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Welcome to the age of Instagram - where beautiful photos reign supreme, every detail of an image is curated within an inch of its life and unless you have the kind of content that stops people scrolling in their tracks, you’re pretty much redundant.Stunning images have never been more important in the marketing of a property, and while you might be totally into the lounge you’ve had for 14 years and using your spare room to dry and fold clothes, most people aren’t.So how much does it actually cost to get your house looking Instagram-worthy by having it staged? We asked two Canberra ‘stagers’ for their advice.<h2 data-block-key="dgda">Apartment - around $2500</h2><img alt="31-70-bourne-street-cook-act-2614-52164-image-0-20220116233152858864-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/31-70-bourne-street-cook-act-2614-52164-image-.width-800.jpg" width="800">“Clever styling can take empty space in a home and create designated uses for that space,” says The Property Stylists’ Nola Hile.“Like placing a study nook in an unused corner or a media room in an unused room under the house. It’s about presenting your property to its full potential.”<img alt="48-35-tay-street-watson-act-2602-52417-image-0-20220119221627018137-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/48-35-tay-street-watson-act-2602-52417-image-0.width-800.jpg" width="800">Nicole Heins from Impressions Property Styling says: “Gone are the days when apartments were slick and modern - we’re finding owners want their apartment to feel cosy and inviting, a place to relax after a long day. We love incorporating feature artworks, textured rugs and lots of indoor plants.”<h2 data-block-key="10ji5">Three-bedroom home - around $3500</h2><img alt="6-50-ellenborough-street-lyneham-act-2602-51625-image-0-20220115024632990657-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/6-50-ellenborough-street-lyneham-act-2602-5162.width-800.jpg" width="800">“We style with trends that reflect the property and demographics of the suburb,” Nola from The Property Stylists says.“For example, a heritage-listed home could be styled with a Hamptons or French provincial feel, while a one-bedroom unit in Braddon would be styled minimalist and modern.”<img alt="31-70-bourne-street-cook-act-2614-52164-image-0-20220116233150119228-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/31-70-bourne-street-cook-act-2614-52164-image-.width-800_WWQ6gTu.jpg" width="800">According to Nicole from Impressions: “Styling is more than just cushions and plants, it’s about maximising space and creating a look that will appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Styling gives your property the edge, with the potential to sell faster and attract a higher price tag.”<h2 data-block-key="8frnr">Larger home with 6+ bedrooms - $4500+</h2><img alt="7-lanaba-street-crace-act-2911-49836-image-0-20220119141625137211-thumbnail-1920x1920-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/7-lanaba-street-crace-act-2911-49836-image-0-2.width-800.jpg" width="800">According to Nicole from Impressions, bringing nature indoors is a trend “that’s not going away”.“Especially with COVID, a home should be a sanctuary,” she says.“Making a real feature of the outdoor areas, whether it’s creating a space for entertainment, or a quiet cup of tea will add value to any home.”<h2 data-block-key="7l24i">What’s the process? What do I do with my existing furniture?</h2>Nola: “Styling takes half a day. We pre-pack everything at our warehouse and the actual styling then takes about two hours.“Most stylists prefer to style an empty home, as the style is more cohesive and tends to flow throughout the property, so most of our clients have already moved out or have their furniture in storage.”<img alt="1-2-belconnen-way-page-act-2614-51064-image-0-20220113213124258555-crop-c0-5__0-5-1600x750-70.jpeg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="375" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/1-2-belconnen-way-page-act-2614-51064-image-0-.width-800.jpg" width="800">Nicole: “We can style an empty home or work with the existing furniture in your home.“Our staff will do a walk-through of your home prior to styling to advise what items can stay and which items need to be removed. Furniture should be stored off site. Styling takes 4-5 hours.”

How much does it actually cost to stage your house for sale?

For some it’s an obvious answer: ‘wherever it can fit!’ while for others it has pride of place in the exact same spot every single year. But when it comes to the perfect location for your Christmas tree, it’s what happens underneath the tree that matters most according to local stylists Julia Roos and Kiara Shah.According to Julia, owner of Canberra-based <a href="https://www.instagram.com/modemodern_/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mode Modern</a>, “the perfect spot is the comfiest spot for sitting around on the floor on Christmas morning to open pressies and give cuddles.&quot;<img alt="shutterstock_455965228 (1).jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_455965228_1.width-800.jpg" width="800">“The Christmas tree should definitely go in the lounge or living space – the cosiest, best place for just the family to enjoy,” Julia says.“In the evening, when it’s time for feet up, I love collapsing onto the couch and enjoying the twinkling lights, the soft scent of a real tree and the quiet ambience the tree provides.”Kiara Shah, principal designer at <a href="https://www.loftstudio.com.au/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Loft Studio</a>: “Share the special feeling outside as well. Show the love to passers-by putting your tree in a window and having the lights sparkling from dusk onwards.”<img alt="shutterstock_297024461.jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_297024461.width-800.jpg" width="800">But what if you live in a studio apartment in Braddon or a one-beddy in Bruce?“Go for a little potted tree - Bunnings have good ones - that can sit on a console, bench or table, or a large vase with some gnarly branches to hang various trinkets from,” Julia says.“If you have a little balcony or courtyard, your tree can go out there! Just make sure you use outdoor fairy lights and go as big as you can.”<img alt="shutterstock_1586505676 (1).jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_1586505676_1.width-800.jpg" width="800">Kiara says curated is okay, but nostalgic decorations are more meaningful than bought ones. Julia has two non-negotiable rules: white tree lights only (not coloured ones) and under no circumstances should tinsel ever be used.“Remember the canvas you’re working from is deep green, so colour is always going to pop and look beautiful,” Kiara says.“Be careful not to over decorate and neutral or white ornaments can balance out the colour.”Julia: “The joy and nostalgia the kids experience when they pull the decorations out of the box each year makes me so happy. But it’s important to note that there’s nothing wrong with curating the tree look – they don’t all need to go on every year, and only the cutest ones make the cut.”<img alt="shutterstock_518892604.jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="525" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_518892604.width-800.jpg" width="800">Julia prefers real trees to fakes but does remember one nightmare Christmas when a friend got more than she bargained for with a real tree.“She and her family found a huge one at a Christmas tree farm, brought it home and decorated it,” Julia recalls.“The next morning they awoke to find two huge, fat huntsman spiders on the wall and hundreds of baby spiders all through her living room.“She’s had a fake tree ever since.”<img alt="shutterstock_2087179099.jpg" class="richtext-image full-width" height="533" src="https://d2t3vhau9g43uy.cloudfront.net/media/images/shutterstock_2087179099.width-800.jpg" width="800">Kiara once had a Red Hill client whose huge foyer was designed around the Christmas tree.“Just like the tree, we had deep green furniture as a base and then complemented that with coloured artwork and accessories.“It was stunning.”

2 news articles with tag property-styling

How much does it actually cost to stage your house for sale?

Family debate: Where should your Christmas tree go?