Room staged by Lori Matzke, as seen in Realtor Magazine

ADD LIFE TO A VACANT LIVING ROOM!
Empty rooms are an artist's canvas for some home shoppers, but most people have a hard time picturing the options. Below, borrowed furnishings help people picture where their furniture might go and draw attention away from cosmetic problems, such as an exposed grate on the floor. To add the interest of varying heights without damaging freshly painted walls, artwork is leaned against the wall from a table top. Lamps add height and give a soft glow to the room's natural light.

Furniture and Accent Pieces: Marshall Field's

Room staged by Lori Matzke, as seen in Realtor Magazine

LET THE SUN SHINE!
The paned windows that should be this room's focal point are partly obscured. The colorful geometric rug appears detached from the room and distracts from the sunny view.

The Solution: Open the room by editing and rearranging furnishings. Rather than using the sofa to hide a radiator, angle it to draw eves to the windows. A borrowed rug and colorful throw pillows help tie together furnishings and provide a nice flow of color from the adjoining living room. A chest of drawers moved from another part of the house, right foreground, adds height and offers a place to display a splash of color - an artificial orchid. The room now practically beckons buyers to sit down and enjoy the sun.



Room staged by Lori Matzke, as seen in Realtor Magazine

CREATE A NICE RESPITE!
In a vacant house, you don't need to completely furnish rooms. In a bedroom, a small upholstered chair, rug, and surface for books will be enough to send buyers' minds to thoughts of nesting. We added an air mattress draped with a rich blue comforter: It's a quick way to give a bedroom feel without having to bring in a real bed! Props such as potted plants and a small teapot suggest a room ready for living. Pictures help bring the room to life - but always ask the owners before you start making nail holes.