The Evolution of Home Staging: From the 50s to Today
Home staging, a term synonymous with property selling, has a rich and fascinating history. What started as simple advice from realtors to their clients to keep their homes tidy before showing, has evolved into a full-blown industry that significantly impacts the real estate market and the selling value of the home. Join us as we learn about the history of home staging and take a walk down memory lane through the years of home design trends.
The Dawn of Home Staging
There were some key contributors who normalized the staging concept back in the 70’s such as Barbara Schwartz. There is no doubt that she influenced and impacted the industries development and emergence in the United States. While some in the UK may recognize Ann Maurice’s name with her Channel 5 television show called House Doctor, which broadcast in 1998. However, staging didn’t take off until the early 2000’s. Homestyling (as it is also known for in Sweden) transitioned from an organizational concept that meant “to keep the home decluttered” to debuting on national television in series format such as Sell This House which was broadcast in 2003 on A&E. And as they say, the rest is history!
The Modern Era of Home Staging
Fast forward to today, and home staging is a multi-million dollar industry. The modern era of home staging goes beyond rearranging furniture and removing clutter. It now involves professional interior design, with the use of rented furniture from a staging company.
Today's home staging also focuses on highlighting the unique features of a property and tailoring the aesthetic to the target demographic. According to the National Association of Realtors, 23% of sellers' agents staged all their clients' homes prior to listing them for sale.
The Evolution: Then and Now
The evolution of home staging over the decades is truly remarkable. From its humble beginnings in the 70s as a simple decluttering exercise, it has morphed into a sophisticated marketing strategy that uses design and psychology to appeal to potential buyers. While the core idea remains the same - to present the property in the best possible light - the methods and techniques have significantly evolved to keep up with changing consumer preferences and market trends.
Luxury home staging has come a long way since its inception. As it continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: a well-staged home can make a significant difference in selling a property quickly and for the best price.
A Lookback at the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and beyond
Staging a home will always follow the active design trends that the current decade states in fashion.When we think of staging we must remember what was in vogue during those decades to truly appreciate what staging looks and feels like now. However, if you are like many, some of these trends and images will bring back fond memories and nostalgia.
1960s: The 1960s was an era of experimentation with bold colors and patterns. Two prominent aesthetics were:
Mid-Century Modern: This style featured clean lines, minimalist forms, and natural shapes. It was heavily influenced by Scandinavian design principles and was often paired with vibrant pops of color.
Space Age Aesthetic: Inspired by the fascination with space exploration during this era, the Space Age aesthetic incorporated futuristic elements, including geometric shapes, metallic finishes, and unconventional furniture designs.
1970s: The 70s saw a shift towards more earthy tones and textures. Popular aesthetics included:
Bohemian: This style embraced a "more is more" philosophy, with layered rugs, colorful textiles, and eclectic accessories.
Retro Futurism: Much like the 60s' Space Age aesthetic, the 70s also leaned into the future, but with a playful twist. Think brightly colored appliances and furniture with rounded edges.
1980s: The 80s brought in a mix of bold, extravagant designs and country-inspired aesthetics. Key styles were:
Memphis Design: Characterized by bright, contrasting colors and abstract shapes, this style was a direct reaction against the minimalism of the previous decades.
Country Chic: In contrast to the brashness of Memphis Design, Country Chic embraced floral prints, pastel colors, and rustic finishes.
1990s: The 90s marked a return to minimalism and a focus on comfort. Popular aesthetics included:
Minimalism: This style, marked by a less-is-more approach, focused on simplicity, functionality, and the use of neutral tones.
Shabby Chic: This aesthetic combined the use of vintage items with a pastel color palette to create a comfortable, lived-in look.
2000s: The turn of the millennium saw a shift towards more personalized and globally influenced styles:
Industrial: This style highlighted elements like exposed brick, metal accents, and reclaimed wood for a raw, unfinished look.
Global Influence: With the growing accessibility of the internet, people began incorporating design elements from around the world into their homes.
2010s: This decade was all about bringing the outdoors in and keeping spaces functional yet stylish:
Scandinavian: This design philosophy prioritized functionality, simplicity, and the use of natural materials.
Farmhouse: Farmhouse style, marked by its rustic charm and comfort, was widely popularized in this decade.
2020s: While we're still in the early years of this decade, some prominent trends have emerged:
Sustainable Design: With a growing focus on the environment, sustainable and eco-friendly designs, including the use of recycled materials and energy-efficient appliances, are gaining popularity.
Maximalism: As a reaction against the minimalism of the past few decades, maximalism embraces bold colors, patterns, and textures for a rich, layered look.
ABOUT ECD
Everything Creative Designs has been in business since 2006, staged over 5000 single-family homes, multi-family homes, rental properties, condominiums and more and has a flexible team of professional interior designers and stage assists who can stage a 6000 square foot home from start to finish in one day. We have a fully stocked warehouse of interior design quality pieces. These curated collections are all hand picked with purpose. We leverage technology to help streamline our process and offer our clients transparency. Everything Creative Designs is your preferred partner when you want your condominium to stand out from the crowd and attract your ideal buyer. We invite you to check out our portfolio for ideas and inspiration.