As the days get shorter, lighting becomes one of the most powerful tools in staging. The right light can make rooms look larger, highlight architecture, and create instant comfort—essential during fall’s early sunsets. Start with natural light. Open blinds and remove heavy drapery. Clean windows (inside and out) to let every bit of daylight shine. Layer your lighting. Combine overhead, task, and accent lighting to eliminate shadows and give rooms a warm, even glow. Use warm white bulbs. Avoid bright white or cool LED light, which can feel harsh in fall photos. Instead, use soft, golden light for warmth. Good
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Fall is a favorite time for buyers — homes feel cozier, the light is golden, and the season invites warmth. But when it comes to staging, subtlety is key. The goal isn’t to decorate for autumn—it’s to create a space that feels timeless, inviting, and ready to sell. Use texture, not trinkets. Replace bright summer pillows with soft neutrals and a mix of knits or velvet to add depth without clutter. Let color whisper. A muted palette of creams, soft golds, and warm taupes keeps the home current while nodding to the season. Add life through natural elements. A few
Continue Reading →By Terry L. Cooch, TLC Home Autumn brings crisp air, golden light, and the perfect opportunity to make homes feel cozy and welcoming. But it’s also easy to overdo it. Whether you’re preparing a listing for professional photos or open houses, these seasonal do’s and don’ts will help you strike the right balance for buyers this fall. DO: Keep It Warm, Not Overwhelming Use soft textures, warm lighting, and layered neutrals to evoke comfort. Add a few autumn touches—a textured throw, a vase of branches, or a bowl of green and gold pears—to suggest the season without shouting it. Pro
Continue Reading →How TLC Home designs spaces that move buyers — literally and emotionally When buyers walk through a home, they aren’t just looking at walls and furniture — they’re feeling how the space moves. That invisible sense of comfort and direction is what professional stagers call flow. At TLC Home, we believe flow is one of the most important elements in successful staging. It guides how people experience a property, helping them connect with its layout, envision themselves living there, and move naturally from room to room. ✨ What “Flow” Really Means in Staging Flow is about how rooms relate to
Continue Reading →Moving into a smaller space can feel like a big adjustment—especially if you’re coming from a larger home with room to spare. But downsizing doesn’t have to mean “giving up.” In fact, it can be the start of a simpler, more intentional lifestyle that feels cozy, stylish, and efficient. At TLC Home, we believe that the right mindset and design choices can transform any home—big or small—into a place you truly love. Here are some tips to help you embrace your smaller space and make it shine: Shift Your Mindset Rethink Your Décor Extend Your Living Space Outdoors When your
Continue Reading →If you’re preparing to sell your home, you may wonder if staging is really necessary. After all, isn’t it just decorating? While both involve design choices, staging and decorating serve very different purposes—and knowing the difference can make or break your home sale. Decorating: Personal Style and Comfort Decorating is the process of making a house feel like your home. It reflects personality through paint colors, furniture styles, artwork, and accessories. Decorating answers the question: What do I love? From bold accent walls to cozy family photos, decorating creates spaces that are meaningful and personal. Staging: A Marketing Tool for
Continue Reading →Open Concept Sells Homes: Why Staging Makes All the Difference Open concept floor plans continue to be one of the most requested features in real estate. These layouts feel spacious, modern, and ideal for entertaining—but only when they’re presented properly. That’s where professional home staging is essential. Without walls to define each room, buyers often struggle to visualize how to use an open layout. Staging solves this by clearly defining functional zones through furniture placement, area rugs, and strategic accessories. A staged home shows how the space flows—from the living area to the dining space—creating a natural, welcoming feel. Vacant
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Is it hot enough for you? 2020/2021 will go down in the realtor history books as the hottest market ever experienced. Properties are receiving multiple offers, with some offers well over asking price, sometimes to the tune of tens of thousands. So why stage if demand is high? First answer – all the same reasons apply as if the market was slow; have great photos, create emotion, etc. Second answer – not all properties are selling on day one and the costs associated with so many Days on Market can be staggering. The property described in this case study is
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We are excited to share some of our favorites from this past year. The challenges that came from COVID-19 affected us all, from masks and social distancing to a shift in priorities in how we utilize, and stage, our homes. Staging offices and study spaces…
Continue Reading →Staging a Different Lifestyle in 2020 The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our homes into multifunctional spaces, serving as offices, schools, and entertainment centers. In today’s market, highlighting how a home can seamlessly adapt to these changes is essential. Features that were once considered drawbacks may now be assets, and staging should showcase the full potential of a space to meet modern needs. Enhance the Home Office With remote work becoming the norm, a dedicated home office is a key selling feature. Staging should emphasize a workspace that is both private and productive. A well-staged home office with a desk, ergonomic
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Staging’s purpose is to minimize time spent on the market and maximize value by creating a product with the broadest buyer appeal. Stagers watch for changes in current furniture styles, color trends, and most importantly, lifestyle changes to achieve this. Every year, sometimes more frequently, new and distinctive color palettes are shown by designers and paint companies. Furniture styles, accent pieces and accessories update with similar or greater speed. One look at the lines at HomeGoods or At Home is evidence of ever evolving trends and the impact on our lives and wallets. Lifestyle changes normally happen more organically. Before
Continue Reading →All About TLC Home’s organizing and staging experts, and how we can help you achieve your goals. Terry L. Cooch, Founder, founded TLC Home, LLC in 2007. Beginning TLC Home was a natural progression, giving her the opportunity to share what she has learned while raising a family of 6 children and two dogs in Arnold, MD. Making a comfortable home was always a priority for Terry, but organizing had to become a priority, as well. In the last 30 years of caring for a family, home and business, she has developed practical techniques in time management and space efficiency
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Terry founded TLC Home, LLC in 2008 as a Professional Organizer logging hundreds of hours helping individuals get comfortable and functional in their homes. Terry knows how to make a home attractive too! She soon added staging to her services and became an ASP certified Stager in 2012. 
