Today, we wanted to share with you a few tips on staging your bedrooms in your home to sell!  Read below and be sure to let us know if you have any questions by leaving us a comment!

- Use soft neutral colors!  These imply “comfort” which is what people want to see when they are looking at bedrooms and this color scheme also will appeal to the majority.

- To make your bedrooms appear larger, limit the furniture in the bedroom to just a bed, dresser and a few accessories.  Too much furniture and “stuff” makes a bedroom seem cramped!

- Because you want potential buyers to see themselves in your home, remove personal items such as photos from the bedroom! 

- Remove the bulk of your clothes from closets and pack them away in storage. This one simple task will make your closets appear way bigger!

- Invest in luxurious new bedding. This will improve the look of your bedrooms significantly (and you can take the bedding with you when you move)!

Remember, your motto when staging those bedrooms should be “neutral, comfortable and spacious”!!  By using the above home staging tips in your bedroom, you’re going to have a much greater chance of selling your home QUICKLY!! 

For more information on Meredith Design Group and the home staging assistance we offer, visit us online at www.MeredithDesignGroup.com!

Visiting Hawaii over the holidays was very inspiring to me as a designer – tropical décor is of course very popular in Hawaii and in this month’s newsletter, I shared a lot about my trip to Hawaii as well as many great pictures (which you can see here on my Facebook page!).  Below are a few great tips for bringing the comfort, warmth, and a touch of the exotic from the tropics into your home this winter! 

1 A great way to warm up your space is to change the paint!  Choosing a bright coral, sunny yellow or ocean blue color is a great way to add a bold tropical touch to your home decor! 

2  Hang sheer white curtains and keep window blinds open – this allows for more natural light to shine through, which will definitely warm up a space!  (Bonus tip:  install bamboo blinds!)

3  Comfortable upholstered furniture is a must in a tropical room.  Enhance furniture you already have with plush turquoise or coral-colored cushions featuring white seashell or seahorse designs.

4 Display seaside treasures. A great example of this would be to fill a clear jar with blue or green sea glass and set the jar near a window to allow light to come in to light up the glass pieces! 

5 Incorporate fresh tropical flowers and plants into your home décor scheme!  Place bright orange birds-of-paradise and fuchsia orchids in bamboo vases and use them as table centerpieces and wall shelf décor!

6 Colorful artwork, including paintings and room fixtures, can definitely make a room feel more tropical like!  Check out Janie Moltrup Photography – Janie has great floral photographs that would look excellent in your home décor!

For more great tips, be sure to subscribe to my newsletter (click here to do so) and follow me on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/MeredithDesignGroup) and on Twitter (@MeredithDesign)!

Paperwhites can warm up a home during the winter!

The holidays have come and gone, and by now you’ve said goodbye to the holiday decorations in your home – the trees, the tinsel, the garland, the lights.  Gone, gone, gone and gone!  It’s January 11^th, and chances are you’ve un-decked your halls in your home, and your home may be looking sparse and gloomy without all the holiday sparkle!  Below are a few redesign ideas you can use to warm up your home and have it looking great for January (even without holiday décor)!

-       Very few things can liven up or change a room as much as paint will!  So, if your rooms are looking dreary, pick a great paint and get to painting!

-     Liven up your home this winter by brining the outside in!  A great way to do this is to add live plants!  After holiday greenery is gone, other living plans can really warm up a space!  Paperwhites are a great option (see our picture to see how pretty)!

-       Still want a winter look for your home but not a “Christmasey” look?  Decorate with white!  It gives your home a January look without screaming “holidays”!!

-        Add darker hued accessories to your home to warm it up for the winter!  Colorful accent pillows help as well!  And blankets too!

If you’d like more ideas for sprucing up your home this winter, join us over on Facebook and on Twitter, too!  We’d love to hear about what you are doing to warm up your homes after the holidays!

For more information on the redesign services Meredith Design Group offers, visit www.MeredithDesignGroup.com!

Happy January & Happy Redesigning!

Our gift certificates are available in any amount and can be used towards any of our design, redesign or staging services!  It’s a perfect gift for new homeowners, someone who just moved, grandparents, anyone!

For a full list of our services, visit our website at MeredithDesignGroup.com. 

To purchase a gift certificate for your loved one, contact Laura at ljr (@) meredithdesigngroup.com or call 877-.465.4975!

We’d love to help you make this holiday season unforgettable by offering this unique and fabulous gift certificate!

