10 Cost Effective Ways to Add Instant Change

For the house you live in...

Want a new look in your space but don't want to break the bank?  There are many affordable changes you can make to satisfy that craving for something different!

1.   PAINT! 

It's amazing what adding or changing color can do.  Light/dark colors can make a room look larger/smaller, an accent wall can bring attention to a feature you want to show off or create interest, you can emphasize furniture or architectural features with wall color, painting the ceiling can add drama, you can trick the eyes and alter a room's proportion with color, and you can even effect your mood by the color you choose! How cool is color - there's so much you can do with paint!!! (depending on size room - could cost UNDER $50)

2.   THROW PILLOWS 

Change the accent and feel of a room by switching out or adding throw pillows to the couch or bed. (UNDER $75)

3.   ACCESSORIES + LIGHTING

You don't have to spend a fortune here, but switching things up a little can completely change things.  You can find great accessories and lighting that look a lot more expensive than they are at places like HomeGoods and Target.  Or, even better, just move around what you already have.  Think of something that you love that may be hidden, and bring it front and center.  Try to use accessories in the same color family in 3 different areas of a room. (Same with lighting)  If you choose to purchase new things, set a budget, and see how much you can fit into it! (FREE or UNDER $75-100)

4.   PLACE SETTINGS

I change my dining room table regularly to keep the look fun and fresh.  I have a few different place settings that I've collected and I alternate between them (about $75-$100 per complete table setting).  Sometimes I just use a centerpiece, which again changes the look.  I don't go buy new centerpieces and place settings all the time, but I will pull things from other rooms or things I've put away.  Go to the beach and pick up seashells... they make great pieces on the table (on napkins, in a vase/bowl, be creative!)... same goes for lots of stuff you can just find.  It's spring... flowers are in bloom! Use this to your advantage and you can have ever changing accessories! (UNDER $75-100)

5.   REARRANGE FURNITURE

This is always fun!  Now that there are "Furniture Sliders" for both hardwoods and carpet (my favorite are from Bed, Bath & Beyond), you move things around solo!  Create a new flow focus. (FREE or UNDER $25 for Furniture Sliders)

6.   ADD LIFE

Go to your local nursery or Lowes/Home Depot and pick up some indoor plants or tree. If you're like me, and the thought of having to try and keep something alive scares

you, be sure to look at the light and water requirements.  I have killed a lot of plants, but always enjoy them while I have them, and have managed to keep one tree for 5 years now and through 4 or 5 moves.  Indoor plants can help add life to a room which is a nice change if you don't currently have one! (UNDER $40 - 100)

7.   CLEAR THE CLUTTER

Many of us live in clutter... we don't necessarily think of it of clutter.  It's our stuff that we love or use, or just like to have out and around.  One way to completely change the look is to remove all the clutter!  It's rather amazing.  There are some things that I need, or do not want to get rid of, but to get a new look, I can put them all in one place and out of sight, which completely changes the look and focus of a room, allowing specific pieces to be highlighted.  Sometimes it's hard, but try it... what you can't get rid of, just hide somewhere for a while.  (FREE)

8.   MAKE ART

So you don't have to be an artist to create cool artwork for your walls.  Here are a few ways: Frame your photographs, using frames of the same shape or color, you can group photos together to create a cohesive wall hanging.  Want something besides personal photos, go to the bookstore and purchase a high quality magazine that have amazing black and whites or really cool color photos... cut your favorite pages / photos out, and put them in a frame that includes a matte.  You can take this to a different scale using designer wrapping paper (Occassions...Just Write in the Cotton Exchange has fab sheets wrapping paper) Another fun thing I love is to take a funky fun fabric and wrap it over a canvas (or corkboard in your office for a super cool bulletin board).  You can put two or three together for a fun focal point over your couch, bed, etc.  Have fun with it! (UNDER $45-75) 

9.   SENSIBLE SCENTS

An invigorating, relaxing, intriguing scent can really add instant change to the mood and feeling of a room!  My favorite are candles and oil diffusers from PIER 1.  Of course you can get great scented candles and oil diffusers just about anywhere, but I am partial to these because they can infiltrate the entire room without being overpowering, plus the prices are good.  You can also use potpourri, but be careful not to put too much out, as this source of lovely scents can tend to quickly overpower.  Just a hint or a trace of your favorite scent is all you need to spice up a room!  Consider making them into a candlescape or putting the oil and reeds into a pretty budvase rather than the jar it comes in.  (UNDER $10)

10. REDESIGN

A service that can completely transform a room using what you already own.  An awesome way to get a new look for less, while holding on to and using the things you already own and love! After talking to a professional in the field about what you like and don't like about a room, what you would love to see and feel when you're in the room ,etc. you can enjoy your day and return to a fresh transformation of your space!  Pulling from things you have throughout the house, professional redesigner's add a creative perspective to show off your space and your "things" in a new light!  (UNDER $500)

Why Buyers Prefer Staged Homes

When speaking with sellers, I always talk to them about how staging their house will benefit them... the truth is, it also benefits buyers, which is why sellers are able to close the house more quickly and for higher offers.  

