What is property staging? A complete guide to styling homes that sell faster
Why property staging matters in today’s market
Property staging has been a common home sales tactic in the US for a long time, and is now a growing trend this side of the Atlantic too. The reason for the enthusiastic adoption of property staging in the UK is reflected in the results. The American National Association of Realtors observed that 83% of buyers found it easier to visualise themselves in a property that was staged and that staging could drive up sales values by as much as 10%.
Staging helps properties stand out in an extremely crowded market, making them more likely to sell faster and at a higher value. More than just decoration, staging is emerging as a crucial marketing tool for sellers and estate agents.
What is property staging?
At its core, property staging is the process of dressing a home to make it more appealing to buyers. The goal is to use furniture and decorative elements to make it easier for a buyer to picture themselves living in the property. Staging is a marketing tool designed to help sell a lifestyle as well as a home.
There are different levels of staging depending on budget, goals and space. You can choose to simply stage a few critical spaces such as the entryway, living room and master bedroom, or you can stage the whole property for maximum impact.
What is property styling vs staging?
There are two terms that are used almost interchangeably in this space, but they originally mean slightly different things: property styling and property staging.
So, what is property styling and staging? Styling, in the strictest sense, refers to the steps taken to make sure a property is generally presentable and well decorated. It can be used for homes on the market, but can also apply to rentals or occupied properties.
Property staging, however, is specifically the process of setting a property up for sale. It can include decorative touches but also stretches to furniture installation and almost complete décor overhauls.
How property staging works
While property staging takes a good deal of interior design understanding and experience, the process of implementing it is relatively straightforward:
01 – Property assessment and planning
The first step is to assess the property room by room and determine what changes need to be made as well as the best decorative choices for the space, location and target buyers.
02 – Layout design and furniture selection
Next, the new layout will need to be planned. Designers will map out where furniture and decorations will sit and determine the best arrangement to create optimal flow through the property. They will also select and source any required furniture, with pieces chosen to match the intended design scheme and feel of the property.
03 – Installation and styling
Once everything’s mapped out and furniture is selected, any new elements will need to be installed and styling touches added. This is where the staging takes shape, transforming the home.
04 – Photography for listings
With furniture in place, decor installed and walls painted, it’s time for the all-important photography. Even if sales are secured with in-person viewings, the journey starts online. So, photography is crucial, as is the quality of the final listing. It needs to make the most of the property, conveying a sense of light and space.
05 – Removal or reuse after sale
Most home staging companies will use what’s called ‘trade furniture’ or ‘show home furniture’ for their properties. This is furniture that is specifically designed for these kinds of professional applications, and is higher quality and more robust than retail furniture. Trade furniture can be reused from property to property without wearing out, and will need to be removed after the home is sold.
Why property staging helps homes sell faster
Property staging has been proven to help homes sell faster. There are a few factors behind this, including:
- Creates a strong first impression: First impressions matter, and homes are no exception, property staging helps your home create a stronger first impression on would-be buyers, cementing it in their minds
- Improves online listing performance: Property staging makes your home look better in photographs, which will improve the performance of its online listing and attract more viewings
- Helps buyers understand space and scale: Staging makes the most of the space in your home, creating a better sense of scale and making it easier for buyers to imagine their own furniture in each room
- Increases emotional connection: One of the main goals of property staging is to strengthen the emotional connection a potential buyer forms with your property, increasing the likelihood of them making an offer
When executed effectively, property staging can drastically reduce the time a home spends on the market and can even increase the end sale price.
Key elements of effective property staging
There are a few core elements that go into property staging, each with its own critical role to play.
Furniture
- Carefully selected, high-quality furniture should be used to enhance the space without crowding it.
- Neutral, modern pieces are typically best and it’s important to ensure they’re scaled appropriately to the room they’re placed in.
Layout
- The layout of your home has a huge impact on how the space is perceived.
- Property staging specialists should be able to use furniture and decor to make your home feel welcoming and functional while also helping buyers imagine living in it themselves.
Lighting
- Lighting is your best friend when it comes to property staging. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a space feel larger, warmer and more welcoming.
- Typically, you want to ensure that lighting is consistent throughout the home and well placed to avoid dark spots or artificially bright areas.
Accessories
- Finally, the details. These can make or break a home staging project.
