I’ve always found home staging – the clever art of styling a property to suit a potential buyer – absolutely fascinating, so I was excited to hear that a Swedish real estate agency, Fastighetsbyran, was experimenting with it. In fact, it’s all become quite scientific, which of course I love, considering my background in social work and psychology.

Can you believe, the living rooms pictured above are actually the same space? They’ve been styled and transformed by three of Sweden’s foremost creatives, based on a report from a design psychologist (yes, they exist) who said that home staging can help a property sell faster and for a higher price.

The results are, as expected, incredible. Although each of the stylists came up with a totally different design scheme, they have all used clever tricks to make personal connections with a potential buyer.

My favourite design is by stylist Tina Hellberg, who has decorated the living room with a middle-aged single person in mind. She’s gone for a light, bright interior, with plenty of natural light flooding through the bare windows. The open-plan apartment has been cleverly zoned to create a living area, dining area and fireplace, which has been painted in a darker accent to create a focal point.

Tina’s opted for a mix of Scandinavian designer furniture pieces with sheepskin and tribal-pattern rugs, with natural wood here and there, for a comfortable, warm feel that tells a story of the person who lives here (without being too personal).

I also love the room by art director and stylist Hans Blomquist (who has just released his second book, In Detail – a must buy). Hans has decorated the apartment for a couple with a child. He’s used clever touches to give the apartment a ‘lived-in’ feel without being cluttered – think green plants and firewood – and the natural light is sure to appeal to all the Scandinavians viewing the apartment!

Mikael Beckman –a stylist and creative director – has created a modern home with classic pieces for a middle-aged couple with no children. Mikael’s is probably the most typically Swedish of the interiors, with the all-white colour scheme brightened with patterned, colourful cushions. Warmth comes from the can chair and brass details, abundance of natural light and green plants. The living room has been well zoned off by a sheer curtain to allow privacy but without compromising on the light.

I love the results of this experiment by Fastighetsbyrån. It’s such a skill to be able to personalise a space with a potential buyer in mind. As every good estate agent knows, this is the key to selling a home!

Images from Fastighetsbyran. Photography  Marcus Lawett

Styling For Images 1,4,7 Tina Hellberg. Styling For Images 2,5,8 Mikael Beckman. Styling For Images 3,6,9 Hans Blomquist.

I never thought I’d be drawn to a home with pink accents, but this Swedish apartment styled by Pella Hedeby and Marie Ramse grabbed my attention from the moment I saw it. And yes, I love it. Of course, the pink used in this apartment isn’t a sickly sweet pink, but rather a sophisticated dusky nude pink. But even then, I’m surprised I love it; those who know me will know that I object to pink in any form, even for my two-year-old daughter Imogen!

This apartment, however, is the exception to the rule. It simply works. In the photographs taken by Kristoffer Johansson (of course), you can see that the pink wall is complemented by grey tones. The wall colours balance each other to create a totally new dimension to the apartment.

I usually style in odd numbers, but I love how the four black-and-white photographic artworks are positioned slightly under the black paint line. Rather than the graphic black-and-white photographs that Scandinavians are known for, Pella and Marie have used more subtle pictures to soften the interior design. Carefully positioned pendant lights and soft bent chairs also soften this structured, contemporary space.

I’ve been obsessed with black lately, so you can see why the bedroom area appealed to me. The monochrome colour scheme could have been quite oppressive, but the clever stylists have added warmth and comfort with shrieked linen and layers of fabric. The kimono, photographic art work, the wall light and floor lamp give this space a very contemporary edge.

So am I convert to colour? Well, maybe not quite yet, but never say never!

Images from Hitta Hem Styling Pella Hedeby & Marie Ramse and Photography by Kristofer Johansson.