Home staging involves preparing a property to make it more appealing and inviting for potential buyers or renters within a specific timeframe and budget.
Home staging pays off because enhancing a space makes it more beautiful, comfortable, and functional, which immediately increases its market demand. Consequently, the price for renting or selling the property can be raised, according to Kristina Zagrebelnaya, a home stager and designer at Colife, a property management service.
However, she advises against using expensive materials, as renters are unlikely to be impressed by them. Since renters typically understand they are living in the space temporarily, the visual aspect takes precedence over the price tag of individual items. Expensive does not always equate to better quality. While one should avoid extremes and not make home staging overly cheap, using natural stone in the interior is not always justified either.
The cost of home staging varies depending on the size of the space, the client’s wishes, and the expense of materials and items. Typically, creating a cozy and functional space does not require a huge budget. For instance, home staging a studio in Dubai costs about 2,500 dirhams ($680). This budget covers paintings, vases, potted plants, and decorative elements. This is a rough guideline for home staging a one-bedroom apartment in any city. Overall, home staging pays off quickly, with properties that feature well-executed staging attracting interest from both renters and buyers.
How Does Home Staging Differ from Renovation?
Home staging differs from renovation in several key aspects:
- Financial Costs: Home staging typically requires a lower investment than renovations.
- Time and Energy: Staging takes less time and energy than a renovation project.
- Visual Changes: Home staging does not usually involve significant changes, such as reconfiguring spaces, relocating electrical sockets, or installing new lighting fixtures.
Instead, home staging focuses on transforming an ordinary space into something beautiful—a room, apartment, or house where one desires to live. While the primary task used to be decorating, modern home stagers are also involved in decisions like painting walls or producing wall panels based on the property’s specific needs.
How to Stage Your Home Yourself
Having an eye for design is helpful, but if you lack that skill yet want to stage your home, many websites offer ideas for arranging furniture and decor. For example, to visualize where to place a coffee table, you can search for interior images showcasing coffee tables.
One personal recommendation is to create collages. Take screenshots of the items you’ve selected and assemble them to see if they fit together visually. Based on my experience, if someone lacks design sense or experience, it’s challenging to combine everything mentally without visual aids. Thus, 3D renders or collages can effectively illustrate how everything will look together, and anyone with a smartphone can create them.
To make your staging successful, follow these steps:
- Make a List: Outline what needs to be purchased. You can easily find standard checklists online.
- Source Items: Visit stores or browse marketplaces for suitable options. Stick to a cohesive style—for instance, if you choose modern decor, ensure that pillows, tables, and paintings align with that aesthetic. Marketplaces simplify searching for items in a specific style.
- Unpack and Decorate: The final crucial step is arranging everything, whether for a photoshoot or personal enjoyment. Pay attention to placement—if there are pillows, arrange them harmoniously on the couch; drape a throw blanket elegantly over the couch instead of folding it; and open decorative books to visually appealing pages that match the interior’s color scheme.
Can You Learn Home Staging?
Yes, there are numerous home staging courses available, and it can be learned through various resources. With a genuine interest in the profession, you can even learn for free, as many home stagers share their insights and processes on social media through blogs and videos.
Home staging has been established in the U.S. for quite some time but has only recently gained global popularity. Its development is attributed to interior designer Barb Schwarz, who, in 1972, first staged real estate for sale to create an emotional connection with potential buyers. In the 1980s, she began training real estate professionals in home staging, and in 1999, the International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP) was established along with the first accredited home staging course.
