Home staging is the art of preparing a property for rental or sale by showcasing it in the best possible light, ensuring it appeals to the widest range of potential buyers.
When it comes to renting or selling a property, first impressions matter. Buyers often make up their minds within moments of walking through the door, or even from the photos they see online. A well furnished and decorated property will also rent out faster than its competitors and the level and quality of furniture and accessories can often push your property into a higher ROI level. This is where home staging steps in to work its magic.
As a master Home Stager trained by the original “House Doctor” Ann Maurice herself, I’ve honed the expertise to transform properties into irresistible spaces that sell. If you don’t remember, Ann Maurice is an American interior designer and television presenter who became widely known in the UK for her expertise in home staging. She starred in the British TV series House Doctor, where she helped homeowners prepare their properties for sale by improving their presentation and appeal. Ann is considered a pioneer in popularising home staging, particularly in the UK and I was very fortunate to train with her, becoming one of her senior consultants. In addition I have also trained in Feng Shui, geopathic stress and decluttering.
But what exactly is home staging, how does it work, and how can it help you sell your home faster and for more money? Let me walk you through it.
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is a strategic process that involves decluttering, rearranging, and enhancing a property to maximise its appeal. The aim is to create a balanced, welcoming space that allows buyers to imagine themselves living there. Unlike interior design, which reflects the personal taste of the homeowner, home staging is about designing with the buyer in mind.
For me, staging is both a science and an art. It’s about highlighting a property’s strengths, downplaying its weaknesses, and creating an emotional connection with potential buyers.
How Does My Home Staging Work?
I believe that 40 years living in Mallorca and over 20 years creating homes for all nationalities here gives me the upper hand when it comes to knowing what the buyer is looking for. By knowing who your target audience is you can present a lifestyle that will appeal to them. For example, a family buying a 4 million euro villa will not expect to find cheap or generic furnishings, and in fact it will cheapen the appearance of the property. If you find that you have plenty of viewers but they are not making an offer on your property or making very low offers this is usually a sign of your property being cheaply dressed or overvalued.
My process of home staging begins with an assessment of your property. This includes identifying areas that need attention, such as removing clutter and personal items, rearranging furniture to optimise the flow, and adding accessories and furniture to enhance the overall look and feel as necessary.
For vacant properties, staging can involve furnishing empty rooms to give them purpose and scale. For occupied homes, the focus is on depersonalising the space while maintaining warmth and character. The result? A home that looks fresh, inviting, and move-in ready—both in person and in photos.
When Should You Use Home Staging?
Home staging can make a difference in various situations, including:
- Vacant Properties: Empty homes can feel cold and uninviting. Staging helps buyers visualise how the space can be used.
- Occupied Homes: Even well-loved homes can benefit from staging to neutralise personal styles and broaden their appeal.
- Stale Listings: If a property isn’t attracting attention or offers, staging can breathe new life into it.
- Urgent Sales: When time is of the essence, staging can help secure a quick sale.
Here in Mallorca, home staging is particularly valuable for holiday homes and second properties, where the competition can be fierce.
The Benefits of Home Staging
Why invest in home staging? The advantages speak for themselves:
- Sell Faster: Staged homes often spend less time on the market.
- Maximise Value: Staging can help you achieve or exceed your asking price.
- Stand Out: A staged property photographs better, attracting more interest online.
- Appeal to More Buyers: Balanced, well-presented spaces have broader appeal.
My Top Tips for Successful Home Staging
If you’re considering staging your home, here are some tips from me:
- Avoid bland neutrals: these lack any character and without lifestyle accessories leave a viewer wondering why they didn’t connect with your home. Let’s bust the neutral palette myth! It’s not about making a space plain, it’s about creating the right balance of interesting and inviting but still leaving emotional space for the buyer to visualise themselves living there. This sometimes means lightening or removing overpowering colour schemes or furnishings but definitely does not mean you have to resort to neutral.
- Declutter Ruthlessly: Clear surfaces, remove excess furniture, and create an open, airy feel.
- Highlight Key Features: Make the most of natural light, spaciousness, and architectural details.
- Stage Every Room: Even small or awkward spaces should have a purpose.
- Create Warmth: Add finishing touches like fresh flowers, candles, or soft throws.
