Walking into a historical home is like stepping back in time. Its creaky wood floors, detailed moldings, and time-honored elegance are reminiscent of a bygone era. In today’s market, though, it takes a bit more than boasting the vintage charm of a historic home to sell it fast.
It is all about striking a balance between old-world charm and modern convenience to attract a wider spectrum of potential buyers or renters. Whether you are looking to sell or rent a historic home, successful staging can showcase the best of both worlds
HolmeStage specializes in staging these timeless beauties, allowing them to retain their soul but meet the needs of a more modern lifestyle. In this guide, we’ll share with you steps to properly staging a historic home and marrying it with modern appeal.
Understanding the Essence of the Home’s Period
Historic homes have a story to tell. They could be Victorians with intricate woodworking or lovely mid-century modern properties with clean lines and large windows. The first secret to successfully house staging a historic home is knowing the era of the property. Every era had varying architectural styles and design principles, and that should be the foundation of your staging choices.
For example, if your home is from the 1920s, be sure to research what design features dominated that decade. This could include the furniture you choose, the wall treatments, or even the aspects of lighting.
This does not mean to turn the home into a museum. Instead, you want the original charm to come through while giving it a fresh new feel.
Blending Classic and Contemporary Elements
Perhaps the most significant challenge of staging a historic home is how to walk the line between maintaining classic elements and introducing just enough updated details to appeal to contemporary buyers. Balance enables a home to be nostalgic but not dated, classic yet current.
Picture a room with intricate crown molding and oversized bay windows. To enhance the natural elegance of these elements, add contemporary furnishings with smooth lines and simple materials. In this way, the room becomes family-friendly while celebrating the historic charm of the home.
Imagine modern, neutral-toned sofas combined with vintage-style lighting fixtures. It is all about contrast, pairing modern materials like glass or metal with rich wood paneling or classic fireplaces.
With HolmeStage, we strive to enhance the original heritage of the home in conjunction with design and features that modern homeowners can utilize. With a lot of attention to detail, we choose the right furniture and style that marries old with new, which can help buyers envision how such an older home can have potential in modern living.
Choosing the Right Colors for Staging
Color is vital to how you experience a home. When remodeling historic homes, you need to honor the historical color scheme yet bring in a modern one that breathes new life and space into your home.
Sometimes, more classic homes have darker wood and deep red or mustard accents — even though these colors can be gorgeous, they tend to make spaces feel smaller and outdated.
Historic home colors are worth considering carefully, especially in homes from distinct periods. For example, the muted pastels of the Victorian era or the earthy tones of Arts and Crafts homes may feel heavy in today’s market.
You can respect these historic colors while updating the palette by incorporating lighter, neutral shades. This approach gives the home a more open, airy feel while respecting its roots. Imagine home staging a dining room with rich, mahogany paneling.
You can introduce off-white walls or pale blues that highlight the wood without clashing with its warmth. Softening the color palette also helps buyers visualize how they might personalize the space.
HolmeStage understands the delicate balance of color in historic home designs. We offer expert advice on how to blend historic palettes with modern neutrals to create a welcoming environment for potential buyers or renters.
Enhancing Curb Appeal While Respecting History
Curb appeal is critical in real estate, and historic homes often boast beautiful, unique exteriors. However, these homes can sometimes appear dated or in need of a historic home renovation. The key to enhancing curb appeal is maintaining the integrity of the home’s exterior while giving it subtle updates that appeal to modern tastes.
Start with the landscaping. Historic homes often have large porches, detailed woodwork, or brick exteriors that can be highlighted with fresh greenery, clean pathways, or updated outdoor lighting. If the home has an old iron fence or gate, ensure it’s well maintained, as these details add to the home’s charm.
HolmeStage, a trusted house staging company, focuses on preserving the external character of historic homes while ensuring they look inviting and well-kept. Our exterior staging services include adding appropriate landscaping, cleaning up walkways, and adding modern touches like subtle lighting that enhances the home’s grandeur without overpowering its history.
Renovations may be necessary to bring the home up to code, but even these should be done with care. Exterior renovations, such as new roofing, siding, or windows, should respect the home’s architectural style. Avoid modern materials that clash with the home’s historical features.
Instead, opt for updates that preserve the home’s original character, such as restoring original windows or replicating period-appropriate roofing materials.
Modern Staging Tips for the Interior
The interior of a historic home is where you can truly blend old and new. Here’s how you can stage different rooms to enhance their appeal:
Living Room
Highlight original features such as fireplaces, wood trim, and high ceilings. Use contemporary furniture with clean lines to create a comfortable, welcoming space. Pair a modern sofa with a vintage coffee table or throw pillows in historic patterns. By mixing styles, you create a space that feels both familiar and fresh.
Kitchen
Historic kitchens often feel small or dated, so it’s essential to make them as functional as possible. Stage the kitchen with modern appliances that don’t overwhelm the space. Add simple, modern touches like bar stools with sleek metal finishes. Consider refinishing cabinets in a light, neutral color to open up the space while preserving their historical look.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms in historic homes can be charming but often need updating. Showcase classic features like pedestal sinks or clawfoot tubs, but add modern elements like contemporary lighting or glass shower enclosures. Keep the color palette light and airy to make the space feel larger.
Bedrooms
Keep bedrooms simple and serene. Neutral bedding and light-colored walls help make these spaces feel restful. If the room has unique architectural features like a bay window or original molding, ensure they’re highlighted with appropriate lighting and furniture placement.
Throughout the home, avoid cluttering spaces with too much décor. Focus on creating a sense of flow and function that makes the home feel livable for today’s families.
HolmeStage excels at crafting interior designs for historic homes that enhance their functionality and beauty, showcasing their potential to modern buyers. We know how to strike that perfect balance between old and new, making every room feel relevant to today’s lifestyle while preserving the unique features that make historic homes so special.
Staging for Renters vs. Buyers
When staging a historic home, it’s important to consider your target audience. Staging for renters is different from staging for buyers, and your approach should reflect that.
For buyers, you want to emphasize the home’s long-term potential. Show how the historic charm can be blended with modern updates, making it a dream home for those who appreciate the character of older properties. Focus on making each room feel move-in ready while still giving buyers the opportunity to personalize the space.
For renters, especially those looking at historic homes for rent, the focus should be on practicality and comfort. Renters often look for modern conveniences in older homes, such as updated kitchens, bathrooms, and living spaces. You don’t need to stage every room fully, but make sure the essentials — like the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms — are inviting and functional.
At HolmeStage, we tailor our services based on whether the home is for rent or sale. We help highlight the features that matter most to the target audience, ensuring that the home appeals to potential renters or buyers, depending on your needs.
Bring Your Historic Home to Life with HolmeStage Today!
Staging a historic home requires a thoughtful blend of charm and modern appeal. By understanding the essence of the home’s period, choosing the right colors, and carefully blending classic and contemporary elements, you can showcase the beauty of a historic home in a way that appeals to today’s market.
Whether you’re preparing to sell or rent, it’s essential to stage each room in a way that highlights the home’s unique features while making it feel livable and modern.
Staging companies such as HolmeStage offer expertise in staging historic homes, understanding the delicate balance between preserving history and adding modern touches. From choosing the right colors to selecting the perfect furniture, our team ensures every historic home they stage feels timeless and inviting.
If you’re looking to stage your historic home, whether for sale or rent, we can help you bring out the best in your property while respecting its historical significance.
With the right home staging in Los Angeles, your historic home can attract the attention it deserves — and you can rest easy knowing it’s in good hands with HolmeStage.
