St. Louis is home to dozens of historic houses -- from the Thomas Sappington House to the famous Field House. Some historic homes in St. Louis have been converted into museums, galleries and boutique hotels. However, others remain in the hands -- and hearts -- of private homeowners. While beautiful and rich with centuries of history, such homes can be difficult to stage and even more difficult to sell. Many buyers will admire the unique charm of a historic home. On the other hand, some potential buyers might assume that it is incompatible with his or her lifestyle. Most 19th century homes have had a slew of owners, a fact that delights some potential buyers and concerns others. However, an older home is not necessarily a poorly built one. In her article “10 Things Nobody Tells You about Buying an Older Home” for MyMove, Shelley Little explains. She writes that “the custom, hand-crafted qualities of an older home usually mean long-lasting value." They might also offer "a durable structure that one cannot find nowadays.” Furthermore, new homes are often built in undeveloped neighborhoods. Older homes are often found on “tree-lined streets” in “quaint neighborhoods” with tons of established appeal. When planning to sell your historic St. Louis home, placing special focus on proper staging is key. Staging the home properly will help weed out non serious buyers. Home staging can also capture the hearts of those who could really love your home for years. Follow below for our five staging tips for historic homes in St. Louis.

Types of Historic Homes in St. Louis, Missouri

Most historic homes in St. Louis date to the late 18th century through the late 19th century. Famed historic districts in St. Louis include Benton Park, Lafayette Square, Soulard, Holly Hills, Gravois Park, Compton Heights, Dogtown, Old North St. Louis and Skinker–DeBaliviere. Most single family historic homes in St. Louis reflect the fact that the state was once controlled by France. Preservationists believe that two-thirds or more of pre-Civil War homes in St. Louis were built in the French Colonial style. Homes built in the late 19th century -- such as those found in Compton Heights and Lafayette Square -- were often designed in the Victorian style. In districts planned during the early 20th century, one might find Art Deco styles, Tudor Revival homes and bungalows.

One of Our Favorite Historic Homes -- the Tower Grove House

One particularly interesting historic district in St. Louis is the Tower Grove / Shaw Historic District. Nestled between the Missouri Botanic Garden and Tower Grove Park, the Shaw Historic District offers a gorgeous setting for historic homes in St. Louis. The Shaw Historic District is home to one of St. Louis’ most popular historic home destinations -- the Tower Grove House. Nottingham-born architect George I Barnette designed the Tower Grove House in 1849 for Henry Shaw, who founded the Garden. 

Barnette engineered the home in a traditional Lake Cuomo Italianate style, honoring the Italian heritage of many St. Louis residents. George Barnette designed many 19th century historic buildings across St. Louis, including the Old Courthouse, the Grand Avenue Water Tower, the Missouri Governor’s Mansion and the Henry Shaw Mausoleum. Those interested can find the home in the Lichtenstein Victorian District of the Missouri Botanic Garden.

What to Keep in Mind When Selling a Historic Home

In an article for The Washington Post, Michele Lerner writes that “historic houses sometimes take longer to sell than more modern ones.” One mistake homeowners looking to sell often make is prioritizing the story that surrounds the home and its previous residents. Quoting real estate agent Leslie Brenowitz, Lerner writes that “stories about previous residents can entice potential buyers.” However, “the architectural and historical details are what convert visitors to owners.” On the other hand, homeowners also want updated interiors and renovated kitchens and bathrooms. 

In short, potential buyers considering historic homes want to combine the charm of an older property with the functionality of a newer space. As such, home staging that accentuates historic details of the home while pointing to tasteful updates is essential. When hiring a home stager in St. Louis, be sure to ask for photos of a staged home they worked on in a historic district near you. Look for a home staging company with experience staging historic homes in the St Louis area of Missouri. Only consider professional staging services that well reflect the period, market and price point that fit your home.

5 Tips for Staging a Historic Home for Sale in St. Louis

#1 Consider Classic Color Schemes for Home Staging

First and foremost, home stagers and homeowners alike should consider historically appropriate color schemes for each space. Kristie Barnett offers her advice in a recent article for Houzz which was reposted by North of NYC. Barnett recommends homeowners and stagers “choose a color from a period-inspired palette.” To avoid a stodgy, outdated appearance, “use fresher, cleaner historic options, such as Benjamin Moore's Palladian Blue, Adams Gold or Georgian Green.” In her article “Historic Paint Colors” for This Old House, Kate Wood provides a handy list of tones that work well for historic homes. 

For Victorian styles -- of which St. Louis has many -- Wood suggests layering different shades of bright or saturated colors. Her favorites are green and yellow. In Craftsman style homes, she suggests warm tones throughout and for mid-century she suggests something a bit bolder and more graphic. Colonial home interiors -- perhaps the most common type of St. Louis historic homes -- should be softer and more muted with a few darker accents here and there. For more about painting historic home interiors as you stage for sale, read through Old House Journal’s “Guide to Period-Appropriate Historic Paints.”

