One of the most popular questions I get asked is, “How can I make my home look like the model?” When an Interior Designer is hired to design a model home, we’re being hired to merchandise the home for sale. So let me first give you a little inside information for fun on where we start and then some things that you can do to make your home look like a model.
When I merchandise my models, my goal to make them appeal to the targeted buyer that the builder has identified and will be marketing to. Is this development priced for first time homebuyers, move-ups, second homes, retirement or maybe executive? Then I find out how much the builder has budgeted to spend. Now that amount can really vary from builder to builder and project to project. Many times the amount is dependent upon how many lots the builder has to sell, because what is spent on the models gets figured into the overall price of the development. On average what is spent on models is between $15.00 and $25.00 per square foot. Which means if the model of your home was 2000 square feet and lets say the builder spent $18.00 per square foot, they would have spent $36,000 decorating the model. I know that is a wide range, but there are many factors involved, such as the number of lots, targeted buyer, the price of the homes, and the competition. A smaller project being sold to first time homebuyers may range from $15.00 to $18.00 per square foot. A larger project targeted to move-up or executive buyers may range from $19.00 to $25.00 per square foot.
What’s included in that price is everything that you see in the models, except the typical items that come with the home. Such as flooring, counters, cabinets, lighting and appliances. Also included in that price is the designer’s fee, but being we’re buying at wholesale prices, you can still use these numbers in your figuring since you’ll be buying at retail.
Once I have my budget and who the targeted buyer is, I now look to see what trends are popular in interiors and colors, and what their lifespan is expected to be. Since most projects are open 18 to 24 months, it is important that the models are merchandised in colors and themes that will not be dated by the end of the season. It is also important that they are designed to appeal to the targeted buyer. Knowing that everyone has different likes and dislikes, we design the models to appeal to the broadest number of people that will be looking at the homes. For example, if a Retro style in bright bold colors was the trend, I might use it in a project targeted to first time homebuyers over retirees. Now I know that many retirees may like a bright bold retro look, but the majority of them probably will not, whereas there is a better chance that it will appeal to a larger majority of younger homebuyers who may be more daring, bolder and willing to design in a trend.
So the next time that you ask to have your home decorated just like a model, remember that it is more important that you design your home together. It needs to be your home when the designer leaves and not just another model home that’s been designed without your personal likes and dislikes in mind. So now that you have a little insider information on model home merchandising, what can you do to merchandise your home to look like a model?
First, have a common theme and color scheme throughout the home. If my theme is old world Italian with a color scheme of amber, russet and moss green, that theme and color scheme will be in every room of the house. By having one theme and color scheme it will make your home more harmonious, have a continuously flow and feel larger. To properly flow your colors through your home, take the colors from your color scheme and let’s start in the living and dining room; select one color as the primary, one as the secondary and the third as the accent. Now moving onto the kitchen and family room, select either the secondary or accent from the living and dining as your primary, then a secondary and then accent. What you want to do is change what is your primary, secondary and accent colors are throughout the house, otherwise your primary color will become overwhelming. If you used gold as the primary color in every room, all that you would see as the color throughout the house is gold. It would be so overwhelming you probably wouldn’t even see the other colors, plus you would tire of it quickly.
Your color scheme is essential in the flow of your theme, mood and style throughout your home and the most important element in unifying your home. Color harmony includes the mixture of color, patterns and texture in a well-balance scheme. 
Some color scheme guidelines to help you:
• Fewer colors are easier to work with
• Use all of the colors in your scheme in the entry
• Do not use equal amounts of color in each room. A dominant color should be 60% of a room.
• Connecting rooms should have a common color.
• Repeat colors in wallpaper, fabrics and accessories.
The main goal is for your color scheme to flow harmoniously from area to area in a well balance fashion. Your color scheme must also flow with your theme, mood & style. For example, black and gold is great for contemporary but it would be difficult for it to work for country. As well as, blue and yellow can be country, but will not work well for a Santa Fe feel.
The next area that I feel makes a difference in models is in our accessory merchandising. Accessories are essential in bringing unity to your theme, mood, style and color scheme. Look at your accessories and determine if it is time to buy a couple new ones that will continue your theme and color scheme you’re creating. If in the past you had a traditional home and used gold frames but are now looking to go towards a Key West tropical look, it is probably time to donate your frames and buy new. Or how about keeping your old frames in your gift box and the next time that you give a picture of the kids to their grandparents, place it in one of your frames. Also, look at the colors in the matting of your artwork, floral arrangements and candles. If you’ve changed your colors, you can have easily change the mat color without having to buy a whole new piece, or switch out the dated colors and flowers in your arrangement and candles are one of the least expensive accessories, but ones that make a difference in the amount of color they will bring into your room.
Then never underestimate the use of greens. I love to use greens in my models and have to admit that I sometimes do overdue here just a bit, but they do soften any area and bring life into your home. But if you do not have a green thumb, use silks. Plus, we also use lots and lots of custom floral arrangements. My favorite places are the living room coffee tables, always on the dining table and master bath counter along with kitchen islands and niches.
When you’re out looking at accessories, consider using larger more impressive pieces, which again should repeat your theme and color scheme. Also remember to think of your table tops as more than horizontal surfaces but areas where you can tablescape. See it as a whole picture considering the style of the table, where it is placed and the look you’re creating. Instead of waiting for a holiday, set your dining table everyday. Add color and height to your table with a floral arrangement and by placing napkins inside your wine glass instead of next to your place settings.
Now, finally I’d like to dispel the myth that there are special model home manufacturers that make smaller beds and furniture. I have been designing model homes for almost 14 years and I have never come across one yet. If anyone out there knows of one, please share the information with me. I buy from the exact same manufacturers that you see in the major furniture stores. If in doubt, the next time you’re in a model open up a draw and look inside for the manufacturers name. Now we may buy from manufacturers you’re not familiar with as we go to furniture markets all over the country and not every store in town may carry some of the lines we’re using. The only reason I can think that people feel we buy special furniture is that we make the rooms look larger by the furniture placement and selection. In secondary bedrooms, we may place a regular twin size bed along the wall from a corner versus a full size bed straight out from the wall. In a master it will be rare that you’ll see a triple dresser plus an armoire used, unless it is a big master. Instead I’ll use two bedside chests and an armoire. Plus, if the master is small, I’ll use a full or queen over a king that you might place in your own room. Plus, you’ll see floor lamps used instead of a table in living and family rooms to make them more spacious. So please know, there are no model home furniture makers, just interior merchandisers who design the models to be open and inviting. Have fun visiting the many model homes throughout town. Remember to bring your camera with you to snap pictures of any styles, colors or arrangements that you’d like to use in your home by adding your own personal style and touch to make your home your very own model home.