Living rooms are a place for gathering and watching TV, playing the piano, or taking an afternoon catnap on the sofa.  Let’s take a look at some of our top living rooms we have staged this year.

#5: Powell, Ohio

The living room just had to make it on our top spaces this year, with amazing views to the backyard, soaring ceilings, and plenty of seating space.  This neutral palette was calm and inviting.

#4:  Westerville, Ohio

A massive great room was found in this Westerville home.  This space had seating for 7+, an open bar area with seating for another 4, a desk space, and a pub table and chairs for a friendly game of poker.

#3: Wingate Farms, Delaware, Ohio

This spacious front living room with a lodge feel came in at #3 on our list. This home had gorgeous views any way you looked out the windows.  One wall was floor to ceiling windows with views out to over 2 acres of land!

#2: Dublin, Ohio

This property was another great testament to the power of staging.  It was on the market for months in 2018 and didn’t get much traction.  Once we staged the home and made a recommendation to white wash the fireplace in the living room below, the home went back on the market for only 5 days before it went into contract!  We see this space as an updated gathering area, ready for game night on the coffee table, or ready to host a dinner party.  The opportunities are endless.

#1: Lewis Center, Ohio

Blacks, tans and browns coordinated perfectly in this Lewis Center living room.  This space was large enough for a sofa and 4 chairs, and opened up to the kitchen and dining room for optimum entertaining.

As we have heard many times, a kitchen – done right – adds value to a home, and ultimately helps sell a home for top dollar.  Let’s take a look at some of the most popular kitchens we have staged this year.

#5: Evans Farm, Lewis Center, Ohio

Two-toned cabinets and quartz countertops are shown off in this kitchen, featured in this year’s BIA Parade of Homes in Evans Farm.  Additional seating area at the island creates the ultimate gathering spot, along with a breakfast area with a raw-edge table and bench seating.

#4: Dublin, Ohio

This is what kitchen dreams are made of.  The ever-popular kitchen island had on-trend pendant lighting and additional seating, stainless steel appliances and in-demand white cabinets. This home was ready to shine.

#3: Columbus, Ohio

This kitchen stands out not only because of the unique overhead lighting and the original wood floors, but also because of the spacious square footage with a tucked-in mudroom space.  This home had an offer within the first 20 hours of being on the market, and we weren’t the least bit surprised!

#2: Merion Village, Columbus, Ohio

This is one of our most liked spaces on social media for 2019.  This kitchen showcased peninsula seating for 2, slots for dishes, and direct access out to the back patio.  Wood beams and a skylight take this kitchen to the next level.  And there’s more – there is even a buffet area ready to show off martini glasses and dishes.

#1: Grandview Heights, Ohio

Some homes you just have to experience, and this home (and kitchen) was one that belonged on the cover of a magazine.  We couldn’t decide which feature was our favorite:  the oversized island with wrap-around room for barstools, the gold-toned fixtures or the pendant lighting.  This kitchen had it all, and we were in complete awe of this space.

Over the last several years we have seen more of a demand from buyers for home offices.  In these offices, many buyers are looking for an executive-style space with storage and built-ins, the obvious desk and chair, and then other seating areas for clients or drop-by visitors.  Let’s take a look at some of our top offices we have staged this year.

#5: Dublin, Ohio

This home had a built-in desk, a fireplace, ad then a small sofa to relax and read a book.  With views out to the backyard, this was a superior first-floor home office.  To top it off, this office had its own fireplace – what a feature!

#4: Dublin, Ohio

Back to Dublin for #4 on our list.  Dark wood trim and built-ins galore made this a grand first-floor home office.  We even had to go back to our warehouse to load up on more accessories, as we ran out on our first trip!  This particular home went into contract in 2 weeks.

#3: Dublin, Ohio

The city of Dublin makes our list 3 times for top offices.  Peaked ceilings, a large window and plenty of built-ins make this a memorable and functional home office.    This home went into contract in 4 days and we aren’t the least bit surprised.  As one of the first rooms you normally see from the entry, this office was a great introduction to the home.

#2: Lewis Center, Ohio

Dark walls and white trim were a beautiful palette for this Lewis Center home office.  We brought in blues and greens to create a cohesive space and we couldn’t be more pleased with the final product.  Working from home has never been this enticing!

#1: Columbus, Ohio

This home office takes the cake.  In this 111-year-old home, we wanted to stay true to the historic nature, so we brought in dark woods, large chairs and a bohemian-style rug.  The light fixture and fireplace were two stand-out features that we wanted to highlight, so on either side of the fireplace we brought in storage for books and knick-knacks. We also hung brand new gold-toned pieces of art to match the gold-toned light fixture.  The desk had a couple of our favorite antiques:  an antique phone and typewriter.  Tucked in the corner was a standing world globe and old suitcases.  What a space.  This home had multiple offers, one within 20 hours of going on the market, and we couldn’t be more thrilled.