• Prepare meals to make ahead of time!  You can’t go wrong with simple-to-make, crowd-pleasing choices!  Example:  Muffins and quick breads – quick and easy breakfast for everyone!

• If using your den or living room as a group lodging place, you’ll want to create small cozy spaces and build privacy walls by dividing the room with low bookshelves, end tables, and screens!  Simple changes such as these can make your guests feel more at home! 

•  If your visitors will be sharing one bathroom, it’s always a great idea to provide a separate space for prepping!  Trust us – your guests will appreciate your thoughtfulness! 

• To make your guests feel at home, try making individual gift baskets with personal toiletries —towels, small soaps, travel toothpaste, earplugs, and eyeshades. Your guests will love you for this!

Remember, when you are hosting a crowd, not everyone can be pleased.  Don’t make things harder for yourself either by making things more complicated than they need to be –a small thought goes a lot further than an impersonal, over-the-top holiday spread!!

If you can’t find the time, or not sure how to get started with redesigning your home for the holidays, let Meredith Design Group help!  With simple techniques, we will refresh and create a new look by using the things you already own to help your guests feel at home this holiday season. And for a modest budget, we can enhance your space with color, furnishings, wall art, floor coverings, and more!

Meredith Design Group offers:

• Holiday Staging + Guest Room Makeovers
• Custom Wreaths + Floral Arrangements
• Room Redesign + Consulting
• Décor + Furniture Arrangement
• Color Consultation
• Custom Window Treatment
• Lighting + Placement
• Kitchen + Bath Redesign
• Artwork Selection + Placement
• Professional Photography

We want you to feel welcome in your own space again!  Visit www.MeredithDesignGroup.com  or call  877.465.4975 for more information!

To start with the redesigning of your current outdoor area, you will want to begin fresh.  Be sure to clean away any debris, clutter, summertime pool toys, etc that you have lying around.  If it can’t be used during the fall and winter months, put it in storage until spring!  Having a clean area will help you to focus on enjoying your time in your backyard living area, instead of focusing on the “mess”.

Next, focus on arranging your space in a way that is comfortable, functional and simple.  You can update patio furniture by simply replacing the cushions (and after-summer sales are a great time to catch good deals on new patio furniture sets and accessories).  Since the days are getting shorter, it’s a good idea to also add a few candles to the area to increase lighting. 

Once you have your area arranged, now is a good time to add outdoor accessories!  Take a look around your home and see what items you have that you can repurpose for your outdoor living area!  Add some fresh flowers to landscaping (fall perennials such as mums would make an excellent choice) and if you’d like an extra splash of color, add an outdoor rug to your area.

With just a few updates, your outdoor space can become one of your favorite rooms outside your house!  Add in great fall weather and you have the perfect after-school hangout for your family!

If you can’t find the time to create your family’s outdoor living area, consider the low-cost option of hiring a professional redesign specialist for a consultation. For more information on how you can redesign your outdoor living area, contact Meredith Design Group by visiting www.meredithdesigngroup.com or calling Laura at 877.465.4975.     

Looking for a vacation paradise, but can’t get away? Think your outdoor space has no personality? Relax. It’s in the back yard—or the front. You can breathe life again into any dead space, and create your new favorite haven.

Winter has said goodbye, springtime welcomes us, and the days and nights are growing longer. We are ready for the fresh air! It’s only natural to want to bring the indoors OUT!

So, are our love affair with backyard barbequing and garden living heats up — it’s time to take it outside!

When redesigning any space, whether indoors or out, it should start with a clean slate. So, first clear away debris and declutter as much as possible. Whatever your style, formal, or rustic, keep it simple. Focus on setting up a space that is attractive, comfortable, functional, and affordable.

Before you start buying, visit your own rooms to shop. Your outdoor haven doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or empty looking. Renew, refine, and redesign your space with a few furnishings and artifacts from the indoors. Repurpose with what you already have. Of course, it’s always fun to buy something, whether old or new! With the selection of one-of-a-kind items to purchase at local boutiques, and warehouse sales, it’s easy to set up a charming space that can serve as your perfect backdrop for small family get-togethers, to a big bash.

Consider how the space will be used, and create a focal point or theme!

For a basic outdoor room, incorporate perennial shrubs and flowers into your landscape design. For maximum color, group interesting containers along with annual flowers for the most impact. Take advantage of a shady tree! Add a small table and chairs for a useful focal point.

