What Is Home Staging?
Staging means preparing a home for sale to appeal to the largest number of buyers, increasing the chances of selling quickly and for a higher price. As a seller, you can stage your own home, have your agent help you stage it, or hire a professional home stager. A new twist on home staging is “virtual” staging, which means that photos of a home are digitally enhanced to demonstrate the possibilities of the space.
Staging a home step by step
Click through our digital resources available at the tiles below. REMAX® is here to help you get your home ready to sale.
Learn more
When potential buyers can picture themselves living in the home...
1. Benefits of home staging
Staging isn't about spending a lot of money. Be resourceful...
2. BASIC STAGING 101
Each room in your home deserves the spotlight... .
3. ROOM-BY-ROOM STAGING
Pets and children’s rooms in your home may present some challenges... ...
4. staging challenges
Selling a vacant home can be more convenient for the seller...
5. Vacant Homes & virtual staging
HOME STAGING GUIDE
A room-by-room guide to help you stage your home for sale.
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Some good REASONS TO STAGE YOUR HOME
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Benefits of home staging
picture it!
When potential buyers view a listing, they’re visualizing themselves living in the space. Is the home ideal for raising children or retirement? A stager will take an objective approach to decluttering and decorating, helping homebuyers to view the space as theirs.
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Clean & clutter free
“Decluttering” is the first step in staging. Pack non-essential items that you can live without until you move into your new home. This will help with the staging process and will kick-start the packing process. Donate or discard items that you don’t want, need or use.
faster sale, higher price
Photographs of a staged home are more likely to attract interest online. Since most homebuyers these days start their home hunt online, it’s important to make a good impression through photos.
When potential buyers can picture themselves living in the home, they will be more motivated to make a competitive offer. Depersonalizing the home of family photos and other such items helps buyers see the space as “theirs.”
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LET A REMAX AGENT GUIDE YOU
The advice presented here includes tips from REMAX agents and other professional sources to help sellers like you through the home staging process. It’s a challenge to objectively critique your own home. Your REMAX agent will bring a fresh perspective, an understanding of the local market and knowledge of what buyers there are looking for, to ensure your home shows beautifully in person and in photos. Keep in mind that staging is not remodeling. Staging involves cleaning, rearranging and a bit of decorating to highlight a home’s best features, such as a fireplace, beautiful wood floors, gorgeous views or a principal bedroom. Your REMAX agent can also refer you to professional staging resources as needed.
NEXT: basic staging 101
Read: 10 Expert Tips for Staging Your Home
Home staging helps a property sell faster and often for a higher price by making it easier for buyers to imagine themselves living in the space. A clean, neutral, and thoughtfully arranged home photographs better, attracting more attention online where most buyers begin their search. By highlighting a home’s best features without major renovations, staging creates a strong first impression in photos and in person.
Simple Steps, Big Impact
Mistakes to avoid
Don’t spend a lot of money. Be resourceful. Don’t paint everything white. Opt for soft neutrals. Don’t cover up architectural details such as windows or the fireplace. Don’t try to hide odours with overpowering air fresheners. Don’t make the house too sterile by removing everything. Your goal is “inviting and livable.”
pack it! Store it!
basic staging 101
A few intentional updates can make a big difference when preparing your home to sell. Focus on cleaning, decluttering, and depersonalizing to create a bright, spacious, and inviting environment that appeals to buyers both online and in person. Pack away excess items and avoid common staging mistakes to ensure your home feels polished, welcoming, and move-in ready.
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NEXT: room-by-room staging
Plastic storage bins are great for items that may need to be stored for an unknown period of time. Store these off-site if possible. Consider renting a portable storage unit. Many companies provide these large containers that can be stored in their climate-controlled warehouse until you are ready to have it delivered to your new home! Start with: Personal framed photos, photo albums, trophies and awards Extra bake ware and cooking items Rarely used kitchen gadgets, cookbooks and small appliances Collectibles, figurines, special occasion dishware Extra or out-of-season décor items Out-of-season clothing, coats, boots and shoes Books, CDs, DVDs and games.
Clean! Consider hiring a professional cleaning service.
1.
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Declutter! Make it look organized, even if it really isn’t.
2.
Remove personal photographs from walls and tabletops.
3.
Remove oversized and excess furniture and area rugs.
4.
Keep closets tidy! Prospective buyers will want to evaluate the home’s storage capacity.
5.
Let the sunlight in by opening blinds and curtains.
6.
Replace burned-out, dim or flickering light bulbs.
7.
Consider replacing dated light fixtures.
8.
A fresh coat of paint will help renew the look and feel of any room. Choose neutrals throughout the home.
