Every home has a life and personality. It has a story. If you plan to sell your home, consider yourself a storyteller. The tale you are about to tell will be entertaining and full of wonderful details.
You say you are not planning to sell your home. The following practice is still worthwhile and will allow you a deeper understanding and appreciation of your home — your biggest investment and the place where you spend most of your hours.
Step 1: Discovery
The first step is to uncover the essence of your home in preparation to present its best qualities.
Your home’s essence has existed since the day it was built. But somewhere along the way it got lost and was forgotten — covered by an accumulation of stuff, or more likely, left in the wake of the busy lives of its inhabitants.
Some homes’ essence is easier to discern than others. Begin by asking yourself, “What style is my home?” Perhaps it is a Victorian from the late 1800s. Or maybe yours is more of a challenge: it was built in the 1980s and is an all brick two-story, a replica of the others on your street.
Truth be known, whatever your home is, you can become newly acquainted with its essence through its original details and some self-study.
Learn basic information about your home—such as when it was built—through searching the records on your county’s website. If there is a challenge in this, it will be weaving through the website to find the proper search function. Don’t hesitate to call a help number to ask for assistance.
Step 2: Matchmaking
It’s time to head to the bookstore. Open up magazines and architectural books about housing styles, architecture and home decor. At a comfortable pace, absorb everything from the magazine commercials to the do-it-yourself articles. Hone in on the details and photos that resembles your home’s style. A house’s style and its essence are closely related.
There are magazines for connoisseurs of almost every housing style. For older homes: Old House Journal. Mid-century homes: Atomic Ranch. Modern homes: Dwell. Distinguished homes: Architectural Digest.
Need additional help: consider the book A Field Guide to American Houses by Virginia and Lee McAlester. The answers lie within.
Go ahead and purchase a few of these magazines. It won’t hurt to have a nice coffee table book either.
Later, when you go to stage your home, placing these magazines and books on tables near chairs, beds and in living rooms, will give those who view your home a sense that you care about nice houses. And, likely, their notion will carry over into the thought that you, in fact, own a nice house.
Step 3: Enhancements
Along with all the usual steps towards preparing your home for the market—including updating, de-cluttering, tidying, and repairing deficiencies—stylistic enhancements will add appeal.
It’s ok if you haven’t yet deciphered your home’s essence. After visiting the bookstore, if you still don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own, there are professionals who can help. A creative realtor or a home stager may have what it takes.
Pay attention to the details, both small and large: from paint colors to furniture styles, from door handles to wall art, from window treatments to table placements. Your home must be stylistically cohesive. At the most, a house can take a blend of two styles – but beware, this can get tricky.
Browse the magazine photos for inspiration while staging your home. If you purchase something, be sure it will add—not detract—from the big picture.
Step 4: The Big Picture
A house’s big picture is just like the theme of a story. A story has its characters, a setting, a conflict, and a resolution. But a successful story is made when all of these pieces fit together in a way that complements its theme.
What is a story trying to say? What is your home trying to say? From another perspective, your house’s big picture is its essence revealed — and its style tastefully portrayed.
Your home’s essence may not be described the same way by all of its viewers, just as the readers of a story will have different opinions. But a home—if its essence is well presented—will yield a positive impact that all will welcome.
Imagine the story that would be told by the French manor house, Clos Lucé. This mansion was given by Francis I to Leonardo De Vinci in which to live out his final years.
Your home may not equal the Clos Lucé in its detail, size, or fame. But your house is your own grand mansion, and its story must be well told.
This is the process of discovery you and your home have been waiting for. Begin crafting your tale.
