Tips for Staging a Studio: defining a small space
When it comes to staging a studio defining a livable area within a limited space can be a challenge. Empty studios often seem smaller and hard to define, leaving potential buyers with an unsettling feeling that there just isn't enough room. Occupied studios can feel cramped and cluttered.
Maximizing functional square footage should be a priority. Defining basic living areas that are typically found in larger homes is essential to show buyers how the studio space can function for them.
Aside from being cluttered and disheveled this studio lacks clear definition making it difficult for buyers to picture themselves living in the space.
Maximize Functionality. There are four basic living areas in most homes: living, eating, working, sleeping. Making sure that you effectively display these specific areas in a functional setting helps potential buyers picture themselves living in the space.
Use multifunctional furniture. Using day and sofa beds allow you to feed two birds with one seed, while conserving space, ottomans with storage, trunks as coffee tables pull double duty; maximizing function.
Avoid using large furniture in small spaces. It drastically effects the feel of the room and usable square footage. Compact furniture makes rooms seem larger.
Keep wall colors light and bright. Dark wall colors can make a room appear smaller.
Don't over do it. Remember not to place too much furniture in the space; less is more.
In this stage we clearly defined the eating, living, and working areas. The sofa (Pune'e) converts into a double bed, addressing the sleeping area.
The multifunctional butcher block table acts as a dinning table, bar, and extra prep area for the kitchen. The compact size of the desk below works well in small rooms. Don't forget cleanliness, reducing clutter, and depersonalization should always top the list of any stage.
Let JDS Consulting assist you in your Real Estate design needs. Please visit our site:
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Photos by Kimo Stowell Copyright ©2008
Kimo, great work! Is the furniture rental or the homeowners?
Aloha Kristina, Thanks for commenting, The inventory is mine, it's a casual island style that works well for the lower end of the market here in Hawaii. This condo overlooks the university of Hawaii campus in Manoa so it's target market is university students or potential investors interested in the university area.
Great info! Love what you did with the space. I agree...less is always best!
Nice, Nice, Nice job...and yes the simplest thing anyone can do is declutter and CLEAN the space
Phyllis pafumi
Kimo, Great transformation and definition of space. Love the surf board!
Wow! You nailed it.
BTW, what's a Pune'e? Is that a type of convertible sofa? Brand name?
Kimo ~ It actually looks bigger now than in the "before"! Nice job setting up each area, and I love that sofa (which sounds like it might be similar to a daybed).
Kimo,
A wonderful use of space in this small studio. You have provided a living & sleeping space, dining area, work space, and you even added a surf board as a reminder that we all need a little playtime! Great work!
Wonderful space planning, Kimo. Sometimes the most challenging spaces are the ones which have the least amount of "space" available. I can imagine opening up the pune'e under that window and letting the soft tropical breeze woft in.
I love staging small spaces-you did an amazing job. Makes me miss the Islands so much!!
I had to look twice to be sure that was the same place. The before pictures unfortunately looked like a few listings I have seen.
Aloha Kimo, Your Staging is balanced and restrained. Perfection! Marketing the lifestyle is achieved through minimal furniture placement, calm colours throughout and defining the four main areas of a house.
Kimo - I always love your work as it reminds me so much of our 6 yrs in Hawaii... I always see your island style. The views are clearly stunning out that window and you have me looking right at them. Great job!
Aloha Wanda, Phyllis, Michele, Thanks for commenting!
Aloha Janine & Kathy, Pune'e (poo neh, eh) is an ancient Hawaiian raised platform used for lounging and sleeping. In ancient times they were sometimes very large taking up the entire room. Modernization has reduced their size but today you would recognize it as an Hawaiian style day bed.
Aloha Michelle P, Thanks for noticing the board. Surfing is obviously very popular here in Hawaii, having ample space for board storage is a concern for many buyers when space is limited.
Aloha Connie, Utilizing the cooling trade winds can save big $ in cooling costs.
Aloha Cathy, Mahalo nui loa for the positive feedback.
Aloha Randy, thanks for visiting.
Aloha Michelle F,Thank you.
Aloha Melissa, Mahalo. The mauka views from this condo are very impressive.
What I love about these pictures is that it shows us how different areas of the country will be staged differently.
Great job in working it for where you live!
What a great transformation. The difference is night/day as the space looks clean and spacious, Kimo.
Congratulations. Your post is being featured in the group; Staging Before & After Pictures.
Kathy
Aloha Beth, Thanks for stopping by. Hawaii has a many popular design choices, island style is but one.
Aloha Kathy,mahalo nui loa for the feature in Staging Before & After.
Wow! I can't even believe that is the same space. Outstanding job and advice, thanks for sharing the photos. I love how you rephrased the old saying into "feed two birds with one seed", that says a lot about you as a person. : )
Good work Kimo,
You have a great touch. A picture tells a thousand stories.
Steve
Fabulous, just fabulous. Love the FEEL of the space now, and it feels more like welcoming space, not that there isn't anything in it, just that what's in it shows it off beautifully and gives it depth. Great job.
Aloha Chris, Thank you, for noticing the rephrasing of an old adage.
Aloha Steven, Thank you, pictures are worth plenty.
Aloha Terrylynn, Thank you, being attentive to details can change the world.
Aloha Kimo, just a fantastic job! What type of budget would a small space such as this be? If I could stage with a surf board it would be in every stage! Love it Love it!! ~ Cheers, Emily
Kimo,
This is nothing short of dazzling! I just picked up a small dining table like yours and it's already been a life saver in small condos that have no defined dining space.
Aloha Emily, Thank you, I like staging with surf boards it's a lifestyle choice.
Aloha Susan, Yes the dinning table is a great space saver.
Amazing... the possibilities in small spaces,
Great "look" Kimo, thank you for sharing!
Kimo, You did a great job on this studio. It is so bright, clean and refreshing. WOW!
Hard to believe its the same place.
Kimo, awesome job as usual!!
Nicely done Kimo. That is a pretty impressive compare and contrast.
Aloha Kakou, mahalo for your comments.
Very nice job!! I can relate to having to define the spaces yourself since I frequently stage lofts that are one big room. No studio should ever go unstaged :). Buyers just can't imagine them all set up. I especially like the double duty of the counter height table doubling as extra kitchen counter space. So important to do double duty whenever possible. Pangaea, Pangaea Interior Design, Model Home Decor & Staging, Portland, Oregon.
I can't get over the difference! Even after adding pieces of furniture, the space looks larger and feels like there's so much more 'room to breathe.' Anyone living in a studio loft/apartment/condo could pick up valuable pointers from your photos and comments.
Kimo, awesome as usual!!! Always a joy to see your work, Margaret
Kimo - Great transformation! Isn't it just amazing what de-cluttering will do. Your clean and simple styling fits perfectly in this space.
Aloha Pangaea, studios are very difficult to sell empty especially if they are under 400sqf, mahalo for commenting.
Aloha Vivian, clutter does wonders in diminishing the apparent square footage. Thank you for visiting
Aloha Margaret, mahalo nui loa.
Aloha Debbie, Hawaii has a very casual understated style, keeping it simple is a way of life here. Thanks for stopping by.