The art of home staging – and how the right art pieces can make a difference

If you’re looking to put your property up for sale, you might want to learn a thing or two about home staging. First impressions matter when presenting your house to potential buyers.

People usually form an opinion about a place the minute they step beyond its threshold, and even the tiniest details can influence their perceptions and decisions.

Therefore, to ensure a smooth, swift, and, most importantly, financially rewarding selling process, you should do your best to make your house look absolutely impeccable from top to bottom – and home staging can help you do just that.

As you’re trying to grasp the basics of home staging, you might want to pay attention to one element in particular, namely art. This can serve as the secret ingredient to a successful staging and instantly enhance your property’s attractiveness.

If you’re not sure how to take advantage of the transformative power of art to make your home stand out and capture buyer’s interest, this article is going to teach you everything you need to know.

Table of Contents

What is home staging?

Home staging is more than just filling an empty living space with functional and ornamental items or reorganizing existing furnishings and objects, as some people might think.

Not to be confused with interior design, although there is some overlap there, home staging is a practice that involves preparing a home for sale by maximizing its overall appeal through various strategies such as cleaning and tidying the space, optimizing the layout, rethinking furniture placement, bringing in new decorations, and so on.

When staging a home, the focus falls on:

Presenting the property in optimal condition – taking care of minor repairs, getting rid of clutter, and ensuring the house is up to buyers’ standards
Making the house feel warm and inviting – the house should exude warmth and comfort to make buyers feel like they’re at home when they step inside
Highlighting strong suits while downplaying drawbacks – making sure to bring out desirable features and draw attention from the negatives
Ensuring a positive first impression – creating an aesthetically pleasing environment that leaves a lasting impression

All these efforts are meant to showcase a home’s true potential and give potential buyers an idea of what it would be like living there.

When people view a house, they don’t just look at the technical aspects or practical features because a home is more than the walls that encompass a living space and the materials used to build the structure. The way they feel about the place and the reactions they have to different aesthetic elements also weigh heavily in the decision-making process.

Home staging has the ability to turn a simple viewing into a much more immersive experience by establishing an emotional connection between buyers and the properties they visit. This makes this practice both a powerful marketing tool and a form of art in its own right.

How can art help?

As we’ve already explained, there are various factors and aspects that go into staging a home, from furniture to lighting to layout. However, one element that can considerably impact the final result, and smoothen the path to a better deal, is art.

Displaying artwork as part of your home staging process is a clever way to make buyers fall in love with the property without having to bend over backward to convince them that your place is awesome.

That’s because art has a subtle subliminal effect. People might not notice it right away or they might not think much of it, but the space wouldn’t be the same without artwork.

Art can conjure a whole gamut of feelings and emotions; it evokes memories, challenges perceptions, explores new perspectives, sparks conversations, and conveys all sorts of ideas.

These days, online galleries provide easy access to extensive art collections, from paintings and photos to sculptures, prints, and drawings for sale from talented artists, that can be integrated into living spaces to create the desired effects.

When used in home staging, art can provide a series of advantages, including:

Personalization – art pieces can give a house character and personality and even make the place match the specific aesthetic preferences and interests of potential buyers
Visual impact – a beautiful piece of art can ensure an unforgettable viewing experience that will stay with visitors for a long time
Sense of exclusivity – art can make a house feel unique and exude a sense of luxury, enhancing its perceived value
Better listing photos – the right art pieces not only add interest to a property but also make for more alluring listing photos
Emotional connection – artwork can arouse deep emotions within viewers, encouraging engagement and fostering a sense of attachment with the places where it’s displayed

It’s precisely for these reasons why art pieces, and especially fine art, are increasingly being featured in home staging projects in real estate markets from all across the world.

Tips for choosing the best art pieces for home staging

Choosing art for home staging differs from choosing art for yourself because you’re not looking for items that speak to you personally but for pieces that can create a welcoming and pleasant atmosphere that might inspire buyers.

The first aspect you should keep in mind when selecting art to stage your home is to keep things neutral and opt for art pieces that will appeal to a broad range of buyers, unless you are targeting a specific category of customers who are keen on a certain style.

Size is also an important aspect to consider, as you need to maintain a balance and ensure a cohesive look when integrating artwork. The dimensions of the items you choose have to match the size of the rooms to avoid unpleasant contrasts.

Theme and style matter as well. You’ll want your art pieces to blend seamlessly into the living environment and enhance the atmosphere of the place. Finally, if you want to be a little extra, you can commission bespoke artwork that perfectly matches your home’s aesthetic.

As you prepare to put your house on the market, remember that art can be a secret weapon in home staging, so make sure you use it wisely and make the most of it.