home&garden
every time you
remove something,
it will make your
room look larger
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 107
Bonnie Strickland, a Remax realtor who
focuses primarily on St. Petersburg properties,
feels it is important that the foyer area should be
welcoming, open and free of family pictures and
collectibles to allow buyers to focus on the space.
Umbrellas, coats and other paraphernalia should
be stored in closets, not left in full view. She says
that by removing excess furniture, you can easily
make any area seem more spacious.
We may love our “stuff,” but the experts advise
us to store, sell or donate the treasures we have
accumulated over the years that make your
home look cluttered. This can be a daunting task,
but it is guaranteed to make your home look
larger and allow prospects to imagine it filled
with their own belongings, not yours. Allow
them to focus on the possibilities of your home
and not how you like it. Every time you remove
something, it will make your room look larger.
Try asking a friend to critique your progress
as you stage your home for sale. They will notice
things that you have overlooked, because you’re
so used to seeing them where they are. Your realtor
may also be helpful in this arena. Remember,
don’t take this advice personally, as it is geared
to helping you sell, not judging your taste.
The uncluttered
countertops in this
kitchen would lead
a buyer to assume
that the storage
space is more
than ample.
MARK BOROSCH
CHRIS DELLA PENNA FOR BONNIE STRICKLAND