Guess what?! I was recently quoted in a Redfin article sharing tips on how to stage a house on a budget before listing it for sale. If you’re preparing a home for the market, simple budget-friendly staging ideas can make a big difference in how welcoming and spacious a home feels to potential buyers. It made me smile because so many of those ideas are the same simple things I do when styling spaces at home or for design clients.
Staging your home doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, the simplest and most budget-friendly way to stage a house is to declutter, clean thoroughly, and make a few thoughtful updates using what you already have.
In this Redfin article, we’ll show you exactly how to stage a house inexpensively, without hiring a professional or spending thousands on furniture rentals. Whether you’re prepping for an open house in Rocky Mount, NC, or listing your house in Tuckahoe, VA, these budget-friendly tips can help it stand out and sell faster.
How to Stage a House Inexpensively and Quickly: 17 Hacks for a Fast Sale for Less | Redfin
Recently, I actually helped my friend, Shelby (favorite Florida real estate agent), stage a home remotely that she’s currently selling and even pulled together mood boards with simple decor ideas. It was a good reminder that staging doesn’t have to be complicated. For that project I also curated a quick collection of affordable staging pieces to make it easier to source simple decor ideas since it was a blank canvas but often it’s just editing the space and adding a few thoughtful touches. Here are an extra few simple staging tricks I often use when styling a space:
1. Creating a welcoming feeling matters.
While decluttering and simplifying a space is always the first step, I’ve found that creating a warm and inviting feeling is just as important when preparing a home for buyers or guests.
Small touches like a cozy throw blanket on a sofa or chair, a tray on an ottoman, a bit of greenery (even artificial), or soft warm lighting can make a room feel comfortable and like ‘home’. Those little details help people imagine themselves living there, which is exactly what you want when someone walks through the doors or sees photos in a listing. First impressions do matter!
2. Start by editing the room, not buying for it.
Before adding anything new, remove a few items from surfaces and corners. Too many accessories can make a space feel smaller and more cluttered in the listing photos. Pack away excess personal items. Simplifying shelves, coffee tables, and countertops instantly makes a room feel calmer and more spacious.
3. Use what you already have to add warmth.
You don’t need to rent furniture or buy all new decor. Try pulling pillows, throws, or small accent pieces from other rooms if needed to create a more balanced space. A folded throw blanket, a tray with a candle, or a small stack of books can make a room feel styled without spending a dime.
4. Add something fresh and natural.
Fresh flowers, greenery, a decorative plate, or even a simple bowl of fruit can bring life to into a room. Natural elements photograph beautifully and make a space feel welcoming and lived-in without looking cluttered.
I use many of these same principles when styling my own home, a short-term-rental or guest space. Small thoughtful details can completely change how a room feels when someone walks in. Staging isn’t just about removing clutter, it’s about creating an environment that feels clean, comfortable, welcoming and easy to picture as home.