The 4 surprising home staging must-haves for 2022
Fri 25 Feb 2022
Paul Bennett, Director
Home staging is not a new concept. Propping a property to sell a lifestyle, bring personality to a vacant dwelling or appeal to a certain demographic has been happening in London for decades. The benefits are proven year after year, as documented in the Home Staging Association’s annual Home Staging Report.
Its most recent from 2021 revealed 67% agents said that staged properties sold one to two times faster than non-staged properties. In addition, 100% of agents said home staging increased the value of offers when comparing similar properties, with 33% commenting that increases in value could be as much as 15%.
The benefits of adding furniture and accessories are also felt in the lettings sector, with City AM carrying a report last year confirming that landlords can experience greater success when offering a fully furnished property. According to the newspaper, over a quarter of UK tenants would more likely view a rental property if it was already furnished, while tenants were prepared to pay more per month for a secured, well-furnished home.
With evidence suggesting staging helps quicken sales, find tenants and increase values, the question turns to what home staging should look like in 2022. What goes into your property should be firmly influenced by the current climate, as Behr & Butchoff reveals.
Work from home spaces
Don’t dump the desk just yet as home working is a trend set to stay in 2022. While many professionals are returning to their London office, the traditional Monday to Friday commute is over for many. The Office for National Statistics found 85% of employees who have worked from home want a hybrid approach in the future, splitting their time between their home and a shared office. Adding to the picture is the latest data from the Business Insights & Conditions Survey, which showed 24% of businesses intend to use home working as a permanent business model going forwards. London properties for sale and to rent that show home working capabilities - either a dedicated office or a clearly defined home working zone – will continue to find favour.
Social gardens
Home movers are not done with their quest for outside space just yet. Rightmove’s most recent analysis shows searches for gardens jumped 70% in January 2022, compared to January two years ago. With spring on the horizon, now is the time to ‘dress’ your garden. Outdoor furniture is key to enhancing a garden or balcony’s social potential, so jet wash items that have languished over winter or invest in some new furniture that tell a story of warm summer nights and al fresco dining.
A dog bed
When it comes to home staging, one of the hottest accessories for 2022 is the dog bed. Why? The Pet Food Manufacturers’ Association’s most recent survey found 2.1 million people acquired a pet in lockdown, with another 1.8 million planning to add a pet to their household. In addition, Rightmove data released in 2021 found demand for pet friendly rental properties had increased by 120%, compared to 2020. Giving the impression that your property is pet friendly with a strategically placed dog bed or even a cat flap will appeal to a growing audience.
A smart energy meter
There’s little need to detail what’s happening to gas and electricity prices, therefore most home movers will have energy efficiency near the top of 2022’s property priority list. If you have a smart energy meter on display, it sends the right signal that reducing consumption – whether to save money or the planet – has been considered. Additional aspects that will win brownie points include solar panels, high levels of insulation and an eco-efficient central heating system. Already swapped to an air source heat pump? Proudly show it off as if it were a prized interior design item.
If you have a property to sell or let out in 2022, Behr & Butchoff would love to help. As well as offering guidance on home staging and kerb appeal, we can market your home to a keen audience within hours of instruction. Why not start by contacting us for a free valuation?