Shopping Home Goods for Unique Staging Wall Art

(Originally published February 2020)

Staging a home for sale doesn’t mean stripping it of style or personality.

In fact, that’s a huge mistake! When done well, home staging redecorates a home with a specific goal: marketing the home to buyers. A home seller wants to attract as many buyers as possible, selling quickly and for top dollar. Staging defines a personality and emotional vibe for the home, but too often home sellers remove the personality from their home for fear of turning off buyers. Many “staged” homes contain bland decor and lack inspiration. Often sellers leave walls bare, and I consider this a missed opportunity!

Make a meaningful impact

Wall art distracts from less-attractive aspects of a space and deliberately redirects attention. Purposeful art and other wall decor draws the eye upward. Use art to highlight dramatic crown molding, impressive window views, a fireplace mantel, or architectural elements.

Additionally, art inserts color or texture into a space that feels sterile or apartment-like. Effective wall decor also leaves a lasting impression on a buyer who is looking at multiple properties. In other words, it imprints the home on the memory of the buyer and makes them remember your home.

Avoid anything tacky or controversial, though! No kidding, I toured a home where the owner had hung a stained-glass window with an image of a topless mermaid– in the home office!

Use wall space intentionally

Bare walls in a room, to me, would be like wearing an outfit without accessories, and that’s boring. While junked-up walls make a space feel crowded, intentional use of wall space leads buyers to see the room as move-in ready. Home buyers want to feel inspired from the moment they enter; use unique wall art as the hook to lure them in! 

What to look for when purchasing art for staging:

• Large pieces of art, or clusters of smaller pieces
• Bright or contrasting colors
• Metallic, mirrors, and sparkles reflect light
• Positive messaging (e.g. Home, Family, Love)
• Interesting lines to attract attention
• Frames are not necessary, but they should look updated if you use them
• If you’re concerned about holes in the walls, try Monkey Hooks or 3M wall hooks that remove easily. See my YouTube channel for tutorials on Monkey Hooks and 3M velcro mounting strips!

Try to incorporate some type of meaningful wall decor in each of the major living spaces because you ultimately need to make an emotional connection with buyers. You will be amazed at how quickly the room transforms from bland to incredible!