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Basic Home Staging Checklist
Whether in person, online, or through a live video tour, here are some things that will enhance the viewing of your home:
Don’t forget the exterior!
10.
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room-by-room staging
Room-by-room staging helps highlight your home’s best features while creating a clean, welcoming space buyers can easily picture themselves in. From the kitchen and living areas to bedrooms, bathrooms, and outdoor spaces, the goal is to reduce clutter, neutralize décor, improve lighting, and emphasize comfort and functionality.
previous: Basic Staging 101
NEXT: staging challenges
Staging Essentials
Quick Enhancements
Remove magnets, photos, and children’s artwork from the refrigerator. Clear decorative items from the tops of cabinets. Remove everything from countertops, then add back selectively. Put away area rugs. Deep clean the oven, stove, microwave, refrigerator, and garbage can to eliminate odours.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it should be one of its biggest selling features. Ensure that it is clean, well-lit and feels warm and welcoming.
Add a subtle pop of colour, like a bowl of lemons or a decorative bottle. Brighten dark corners with a white or light-toned vase or small appliance. Update the light fixture. Add self-adhesive LED lighting under cabinets.
Pro tip: Clean, uncluttered counters help kitchens look brighter and more spacious online.
Add a few modern accessories or throw pillows. Style the room to emphasize architectural features or views.
living room
Is this the first room a prospective buyer will see? Make sure it wows them. Highlight key features like the fireplace, hardwood floors, or a beautiful view — ideally, the television should not be the focal point.
Remove excess furniture to improve flow and circulation. Arrange seating to encourage easy conversation. Remove outdated window treatments. Replace or cover worn furniture with neutral slipcovers. Hang high-quality artwork at eye level (black and white works best).
Remove excess furniture, such as a hutch full of collectibles. They can be distracting to potential buyers. Remove extra leaves from the table to make the room appear larger. Have no more than four chairs around your dining table unless your dining room is exceptionally large. Consider removing the rug from under the table. Update the light fixture. Many trendy, inexpensive options are available. Add a decorative centerpiece, such as fresh flowers, to the tabletop. Talk to your agent about whether setting the table will enhance this room.
This space should feel open, functional, and ready to entertain. Keep the focus on the table, lighting, and overall sense of space rather than décor or collectibles.
Dining Room
Remove excess furniture to create the illusion of more space for entertaining family and friends. Pack up any toys that are cluttering the floor. Board games, video games, DVDs, remote controls and other items should be organized on shelves or in cupboards. Evaluate the lighting in the room. If needed, add a lamp or two, and replace dim light bulbs with brighter ones. Remove anything too casual or too personal, including beanbag chairs, family photos, sports trophies and, yes, the taxidermy must go!
This room should feel spacious, relaxing and comfortable. Features to highlight, if your home has them, are the fireplace and up-to-date media systems. If your television is from the 1990s, get rid of it or buy a new one.
Family room
Pro tip: Thoughtful furniture placement helps living rooms feel open and inviting.
Position the bed so it faces the doorway. Remove excess furniture, including heavy dressers and exercise equipment. Store pet beds and medical equipment, such as C-PAP machines. Remove personal photos and items. Declutter closets by removing at least half the contents and organizing what remains.
Dress the bed with clean, coordinated linens in a solid colour or simple pattern. Create balance with pairs: matching nightstands, lamps and artwork.
Bedroom
This space should feel like a restful sanctuary from everyday life —calm, uncluttered and inviting.
Deep clean! Re-caulk around the tub and toilet. Replace old toilet seats. Hide all personal hygiene items and the garbage bin. Display fresh towels in a neutral colour. Run the fan to reduce humidity. Freshen the space with a small vase of flowers on the vanity. Remove toilet tank/lid covers. Only place one rug! Replace the shower curtain. Clear counter tops.
This space should feel fresh, clean, and spa-like, with simple finishes and minimal distractions.
Bathroom
Pro tip: Simple bedding and balanced décor create a calm, hotel-like feel.
Other Spaces
HOME OFFICE
Pack away piles of paper, especially any sensitive information such as passwords, confidential work documents and similar items. Keep cords out of the way. And just as in every room, remove clutter and excess furniture.
GARAGE, LAUNDRY ROOM, BASEMENT
OUTDOORS
Your curb appeal makes a crucial first impression. Take the time to show off your yard, patio, deck, landscaping and the home itself, to generate the maximum level of interest and yield a higher return on resale!
FRONT ENTRYWAY
Make sure it’s completely clutter-free, with space for shoes and coats, depending on the season. If there’s a table, add a floral arrangement or another single, beautiful decorative item.
