Why Your Property Styling Should Be Magazine-Worthy (And How To Get It Right)
This week in Wonder Woman, we talked about property styling and the different themes that might suit your renovation project. It sparked some valuable insights.
Connecting With Your Ideal Market
The role of a theme is to connect with your ideal market. A school of thought says people don’t want a home that looks straight out of a magazine. My thirty-odd years of selling renovations say differently.
Buyers DO want a home that looks straight out of a magazine.
The question is: which one?
If you’re renovating for first-home buyers, you’ll want to draw inspiration from publications like Kinfolk with its minimalist, authentic aesthetic.
For downsizers, it’s more about capturing the luxury and sophistication in Belle Magazine.
The Golden Rule
The thing with themes is that they must be selected according to your market’s wants and dreams—NOT your own.
This is where many renovators go wrong, creating spaces that reflect their taste rather than what will appeal to their target buyer.
Also, it’s important not to overdo it. Your theme should be subtle and understated, not the star of the show.
Think of it as the supporting actor that enhances the main performance—your beautifully renovated property.
The Global Traveller
My designer friend Belinda Woolwich has mastered styling properties to appeal to downsizers.
Her go-to theme is “The Global Traveller.”
Why?
Because travel is a top priority for downsizers, and by sprinkling some items from distant lands throughout the home, she taps into their dreams and aspirations.
I’m not talking about tacky Eiffel Tower replicas—think sophisticated African artefacts or Middle Eastern textiles that subtly suggest worldliness and adventure.
These thoughtful touches speak directly to the downsizer market’s desire for enriching experiences in their next life chapter.
A Hack to Find What Appeals to the Masses
Back to this week’s conversation—we touched on the Hamptons Style. I’ve written before that I’m not particularly fond of the Hamptons aesthetic, but I do think Three Birds Renovations does a good job with their more modern twist on it.
One of our Fast Trackers, interior designer Melissa Betts, shared a brilliant hack.
If you want to know what style appeals to the masses, follow Kmart’s product range.
It’s genius! Kmart buyers have their finger on the pulse of mainstream Australian style preferences, investing heavily in market research to ensure its products will sell.
By observing what major retailers like Kmart are stocking each season, you can gain valuable insights into what will resonate with the broadest segment of your market.
Effective property styling isn’t about creating a showroom—it’s about helping potential buyers envision their best life in your space. Get this right, and you’ll sell faster and likely secure a better price too.
Have you used themes in your property styling? I’d love to hear what’s worked for you in the comments below.
Want to learn more about profitable renovating strategies? Join our next workshop where I’ll be sharing my system for creating $50K-$100K profit per project. Register here → https://member.theschoolofrenovating.com/theschoolofrenovating_fundmyflip
