For the past decade, we’ve watched decorating styles shift dramatically—from the dominance of gray, to stark black-and-white modern farmhouse, and now into a more welcoming era of warm creams, browns, and layered neutrals. If you scroll real estate photos today, you’ll see fewer cool-toned spaces and more homes that feel earthy, soft, and lived-in—without being cluttered. And yet, here’s something many sellers and agents don’t realize: Staging doesn’t have to keep up with every drastic design trend.Staging has a different job than decorating. Decorating is personal. It reflects taste, lifestyle, and long-term comfort.Staging is strategic. It’s designed to appeal to
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Accessorizing seems simple—until listing photos come back and the home still feels “off.” You might have added pillows, a few plants, and a candle… yet the space looks busy, flat, or oddly personal. That’s because great accessorizing isn’t about adding more—it’s about adding the right pieces in the right places to guide the buyer’s eye and support the way the home should feel. Below are five of the most common mistakes Realtors and sellers make when accessorizing on their own—plus practical fixes you can use right away. Mistake #1: Using Too Many Small Items (aka “The Cluttered Shelf”) What it
Continue Reading →At first glance, a staged home and a beautifully prepared vacation rental can look quite similar. Both feel inviting. Both are styled with intention. And both are designed to make someone feel an immediate connection the moment they walk in — or scroll by the photos online. But while the surface may look the same, the purpose behind each space is very different. As someone who prepares homes for sale every day and understands what makes a rental successful, I see these differences clearly. Each approach requires a unique eye, a different type of planning, and a thoughtful awareness of
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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
Continue Reading →Staging is about creating the broadest appeal for potential buyers. Each house has unique features that require special attention. But, we can’t help but to have our favorites. Here is a list of TLC Home’s Top Ten of 2019.
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TLC Home completed a new type of staging project just before Thanksgiving: New Construction. 551 Leftwich Lane in is part of a new townhouse community in Annapolis, MD. New Construction properties present their own challenges when it comes to staging. A new, modern, open floor plan means standard Living Room, Dining Room, and Kitchen spaces aren’t separated, instead offering two large open spaces and a small nook. We chose furnishings that reflected the modern style and space and made the house feel like it could be a home. We purchased a modern style desk for the nook to show how
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Terry L. Cooch founded TLC Home, LLC in 2008, first building her reputation by helping homeowners create functional systems and calm, comfortable living spaces. Over time, her love of design and her talent for transforming how a home looks and feels led her to professional home staging. 