These are lower-priority areas but ensure there’s no laundry hanging or piled up, the washer and dryer are clean, tools/equipment are organized and there’s enough room in the garage to park the car.
NEXT: staging room-by-room
Previous: benefits of home staging
Staging Challenges
Preparing a home for sale can feel overwhelming, especially when everyday life continues around kids, pets, and busy schedules. While staging helps buyers visualize the space as their own, certain challenges can make the process trickier. Below are three common areas where sellers often need extra guidance: basic staging challenges, pet‑related challenges, and kid‑specific challenges.
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Personal Items
Too many belongings and personal décor make rooms feel smaller and distract buyers. Clear surfaces, store collections, and remove family photos or bold décor.
Wear and Tear
Scuffed walls, worn floors, and dated fixtures send the wrong message. Simple fixes like fresh paint and updated lighting make a big impact.
Daily Cleanliness
Staging is ongoing. Keep the home show‑ready with regular tidying, vacuuming, and surface cleaning.
Basic Staging Challenges
Staging is all about creating a clean, neutral environment that appeals to the widest pool of buyers. That often means reducing clutter, simplifying décor, and highlighting each room’s best features. Common challenges include:
"Kid Stuff" Challenges
Children add energy to a home, but their belongings can make staging tougher. Include kids in simple tasks like picking up toys to help keep things tidy. Clear shared spaces, tone down bold décor in bedrooms, and use bins for quick clean‑ups. Remove personal photos and excess items to create a neutral look, and refresh worn walls with a quick coat of paint.
Storage Solutions
Kids’ items need easy, fast storage options like bins and baskets to keep floors clear and rooms show‑ready.
Busy Décor
Bright colours, posters and stuffed animals can overwhelm buyers; simplifying the room helps create a calmer feel.
Daily Maintenance
Picking up toys and keeping shared areas clear requires consistent effort and kid participation.
Staging a home with pets
Pets are an important part of many households, but buyers may not always agree. When staging a home with pets, the goal is to reduce their presence so buyers can stay focused. Some people may have allergies, or concerns about odors. This often means deep cleaning, storing pet toys, and arranging for pets to be out of the home during showings.
Deep clean carpets and upholstery to remove odours, stains and pet hair.
Hide pet items such as dishes, toys, litter boxes, crates, and leashes.
Remove pets during showings to avoid distractions or safety concerns.
Previous: basic staging 101
Styling Checklist
Open patio umbrella.
Vacant Homes and Virtual Staging
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A vacant home can offer flexibility for sellers, but it often requires extra effort to help buyers see its full potential. Empty rooms may feel impersonal or difficult to imagine as functional living spaces, which is why thoughtful staging becomes so important. Whether the home is styled with physical furnishings or enhanced through digital tools, presenting each room with purpose helps buyers connect with the property and understand how the space can work for them.
Selling a Vacant Home
Selling a vacant home can be more convenient for the seller. It presents an ideal opportunity to paint the walls, maintain the floors and complete any projects that might be difficult to complete while living in the home. However, to buyers, a vacant home may appear empty, unloved and abandoned. Staging a vacant home illustrates to buyers that it is well-maintained and helps them envision how each room can be used. Ensure every room contains a piece that matches its role — beds in the bedrooms, a desk in the home office, a table and chairs in the dining room.
A home can be staged remotely using photos and videos provided by the homeowner. When selling a vacant property, 3D home staging software uses room measurements to generate renderings, complete with perfectly scaled furniture, paint colour and decor that’s totally on trend — no home visits, furniture rental or heavy lifting required. Connect with your REMAX agent to learn more about remote and virtual home staging services.
Virtual Staging
Empty/hide all garbage cans.
Open the blinds and curtains. Turn on the lights.
Put away medications.
Put away jewelry, personal and financial documents.
Place a vase of fresh flowers in the front entryway or dining room.
Turn on classical music.
Turn off computers.
Put away pet paraphernalia and take the pets with you when you leave.
Contacless Showings
Ready to show buyers what might be their next home? Your REMAX agent can schedule a virtual open house or showing for brokers or buyers, promote the event online, and host it via live or pre-recorded video. Apps like FaceTime allow people to view the home and ask questions in real time. It’s the next best thing to being there in person. In cases where an in-person showing is required, your agent can minimize contact by:
Only holding scheduled showings, no drop-in. Open houses: limit showings to 1 or 2 people from the same household at one time; providing hand sanitizer, face masks, gloves and shoe covers prior to entry; turning on all the lights; leaving doors, closets and storage areas open;making utility areas in the home openly visible. Accompanying visitors on their tour of the home; and cleaning frequently touched surfaces, like doorknobs, after each showing.
Home Viewing Checklist
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Previous: staging room-by-room
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