We Gave a Home Stager $200 — Here’s What She Bought at Pottery Barn
Spring is finally here and with it comes prime time for selling homes! Home staging is a tool many sellers turn to and there’s evidence that it works: 58% of buyers’ agents said that home staging had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home most of the time, according to a report from the National Association of Realtors.
Even if you’re not in the market to sell or buy a home, now is still a great time to give your place a bit of a seasonal glow-up in time for hosting celebrations like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and graduations.
I asked Dallas home stager Nedra Hines of Effortless Charm Staging how she’d spend $200 at Pottery Barn to get homes showing- and company-ready. Even better, she turned her expert eye on the sale section to maximize her budget. Here, she shares her favorite finds, how she’d style them, and how you can too.
Moss Egg Vase Filler - Set of 6 Moss Egg Vase Filler - Set of 6
Filling a wide vase or decorative bowl with textured objects is a popular stager trick that is super easy to recreate at home. And these moss-covered Pottery Barn clearance finds absolutely say spring. “I love these because of the vivid color and rich texture,” says Hines. “I commonly use items like these to fill large decorative bowls that I use as centerpieces paired with decorative orbs or hand woven balls.”
Mason Oversized Linen Napkins Mason Oversized Linen Napkins
Hines says she would definitely grab a few of these napkins in Amber, a warm neutral. “Home stagers always need linen napkins and if they’re on sale like these are, they’re even more appealing,” she says. Her favorite ways to use linen napkins include: placing them to the left of the plate as a base for the salad and dinner forks, styling them in a casual French fold, or placing them between a dinner plate and a charger.
Wynne Coil Handwoven Abaca Charger Plate Wynne Coil Handwoven Abaca Charger Plate
Speaking of chargers, Hines was happy to add a pair of these to her haul. “I would use them as a base for dinnerware to help warm up the room,” she says. These versatile handwoven chargers add a hit of coastal charm and style to practically any place setting.
Faye Linen Textured Pillow Cover in Cornflower Faye Linen Textured Pillow Cover in Cornflower
Throw pillows are a home stager’s (and many a homeowner or renter’s) kryptonite. “Throw pillows are enticing and we tend to go over budget because we purchase so many,” admits Hines. It makes sense because they are one of the easiest and best ways to perk up any space. “Throw pillows add a pop of color, dimension, texture, and comfort to sofas, accent chairs, beds, and banquettes,” says Hines.
Mesa Handcrafted Terracotta Ceramics Collection Mesa Handcrafted Terracotta Ceramics Collection
“Vases can be used alone or included in a vignette with pieces of varying heights,” says Hines. “Either way you use them, they can serve as a centerpiece for a coffee, dining, or console table with faux stems and branches in them. I’ve also staged vignettes without branches and the varying heights of pieces like this bring interest and dimension.”
Artisan Heart Beads Artisan Heart Beads
We know beads like this are for sure having a moment with home stagers. “They’re the perfect accent,” says Hines who likes to use them for coffee table staging by draping the beads across the top of books. You can also use these wood and jute beads to warm up a space by draping them around the neck of a glass vessel, over a doorknob, or spilling out of a centerpiece bowl.
