Home staging has been around for ages, and for good reason! Not all people have the ability to clearly envision something that isn’t there. By filling a space with furniture, appliances, and decor, it helps potential buyers to more easily envision themselves living in that space. However, something that is often overlooked when it comes to staging is the decor, and more specifically the living decor, aka plants. Throughout this article we will be taking a look at why it is so important to complete the staging of a home with plants, as well as a few tips on how to go about it.
Benefits of Staging Your Home with Houseplants
Indoor plants can significantly elevate the overall aesthetic of a property, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere that can put prospective buyers at ease and make them feel comfortable. The advantages of using plants in home staging are innumerable, and below we will explore five key benefits that have a direct impact on both the buyer and seller of the property.
For more of an in-depth read on this topic, read my blog post on The Benefits of Having Plants In Your Home.
1. Increased aesthetics
The beauty and charm that indoor plants bring to a home is an undeniable advantage, as plants have the ability to instantly transform a space into a warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed environment. It's hard not to appreciate the way that plants complete a room, adding texture, color, and dimension to the interior. Moreover, the containers used to display the plants can be an exciting opportunity to introduce even more design elements into the space.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, plants are also great for drawing attention to specific features in the house. For instance, if you have a beautiful arched walkway that you want to showcase, placing a plant off to the side of the arch can naturally draw the viewer's attention to that point in the house, making it a standout feature. With plants as a staging tool, you can easily highlight the best aspects of the house and create a more engaging and memorable experience for potential buyers.
2. Improved air quality
When it comes to selling a house, you want to create a space that is appealing to as many potential buyers as possible. One factor that can be particularly important to some buyers is their health and well-being. That's where indoor plants come in - they can help make a home more pleasant and healthy for everyone who walks through the door.
Plants have the ability to purify the air by removing harmful pollutants and toxins, making the air cleaner and fresher. This can be particularly important for potential buyers who are concerned about the quality of the air they breathe, especially those with allergies or respiratory issues.
3. Enhanced relaxation and mood
It's no secret that humans have a strong affinity for nature, and the benefits of spending time in green spaces are well documented. When it comes to staging a home, incorporating indoor plants can be an effective way to tap into this natural connection and create a more relaxing and inviting atmosphere for potential buyers.
Plants are synonymous with nature, and their presence in a home can instantly improve the mood of viewers. This is because our brains have a natural response to the color green, which is associated with feelings of calmness and relaxation. When we see plants, our minds automatically associate them with nature, creating a sense of peace and tranquility that can help to make a home feel more welcoming and comfortable.
4. Reduced stress levels
The process of buying a home can be an incredibly stressful experience, and it's important to do everything possible to alleviate that stress for potential buyers. When a person walks into a home for sale, they want to feel relaxed and comfortable, so they can imagine themselves living there.
That's where indoor plants come in - they can help to create a more peaceful and calming atmosphere in the home. The natural greenery of plants has a soothing effect on the mind and body, helping to reduce stress levels and promote feelings of well-being. By strategically placing plants throughout the interior of the house, you can create a sense of tranquility that will make potential buyers feel more at ease.
5. Increased property value
It may sound surprising, but studies have shown that the addition of indoor plants can actually increase the perceived value of a property. This is because plants are associated with a well-cared for and thoughtfully decorated interior, which instantly elevates the appeal of the space.
In the mind of potential buyers, the inclusion of indoor plants suggests that the property has been well-maintained and taken care of, creating a sense of value and desirability. Furthermore, plants are also associated with a specific high-end aesthetic, which can create a more modern and sophisticated look and feel to the interior. This can further increase the perceived value of the property, as buyers are more likely to be willing to pay a premium for a home that has a high-end aesthetic.
Types of Houseplants to Consider
When staging a home with houseplants, it's crucial to carefully consider the type of plants you choose. Unlike in a regular home where someone is present to tend to the plants regularly, these plants will be left alone for extended periods of time. Additionally, you don't yet know the lifestyle or capabilities of the potential buyer, which makes selecting low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for plants a wise choice. By taking the time to select plants that can thrive in various conditions and require minimal attention, you can ensure that the plants will look their best for potential buyers and make a positive impact on their impression of the home.
1. Low-maintenance plants
When staging a home for sale, keep in mind that there may be no one available to care for the plants on a daily basis. As a result, low-maintenance houseplants that can grow even under less-than-ideal conditions are recommended. Snake plants, pothos, monstera deliciosa, and rubber trees are all wonderful choices for house staging.
These plants not only require little care, but they're also extremely hardy and can handle a wide range of light and humidity levels, making them ideal for a wide range of houses and conditions. You can ensure that your plants look their best and create a friendly, appealing environment for potential purchasers by picking plants that are easy to care for.