- Carefully placed accessories such as a tastefully coloured throw pillow, a vase of fresh flowers or a reed diffuser can change a buyer’s whole perception of a space.
Common types of property staging
There are four main types of property staging, designed to suit different homes, budgets and spaces:
Vacant property staging
If a property is vacant, the entire home can be staged, giving it the best chance of selling. With no one to work around, every room can be transformed and enhanced.
Occupied staging
Occupied staging is designed to make a property more appealing to potential buyers while ensuring it remains usable for the existing occupants. For example, if you’re trying to sell your home while you’re still living in it, you can repaint walls, upgrade furniture and improve decor, without interrupting your normal routines too drastically.
Luxury staging
Luxury staging is aimed specifically at high-end properties. The goal is to enhance your home and make it more appealing to the relevant audience. This includes installing premium staging furniture and integrating high-end details such as luxury branded goods.
Partial staging
An alternative approach to vacant property or occupied staging is partial staging. This is where you stage just a few key rooms and spaces, such as the entryway, living room, bathroom or master bedroom. This helps create an impactful impression on buyers without the need to revamp your entire home.
The role of furniture in property staging
Furniture is the foundation of effective property staging, and high-quality staging furniture is essential for professional results. Furniture is used to create a sense of scale and define spaces. It helps potential buyers picture themselves living in the property.
Most property staging professionals will use trade furniture for their properties, which is designed to be highly durable for repeated reuse. This furniture is typically provided by trade furniture suppliers.
Who uses property staging?
Property staging is a useful tool for a variety of individuals and businesses:
Estate agents
Estate agents often use property staging to help increase the value of a property and reduce the amount of time it spends on the market. This can contribute to their reputation as well as their commission.
Property developers
Staging has long been used by property developers to create show homes. In this case, it involves taking the bare shell of a new home and making it feel welcoming and lived-in. With the use of show homes, property developers can even sell homes before they’re built, using staged properties as a model.
Homeowners selling high-value homes
For high-value homes, property staging can make a huge difference to the final sale price. The goal, particularly with high-end properties, is to create a vision of a luxury lifestyle and highlight premium features such as home bars, cloakrooms and swimming pools.
Property staging companies
The use of property staging is on the rise, and requires a good deal of design expertise. Property staging companies are specialists who offer a professional approach, ensuring the best results.
Where property staging furniture comes from
Property staging furniture has two primary sources:
- Trade furniture suppliers: in most cases, staging furniture is sourced from trade furniture suppliers, which provide trade-only, highly durable furniture that can be reused across different properties for cost efficiency
- Specialist staging providers: Alternatively, there are also specialist staging providers, which are dedicated to supplying staging furniture, but may have a more limited selection.
- Here at D.I. Designs we supply trade furniture for many sectors, including property staging. We supply furniture to numerous members of the Home Staging Association, so rest assured you’re in safe hands.
- We’re one of the UK’s leading trade furniture suppliers, offering a huge range of durable, design-led pieces, perfect for property staging.
Is property staging worth it?
Whether property staging is worth it will depend on your specific property and budget. In most cases, property staging delivers the most impactful returns on high-value homes or in especially competitive markets.
The return on investment will also be determined by the type of the property and how well the staging is executed. Staging is usually most effective in vacant properties, where the entire home can be enhanced.
When executed effectively, property staging can deliver a significant boost to the value of a property. As a result, it’s becoming an increasingly common practice in modern real estate.
Final thoughts: the importance of staging in modern property sales
In today’s market, staging is playing a growing role in real estate marketing, and is ever more central to the success and value of a sale. It can help a home sell faster and at a higher price.
Carefully selected furniture is critical to the process and success of property staging. It’s important to structure the space within a home using high-quality, reusable furniture.
Contact D.I. Designs for expert advice
Because furniture is so pivotal to the outcome of a property staging project, it’s important to find a trade furniture supplier you can rely on. At D.I. Designs, we offer a vast collection of premium trade furniture with both wholesale and bespoke options to choose from.
Every item is hand-selected by our expert team and chosen for both durability and style. To find the perfect trade furniture for your property staging project, speak to our expert team today by calling 01962 771 725, emailing orders@didesigns.co.uk or filling out our contact form. For exclusive discounts and access to our entire furniture range, make sure to register for a trade account.