The sanctuary.  The oasis.  A place of calm and tranquility.  A master suite is the place to curl into bed with a good book and forget about the stress of the day.  A staging rule is to bring in calming colors to accomplish the goal of relaxation.  Let’s take a look at some of our most popular master suites we have staged this year.

#5: Dublin, Ohio

This room was MASSIVE.  Not only did it have enough square footage in the main area for a queen size bed, double chairs & table and a dresser, but it also had a separate room for lounging, where we brought in a TV and chaise lounge.  We have a feeling many homeowners may not even leave this side of the house.

#4: New Albany, Ohio

Modern farmhouse living in this master suite in New Albany.  Channeling our inner Chip and Joanna Gaines, we brought in subtle green tones in the throw pillows to play off of the fern art.  Finishing off this space is a separate seating area and a large dresser.  Another one of our massive master suites we staged with an enviable walk-in closet and master bathroom with double sinks and luxury tile throughout.

#3: Westerville, Ohio

This master suite is pure perfection.  Perfectly ironed sheets, a seating area to relax and teal colors that pop up in several places to tie everything in.  Cohesive and calming describes this space.  This master suite with a large walk-in closet and a master bathroom is another top suite.

#2: Dublin, Ohio

The common theme in these master suites starts with a spacious bedroom with plenty of room for a dresser, large bed and a separate seating area.  The rooms then connect to a massive walk-in closet and separate master bath, and this master suite in Dublin continues with those features.  Soft blues, tans and grays create a calming space, which is the ultimate goal for a master bedroom.

#1: Evans Farm, Lewis Center, Ohio

This home featured in this year’s BIA Parade of Homes in Evans Farm was certainly at the top of the list this year in just about every category.  The blue walls create a calming oasis.  The separate coffee station next to a private balcony creates a perfect space to start your day on the right foot.  The massive horse art by local artist Dennis Rano creates harmony in this space.  Finishing out this space is a large patterned arm chair, custom window treatments, a gorgeous rug under the bed and one of our most popular headboards that pops off of the blue walls.

 

The place in the home for privacy and relaxation:  bathrooms.  We’ve heard it many times before:  bathrooms help sell homes. These top homes had soaker tubs to relax, vanity spaces to apply makeup, and plenty of storage for towels, curling irons and hairdryers.  Without further ado, let’s get into the top 5 bathrooms.

#5: Dublin, Ohio

This master bathroom in Dublin has two separate countertops, plenty of cabinet storage and a walk-in shower with double shower heads.  The custom closet is conveniently located at the far end of the bathroom for easy access to clothes.  What a space!

#4:  German Village, Columbus, Ohio

In old historic homes, there is usually only one main bathroom, so these bathrooms have to stand out (in a good way) for homebuyers.  This updated bathroom with open shelving and white subway tile in German Village did just that.  New cabinets, and on-trend & neutral floor tile were some additional features of this bathroom.  Buyers loved it as this home went into contract in 5 days!

#3: Pataskala, Ohio

Storage galore in this brand new master bathroom.  Long spacious countertops, built-ins near the shower for towels and toiletries, a water closet for privacy, and a large shower are a few of our favorite features.

#2:  Lewis Center, Ohio

We think this brand new bathroom in Evans Farm stands out for many reasons.  One feature that we loved was the subway tile in the shower that had a vertical pattern instead of the standard horizontal pattern you normally see.  Top it off with the paint color and new light fixtures, and this guest bathroom comes in at #2 on our list.

#1: Columbus, Ohio

Dark walls, white subway tiles on the wall, those floors(!), and a modern soaker tub make this bathroom memorable.  Even better, a dedicated laundry space is located right within this bathroom.  This bathroom belongs on your Pinterest board or in a magazine.

Believe it or not, it’s already that time where we start looking back and reflecting on the many stages of this past year. One of the perks of this job is being able to explore Columbus and shine light on gorgeous neighborhoods and homes. When we step inside the homes, our wheels start spinning and we imagine the full potential of the space. We at Sanctuary Staging LOVE helping transform these areas into memorable spaces so buyers can fall in love and ultimately make offers for top dollar on these homes. Over the next several weeks we will be highlighting some of the most popular spaces in the homes we staged this year.