2. Pet-friendly plants
When staging a home, it's important to keep in mind the potential buyers and their lifestyles, especially if they have pets. It's not uncommon for potential buyers to bring their pets along to view the home, and if they decide to purchase the property, they may also inherit any plants that are already there. In order to avoid any potential issues, it's best to choose houseplants that are safe for pets.
Some common pet-friendly options include spider plants, Boston ferns, African violets, and bamboo palm. On the other hand, plants like lilies, aloe vera, and snake plants can be toxic to pets and should be avoided.
Read my blog post on Plants That Are Toxic to Cats for more information on this topic.
3. Trendy plants
When selecting plants to stage a home, it's important to consider both their aesthetic appeal and their popularity. By incorporating trendy and stylish plants, you can create a visually appealing and modern space that is sure to catch the eye of potential buyers. Not only do these trendy plants add a unique touch to the decor, but they can also make the potential buyer feel more at ease and comfortable in the space.
Making use of trendy plants also increases the chance that the potential buyer has seen these plants before, either in social media, in magazines, or in other people's homes, which creates a sense of familiarity and instantly makes them feel more at home. Popular trendy plants include fiddle leaf figs, succulents, Chinese money plants, and Bird of Paradise. By incorporating these statement-making plants, you can create a welcoming and on-trend environment that will appeal to a wide range of potential buyers.
Tips for Staging Your Home with Houseplants
You have the opportunity to strategically use houseplants to your advantage, taking into consideration factors such as the layout of the house, the colors used in the interior, and the overall vibe you want to convey to potential buyers. By thoughtfully selecting and placing plants throughout the house, you can create a cohesive and visually appealing look that enhances the overall staging and presentation of the property.
1. Using Plants as Focal Points
The placement of plants can be a very helpful tool in either drawing the viewers’ attention toward something, or in some cases, away from something. For example, a large plant in a vibrant pot can strategically be placed to draw the viewer’s attention to a specific feature area of the house, emphasizing the importance of that specific design element, whatever it may be.
2. Adding Greenery To Spaces That Lack Natural Light
Plants have the ability to transform a dark and dreary space into a lively and inviting one. By bringing in some greeneryyou can add fresh air, and life to the interior of the house, which makes up for the less-than-ideal lack of natural light in the room. Plants help to reduce the harshness of artificial lighting and can create a calming and soothing environment.
Additionally, some plants have shiny or glossy leaves that reflect light, making a space appear brighter and more spacious. This can be especially useful for rooms with limited natural light or small windows.
3. Grouping Plants Together
Resist the temptation to scatter a bunch of plants throughout the entire interior of the house, as this could potentially look unintentional and make the house look cluttered. Instead, group plants together in groups of 3 or more, with the larger plants at the back, and smaller plants in the front, to create a more intentional and thought-through interior.
4. Incorporating Plants Into Existing Decor
Incorporating plants into existing decor is an easy way to spruce up a room without having to completely overhaul the existing design. By placing a small plant next to, or on top of books, or wherever you can find a decorative item that looks lonely, you can add a touch of greenery that complements the existing decor. This will create a cohesive and well-thought-out look that potential buyers will appreciate. Additionally, incorporating plants into existing decor can help soften hard lines and add a touch of organic texture to a space, making it feel more welcoming and inviting.
5. Using Plants To Highlight Architectural Features
When it comes to staging a home, highlighting the best architectural features is a very important aspect. By using plants to draw attention to specific features, you can make a space look even more impressive. For instance, if you want to draw attention to the fact that the ceiling of a house is higher than standard ceiling heights, suspend a few plants from the ceiling in hanging baskets, which will automatically draw the eyes upward.
This can also be done with other vining plants like philodendrons or ivy to draw attention to other elements like exposed beams or unusual wall textures. By highlighting architectural details with plants, you may get a more coherent and aesthetically beautiful look that is guaranteed to wow potential buyers.
In conclusion, staging a home with houseplants can greatly increase its appeal to potential buyers. Not only do plants add a touch of nature and beauty to the space, but they also provide a sense of well-being and health benefits. By strategically placing low-maintenance plants, incorporating trendy and statement plants, and using plants to highlight architectural features, you can create a warm and inviting atmosphere that will make potential buyers feel right at home.
If you're interested in staging your home with houseplants but don't know where to start, consider making use of my services as an interior plant stylist. As a trained professional, I can help you choose the right plants for your space, as well as help you style them in a way that highlights the best features of your home. With my help, you can be sure that your home is staged to impress, and potential buyers will be eager to make an offer.
