Staging to Sell Your Home

Staging Your Home for the Camera

The camera doesn’t miss. Neither do buyers.

Let’s be honest: most buyers will look at your photos and video 20 times before they ever walk through your door — and if the home doesn’t feel “right” online, they may never schedule a showing at all.

This is why media day is the single most important day of the listing process. It’s not just about cleaning. It’s about creating a mood… telling a story… and helping buyers see themselves in your space.

Staging for photos is different from staging for real life, but don’t worry - we’ll walk room by room with you in person, offering tailored advice. But here’s a head start:

Small details make a big difference in photos.

• Replace all burned-out bulbs — use the same tone (soft white or daylight) for consistency
• Turn on every light, lamp, and under-cabinet strip
• Open all blinds and window treatments
• Turn ceiling fans off
• Tidy or hide toys completely
• Remove pet bowls, crates, beds, and litter boxes
• Tuck away valuables, medications, and personal paperwork
• Hide floor mats, rugs, or runners unless they’re anchoring the space
• Remove seasonal decorations (don't "date" the photos)

Staging Moments:

• Fresh flowers: Stick to one or two arrangements — tulips or hydrangeas in a glass vase for the kitchen, eucalyptus in a ceramic vessel for the entry.
• Fruit bowl: Use bright lemons in a white or wood bowl to suggest freshness and ease.
• Welcome mat: New and clean — something classic like “Home Sweet Home” or neutral woven fiber.
• Scent strategy: No plug-ins. Instead, a light citrus or linen candle (unlit) or a small bowl of fresh rosemary near the door.
• Catchall tray: In the entry, use a small wooden tray with a couple of keys, sunglasses, and a faux houseplant to suggest a curated, everyday life.

• Decide in advance: Are we lighting the fireplace or firepit?
• Arrange furniture to highlight space and flow (not just for TV-viewing)
• Fold blankets and fluff pillows
• Organize bookshelves — remove excess trinkets or overly personal items
• Hide remotes, wires, and power cords
• Clear desks of papers and clutter
• Limit personal photos — a few are fine, but don’t overdo it

Staging Moments:

• Coffee table tray: Use a square or round tray with 3 layered items — a small potted plant or succulent, a couple stacked hardcover books (architecture, travel, cooking), and a candle.
• Board game moment: Lay out Scrabble, chess, etc., neatly on a family room table to suggest play and connection.
• Mantel styling: Use symmetry — two matching vases or candlesticks on each end, with a centered mirror or art. Nothing busy.
• Reading nook: Drape a knit throw over a chair, set a side table with an open book and mug (no logos), and place a soft floor lamp nearby.
• Basket styling: Use woven baskets for toys or blankets — a clean, purposeful storage cue that also feels cozy.

• Remove trash cans
• Empty the sink
• Clear the fridge of magnets, calendars, and kids’ art
• Simplify countertops: a coffee maker is okay, five appliances are not
• Remove hand towels

Staging Moments:

• Appetizer moment: Place a small wooden board with a few crackers, grapes, and folded napkins — you’re suggesting entertaining, not feeding.
• Coffee station: Set up one corner with a French press or Chemex, two neutral mugs, a tiny dish of sugar cubes, and a tea towel.
• Cookbook moment: Open a stylish cookbook (e.g., Magnolia Table or Half Baked Harvest) to a visually striking page.
• Plant: Place a small basil or rosemary plant in a neutral pot on the windowsill or island to suggest fresh, intentional cooking.
• Lighting: If pendants or under-cabinet lights are present, turn them on for warmth and glow.

• Use a tasteful centerpiece — nothing too tall or busy
• Straighten chairs
• Remove highchairs or booster seats

Staging Moments:

• Centerpiece: Stick to a low-profile piece — think a white ceramic bowl with green apples, or a long wooden tray with 3 glass votives and greenery.
• Place settings: Use 2 or 4 sets max. Plate + linen napkin + simple flatware. No clunky chargers or wine glasses unless you’re setting a wine scene.
• Soft runner: Add a neutral linen or striped runner if the table feels cold. Avoid overly seasonal colors unless timed intentionally.
• Chairs: Straighten and evenly space, consider adding two accent head chairs with light throws for texture.
• Dining moment: Optional — set a wine scene with two empty glasses and a corkscrew in a tray next to a bottle (label turned away).

• Make the beds — fluffed pillows, smoothed sheets, tucked edges
• Clear nightstands and dressers of chargers, cords, and clutter
• Hide dirty laundry or hampers
• Clean visible items from under the bed
• Stage or hide kids' toys and books
  

Staging Moments:

• Bed tray: Use a neutral tray with a coffee cup, a linen napkin, and a small bud vase. Optional: add a small book or folded magazine.
• Nightstand styling: One lamp, a closed book, and a water glass or candle. Never cluttered.
• Kid’s room moment: One plush toy on a neatly made bed, or a stack of 2–3 books on a shelf with a soft animal figurine.
• Primary suite: Add a large plant in the corner (real or good faux) and drape a throw at the foot of the bed for texture.
• Closet cue: If closets are visible, line up hangers and display 1-2 color-coordinated outfits facing the same way; it makes the storage feel like luxury retail.

• Hide all toiletries and daily-use items (toothbrushes, razors, etc.)
• Clean all mirrors and faucets
• Remove bath mats or hang them neatly if decorative
• Keep towels neutral and freshly laundered

Staging Moments:

• Towels: White or beige only. Roll them in a small basket or fold them perfectly on a towel bar.
• Countertop tray: Wooden or stone tray with 2–3 items: artisan soap, a small vase, and a candle or brush.
• Bathtub moment: Folded robe with slippers and a bamboo bath caddy holding a book and a candle — no water needed.
• Shower cues: Keep the shower clean and the curtain perfectly pulled. No visible toiletries unless they’re styled (like 3 matching bottles in a caddy).
• Floral detail: One small eucalyptus sprig in a clear bud vase on the toilet tank or window ledge.

• Mow the lawn, rake leaves, shovel snow, or sweep patios and walkways
• Even in winter, set up all the patio furniture, open umbrellas, etc.
• Fresh mulch, edged beds, and no weeds
• Remove empty or dead planters
• No vehicles should be parked within view of the camera (especially in the driveway)
• Hide trash cans
• Clean the grill, pool, or water features (if applicable)

Staging Moments:

• Front porch: Add a bistro table with two chairs and a folded newspaper or coffee mug.
• Front door: Consider a seasonal wreath or clean welcome sign — nothing cartoonish or loud.
• Back patio table: Set with lemonade pitcher, two glasses, and a linen napkin in a rattan tray.
• Firepit moment: Arrange chairs evenly, add 2 folded throws and a single mug on a side table. Suggest gathering and warmth.
• Garden vibe: Lean a clean watering can against the house with a potted herb nearby. Suggests care and charm.
• Lighting: If string lights are up, test them. Evening showings or twilight photos love a warm glow.

Final Thought

Decorating a home is different than staging a home — especially for the camera.

What looks cozy in person may look cluttered in photos. A shelf that feels perfectly styled to you might seem overloaded in a cropped frame. That’s why we help you rethink spaces for how they’ll read on screen… and why some changes that feel small in real life can make a huge difference in the listing photos.