10 Property Styling Tips for Staging Your Home

In the world of real estate, first impressions are everything. Staging your home is a powerful strategy to highlight its strengths and draw in interested buyers.

By styling your home thoughtfully, you can highlight its strengths, minimise distractions, and help buyers imagine themselves living in the space. Whether you're preparing for a photoshoot or upcoming open home inspections, we explore 10 property styling tips to help stage your home for a faster, more successful sale.

Home staging involves readying a property to showcase its full potential to buyers. This includes arranging furniture, selecting décor, and creating a welcoming environment that helps buyers imagine making the space their own.

Unlike interior decorating, which is tailored to personal taste, staging focuses on broad appeal. The goal is to highlight the home’s strengths, downplay any flaws, and help buyers emotionally connect with the property. From rearranging layouts to introducing fresh accessories and neutral palettes, every detail is considered with the buyer’s eye in mind. 

Effective property styling can significantly influence how quickly a home sells, and for how much. Here are some of the key benefits:

• Faster Sales: Staged homes in New Zealand often sell in half the average time compared to non-staged properties, reducing time on the market and associated holding costs. 
• Higher Sale Prices: Professionally staged homes can achieve sale prices up to 10–15% higher than their unstaged counterparts, making staging a worthwhile investment. 
• Increased Buyer Interest: Home staging enhances the visual appeal of a property, leading to more interest from potential buyers and increased competition. 
• Improved Online Presence: Staged homes photograph better and stand out in online listings, attracting more views and inquiries from prospective buyers. 
• Cost-Effective Investment: While staging costs can vary, the return on investment is significant, often resulting in higher sale prices that more than offset the initial staging expenses.

Potential buyers need to be able to imagine your home as their own — and that can be tricky when it’s filled with personal touches like family photos, children’s drawings, or keepsakes. Begin by packing away anything too personal or uniquely styled.

Decluttering is also key to making rooms feel more spacious and organised. Store away unnecessary items, clear benchtops, and use attractive storage baskets to keep essentials tidy. Minimal surfaces not only photograph better but also help buyers focus on the home itself, not what’s inside it.

Before you begin property styling, make sure any minor repairs are taken care of. Even small flaws — such as chipped paint, leaky taps, or cracked tiles — can catch a buyer’s eye and suggest the home hasn’t been properly maintained.

Touch up paint where needed, fix loose handles, ensure all lightbulbs are working, and make sure windows and doors open smoothly. These finishing touches show buyers the home is move-in ready and reduce distractions during inspections.

Outdated fixtures dragging down your home’s appeal? Explore ABI Interiors’ extensive range of tapware, showers, basins, hardware, and accessories to add that final layer of luxury to your home styling.

Every property has something special to offer — whether it’s streams of natural light, soaring ceilings, character-filled timber floors, or stunning views.

Position furniture to draw attention to architectural highlights, such as placing a sofa to frame a fireplace or keeping window areas clear to maximise sunlight and views. Use statement pieces like artwork, vases, or feature mirrors to create focal points that enhance the room without overwhelming it.

First impressions go beyond what buyers see — they’re shaped by what they smell, feel, and sense. A hint of fresh air, ambient lighting, and comforting textures can instantly make a space feel inviting and cared for.

Use lighting to your advantage by opening blinds, switching on lamps, and adding mirrors to reflect natural light. Scented candles, fresh flowers, or a bowl of citrus can subtly lift the mood and make the space feel more inviting and homely.

Texture adds warmth, depth, and a designer touch to your interiors. Soft throws, textured cushions, woven rugs, and sheer curtains help create a lived-in, comfortable feel without looking cluttered. 

Layering different materials — such as timber, linen, metal, and stone — adds visual interest and gives your rooms a more styled, intentional look. Aim for balance by mixing soft and hard finishes in a harmonious way.

When it comes to property styling, a neutral palette works wonders. Shades like soft white, warm grey, beige, and taupe create a clean, versatile backdrop that helps buyers imagine how their own style could fit into the space.

Paint walls in fresh, neutral tones and choose light-toned furniture where possible. Add pops of colour through cushions, art, and accessories — but keep the overall palette calm and cohesive to appeal to the broadest audience.

Furniture should complement the room’s size, not overwhelm it. Bulky or ill-fitting pieces can make spaces feel tight and uncomfortable. Opt for well-proportioned furniture that encourages smooth movement and openness throughout the home.

If your existing furniture is worn, dated, or doesn’t suit the style of the home, consider renting stylish, modern pieces for the duration of the campaign. It’s a worthwhile investment that can transform how buyers perceive the property.

First impressions start at the front door, so curb appeal matters. Begin by sprucing up the yard — mow the lawn, clear out weeds, and add a few carefully chosen plants or flowers to make the entrance inviting and vibrant.

In today’s market, the indoor-outdoor connection is more important than ever. Buyers are looking for homes that offer a seamless flow between inside and out, where they can entertain, relax, and enjoy the outdoors as an extension of their living area. Make sure sliding doors, bi-folds, or French doors are clean and easy to open.

Style patios or balconies with outdoor furniture and greenery to help potential buyers imagine themselves enjoying the space. When styled thoughtfully, even a small courtyard or balcony can become a major selling point.

Consider the type of buyer your home will attract — whether it’s young professionals, expanding families, or retirees. Customise your property styling to meet their needs, such as turning a spare room into a nursery or a dedicated home office to appeal to your ideal buyer.

Choose furniture and accessories that align with their tastes and needs. A family-friendly space might feature durable finishes and toy storage, while a home appealing to professionals may include a sleek desk setup or a luxury master bedroom retreat.

A pristine home leaves a lasting positive impression. Thorough cleaning before showings or photography is vital, as it demonstrates that the property has been cared for and maintained.

Key areas to focus on while property styling include:

• Windows (inside and out)
• Carpets and rugs
• Kitchen surfaces and appliances
• Bathrooms (tiles, taps, mirrors)
• Skirting boards, light switches, and door handles

If time is tight or you’re uncertain about how to style your home for sale, bringing in a professional property stylist can be a wise investment.

Stylists bring expert knowledge of interior trends, colour schemes, furniture placement, and buyer psychology. They can help you create a cohesive look that highlights your home’s strengths and increases its appeal to potential buyers. The right styling can lead to quicker sales and more lucrative offers — often well worth the investment.

For more inspiration on property styling and home improvement, read these blogs:

6 Ways to Easily Update Your Space on a Low Budget

Outdoor Renovation Ideas to Add Value to Your Home

Bathroom Renovations: Bathtub, Shower, or Both?