Staging the Dining Room

How do I update my dining room?
Formal dining rooms were very popular in the 80's - early 2000's.  A common room built as a separate room from the kitchen with matching chairs and table, accompanied by a matching large piece of furniture where the wedding china with all its accessories were displayed. It is commonly used on special occasions and holidays, and there was usually a bulky 'leaf' that extended the table to accommodate larger gatherings.  

Chances are if you owned a home that was built during this time, you have one of these rooms. If you haven't updated it since then, most likely it has a wallpaper border and maroon paint. There is probably a shiny brass chandelier in the room hung high above that matching dining set. Am I close?
With millennials flooding the market, the dining room already offers no appeal and most see it as wasted space. Now add a dining room that still boasts the traditional style, this will definitely distant buyers. 
So here are a few general updates you can make to that formal dining room so that it is staged to sell. 
1. Paint. Remove the wallpaper border, cover the shade of red with a light neutral color. Bold colors can make a great statement in the dining room if done right, but for resale it is better to stick with neutral colors. 

2. Replace Light fixture. Take away the shiny brass or the yellow frosted glass covers. Update the light fixture with a black wrought iron or brushed nickel finish which will appeal to more buyers. Also select a linear light for a rectangular dining table. 

3. Address the furniture. Transitional style is a common design style used in staging. It is a combination of traditional and modern. It appeals to multiple buyers and is a great style that can incorporate multiple design aesthetics.
​Swap out a couple chairs for a bench or larger fabric chairs at the ends of the table. Most importantly pre-pack the China sets. Display only large items through any clear glass or open shelves.  Best option would be to remove the large upright china cabinet and replace with a buffett table with a mirror or large art piece on the wall. Removing the bulky furniture from the room, opens up the room and provides a more modern feel. 

4. Remove curtains. Remove any floral valences above the windows and heavy drapery, dated patterned fabric and layers of curtains prevent natural light and can darken the room. Some curtain patterns will date the home and layers of curtains can block natural light coming from the window. If the window faces the front of the house, buyers would appreciate adding wood blinds or shutters than can be closed for privacy at night. 

These tips will help buyers see what the potential of the room can be and showcase the home in an appealing style.  
Head to our Room by Room Design  - Dining Room blog to see how you can design a show stopping dining room in your new home. 

​Check out the video showcasing one of our staged homes. See how we brought this dining room to a must-see in person, even with green painted walls. 

Looking to give your dining room a makeover, we can help with design concept boards and of course we can stage it when selling;)
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