I See The Same Booth Looks Everywhere

This is something that has been on my mind for awhile.  I have a feeling that things are starting to shift.  I have no idea what they are shifting to, but I think I know what they are shifting away from.

No matter what nice mall you walk into, you'll see several booths that look the same as several booths you recently saw at another nice mall.  The arrangement and merchandise is a bit different in each booth but the look is the same. I would love to insert a great photo of a pretty booth in neutrals, but since this article is about the market being over-saturated with them, I won't do that. 

We saw the all white look for a long, long time.  All white started to transition over to white mixed with lots of neutrals and burlap and iron.  That really caught on and for the past few years, those booths have ruled.  I think that look may have peaked. It's not over by any means.   It will likely still do well for a bit more time, but I'm not sure how long.

Even style names are changing. Fewer and fewer vendors are using the words "Shabby Chic" to describe their furniture on their tags.  I still see it some, but I wince because it's seems too passe.  The upscale neutral booth vendors never use those words anymore.  My, my.  I feel like such a snob.  :-D

Retro was hot for awhile and vintage kitchenware sold like hotcakes.  Not so much now. Those fabulous retro tables with enamel tops used to sell like hotcakes.  Now they sell a bit slower and for less money.

Industrial was hot for several years.  Now it sells a bit slower.

Chalk painted furniture is everywhere, but now, unpainted furniture sales are starting to rise - or at least a mix of painted and natural.  Tables that are painted on bottom and wood on top do just a little better than the solid color tables.

I have no idea what's the next big thing.  I'm not seeing any clear ideas from magazines, but one of these days, some new design star is going to show us something amazing and people will start jumping off the neutrals bandwagon and head onto another path.

So, my advice for vendors - think about diversifying.  If everything you have is chalk painted, add in some wood.  If everything you have is white and/or neutral, add in a little bit of color.  Watch magazines.  Watch Pinterest.  Watch what sells.  Get ready for styles to change.  You don't have to go overboard.  Just a little bit of a change can make a difference.

Luckily, in most markets, the local consumers are usually just a tad behind the styles.  Once a new trend gets started, it takes them a little while to decide they like it enough to start redecorating.  Many will hang onto the old looks for a while.

I am keeping my eye out for new ideas and new styles.  I'm keeping my eye out, too, for booth looks that don't feel like every other booth I see.  I'll post those photos over on the VSO Facebook page whenever I come across them.

The photos I posted this morning are a good start.  Here's one of them.  When I first spotted this, I got excited.  After seeing photo after photo of neutrals, this one was like a breath of fresh air.

Source - My Desert Cottge

I'm not suggesting that this red-white-and-turquoise look is the next new thing, but at least it doesn't look like every other booth.

If you have one of those fabulous neutral booths, I'm not at all suggesting you toss everything and start over.  But you could add a little bit of color here and there.  You could keep plenty of neutral things to catch the eye of neutral-seeking shoppers.  But now, you'd also catch the eye of people tiring of neutrals.  Plus, your booth would be more memorable.  Your booth wouldn't be confused with several others in the store.  I'm really craving something different.  Am I alone?

I admit that this post is heavy with personal opinions.  But, boy do I feel it - change is in the air.  I have seen changes in sales to back up my feelings and my personal opinions, so I don't think I'm alone.  

Also, let me clarify - there will ALWAYS be a place for neutrals.  No matter what style becomes popular, people are more apt to buy large pieces that work with many color schemes and styles.  Neutrals are safe.  Few of us can afford to buy something large in a crazy color we'll tire of in a couple of years. The smaller things around those large neutral pieces are the things we are a little more adventurous with and I, for one, am ready for an adventure. :-D

Make Them Love It!

When you have a piece of furniture to sell, take the time to create a vision.  Be creative.  Show the possibilities.  The main point of a good vignette is to make the customer love (and consider buying) the feature item.

The vanity below is obviously from Miss Mustard Seed, who is a genius when it comes to display.  She made me love this piece, which I might not have without her vision.  I might have appreciated it.  I might have thought it would look good in someone else's house.  She took me beyond my imagination.

