The Do’s And Don’ts Of Furniture Staging
Tips For Staging Painted Furniture So It Sells!
They say, “Staging sells!” and I say they’re right! Truly, staging your piece- whether for your own enjoyment or in preparation for selling online- will help your piece reach its full potential! If you already have a knack for decorating, this probably comes easily to you! If you are new to the staging game… good news! A few little tips will take you a long way! Today we’ll take a look at scale, spacing, and color!
I’ve found that sometimes it’s as helpful to see what NOT to do as it is to see what TO do! Today we’re going to take a close look at some do and don'ts for staging.
Ink Blue Buffet
I recently painted this buffet in Ink Blue, and I have to say, this sideboard now reminds me of a favorite pair of blue jeans! Perfectly worn, slightly distressed, full of varying shades of blue. Once I was done painting and distressing, this piece was sealed with clear wax.
If you are wondering how to accomplish this look, check out this video of me painting a cabinet in Boxwood last month! Even though the color and furniture item is different, the process is the same.
Basic Concepts Of Furniture Staging
Once I’m done painting and sealing my furniture pieces, I always, ALWAYS stage them! Sometimes it’s a very intricate stage, and sometimes it’s simple. Regardless, a few basic concepts are applied each and every time.
As you scroll through the following examples, I recommend scrolling back and forth to the final picture above for reference. It will be easy to pick up the differences and to see how little changes make a big difference when you see the examples side-by-side!
Furniture Staging Concept 1 - Scale
When staging a piece of furniture, you must always consider the scale or size. If you’re working with a smaller item, then a few smaller items will likely do the trick! You can see how on this Boxwood cabinet, a simple setup was a win!
But when I use these same small staging items for the buffet, they look lost.
This example below continues to enforce the importance of scale.
You can see the art is too narrow and tall for the buffet and certainly does not work alongside the small pitcher and pot. When considering scale, think about both the size of the piece of furniture AND the other pieces you’ll be using for staging. For the best effect, everything should work together, and the spotlight should be reserved for your furniture!
Furniture Staging Concept 2 - Spacing
Another thing I keep in mind when staging is spacing. I always aim for my items to just slightly overlap each other visually. I try to avoid holes where you can see blank space (the wall) through the staging. You can see here that even when using really great staging items, if they’re spaced incorrectly, they leave something to be desired.
Staging props are too far apart
Staging props overlap one another
If you refer back to the final staging picture, you can see how bringing the items in even the tiniest bit can make everything look and feel congruent!
Furniture Staging Concept 3 - Color
When choosing staging items, I consider both the color of the piece and the finish of the hardware. I want my furniture to be what catches the eye, not a flashy decor item. I always think about what colors are complementary to the piece I painted. I’m not necessarily looking to match the color I’ve chosen to paint the furniture piece in, (which in this case is Ink Blue) but I do want the look to be cohesive.
In this example of what NOT to do, you can see the silver art frame clashes with the original hardware on this sideboard instead of complimenting it.
For the sake of it, I also included a picture of this buffet completely unstaged, with terrible lighting and off-kilter perspective. When we break it down this far, it’s quite easy to see how important staging is! I mean, after all, these pictures are of the same exact piece!
Video Tutorial
Here is a little tutorial that I filmed for Miss Mustard Seed’s® MilkPaint™ on staging furniture. Enjoy it and share with your friends who are also in the business!
Wow, right?! It’s amazing how applying a few little tips and tricks can make quite a difference. Start with a concept or two and slowly build from there. Little improvements along the way will add up to big, impactful improvements before you know it!
Personally, I have been learning from a group of stagers for years, and it has been so helpful! Sometimes having another set of eyes can be a game-changer. If you’re interested in one-on-one coaching for staging or painting furniture, please feel free to reach out, and I would be happy to help you!
And, as always, this stunning Ink Blue buffet is available and can be shipped nationwide!
