As the housing market recovers, more homeowners are looking to remodel their home to boost it's value and equity.  Remodeling Magazine's 2014 Cost vs Value Report shows a positive trend when it comes to recouping dollars spent on home improvements when it comes time to sell -- particularly in New England where a higher percentage of older homes can benefit from improvements. 

Even homeowners who aren't selling today, but remodeling for their own enjoyment can increase the value of their property by considering updates that will deliver the biggest return and pay off in the future.  

It's always important to consider future plans to possibly sell when making updates to ensure the home will appeal to buyers. Low-cost remodeling projects particularly in key rooms such as kitchens and baths can really boost a home's appeal to buyers and selling potential. Staged homes also consistently sell for more money and more quickly than non-staged homes. 

One of our favorite points as interior decorators and professional home stagers is Remodeling Magazine's finding that the best-performing kitchen and bath project is a minor remodel -- which includes new appliances and counter tops, a face lift for cabinets, updating outdated vanities and faucets, and adding new cabinet hardware. We do this all the time for our interior decorating and home staging clients and as pictured below completely transform an outdated space.

 This kitchen update by PJ & Company included professionally painting cabinetry, replacing Formica counter tops with granite, adding new light fixtures as well as trim and detailing to the existing island and cabinets providing a custom look.

To see the full report click here: Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value Report. 

Staging and low cost updates can benefit homes big or small and our recent staging clients are proof! In the past few weeks alone, PJ & Company has staged two, million dollar homes -- a custom, new construction property in Avon, CT and a 1949 colonial in Irvington, NY -- a contemporary home in South Salem, NY and two smaller homes in Danbury and Hamden Connecticut.

Regardless of the style or size of a home, staging can completely transform a space and make a home more marketable and attractive to buyers, who otherwise can't envision a house as their home.

Below is a glimpse at some of our staging work designed to help get these homes sold!

The living room in this $1.9 million, 5,700 square foot colonial in Westchester, NY is a large room perfect for entertaining but the decor was outdated. The layout of the furnishings also wasn't inviting. Using some of the existing furniture, painting a new neutral, yet warm, wall color and adding modern accents, this room now looks like it should be in the pages of a magazine and will engage buyers both online and in person.

 The master bathroom of this contemporary South Salem, NY home features beautiful tile but the custom double vanity was outdated and too expensive to replace. We suggested professionally painting it a modern, dark espresso finish. The transformation updates the entire space and offers buyers a move-in ready master retreat. 

  This new home in Avon, CT is a beautiful custom built home, however, unfurnished it would leave buyers uninspired and unable to envision it as their home. Vacant homes also look smaller to buyers who will spend less time in the property during a showing. Our team staged key rooms to give buyers vision and showcase the space.  

 This 1900 square foot Danbury, CT home offers buyers a bright open living room.  Mismatched and dated furnishings, however, detracted from the beautiful architectural details and charm of the room. New furnishings define the space and give the home a modern, fresh look buyers will love.   

  This Hamden, CT home was another vacant property. The master bedroom pictured above is a huge room but has dated wallpaper and looks small when unfurnished.  We removed the wallpaper, painted a warm neutral color, installed new beige carpeting,  and added furnishings to showcase this move-in ready space.