Burlingame home staging, San Mateo home staging, San Francisco home staging

I had a neighbor a few years ago that invited me over to take a look at her freshly painted den.  I walked in and was terrified.  Wall to wall, ceiling to floor — she had painted the room BRIGHT red. This is not as uncommon as you would think. I once had a client who painted her dining room this dark deep red straight from a Twilight movie. While that is completely okay for living, it is a dangerous choice for selling and staging, since bold color choices tend to scare off / turn off potential buyers.

Red can be a vibrant addition to any decor, but wall to wall, it can scream the opposite of style.  If I had that conversation to do over again, I would have shared these tips (before she painted the room):

1)  You wouldn’t wear red from head to toe, why would you decorate a room that way?  Accents of red can go a long way in styling a room.

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2) Be aware of the space.  This particular room was small and didn’t have any windows.  When using a color as bold as red, it’s a good idea to be aware of the space.  High ceilings and natural light can help tone down such a strong hue when used in furniture or accessories.

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3) And finally:  Hue matters.  The shocking shade in my neighbor’s home made me uncomfortable and nervous.  There are so many different hues of red, and depending on your personal style, there is a sharp contrast between the messages that brick red or fire engine red can send.  Taking the time to assess how red fits into your home’s current decor can mean the difference between a regal interior and one that screams “EMERGENCY!”

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