Five New Trends Every Homestager Needs to Follow

Decorating trends come and go. Just like trends in clothing, cars, foods, and electronics, people gravitate toward what's new.

And within a few years (sometimes even weeks) a new trend comes on the scene and bumps today's style out of the picture, replacing it with a new look or new features.

Even if they don't last long, you can't ignore the current trends when your home is on the market. In order to compete in the real estate market -- to win over buyers -- a home seller needs to be on the lookout for the latest in home decor.

You don't need to base your entire staging on what's currently in style. All it takes is a few new trendy furnishings in your staged home to make it look fresh and up-to-date. That's what impresses buyers.

Here is my review of what I see as the latest styles you'll want to add to your homestaging.

Handcrafts

When you stage your home, some handmade items make the place feel loved. Along these lines, we're seeing more and more hand crocheted pieces, especially on armchairs and couches. Originally designed to protect furniture from stains caused by dirty hands and greasy hair, these antimacassars today are simply decorative. Try to coordinate the colors with other furnishings in the room. Win/win!

Bearing all

A second trend we're noticing is the rug that has personality.

It's a throwback to another era when masculinity and an appreciation for outdoor sports like hunting were all the rage.

If you want to inject some nostalgic in your staging, add a big, furry bear skin rug. It's warm, it's sexy, and it's certainly a memorable conversation piece in almost any room.

Coordinated design

People have tired of the trends away from matchy-matchy. Designers and buyers alike agree that it's a more comforting look to have much fewer designs in a room.

Buying and decorating just became easier, because stores are selling packaged sets of nearly everything. Choose a pattern you love and that buyers will love, and you'll find wallpaper, rugs, bedding, and lampshades to match, and match exactly! There's no more guesswork about "what goes with what." We love that!

New old color

It had to happen. What's old is new again! Yes, the latest in refrigerator colors in the avocado green that disappeared almost 50 years ago. Golly, it was time for a revival!

You'll find dishwashers and stoves and wall ovens in the same soothing tone that people loved back in the day.

Avocado goes with so many other colors that you'll have no trouble adding colorful flourishes to your kitchen. Yellow chickens. Black and white teakettle wallpaper borders. Garlands of grapes and ivy. It all goes together seamlessly.

Buyers will be impressed with your stylish "heart of the home." Get ready for that generous purchase offer, and maybe multiple offers and a bidding war -- every seller's dream scenario. It can happen when you follow the right trends!

On Top of everything

This is the one trend that surprised us.Builders, architects, designers, interior decorators, and home stagers have all agreed on the merits of adding texture to a ceiling. Yes, the "fifth wall" can once again have that soft look lacking in the flat ceilings we've seen for the past decade or two.

So, rejoice if some out-of-the-loop people have advised you to scrape those popcorn ceilings and have them repainted. You are ahead of the curve on this one! Enjoy your trendiness and the savings or work you'd have to do.

You'll have the last laugh on all those homeowners who went to all the trouble to remove popcorn. And I hope you've had a laugh at this post. Happy April Foo's Day!