Staged homes often are unrealistic designs

DEAR MI-LING: I recently dropped by a model home to find inspiration for my design project. The designers did a beautiful job.

All the furnishings seemed well-appointed, but after a closer look I realized that the design was not realistic for my family.

Have you noticed this before? What are your thoughts?

Lauren

DEAR LAUREN: I applaud you for actually seeing the room for what it was designed to be: a staged home. Oftentimes a staged home will lack function, because it’s all about appearances and tricking the eye.

Here are a few examples:

• More space. In this situation, you might have a bed with two small nightstands and no dressers. The smaller furniture allows the room to look bigger. This might not be practical for most homeowners unless you have huge walk-in closets with plenty of storage.

• Lots of light. This is used quite often to open up a space. You might notice that all of the window treatments are at a minimum or nonexistent. This might work for an unoccupied home or a space on a large lot with a wooded backyard, but probably not for an occupied home. Adding drapes or window treatments will warm your space, add color to the room and insulate your windows.

• Trendy paint colors. Bright pink or lavender might look great in a staged room, but can you live with that color on a day-to-day basis? One option is to paint an accent wall with a bright color or paint the entire room in a more neutral color and accent with the bold colors.

• Flooring options. In a staged home, you might discover that the gorgeous wood floors were not designed for kids sliding around in socks. Consider all the options; carpet might be a better choice, or an area rug to cushion their fall.

• Accessories. Were you "wowed” by that waterfall in an entryway or end tables filled with stuff? In the real world, you may need a little space on that table to work, eat or live. And the water fountain might not be practical if you have small children or a pet.

The bottom line is to create a space that functions for your family by incorporating all of the accoutrements that you need to live comfortably in a space.

Build your design around the function of the space with the colors you love, and it will speak to your heart.

Now go out and create your own comfort zone!