ByAli Sahabi of Optimum Group, LLC
President, Building Industry Association (BIA) Baldy View Chapter
In this digital age, new words enter our daily language at an unprecedented rate and one of the latest terms to go from real estate “insider” term to everyday parlance is “staging.” Put simply, “staging” involves making a home as attractive to a buyer as possible. So if you are preparing a home for sale (or simply looking to make your home more comfortable for yourself), one of the first steps you can take in staging a home is to inject some new life into your ceiling. The addition of a fresh coat of paint, a stylish ceiling fan or detailed trim work can add personality and character to a room. Ceiling décor can offer the illusion of height in a compact room or increase the feel of intimacy in a large one.
Why start with a ceiling? Despite the fact that your ceiling is a room’s “fifth wall,” ceilings offer possibilities that are often overlooked when staging or doing a home makeover. More importantly, when painting is involved, starting at the top reduces the possibility of drips or splatters on a rooms walls and those imperfections can easily be masked or corrected later – so it is a great first step in preparing a home for sale.
If you are looking at a do-it-yourself paint job, before you start, stop by your local paint or home improvement center and go online to see what resources are available. You might want to consider a professional painter, so look into whether or not a professional paint job might be a better alternative, especially if your home has high ceilings.
Contrasting ceiling and wall colors give a room modern appeal. Experts recommend using deeper shades, like eggplant or cocoa, to make a large space cozier while softer tones like beige or white will open it up. A popular alternative to painting walls is adding wallpaper such as overscale - which features geometric designs - or bold patterns that will definitely keep the room interesting. One thing to note: Designers caution against using the same color or pattern on both the walls and the ceiling. Doing so tends to make a room feel small and closeted.
If paint isn’t an issue, there are numerous other design options to improve the look of your ceiling such as coffered ceilings that feature a symmetrical grid of painted beams, tray ceilings that give off a recessed look and ceilings featuring various woods or exposed wood trusses. Detailed trimwork and ceiling medallions also add flair to a room.
Also, consider introducing new light fixtures. Whether utilizing custom or stock fixtures, designers often showcase lighting as a work of art rather than just a functional element. Recessed lighting, pendant lamps and chandeliers are being paired with other ceiling details to make a statement with a room’s design.
Among decorative home features, ceiling fans stand out as the most wanted item, with 88 percent of buyers rating them essential and desirable, according to the latest What Home Buyers Want survey by the National Association of Home Builders. In fact, ceiling fans have consistently remained favorite home décor features over many years. Though in high demand for both their aesthetic appeal and practical application, when it comes to style, it’s all about personal preference and comfort.
Ceiling height makes an instant impression. Though lower ceilings in some rooms are gaining favor due to concerns about energy efficiency, high ceilings on the first or ground floor are still desirable, particularly among Millennials and professionals often recommend the use of light fixtures, ceiling beams and paint to better define spaces such as those to make it cozier.
For more information on home improvements or remodeling, visit www.NAHB.com/remodel on the web. For more information on buying, selling or just enjoying your home, visit www.BIABUILD.com.
