Answer from Jeanette Joy Fisher, interior design psychology instructor

Redesign for Home Makeovers

Redesign means to reinterpret your living spaces and existing furnishings, making the most of what you already have. Professional redesigner services charge less than interior designers, although some redesigners may be trained interior designers. You can redesign your home for yourself to live in or to get your property ready to sell.

The redesign phase of getting a home ready to sell includes painting and installing upgrades like new carpeting. Think about using your furniture in new ways. Many home owners who go through the redesign process take out extra furnishings in the living room and use smaller-scaled upholstered chairs found in the bedroom in the living room makeover. Although you might not be as comfortable in the smaller chair, your buyers will see the room as larger and with plenty of seating. Clean and shine your home; move furnishings around for your buyers' point of view.

Home Staging for Quick Sales

Home Staging is the practice of setting up your home like an imaginary home setting to appeal to a broader market. Home stagers help sellers by reorganizing existing furnishings, encouraging sellers to pack extra personal accessories, and "setting the stage" with vignettes that suggest happy activities in the home. Often, home stagers furnish vacant houses to help buyers see the house as a home.

Design Psychology for Top-Dollar Sales

Our Design Psychology difference between the usual redesign and home staging methods is the way we profile the prospective buyers and make changes to the property to attract a specific market. Home buyers think they choose a home based on financial smarts, but most buyers choose the home they fall in love with and just can't live without. All buyers want a home that most closely suits their needs and makes them feel a sense of happiness. Therefore, you'll want to take those two factors into account when choosing your colors, patterns, and textures as you redesign your home for sale.

After the redesign phase, add a few carefully selected props to encourage your prospective buyers' desired emotions, paying special attention to feelings of happiness, joy, serenity, and security. You'll sell your home more quickly if you pay close attention to the small details.

This dining room, redesigned for first-time home buyers, was staged with a covered metal patio table and chairs from the investor's main home. The home sold within hours of listing for more than the asking price.

Selling your home is largely a matter of keeping your potential buyers in mind. The emotional needs of various types of buyers are different. For instance, first-time buyers want shelter and security, while moving-up buyers desire more space, prestige, and peace. Use all three strategies--redesign, home staging, and interior design psychology for a top-dollar home sale--fast!

For information about redesign for your home to live in, see Interior Design Psychology Newsletter.

For information about Design Psychology for selling houses, see Home Staging Information.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher, America's "Dream Home" Maker