A Guide to Home Staging and Property Presentation

Why Home Staging Matters

First impressions count. In a competitive property market, how a home looks—both online and in person—can strongly influence how quickly and for how much it sells. Home staging is about preparing and presenting a property to highlight its strengths, minimise weaknesses, and appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers.

Whether a home is empty or partly furnished, staging helps people visualise it as a place to live. A well-staged property creates an emotional connection, increasing buyer interest and driving up the final sale price.

The Impact of Presentation on Saleability

In our experience, evidence consistently shows that well-presented homes typically sell faster and for more money. Staging can make a property feel larger, brighter, and more inviting. qualities that are difficult to convey in empty or cluttered spaces.

In some cases, staging has helped homes that previously sat on the market for months sell within weeks, sometimes even achieving the full asking price. While reducing the price may be one way to attract interest, staging can often be a more effective solution that protects the property’s value.

Different Approaches to Property Staging

The correct staging approach depends on the condition and contents of the property. Typically, options include:

Complete staging – ideal for empty properties where rented or borrowed furniture creates a lived-in feel.
Partial staging – for homes that already have some furniture but would benefit from layout tweaks, added accessories, or a more cohesive look.
Simple presentation advice – guidance on decluttering, layout, and cost-effective updates for properties that need a refresh.

Even small additions such as cushions, rugs, mirrors, or artwork can make a noticeable difference to a home’s appearance in photos and during viewings.

Benefits of Home Staging

Staging a property before marketing typically leads to the following:

Increased buyer interest
A quicker sale
A reduced likelihood of sales falling through

Vendors often see a return on investment well beyond the initial cost. In our experience, staged homes that are professionally marketed to the right audience can sell for 5% to 10% more than similar unstaged properties.

Tips for Maximising Your Property's Appealh

Keep it clean – deep clean every room, including windows and carpets.
Neutral décor works best – avoid bold colours and personal touches.
Use lighting effectively – maximise natural light and add lamps to brighten dark corners.
Create usable spaces – clearly define eating, relaxing, or working areas.
Finish odd jobs – fix anything broken and complete any outstanding DIY.

Our Staging Services

We offer three levels of service to cater for all situations:

Full staging

For empty properties.

Part staging

For properties that have some furniture.

Advice and accessories

This is for properties that need a lift and already have furniture in.

Full Property Staging Service

We have been instructed to sell empty houses that have previously been sat on the market with little interest for months. After staging with modern furniture and re-launching with fresh marketing, we have successfully sold properties for the full asking price without needing to reduce the market value. This proves that not only does staging work, it also saves time and money! When staging is not carried out, a property could eventually be reduced by £10,000 – £20,000 to encourage a sale. The initial cost of staging any property is roughly 10 times the return on investment.

Part Property Staging Service

This is for situations when some furniture may already be on the property. If this is the case, accessorising and finishing touches may need to be added where required.

Advice & Accessories

If all you need is some help and advice, call, and we’ll guide you through the basics to maximise your property’s potential. It’s often simple methods, which don’t have to cost much. If you need accessories, we can provide cushions, pictures, or rugs when your property photos are taken.
Whether selling a flat or a family home, taking time to stage your property can give you a real edge in today’s market. It doesn’t always require a large budget – the simple, thoughtful changes often make the most significant impact.

Results

When you maximise the full potential of your property by decorating, cleaning and staging, not only do you get more in terms of sale price, but we have found that:

More interest is created
The property sells quicker
Has less chance of falling through

Our results speak for themselves – as you can see from the chart graphs, staging achieves a higher selling price and a considerably quicker selling time. Vendors who purchase the homestaging package can expect to achieve a selling price 5%-10% higher than if they had tried to sell the property empty. In addition, empty properties which have sat on the market for up to a year with another agent, have sold their property with Arden Estates and staged by House of Arden in considerably less time, with 95% of our staged properties selling within three weeks of going live on the market.

Customer Feedback

Lets start together

Contact one of our seven local branches across the West Midlands to discuss home staging or arrange a valuation of your property.