- Don’t neglect window dressing: I hear all the time that you don’t want to dim the light or block the incredible views, but have you tried living in a greenhouse?! I admit you do need to know what type of fabrics to use to complement your property and furnishings without losing a view or perhaps to give more privacy so seek expert help but the difference that soft furnishings make to a home acoustically, aesthetically and practically are huge. Just diffusing the often glaring sunlight flooding into a property instantly creates a softer, more welcoming ambience that will keep viewers comfortably in your home for longer and leave them with a relaxed feeling of being at home. This is 100% tried and tested.
What to Avoid in Home Staging
While staging is highly effective, there are some pitfalls I recommend avoiding:
- Personal Items: Remove family photos, personal mementos, and anything too specific to your tastes.
- Over-Styling: Avoid making the space look artificial or overly designed.
- Neglecting the Exterior: First impressions start at the kerb—don’t forget outdoor spaces.
- Ignoring Repairs: Address any maintenance issues before staging to avoid turning off buyers.
- Don’t try to sell an unfurnished property: 80% of house viewers cannot visualise a furnished home from an empty one and start to worry about the size of the rooms, when they are empty they appear smaller than they are. Your property is forgettable if it is unfurnished.
A Recent Case History
Want to know more about how Home Staging works? I was asked by property developers to stage their completed builds in order to appeal to prospective buyers. The property, perched on elevated terrain inland, offered breathtaking views of Mallorca’s countryside and a distant glimpse of the sea—an environment I am well-acquainted with, as I live nearby. The goal was to evoke the serenity of nature while embracing a jungle chic theme throughout the design. I was given free rein by the developers to create an interior that would appeal to buyers.
My design capitalised on the natural light streaming through the numerous windows, softened by the use of sheer white voiles. The open-plan kitchen and dining area radiated brightness with its white colour palette, accented by a green linen sofa at one end and matching green bar stools at the kitchen island. This created a multi-functional space ideal for family gatherings. The calming ambience carried through to a reading nook, complete with a hanging basket chair, and a dedicated zen area designed for meditation. Contrasting this tranquillity, the lounge exuded character with two distinct zones: one featuring burnt orange armchairs surrounding the fireplace and a gold-and-glass bar trolley perfect for entertaining, and another centred around a plush beige sofa set against a statement jungle-themed wallpaper. I always strive to incorporate one-of-a-kind elements into my designs. In this project, the standout piece was a custom coffee table crafted from the interior of a grand piano, encased in wood and topped with glass—a functional art piece with a unique story.
Upstairs, the bedrooms offered light-filled, tranquil retreats. One room boasted a dramatic headboard made from a carved wooden mandala panel with a mirrored backdrop, perfectly complemented by soft white linens and chrome lighting. The other bedrooms carried forward the jungle chic theme with earthy green tones and vibrant patterned fabrics. The walls featured bespoke artworks by local artist Sylvia Baker de Perkal, adding a personal touch to the space.
The outdoor areas were equally impressive, with landscaped gardens that included a swimming pool, a lawn, and a covered dining area. Weather-resistant furniture ensured low maintenance while seamlessly extending the interior design theme to the outdoors. The result was a cohesive design where the home and garden felt harmoniously connected.
The property was transformed into a stunning holiday retreat that showcased its best features and captivated potential buyers with its space, light, and stylish presentation. It sold quickly, and this success led to my staging of a sister property, which also sold promptly at the desired price. These results underline the value of professional home staging in achieving a fast and profitable sale.
You can see more about it on my blog here https://justineknox.com/portfolios/villa-son-gual/
So, Why Work with Me?
Staging your home can be a daunting task, which is why working with a professional like me is so valuable. I have the expertise to transform any property into a buyer’s dream. My deep understanding of the local market in Mallorca gives me an edge in tailoring each staging project to attract the right audience.
My staging methods are sometimes different from others as most properties I am working with are in the mid to high end market so a certain level and quality is expected. I do not like to use rental furniture as this is often a compromise on style, size and quality. If a property is furnished and staged correctly then the buyers are happy to take everything as it is and make small changes later.
My advice to you as a promoter or property owner would be to make the necessary investment to take your property to the next level putting it ahead of the competitors and include the costs incurred in the asking price.
A fast result will mean a quick ROI and not months of waiting around for a buyer who will then make a lower offer than wanted due to their lack of vision.
Home staging is a proven strategy for selling properties faster and for more money. By creating a space that appeals to buyers on both a practical and emotional level, it turns houses into homes they can’t resist.
Ready to give your property the edge it needs? Contact me for expert home staging services that will help your property shine.