We start off this year’s recap at the beginning of the home’s interior:  the entryway.  We at Sanctuary believe that entryways are such a crucial piece of staging, as they are the first impressions of the home.  Whether you watch HGTV, or have gone through the home searching process yourself, we hope you know the feeling when you walk into a home and say, “WOW.”  That’s what we strive for in every single house we stage.  As we’ve written in our social media posts, entryways will help decide whether the home will draw buyers in or turn them away.  Let’s look at the top 5 entryways that we’ve staged in 2019.  FOY-YAY!

#5:  German Village, Columbus, Ohio

The entry shows off the gorgeous wood staircase and a perfect spot to kick off your shoes and drop off your keys. Up the staircase, exposed brick peeks out of the painted walls – what an artistic feature!

#4:  Old Oaks, Columbus, Ohio

The detailed wood trim and stairway make this entry a memorable space.  This spacious entry even has custom wallpaper imported from England!  This 119-year-old home was in contract in 10 days!

#3:  Westerville, Ohio

A long entryway hall with views to the office, kitchen and dining, this space invites buyers into the home to explore.  This home went into contract in 8 days!

#2:  Columbus, Ohio

We aren’t sure which part of this entry is our favorite:  the modern black light fixture, the original herringbone-patterned wood floors or the mirrors taking your eye up to the second floor.  We pride ourselves on measuring, planning and studying spaces before the official move-in.  This is the perfect example of successful prepping and planning:  matching our decor with the dark wood tones; measuring to ensure we have the perfect-fitting console table; and leading the buyers’ eye up to the show off the unbelievable light fixture and equally impressive staircase.

#1:  Evans Farm, Lewis Center, Ohio

We staged two homes in the popular Evans Farm neighborhood this year, and this particular home gives off the modern farmhouse vibe.  The galvanized metal mirrors and studded table that fit perfectly on the blank wall, mixed with the organic wood floors and decor make this our top entryway for 2019.

 

Our latest stage brought us to a coveted neighborhood near Worthington.  Almost 3,000 square feet of living space, this upscale home is completely turn-key.  Boasting 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, and a completely finished basement, this home had space for everyone.  A few other features we loved were the first floor master, the separate office, and a top floor with a landing space and two spacious bedrooms.  Enjoy the photos!

Our latest stage took us to the Preserve North neighborhood of New Albany.  Wood floors, a neutral palette and lots of square footage made this home exciting to stage!

The private home office was tucked away behind double doors, perfect when you need some quiet for a conference call.  Next up was a dining room, perfect for entertaining 6, with its own private space behind the columns.  Towards the back of the main level was an open living and kitchen area with a large pantry that made us all a little envious!  A kitchen and breakfast area overlooked the back patio, perfect for drinking coffee or eating a quick meal while watching the kids play out back.  Finishing out the main level was a laundry space right off the kitchen, complete with a utility sink and granite countertop.

Upstairs had to be one of the largest master bedrooms/suites we’ve ever seen, three additional bedrooms each with their own walk-in closet and a landing area off of the master suite that we staged as an additional seating area.

Going next to the lower level, the finished basement had a separate wet bar, large built-ins ready for a massive TV or screen for watching movies, and a pub table to play some cards with friends.

We were proud of this home and can’t wait to see how fast this one sells.  Enjoy the photos!

Our latest stage took us to Woodwark Park in Columbus to a completely updated Ranch home.  A few memorable features include the 4 bedrooms, a finished basement and an open living/dining space.

For this home’s color palette, our team played off of the gray tones and brought in modern furniture with soft blue and gray accents.

We staged two of the bedrooms as the ever-popular sports and kite themes, and we know kids are going to fall in love with these spaces.  A fourth bedroom was decorated as a home office, which is always in-demand in this day and age.

Finishing out the main level is a modern and cozy master suite.

The finished lower level is perfect for entertaining, as it has a home bar, pub table and living area packed into space.

We expect this one to go FAST!  Enjoy the photos!

 

Our latest stage took us to an upscale neighborhood in Powell, Ohio.  This 5-level split home was perfect for a large family, as it had multiple living areas and dining areas.  Each bedroom had its own connecting bathroom (um, awesome!) and the entire house had over 4,000 square feet of living space.

The living room had to be one of our favorite living rooms to stage this year, with amazing views to the backyard, soaring ceilings, and plenty of seating space.

Another stand-out room was the bonus room.  The perfect space for teens or kids with two built-in desks, a living space to watch TV or play music and a separate area in front that we made into a play area.

The lower level had to be another favorite, as we were able to use many pieces of the homeowner’s, including theater seating, movie posters and bar stools and create a perfect space for watching movies.  We were almost tempted after a long day of staging to kick up and relax down there!

Another home that we enjoyed staging and maximizing its potential!  Represented by Carrie Everingham with Cutler Real Estate.