If you have visited a high end model home recently, I'm sure you were impressed by how nice it looked.
That good looking home did not happen by accident - it was staged to sell homes, not for someone to live in.
There are several techniques used by model home merchandisers to make a home look very appealing.
Some techniques some can be translated to a home that people actually live in while others are not reasonable.
Here are a few reasons why model homes look so good.
Interior design by Ashton Woods, photo by Fletcher Design Consultants
Windows
The windows in model homes emphasize the view and the light coming into the home but give no regard to privacy.
They are washed regularly to be sparkling clean and the window screens are removed so they don't block any of the view or the light coming in.
The garden outside the windows is well maintained making the view very desirable.
Most windows in public rooms are framed by large glamorous curtains that are never closed and may not even be operable.
For your home, you can add to the beauty of your windows by removing the window screens if you never (or rarely) open your windows.
Unfortunately, most people need to cover their windows for privacy which will block some of the light coming into your home and some of the view outside.
Plants
Plants make a room feel less sterile.
Most model homes have faux plants and flowers in every room.
I am personally not a fan of fake flowers and plants, but adding a live plant and/or fresh flowers to a room in your home is a nice touch.
Current
Everything in a well decorated model home was purchased new.
The furniture was purchased specifically for that home so it fits perfectly and creates a cohesive look throughout the house.
Everything is on trend and seems fashion forward.
Many of us have quality furniture that we purchased for our last home that now resides in our current home.
It may not fit as well as it did in the last home, but it still looks nice.
I prefer furniture and decorative items that are more timeless than trendy, but timeless usually does not spark as much of a reaction as more trendy items.
Consider getting a few lesser expensive trendy items for your home to add a contemporary touch.
Clean and Tidy
Model homes are tidy at all times since nobody actually lives there.
They are professionally cleaned regularly.
There is no trash in the trash can.
The beds are always made.
The closets look enormous because there is only 3 articles of clothing hanging in them.
The dining table is set for a dinner party.
There are no computer cords, TV cords, cell phone chargers, or other electronics peaking out anywhere.
There is no stacks of mail, laundry to be washed, or piles of shoes needing to be put away.
The yard is mowed and the flower beds are weeded and showcase pretty flowers.
Everyone loves a clean and tidy house, but model home cleanliness and tidiness is unrealistic.
You should keep your home clean and tidy, but do not judge your home by a model home.
Model Home Secrets
Did you know that model homes often use scents to make a home seem nicer - such as the scent of freshly baked cookies?
A model home secret to make the front yard feel larger is to bring the sidewalk all the way to the street and not put in a driveway leading to the garage.
The garage is usually converted into the sales office, making the home feel larger than it actually is going to be.
Model home merchandisers send subliminal clues about the neighborhood amenities, such as a child's bedroom having a tennis theme if the neighborhood is very proud of their tennis courts.
When a bedroom is too small to accommodate normal sized furniture, model home merchandisers will often decorate a room using smaller scale furniture, such as a crib instead of a bed, or leave out furniture, such as not including a dresser in a bedroom.
Keep in mind that a model home with all the bells and whistles will often cost 1.5 to 2 times the base cost of the home since it has so many upgrades.
Interior design by Ashton Woods, photo by Fletcher Design Consultants
