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Cleaning And Staging Go Hand In Hand A clean space lends itself to being easily staged, and that's a relief for homeowners A busy, professional couple was being transferred out of the area and had to put their home on the market. They were so busy, in fact, that they couldn't meet me for a consultation and asked me to conduct it without them. This was a first! We agreed that I could visit the house on my own and make a list of all they should do to get the house ready to sell. They'd look through the suggestions and then we'd discuss it on the phone. Together we'd decide what to do, given their time constraints and their budget. I arrived on the appointed day to a home that looked like a dirt devil had just swept through it. They were both workaholics and didn't have time to tidy up – there were newspapers, coffee cups, laundry and unopened mail strewn about. Fortunately, I could see through the debris and saw that the house had good bones. It needed a little yard work, minimum painting, lots of de-cluttering and a thorough cleaning. The family room was where they spent most of their meager free time, and it showed it. A seldom-used exercise bike, an overly full bookcase and house plaque – the normal sorts of things you'd find in a lived-in family room – detracted from the room's size and beauty. Our challenge was to brighten, update and de-clutter so that potential buyers could see themselves enjoying the space. Before • The built-in bookcases were a nice feature, but they were dark, stained and dated-looking. They were too full and disorganized-looking. • The exercise bike had to go! • Clutter and personal items needed to be removed. After • Painting the bookcases brightened the room and gave them an updated look. I removed about a third of the books and redistributed the rest to create a more balanced and lighter arrangement. I added in a few accessories for interest. • Most potential buyers don't want to be reminded that they need exercise, nor do they want to climb around equipment to get into a room. The exercise machine went out to the garage. • It only took a few minutes to clear away the personal items and papers from the coffee table and couch. De-cluttering is one of the best ways to create visual peace and simplicity, and the new, clear space is very alluring to buyers.
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Kit Davey, an interior designer based in Redwood City, Calif., helps clients redecorate their homes through the creative use of their existing furnishings. E-mail Kit your questions: 