#2 Never Distract from the Architecture

As mentioned above, the majority of potential buyers interested in your historic home are attracted to the historic details and incredible architecture. To avoid distracting from such important elements when home staging, keep furniture and decor streamlined and simple. Avoid large area rugs that cover original wood floors and keep furniture away from unique molding like wainscoting and carved dados. In his post “Staging an Historic Home to Sell” for Do You Speak Vintage?, Chicago real estate broker Keith Goad offers advice. Goad specializes in vintage and antique builds throughout the Chicago area. 

Goad recommends that homeowners and home stagers pay special attention to the windows -- especially in dark Victorian houses. He writes that stagers should “remove fussy window sheers and heavy draperies from the windows…[because] gone are the days of elaborate festoons, jabots and swags.” When homeowners remove heavier window treatments, they “reveal the beauty of the window trim." They also "make the rooms appear bigger by letting in more natural light.” Above all, Goad recommends homeowners “keep it neutral...keep it simple and let the house speak for itself.”

#3 Make Kitchens and Bathrooms More Modern

According to Than Merril in the article “The 10 Most Important Features First-Time Homebuyers Want,” updated kitchens and baths top the list. In fact, they are the first in a series of “most likely amenities first-time homebuyers are going to prioritize” in 2021. Than Merril references a recent survey conducted by Metropolitan Regional Information Systems Inc.. The survey found that “81 percent of respondents recognized updated kitchens and bathrooms as the most important feature.” Preservation of architectural details and historic elements is certainly important in a historic home. However, it must also be fully functional for the new owners. This often means transitioning an old-fashioned bath and kitchen into two stunning, contemporary spaces with a bit of antique charm. 

Christine Bartsch seconds this in her article “10 Tips for Selling Your Historical Charmer of a Home to the Right Buyer” for Homelight. To strike that perfect balance between antique and contemporary, Bartsch suggests “shopping for items that reflect your historic home’s style.” At the same time, include some modern amenities. Opt for newer appliances, countertops and cupboards in bathrooms and the kitchen. Sprinkle in a few historic details in the tiling, lighting and wall paint. To protect the historic integrity of your home, try to source “pieces that fit your home’s architectural style.” Also be sure to leave “original hardwood floors...untouched.”

#4 Trade Traditional for Transitional Furniture

In her article “10 Tips for Selling Your Historical Charmer” for Homelight, Christine Bartsch recommends swapping out traditional furniture. Instead, homeowners should opt for for sleeker, transitional pieces when staging their homes. Quoting Philadelphia real estate agent Jeff Block, Bartsch writes that “‘today’s buyer wants the beautiful floors, the high ceilings, the intricate moldings.’” However, they are less interested in the “‘period furniture and heavy historic window treatments” that can make homes “'look like cluttered museums.’” 

Block writes that homeowners who sell for top dollar must invest in “‘more modern staging with transitional furniture.'" They should also embrace "'lighter, contemporary sheers on the windows.’” Jeff Block explains that clearing away heavy furniture opens up the space. It also it “easier to see the historic character that buyers will pay a premium for.”

#5 Clear Away Clutter for a More Open Feel

Lastly, when home staging a historic home in Saint Louis, homeowners should keep in mind that less is more. Potential buyers must be able to transpose their vision of life inside the home onto each existing space. This can be difficult when too many of the current homeowner’s possessions are scattered from room to room. Furthermore, historic homes are often smaller than those designed by today’s architects. For instance, many Victorian homes have a built footprint of under 800 square feet and many 20th century bungalows are even smaller. According to “A Short History of the Small House Movement” from SmallHouseLiving.org, “in 1900, the average home size was less than 1000 sq ft.” In their article “5 Helpful Hints for Staging a Historic Home,” Red House Staging & Interiors offers staging advice for small spaces. The blog notes that “older properties are usually broken up with many smaller rooms." This is largely "in contrast to the open floor plan that attracts modern buyers.” 

As such, homeowners must “exaggerate [their] space to make up for these outdated proportions.” Removing heavy furniture, adding mirrors and choosing colors wisely can go a long way to making a small space feel larger. Homeowners should specifically focus on the living room, parlor and other social spaces when staging their historic homes.Monique Valeris explains in Elle Decor, writing that social spaces are “a main focal point—if not the focal point—of any home.” Take Coral Nafie’s advice in her article “11 Easy Ways to Make a Small Room Look Bigger” for The Spruce. When staging your historic home, clear clutter and move furniture around to create walkways. Also, “coordinate wall and furniture colors,” add reflective surfaces and let as much light in as possible.