From Vision to Successful Sale

The term “home staging” originated in the United States and has shaped the real estate market there since the 1970s. It refers to the art of presenting a property in its best possible light to potential buyers.

Knowing that purchase decisions are often made within the first moments of a viewing highlights the importance of that all-decisive first impression. Buying a home means leaving the familiar behind, fulfilling new dreams, and enhancing one’s quality of life. The interplay of aspiration and emotion creates an opportunity for owners to present their property in a way that allows buyers to instantly envision their future home. When that happens, the path to a successful sale is already set.

The Pillars of a Successful Home Staging Concept

A well-executed home staging concept strikes the perfect balance between welcoming warmth and neutral elegance. Lighting design plays a crucial role — both for daylight and evening viewings. Home staging can make a property’s full potential visible by giving each space a clear function and atmosphere within the overall home concept.

For occupied properties, achieving a sense of neutrality is essential. After all, how can potential buyers picture themselves living there if every surface is covered with family photos and personal items? Storing away personal belongings and replacing them with neutral décor helps the property appear larger and more inviting.

Thorough cleaning is equally important — viewers subconsciously associate cleanliness and attention to detail with the overall condition and value of a property.

The garden and outdoor areas are part of the first impression and should not be overlooked. Well-maintained landscaping, an appealing façade, and thoughtful exterior lighting all contribute to the home’s visual impact.

The ultimate goal of home staging is to highlight the most attractive and impressive features of a property. Experienced stagers can also advise whether a broad appeal or a focus on a specific target audience will be most effective — for instance, styling a child’s room to appeal to young families.

DIY or Hire a Professional?

Home staging can certainly be done independently with enough time and preparation. However, if the homeowner’s schedule is demanding, interior design isn’t their strong suit, or garden maintenance is usually outsourced, hiring a professional home stager is a wise choice.

Local providers can be found online or through real estate agents. Agents often have trusted staging partners with proven results who align with the homeowner’s vision. During an initial consultation, the stager should present past projects with before-and-after photos and corresponding metrics. This helps homeowners get a clear sense of style and effectiveness before deciding who will best present their property.

What’s Included — and What It Costs

Before signing a contract, the home stager should provide a detailed action plan outlining all services needed to transform the property from its current state into a market-ready showpiece. Professional stagers typically collaborate with cleaning, maintenance, and landscaping partners and coordinate all trades involved, if commissioned by the homeowner.

Fees are usually negotiated individually based on the scope of work and are often calculated per square meter. As a rule of thumb, costs range between 1% and 3% of the desired sale price. Considering that home staging can increase a property’s value by up to 15%, the investment is more than worthwhile.