There’s more to staging a home than simply putting out a few towels, some fresh flowers and straightening the throw cushions on the couch. Think about the last ten open houses you visited. Can you even remember them? Is there anything that stood out from the rest? Any details you can recall? If you’re lucky, you might be able to remember a few houses but even then, your recollection is bound to be vague.

In order to sell houses in this tough real estate market, they need to be memorable. As a Property Designer it is essential that you create a feeling in a home. And to do this effectively, you must set the stage. Just as in a movie when the camera pans across the shot, you know instantly where you are, and who the characters are – you must recreate this feeling in the home.

When a potential buyer enters the home, you want them to know immediately where they are and what is happening. If you’re staging a trendy one bedroom loft - perhaps there is a romantic dinner laid out on the table, complete with candles and low music. Carry the theme over into the master bathroom with a bubble bath and rose petals in the tub. For a family home, a birthday party is a great theme to use. Balloons and presents in the living room, a birthday cake with candles in the kitchen, and party hats on the table.

A scene should be set, throughout the house. When potential buyers come through the house, you want them to be able to envision themselves have their own little girls birthday party in that very house. They should be able to picture themselves serving the cake and watching their child opening presents.

As a property designer, it’s crucial that you create your own little bit of movie magic in each property. At APSD (www.APSDMembers.com) you how to set the scene so your property will not only be memorable, standing out from the crowd – it will also evoke an emotional response in buyers making it hard for them to resist.