What Working on HGTV Taught Me About Property Merchandising: Episode One
After years of working on everything from new home builds to historic restorations, on HGTV’s Restored series, I’ve learned that merchandising a home isn’t just about furniture—it’s about storytelling. From plan critiques with architects to selecting every finish, fixture, and flourish, I’ve walked homes from blueprint to broadcast.
Working on HGTV’s Restored taught me how to make properties not just livable—but camera-ready. And if it looks good on camera? It’ll look even better in person. This series is a behind-the-scenes look at what I’ve learned from the field—and how you can apply it to your own home or staging project.
Episode One: Curb Appeal
Whether you're shooting for television or preparing a home for the real estate market, first impressions matter. And curb appeal isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s emotional, strategic, and measurable.
Always start with the walk-up.
Whether you're shooting for television or preparing a home for the real estate market, first impressions matter. And curb appeal isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s emotional, strategic, and measurable. Curb Appeal Still Matters
As a staging and design professional, I’m often asked: “Does curb appeal really make that much of a difference?” The answer is a resounding yes.
According to the National Association of Realtors®:
94% of agents say curb appeal is a key factor in selling a home
Buyers form an opinion within 7–10 seconds of arriving
Homes with strong curb appeal can sell for up to 14% more
A polished exterior helps listings move faster and with more buyer interest
Curb appeal sets the tone. It's the first handshake, the lead-in to a showing, the moment that makes a buyer say, “This feels right.”
What I Learned on Set (and Use Every Day)
During production on Restored, we never started filming until we had a strong “before” shot of the exterior. Why? Because in TV—just like in real estate—the transformation story begins at the curb.
One home I worked on had great bones but a heavy, oversized porch that overwhelmed the architecture. It felt disconnected and weighed down. With thoughtful edits—removing bulk, repainting in a color that let the trim details shine, and reframing the entry—we created a cleaner, more intentional presence. The difference wasn’t just visual. It changed the energy of the entire property.
Now, at Design Essentials PNW, I use that same storytelling approach to stage homes for sale. My goal is always to create spaces that speak clearly to the buyer—starting the moment they pull up to the curb.
Curb Appeal as Strategic Merchandising
I don’t believe in staging for staging’s sake. I believe in property merchandising—a holistic, market-savvy approach to preparing homes for sale.
When evaluating curb appeal, I look for:
A defined, welcoming entry path
Architecture that's being highlighted, not hidden
Symmetry and flow in the landscaping and hardscaping
A sense of warmth, clarity, and potential
Even simple updates like fresh paint, modern house numbers, or better exterior lighting can shift a buyer’s mindset from “maybe” to “this is it.”
From Set to Sidewalk: Bringing the Lessons Home
Working in television sharpened my eye for visual hierarchy, storytelling, and flow. But it also taught me the importance of designing with intention—not just for the camera, but for the people on the other side of the door.
At Design Essentials PNW, I approach every staging project with this mindset. Whether I’m preparing a historic Tacoma craftsman or a new construction home in Gig Harbor, I know curb appeal is never just about the surface. It’s about strategy. It’s about story. And it’s the beginning of the buyer journey.
Want to See the Transformation?
You can catch a glimpse of this curb appeal transformation in Episode One: Curb Appeal on my social media, where I share behind-the-scenes insights from my time on HGTV’s Restored.
📲 Watch the video on Instagram [@designessentials.pnw]
📁 Explore more restored homes and staging projects in the portfolio at designessentialspnw.com
Every home has a first impression. Let’s make sure yours is unforgettable.
– Wendy