How is it mutually beneficial?  Staging ensures buyers that a lot of the work has already been done for them.  When a home is staged, repairs and updates are typically recommended and carried out.  This means less work for the buyer, and presents them with a home they can move in as-is without being frustrated.  Below is an example of a recent home we just worked with.  When we first met with the clients, it had a good floor plan, but the homeowner would have alot of work ahead of them to get it where they want it, and many buyers would not be able to see past what it was currently (a home full of wood trim and paneling that was dated).  It is amazing what some paint, major cleaning, a few updates, and staging can do!  Plus, notes on the home inspection were addressed and taken care of as well.

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Feel Free to Comment... We always like to hear what you think! :)

Congratulations Mary + Howard!

Thanks to everyone that came by to see us at the Home Expo and those that attended our last weekend!  

Our winners of the Room Redesign are Mary + Howard Congleton of Wilmington, NC!  

If you would like more information on how you can get a new look in a day, using your own things... let us know! Or visit our website www.justperfectredesign.com.

We'll keep you posted and show you photos once we perform the redesign for the Congleton's.

797 Jackey's Creek Lane

Our latest project we completed is a fabulous Craftsman style home in the Jackey's Creek development of Leland. The home is only a couple years old, and looks like new. There are fabulous details throughout the house as well as a great lot to sit on at 1.32 acres. Even adding to the location, it just happens to back up against a natural wooded area that is protected and will never be built on - talk about guaranteed privacy! It's so nice! Check out the virtual tour! Be sure to contact Caroline Dugas of Prudential Laney Real Estate if you would like more information or a showing. You will find her contact information at the end of the tour! Happy house hunting!

Home Staging Seminar

Interested in staging your home? Putting your house on the market and want to do everything you can to help it sell fast? Tired of watching your house sit on the market with no offers?

Come see what home staging is all about. Learn what it is, why it works, and how it can help you and your home! Plus, you'll receive a few tips along the way that you can do when you go home to boost your home's appeal to buyers! (Special guest from Down Under Landscaping and Irrigation to give ideas about Curb Appeal, which is part of staging)

Just Perfect! is giving a Seminar on Home Staging during the HOME EXPO this weekend.
WHEN: Saturday, March 14
TIME: 3:00
WHERE: HBA Home Expo at the Schwartz Center
COST: Admission to Home Expo

Click Here for a full schedule of Seminar's given during the Home Expo!

Builders are Catching On

It is a beautiful day in Burlington, MA and I am thoroughly enjoying my time at the Live South Show. It is an expo that travels across the country to educate people on the fabulous developments we have in the south and gives them an opportunity to learn about each area before taking a trip down to see for themselves. That being said, I have met a few builders/developers here, and had spoken to several back in Wilmington over the past few weeks as well.

The concept of the "Model Home" caught on years ago, and has made a big difference in the world of development and real estate. It really started the technique of adding life, creating warmth and inviting a connection with the home. In the past, most model homes have been decorated by interior designers and decorators. They are always beautiful. However, often times you'll walk in and fall in love with the decor sometimes rather than the house. The decor may not appeal to everyone, but those it does are really taken with it. I have heard people sometimes call back to ask where the furniture is from, and how they can get it, but have no interest in the house and continuing to move forward with that. This raises some issues, and some questions. Also, when these models are photographed, you may think they were for a furniture store if you saw the photo out of context, because again, the decor is what fills the picture and takes your attention.

Home staging, while really catching on in real estate, is something I have recently seen more and more builders really start to seek, understand and utilize. They are realizing they can still achieve the warm inviting atmosphere while keeping focus on the house and it's unique details. It also tends to be more affordable, as they are not having to purchase a lot of expensive furniture and decor outright and upfront. Staging is proving to be flexible for them, as they are able to change the look of each of their homes when they move their model, rather than be limited to the furniture they purchased for the original home (it often may not be the right size or style for the next.) This is really exciting to see the transformation start to take place in this arena, and encourage any realtor/builder/developer to ask questions and learn more.

There is a entire spectrum of possibilities that can work in the favor or the builder/developer that they may not be accustomed to...it's just a matter of keeping an open mind, being willing to change what you're used to always doing, and finding what works for you! Staging could be your answer!