Some time ago I went on a staging consultation that was quite unique. The home was small, but in good condition. As staging always begins with curb appeal, I noticed the house gave a pleasant first impression with a well-kept lawn and freshly painted front door. But then I entered the home.
As I walked through the front door I couldn't help but notice a sturdy pool table in the living room. How could I help but notice, as I bumped right into it? As the homeowner and I got to know one another and began to discuss why her home had not sold, I said, "I think I've got a pretty good idea without even seeing the rest of the home. Have you thought about removing the pool table? It absolutely eats up the living room leaving no space for ‘living.' You are definitely narrowing your market, as the only people who will walk through the front door and tell themselves ‘This is the house for me!' are (bachelor) pool sharks." She understood my comments and agreed with me, but said her husband plays pool on the table regularly and was not interested in moving it while they were still living there.
(I didn't take a photo of that property, but do have a shot of a pool table properly placed in the basement of another staged home. See below.)
Pool Table Properly Placed
We continued the staging consultation as we walked throughout the house. In the kitchen we removed cereal boxes from the top of the fridge and created a "pantry" to the side that was not in the site line. In the bedroom we discussed putting away all personal photos and packing up clutter that was stacked on the dresser. In the office we packed away miscellaneous books and discussed turning the room into either an office or bedroom, but not both. But there was still the matter of the pool table in the living room.
As the consultation was coming to an end, the homeowner and I found that we shared a common faith and we had a glorious time sharing with one another. She was a precious woman whose company I enjoyed immensely. When it was all said and done, I couldn't even bring myself to charge her for the consultation; but there was still the matter of the pool table in the living room.
As I departed that day I explained, "No matter what sort of staging we do in the rest of your home, if you can't remove the pool table from the living room your chances of selling this house are very slim. Potential buyers will make their first impression of your home in 8 seconds as they walk through the front door. If they are not specifically looking for a home that would make a great pool hall, then they will go on to the next property. Please reconsider removing the pool table from the living room."
The moral of the story is this: when staging your home, don't overlook the pool table in the living room. The potential buyers certainly won't.
Patsy Overton, ASP, IAHSP
Accredited Staging Professional
Patsy@SSSHomeStaging.com 770-843-2307 www.SSSHomeStaging.com
Nothing says Bachelor pad or Frat House like a pool table in the living room.
What! Who wouldn't love a pool table just as soon as you walk through the door. Just think of all the family get-togethers you can avoid!
Seriously, it's amazing how what people put where in their home and think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. Congrats to you for being honest with her and not trying to sugar coat the pool table in the living room.
Honestly, guys, there was barely enough space to walk around the darn thing!
Patsy,
I'm glad the home owner was so gracious. Nothing like ignoring an elephant in the room.
Frat house is what came to mind for me too! I could almost smell stale beer.
Best regards,
Hey there Patsy, good to "see" you. I once had a realtor call and ask if I rented pool tables because that's what she thought the living room needed....WHAT???? The first impression after the foyer??? I told her that I didn't have any hanging around (no duh) but I guess that I should invent an inflatable pool table, ha. I thoroughly discouraged her from proceeding with this thinking...but let's just say this gal was typical of women that give blondes a bad reputation. (I can say that since I am one)
Bravo to you for persisting. Perhaps the hubby isn't anxious to move???
Hi Patsy, Great post. I too have had the pool table in the livingroom experience. Many times. I've been to open houses where the pool table is proudly displayed in the livingroom, or family room and is the first thing a buyer sees upon entering the house. I did a consultation with a woman who like your client said her husband would not store the pool table ( or the big tv blocking a window). I guess it's true, there is no accounting for taste.
Hi Ginger! 100,000 points? Somebody's been busy! Congrats!
An inflatable pool table sounds like just what we've all been missing in our inventories. What a great idea!
Speaking of blondes, I'll have to email you something a friend sent me that is sooooo funny. Be on the lookout.
Sounds like this is a more prevalent problem than I had thought!
I've had a similiar experience -
Granted, this room was much larger, and the house was huge, but it was the living room nonetheless and the first room to the right when you walked into the house. Would the home owner move it? Nope. So we staged the room as is (see pics here). We just recently destaged the house because the homeowner took it off the market. I believe one reason why it didn't sell was due to the pool table. And yes, the homeowner is a bachelor.
Monica - Isn't that insane? I see your homeowner had an affinity for blue. Maybe if the pool table had been green he would've removed it. And, of course, it had to be right in front of the lovely fireplace. Nice staging job, by the way!
Hey Patsy - it is so good to see you again. Love the new picture! You certainly landed a beauty this time. I am sure it is a wonderful home and can't believe they wouldn't move the pool table. What is even more scary is how many others have had this problem. Yikes!
Hi Sheila! Your beautiful new photo inspired me to get one of my own. Thanks for the compliment.
Yes, this "pool table in the living room" thing seems to be of epic proportions!!!
I've seen pool tables in living rooms, dining rooms, garages (OK, the garage is "OK" in IMHO) but you name it: I've seen it. It is one of the hardest things to move logistically and around here it costs about $300 to have it professionally relocated to another part of the home.
So fun to see you back Patty!!! Just had a pool table in a lovely dining room recently-the family donated it to a center for diabled children. The center came and removed it and gave them a very nice tax deductable receipt. Win-win for everyone!! Great post!! Happy staging to you and Happy New Year!
Keep the pool tables where they belong....NOT in the Living Room please. I'd tell my husband to go out to play pool for a few weeks but ONLY if he wants to sell the house!
Cathy - great idea to donate the pool table! I'll have to keep that one in mind.
And thank you for the compliment, Patsy!
Hello, Patsy! Better call the Beverly Hillboillies! They have an appreciation for "fancy eatin' tables" with the "pot passers". Hope the sellers come to their senses soon. Happy Staging - Julie
Connie - I've heard the same price for moving them around here. I guess that's why so many homeowners leave them, huh?
Cathy - Great to see you, girl! And what a great solution for the pool table issue. Nice photos!
Kathy - That's the age old question -- do you want to sell your house, or just list it?
Julie - How 'bout some fried possum?
Patsy, sounds like you handled the situation well. I once did a consult were the pool table was in the upstairs foyer. I could not see it, due to clutter. Do you know how much clutter it takes to disguise a pool table??? HA! HA!
You guys make me LOL! I may be blonde, but even I know that you need to get the darn pool table out of the living room. And I do not have any idea how much clutter it would take to disguise a pool table. Unbelievable!
Patty - The upstairs foyer??? How in the heck did they get to the bedrooms? Was there a Tarzan rope?
Pangaea - I'll have to send you a "blonde" photo. It's a single corn stalk in a huge, open field with a sign stating, "Corn Maze for Blondes." Glad to hear you know the pool table doesn't belong in the LR!
Sounds like many of us have been in this situation! My "pool table" client had theirs in the dining room. I don't have pictures because they refused to move it, so I didn't bother with a "before" shot. Luckily the rest of the house was appealing enough that it sold, but that usually isn't the case.
Sharon, that almost makes sense. In the DR they could use the table to play pool, eat on, or throw a mattress on it for overnight guests!