areas of “rest” with monochromatic or streamlined accessories.

 

  • Is it going to make the room too “theme-y”?   In general, it’s best to avoid a room that looks like it came out of the Madonna Inn (Google that if you aren’t familiar it).  A touch of whimsy or a conversation piece here and there is great, but a “jungle room” may start to feel a little old after a few months.  A bowl of beach glass on the table with sea shell throw pillows can look great, but add in anchor-design curtains, a fishing net, and a light-house sculpture and the room starts to feel like a seafood restaurant from the 70’s.  A room should have a consistent feel, but a little restraint goes a long way.

 

  • Is it the right scale?  If you are looking for a piece to display on a large, high shelf, don’t choose something that is too small.  It will just feel lost and incomplete.  And a very large item will look out of place in a room of small, delicate pieces.  Make sure that the accessory you choose harmonizes with the scale of the other items and furniture around it.

 

  • Is the color right?  Does the color (or colors) of the accessory work in your room?  Of course, it doesn’t have to match exactly, but make sure it blends nicely.  NOTE: Another option is to choose an accessory with a color that stands out.  This can make a dramatic statement.  Make sure, however, that this “drama” fits the mood of your room! It can also help the design of the room if this “pop” of color happens in three places throughout the room – for a triangulation of color.

 

  • Do you love it?  This may seem obvious, but many homeowners get caught up in making sure that all of their decorating “works” and forget to make sure that they really love everything that is going in their home.  Even if the accessory fits all the other criteria, if you don’t love it, don’t buy it.

And remember, less is more.  Like when accessorizing an outfit, sometimes the best thing you can do is take one item away to help the remaining ones look even better.  That way, you can…

Live Abundantly Clear!

– Holly (always happy to help you accessorize, or edit) Lange –  (303) 322-5327

Working on it!

Home Staging, Organizing

As the summer wanes, houses sell and staging items come back.  Kids return to school and moms start thinking about all of the “stuff” in the house.  So, I’ve been working on a lot of organizing projects, including one in my own home – thanks to all of the staging accessories coming back into my house! Some of the recent projects outside of my home include: a garage packed with various tools and automotive supplies (an impressive assortment) – and the best part is – they had chickens and ducks and goats – oh my!  They stayed in their respective areas – but I had fun paying them a visit after we were finished!   I also recently helped an art teacher organize her classroom just before school started.  My sister is an art teacher (and my mom was too), so it was a lot of fun working in such a familiar territory.  Other projects included working with a mom to organize and store baby clothes for when the next baby arrives, and setting up a closet for her new au pair. 

Some staging projects have been mixed in there, as well – but mainly a lot of items are returning… So, how does an organizer organize her own storage space?  Well, it’s pretty much there, but with some spill-over.  I’ll be clearing out anything that doesn’t currently have a home and adding a new shelf unit (the plastic ones from the hardware store are cheap and easy to assemble).  Then, I’ll do a once over to make sure everything that does have a home is in a good spot – and re-arrange as needed.  I’ll also pull out items that haven’t been used in a while and put them into the “donate” box.  The shelf should help get the extra items off the floor, and that will pretty much be it.  However, given that I’ll be organizing other people’s homes for the next few days, I may do this next week.   Yes, professional organizers are capable of a little procrastination, too!

Live abundantly clear!

Holly – (303) 322-5327

Present Projects

General Info., Home Staging, Organizing, Redesign & Decorating

Yesterday, my husband and I both had a day off, at the same time – a very rare occurrence.  It was a hot, muggy afternoon, with dark clouds threatening rain.  So, we decided to check the TiVo to see what it had recorded.  We decided to watch Kung Fu Panda.  High-brow it is not, and yet… there was a wise Turtle who said a wise thing:

“The past is history.  The future is a mystery.  Right now is a gift – that’s why it’s called the present.”

