Staging is the art of styling a space so that buyers imagine themselves living in the home and feel compelled to make an offer. Happy homes elicit an emotional response, a desire to dwell in the space a little longer. In this article, we look at 10+ ways to design a zesty space.
Color
Have you ever heard of the Sherwin-Williams paint color “Agreeable Gray”? It’s a very light gray that some have called the “ultimate neutral greige”. One of the large home builders in my area has routinely selected this color for their spec homes over the last five years. But they aren’t the only ones who have gravitated towards this shade. My sister has used this gray, several of my friends have painted this color, and my last few staging projects had this on their walls. But there’s a big shift from the cool blues and grays we’ve seen to warmer, creamier, happier hues.
Pantone named coral the color of the year. White, off-white, terracotta, coral, and brown can make an area feel cozy and comfortable (see hygge below). Want to try out this trend? Try Benjamin Moore Cloud White on your walls, and add warm wood tones throughout the space. You can also pair crisp white with off-white, which Producer Nancy Myers often does in her dreamy movie sets.
Hygge
“The Danes are famously the happiest people in the world, and hygge is a cornerstone of their way of life.” Hygge (pronounced “hue-gah”) is a Danish word that translates to creating a sense of conscious coziness. In his book “The Little Book of Hygge”, author Meik Wiking shares that “Danes tend to put a lot of effort and money into making their homes hyggelige.” Ten things that make a home more hygellig, according to Wiking, include:
- A cozy nook
- A fireplace
- Candles
- Things made out of wood
- Nature
- Books
- Ceramics
- A variety of textures
- Vintage elements
- Blankets and cushions
Browse through any home catalog and chance are, you’ll see elements of hygge in the vignettes. The approach to staging today is less structured and more relaxed. At Zesty Staging, we like to keep things casual. Instead of formal dining place settings, we’ll arrange the table for a pre-set–stacking plates, napkins, and glassware in the center. Moroccan rugs, leather, soft throws, and linen bedding add a variety of textures. Lighting is soft and diffused. Lamps, candles, and lanterns help create a relaxing mood as well as soft white or off-white curtains that diffuse the bright sunshine.
There are so many ways to bring nature into a space: add houseplants, photos of nature scenes, wooden shelves, a stack of firewood, faux animal-skin rugs, a vessel of small tree limbs, driftwood, shells, baskets of fruits or vegetables, and more. Plants are my favorite staging accessory! 
Hygge gives a sense of safety, of being in your comfort zone. The tips listed here will help potential buyers feel absolutely confident and comfortable in their decision to purchase your home and lead to everyday happiness.
Zesty offers occupied or vacant home staging, as well as staging consultations and plans. New to staging or have a staging question? Email tracy@zestystaging.com. Let us help make your home happier!
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