Using What You Already Have To Stage

I think just as important as staging a home is using what the homeowner already has to stage it.

Staging does not have to cost a lot of money. In fact, there are some very creative ways to use what you already have for your benefit. Finding better uses for furniture and assessories ensures that your costs stay down while your house's competitive edge goes up!

Low-cost changes may include:
-Spray painting a mirror or side table you already own to make it coordinate with a room's color scheme; see "Easy Spray Paint Makeovers" from Real Simple http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/painting/easy-spray-paint-makeovers-10000001056909/index.html
-Painting a bathroom or kitchen walls based on the countertops instead of replacing the countertops
Check out this idea at: http://flythroughmywindow.blogspot.com/2009/04/orange-you-glad.html This bathroom needed a serious overhaul, but instead of choosing to replace the orange countertop, they worked with it.
-Painting cabinets instead of replacing them
-Choosing a few yards of fabric to make pillows that make furniture and paint color coordinate instead of painting or reupholstering furniture
-Buying or making slipcovers for furniture that may be outdated or need new upholstery
-Using sheets to make window treatments
-Bring greenery and flowers inside from your own yard instead of buying a faux plant or buying fresh flowers
-Moving furniture or accessories to another location in your house
-Taking picture of flowers or nature to frame as artwork in your house. You will probably have several frames to choose from after you take down all of your personal photos
-Replacing old lightbulbs with brighter ones (higher wattage) for more light
-Washing your windows to let in more bright light
-Reading"Decorate on the Cheap with Everyday Items" Real Simple Article http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/decorate-on-cheap-with-everyday-items-10000001116708/index.html and "No-Money Home Makover Ideas" http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/home-improvement/money-home-make-over-ideas-00000000006130/index.html

And, if you have to buy a few things consider...
-Craig's List, http://richmond.craigslist.org/; You can find some great deals on furniture and accessories (rugs, lamps, mirrors, artwork, etc.) here
-Yard sales
-Flea markets
-Goodwill or The Salvation Army
-Ebay, http://www.ebay.com/
-Walmart, http://www.walmart.com/; or Kmart, http://www.kmart.com/

Just remember that anything you buy that isn't fixed to the property you can take with you to your new house!