Add lamps, candles, or chandeliers for additional light. For a splash of color, add rugs, paint, or new cushions, and mix it up with contemporary artwork. Bring in music for a cozy retreat, or a special event.

With just a little work, your outdoor space of comfort and function could be your next favorite stage for entertaining!

If you can’t find the time to create your special outdoor living room, consider the low-cost option of hiring a professional redesign specialist for a consultation. For more information for help to renew refine redesign your space, contact  www.meredithdesigngroup.com or 877.465.4975!

…… to outdoor living!!!

If you can’t find the time to create your special outdoor living room, consider the low-cost option of hiring a professional redesign specialist for a consultation. For more information for help to renew refine redesign your space, contact us at www.meredithdesigngroup.com or 877.465.4975!

Does your house have curb appeal?

Because landscaping can be a bit pricey, a good way to add curb appeal is to keep your yard as it currently is – but looking it’s best!  You can do this by making sure your lawns are freshly mowed, leaves raked, snow shoveled, and any debris removed!  A hanging basket of pretty flowers also adds a nice (and inexpensive) touch!  And if you can’t afford to paint, you can make sure your house is clean by scrubbing your front door or porch and any other outdoor fixtures, such as steps or railings!

Do you have lots of clutter lying around?

Pick one closet or area at a time so the task isn’t as daunting. Look at every item with a very critical eye and ask yourself why you’re keeping it.  Donate any unused or unneeded items and organize the rest!

How fresh is your house?

Open some windows for at least 10 minutes prior to your open house event. There is nothing worse than walking into a stuffy house or one that smells of smoke and pet odors!  This is a simple task – and a free one too! 

Does the master bedroom appeal to both sexes?

When you are selling a home, the master bedroom should appeal to buyers of both sexes. Get rid of features that seem too gender-specific. Paint the walls a neutral color, and choose bedding that matches. Then accessorize with items that complement the overall color scheme.

Are you kitchen cabinets dated? 

If you have kitchen cabinets that are dated, this can be a huge turnoff to potential buyers!  A quick fix for this is to stain the dated kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them!  You can add stylish hardware and your kitchen will automatically look up-to-date!

What is the purpose of your room? 

Stage rooms with one purpose so buyers will know what it is – potential buyers are confused by extra rooms that have a multitude of uses. To avoid this problem, first clear away clutter and excess furniture. Paint the walls a neutral tone and then furnish the room with a desk to stage it as a home office in which buyers will want to get down to business.

Does your house have an abundance of storage space?

Potential buyers love homes that have lots of storage space, so make sure clean your closets out prior to your open house events!  Organizing your shelves also is a great way to show off your storage space (which will be very attractive to potential buyers)!

Staging rooms to show off their true potential is essential when selling your home.   If you’d like assistance with staging your house(s) to sell, give Laura with Meredith Design Group a call at 877-465-4975 or email her directly at ljr@meredithdesigngroup.com! 

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You may also want to check out Ready2SellIn30Days – you can view our event information on Facebook here [http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=176319859050635] or find out more by visiting http://tinyurl.com/29ad4gn. 

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Join Meredith Design Group for our first

Winter Blues Party!

Friday, January 28th – 5:30 – 8:30 pm

You are invited to come in from the cold to warm up with our Hot Ideas at our first ever Winter Blues Party on January 28th!  This is going to a really fun and informative event (especially for real estate agents!) so come in out of the cold to see some Hot Ideas for your business!

Staging Tips!

Real Estate Sales ~ Home or Office

Tradeshow Booth Space–Get Your Product or Service to Shine Over Your Competition

Professional Photography for Real Estate Listing

And Featuring…Ready2Selln30Days!  Have your House or Real Estate Listings Ready to Sell in only 30 Days!  [For additional information on R2S, click here!]  

Redesign Ideas!

Wake Up Tired Rooms with Room Makeovers

Redesigning Spaces, Planning + Remodeling Ideas

Simple Events Made Elegant + Special ~~Make Your Event One to Remember!

 *Appetizers provided by The Shamrock Restaurant!

*Wine Tasting provided by the award winning Treviti Winery of California!

Don’t get left in the cold…feel the heat…RSVP today!

Please RSVP by January 26th! You can RSVP to by emailing Laura, calling 877-465-4975, or RSVP on Facebook! Our Winter Blues Party is being held at Timeless Trends Boutique!  We hope to see you on Friday, January 28th!

For more information on Meredith Design Group, visit www.MeredithDesignGroup.com!