Source

A vanity can be difficult to sell because a vanity is, by nature, not very versatile.  MMS didn't display this as a vanity.  She created a display that makes it clear it can be used in a number of rooms.  Her display leans more towards using it as a desk.  Still, a customer wouldn't rule it out as a vanity.

The lines of the vanity are feminine, but the paint and accessories don't read feminine.  Yet it's not too overpoweringly masculine either.

The style is an early 1900's look, but the way it is displayed, even someone with an industrial style would consider it.

Black can be a harsh color when painting.  But of course, MMS knows a thing or two about paint, so she did this one well.  She distressed, so it's not a dull looking solid black.  She also left the top wood.  The knobs are lighter and fun.

Finally, the accessories she used are fabulous!  The fan, typewriter and binoculars really create a great look. When MMS is showcasing furniture, she puts just enough on it to create a vision.  She doesn't over-do or hide the piece.

This piece is being shown from her home, but if you ever looked at the MMS booth at Lucketts, you'd know that this is probably very similar to how she would have shown this piece there.  She no longer has a booth there - her paint venture is taking up most of her time these days.

By the way, if you have an online following, it never hurts to show your pieces there for a week or two before you put  them in your booth, especially if you have plenty of furniture to sell. Don't feautre it looking all tacky in your garage with tools and junk all around.  Take a little time to create a display.  Let Miss Mustard Seed (and many others) be your inspiration.   You might make a sale from home and avoid commission - or -  you might generate interest so customers will want to go to the store to see it once it's in your booth.

Word of warning - do not try to sell items outside of the store when they are in your booth.  Parking lot deals are a big no-no.  In fact, doing that can get you tossed out of the store.

Why I Quit Buying Coffee Tables to Sell

When out treasure hunting, I often came across coffee tables.  Most of them needed painting, but they were such good deals that - for awhile - I couldn't resist getting them.  Over time, I learned to resist them - both from my own experience and from watching coffee table sales in general.

Vendors in the store where I promote often bring in coffee tables. They almost always take FOREVER to sell.  

At first, the vendor features it prominently.  After a bit, the price is reduced.  A bit later, it is moved out of the focal area and used for stacking other things in an effort to maximize limited booth space.  If enough time goes by, the coffee table gets so buried that even someone looking for a coffee table might not see it.

What gives?  The coffee tables were pretty.  They were reasonably priced.  Many were neutral colors.

This coffee table is really pretty, but it might take longer to sell than you think.
Source

Here's the deal.  Some pieces of furniture have very specific uses.  A coffee table is one of those.  There's not too many places you can use one.  As if that weren't enough,  if someone wants a coffee table these days, they often prefer to use something more creative - like a trunk or a big ottoman.  They can't use a coffee table somewhere else. A coffee table would look pretty dumb as a foyer table.  In other words,  a coffee table isn't very versatile.

There are exceptions.  If you find a trendy, fabulously cool coffee table, it might sell just fine.  But a run-of-the-mill coffee table?  Think twice before spending time and money on one to put in your booth.

If you have a small booth or if your booth is more than a hobby, try to get pieces that can be used a number of ways in a customer's home.  The more versatile the piece, the more likely you'll make a timely sale.

Source

The table above is not a neutral color, (you know how I feel about paint colors) but it would STILL be likely to sell faster than the neutral coffee table in the first photo because this table is versatile.  Have you noticed yet?  VERSATILE is the word of the day!  This blue table would be right at home in a foyer, or a bedroom, or a kitchen, or a living room, or a porch... I could go on.  It's VERSATILE!!!

When you are buying furniture to resell, always factor in how versatile it might be.  Did I use that word enough times?

One more thing about color - I don't want anyone to think that I don't love or appreciate colorfully painted furniture. If you saw my house, you'd know I am not a neutral kind of gal.  But, when it came to selling furniture, I learned to limit my fun with color to the smaller pieces.