Home Staging = Interior Decoration?

The concept of Home Staging is still quite new to the Canadian real estate market. Some say they do not know what it is; others may have heard about it but had never done it before.

So, when I say that I do Home Staging, I often hear: “Oh, so you are an interior decorator!” Yes, sure, to some extent.

But do you know the real difference between Home Staging and Interior Decoration?

Interior decoration (not to be confused with Interior design) is the art of decorating a room according to the personal taste of the main user. An interior decorator will take into account the desired theme and style of the person using the space and try to create an individual setting while focusing on the ease of upkeep and the functionalism. The main goal of the Interior Decorator is to create a tailored environment that will contribute to the happiness, well-being, and productivity of one person or family in particular.

Home Staging on the other hand is the act of preparing a private residence for sale in the real estate marketplace. The goal of staging is to make a home appealing to the highest number of potential buyers, thereby selling a property more swiftly and for more money. Staging techniques focus on improving a property’s appeal by transforming it into a welcoming, attractive product that anyone might want. ()

So here are 5 main differences between Home Staging and Decoration:

Decoration: to decorate according to your personal taste

Staging: to use neutral decoration; to appeal to as many as possible A�

Decoration: to add personal touches to your home decor

Staging: to eliminate almost everything that speaks about your personality A�

Decoration: to create personal comfort and functionality

Staging: to accentuate strong points of the property discounting the comfort of your day-to-day life A�

Decoration: to buy new furniture, accessories and decorative objects

Staging: to use the existing to the maximum

Decoration: your house is your fortress

Staging: anybody can imagine living in your house and call it home A�

So, actually, while doing some Home Staging I do not decorate, I “undecorate”. I am not creating a house of your dreams I am trying to create a place that anybody would like to call their home. It takes special knowledge and experience, a good understanding of the buyer and the market. I will decorate the home that you live in and I will stage the house that you sell.