This is not a new quote, a new concept, or even a new movie, but I liked getting the reminder.  How often are we so consumed with the future and the past, that we forget to enjoy or even notice the present?  I love working with clients, helping them stage their homes or get their spaces organized and functioning well – because I am completely present with them, in that moment.  I don’t think about the last appointment, or the next appointment, I just think about that item, or that picture, or lamp, and the best place where it should “live”.   It may sound odd, but when I’m finished, I feel refreshed.  Even if it’s a long day, and I’m physically worn out, my mind is awake.  It’s why I love what I do. 

Any project, whether large or small, has the power to engage us and connect us the the present moment.  Years ago, before TV or I-Phones, people would unwind by playing a card game, chatting with friends, or even doing chores together.  In fact, I doubt the need to “unwind” was even considered very often.  You just did what you needed to do, and you found the joy in it, in that moment.  If you find that TV, Facebook, or your Blackberry are at best post-poning your anxiety, and at worst adding to it, why not turn them off for a while?  Is life so awful that we need constant distractions from it?  If so, why aren’t we looking at the reason?

I find it funny that computers and Blackberrys are something we are “on”… like a drug.  True, the very fact that I’m writing this blog is ironic, or just plain hypocritical, but when I’m “off” the computer, I’m off.  Without these electronic leashes, I find I can enjoy everything from grocery shopping to cleaning out the garage.  A project, any project, can allow you to remember how lucky you are to have a brain and a body that works.  In the next few days, try doing a little project with the phone or Blackberry out of reach, and see how (after you get over the anxiety of being “disconnected”) it can calm your mind.

Low Cost Solutions for Selling Your Home

Home Staging,

The days of big staging budgets are over, at least for now.  These days, few people are selling their homes because of dreams of fantastic profits and moving onto greener pastures.  Now, if you are selling, it’s probably because you are relocating, looking to downsize and reduce expenses, a death, a divorce, or other less than cheerful reasons.  If none of these are your reasons, then you may just be thinking you’ll dip your toe in the water to see what happens.  Very few of these scenarios would make you think that staging is a luxury you can afford.  Wrong.

Staging is not a luxury.   Staging an occupied home, when you are selling while you are living in the home, is an absolute necessity.  Plus, many stagers can accomplish a great deal for around $200 or less.  Staging is just as vital, to help your home sell quickly, as a pre-inspection, appraisal, or photos.  All of these services work together to create a well-presented, well-priced home that will draw more buyers to your house, make them stay longer, and help them easily take mental ownership (the first step towards making an offer).

A professional stager is much more than a decorator.  She is not there to “fluff”.  A stager can devise clever and low- or no- cost solutions to common issues that could be problematic to a buyer.  For example, I recently staged a home in Littleton occupied by a single man.  The home was a great family home, but the extra bedrooms were set up as offices or guest rooms.  One room, a lavender room with one wall of Tinkerbell wallpaper, was just used for storage.  The owner was sure that I was going to ask him to paint and remove the wallpaper, which can be a time consuming and potentially expensive project.  Instead, I saw this as an opportunity.   I suggested bringing in a bed (this one happens to be inflatable, on a metal stand – but there are other ways to accomplish this), and accessories that would help the room feel young, yet still sophisticated enough to appeal to an older child, or a couple without children.Bedroom Staging

So, for the cost of some rentals (this plus other items in the home worked out to be about $85 per month), and a little staging time, many problems were solved with one simple, low cost solution.  The feedback has been great, and the little kids love this room.

A few more notes about how staging can help:

 – Staging is tax deductible to the realtor (as a business expense) or to the seller as a selling expense.

– An un-staged home often sits on the market longer, costing you more in mortgage expenses.

– As a realtor, offering staging as part of your service will help you get the listing over a realtor who does not.

– One way to help a seller pay for staging services is to offer to reimburse them for the staging once the home sells.

– The forward momentum started by staging an occupied home will help the seller mentally “detach” from the home, so they remain motivated to sell, and won’t give up too soon.

Staging remains a fairly new concept, especially for those who have not sold a home recently.  Don’t let the novelty of it negate its positive and proven results.  Good photos, a fair price for the neighborhood, good condition, and careful staging still make a big difference.   Don’t leave money on the table.  Give us a call and find out how we can help you make the value of your home “abundantly clear”.

Holly Lange

Abundantly Clear – 303.322.5327