Get in Style

Is your home a blank canvas?  Colors and patterns you love to mix it up with could be drastically different from what potential buyers are looking for.  If you're staying in your house or apartment, here are some ideas for a soothing, stress-free color palette.  If you're selling, however, read below on our tips for staging!

Soothing Color Palettes

By nature, some color schemes are more soothing than others, with "nature" being the operative word. Greens and blues, from the cool side of the color palette, are reminiscent of the variegated colors of the Caribbean Sea. More than the colors themselves, though, there's a cue to be taken from specific shades. The bathroom isn't a place for electric blues or bright Kelly greens; instead, use softer tints such as sea foam green and aqua blue. Not only are they more refreshing but they also have a psychological advantage; these cool hues visually drop the temperature a few degrees — not a bad idea in a room associated with hot baths and steamy showers.

"In the '70s and '80s I think we made a mistake by using colors that were too strong," says Linda Welch, of Trenton, Michigan. Instead, she recommends choosing fixtures in neutral hues — white and biscuit — and incorporating color with the flooring, wall treatments and accessories. "I think that blues and greens are very soothing," she adds, "reminiscent of the ocean and sky. And to warm them up, I like to use dark brown wood tones that are chocolate in color, bittersweet chocolate."

Like blue?  A light blue might come from a piece of granite or a pale green from textured glass tiles. To incorporate color is one thing, he says, but it's important to have interesting surfaces, too.

For that matter, almost any soft hues can be soothing. Create a feminine atmosphere with peaches and pinks. Go for a fresh look by using a lemony yellow. Surround your space with lavender tones, then take the theme a step further with a little aromatherapy in the form of lavender-scented candles.

Stage Your Space

1. Grab them from the curb.
Adding potted plants and flowers, power-washing patios and walkways, weeding the garden and mowing the lawn. It's your first chance to make a good impression, so you've got to make it count.

2. Make it sparkle.
Remember that people will look in your cupboards, under your sinks and in your closets. Also, pay particular attention to odors. You might even consider consulting a neutral nose by having a friend come by for a smell test.

3. Pay attention to color and light.
You may love hot pink in the living room, but too-bright colors turn buyers off. Neutralize strong colors for the broadest appeal. A neutral home appears larger and has less chance of offending someone. Also, open up blinds and draperies to make sure there's sufficient natural light throughout the home. Remember, lighting is the most effective way to set a mood.

4. Depersonalize.
Few things deter buyers more than a cluttered home. They need to see your home, not your stuff. Excessive personal items like photos, collections, personal awards, electronics and collectibles will make it difficult for buyers to see themselves living there!