See How a Stager Transformed This NYC Apartment with “Good Bones”
What started with decluttering in an early 2000s Manhattan apartment in order to get ready to sell it, quickly turned into a bidding war after a highly successful cleaning and staging by HomeWear Designs.
The two-bed, two-bath apartment in South Harlem, just seven blocks from Central Park, went on sale for $639,000 once the staging was complete. The seller, who was moving out of New York City, hired HomeWear Designs because they thought an empty apartment wouldn’t move as quickly as a staged one.
“It had great potential and good bones, but when empty, the textured ceilings became more noticeable, and the space felt much smaller,” says Lana Wear, founder and CEO of HomeWear Designs.
“Our objectives, among other things, were to clean, declutter and depersonalize the space; to give buyers a better perspective on the overall size, which was not completely apparent; and accentuate the great natural light.”
The project only took two days. The first step was to move the homeowner to her new home in another state and tackle the space as a blank slate. Then, the HomeWear team took the time to visit the space in person and assess and analyze the home’s layout, light sources, and selling points.
“Starting with a clear layout plan was essential to ensure each area felt spacious and connected,” Wear says.
Instead of refinishing any floors, the HomeWear team decided to play off the darker floors, bringing in furniture and decor that injected some lightness into the space. The existing paint on the walls was both neutral and in good condition, so Wear saw no need to paint, aside from spots where they spackled holes from hanging artwork.
The furniture and bedding were in light and neutral colors, which also made the apartment seem more spacious. More physical light was brought into the space with strategically placed mirrors, soft rugs, and woven textiles.
“Originally, I’d chosen a more colorful rug for the living room, but it felt too bold for the space,” Wear says. “Instead, I opted for a neutral look to let the beautiful floors and natural light take center stage. A bright environment enhances the perception of space, making rooms feel larger and more welcoming. A well-lit space can significantly influence a buyer’s emotional connection to the property, often leading to a more favorable view and a higher likelihood of making an offer.”
Wear also notes that natural light highlights the best features of the property and brings in a sense of comfort.
Finishing touches included more textiles and art in soft tones and metallics, which Wear says complements the apartment’s natural features and brings in personality. The dining room got a large art piece for the focal point, because “contrary to popular belief, this actually makes the area feel larger and more open,” Wear says.
Finally, Wear brought in plants and flowers to add some color and life, because staged homes can look a little stale without something alive in them.
“Greenery creates a welcoming, livable feel, helping buyers feel at home,” Wear says.
Once the two-day project was finished, the home went on the market — and received seven offers in just a few weeks, eventually selling for a full 10% over the area’s comparable properties.
“Our seller was thrilled with the results,” Wear says. “She described the design itself as ‘fabulous’ and indicated that she ‘never dreamed of such an offer.’”
Further Reading
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
