How to Find a Top Staging Company Near Me
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- 11 min read
- Richard Haddad Executive EditorCloseRichard Haddad Executive Editor
Richard Haddad is the executive editor of HomeLight.com. He works with an experienced content team that oversees the company’s blog featuring in-depth articles about the home buying and selling process, homeownership news, home care and design tips, and related real estate trends. Previously, he served as an editor and content producer for World Company, Gannett, and Western News & Info, where he also served as news director and director of internet operations.
You’ve been doing your research and have decided to stage your home so it will sell faster and for top dollar. To find a staging service, you could just Google “staging company near me,” but you want a trusted company with a track record of results and excellent service. You also don’t want any unpleasant surprises.
In this guide, we provide handy, unsponsored resources and tips to help you find a staging company that can elevate your listing, making your home sale as smooth and profitable as possible.
What is staging when selling a house?
Professional staging helps showcase your home’s strengths and make it feel inviting, sparking a buyer’s imagination. It’s a strategic process that involves arranging furniture and decor to highlight a home’s best features. Rather than just decluttering or cleaning, staging focuses on creating an aesthetic that will appeal to buyers’ emotions and sense of lifestyle.
Staging may involve arranging existing or rented furniture, adding stylish decor, and using specific colors to make rooms feel fresh and welcoming. Staging can also be done virtually with partially furnished or empty rooms.
One key goal of staging is to help potential buyers imagine themselves living in the space, which can lead to quicker and more competitive offers.
What is a home staging company?
A home staging company provides specialized services to prepare homes for the market. These companies have expertise in creating appealing, on-trend interiors that help properties stand out in listings and viewings.
Home staging companies often offer various options, including consultations, furniture rentals, and full-service staging for occupied or vacant homes. By understanding buyer preferences and market trends, staging companies make a property look polished and desirable to prospective buyers.
How do I find a staging company near me?
Instead of relying on a quick online search for a home staging company, consider sources that can connect you with reliable, vetted professionals. A trusted staging company can make a big difference in attracting buyers and maximizing your sale price, so it’s worth taking time to find one with a strong reputation and proven results.
Here are some valuable resources in three search categories to guide you:
1. Professional services sites
These well-known sites list professional home stagers with ratings and reviews from previous clients, allowing you to make an informed choice:
- Angi: Find verified staging companies along with ratings and cost estimates.
- HomeAdvisor: Powered by Angi, enter your zip code to search for professional stagers in your market.
- HomeGuide: Offers a variety of home staging professionals with profiles, client reviews, and easy contact features.
- Thumbtack: Find and compare local home staging companies, along with reviews and online quote tools.
- Yelp: Search for staging companies near you with ratings, photos, and client feedback.
2. Reputable staging companies
These established staging companies offer a range of services and have a proven track record in the industry. While not available in all markets, exploring their websites can give you insight into their service offerings, past work examples, and pricing structures:
- Showhomes Home Staging: One of the largest and oldest national home staging companies offering services for builders, sellers, shopping services, and more.
- Meridith Baer Home: A nationally recognized staging company providing services for high-end and luxury homes with offices in California, New York, and Florida.
- Barion Design: A luxury real estate staging firm specializing in virtual staging worldwide and modern, stylish home staging in select areas of Arizona.
- All About the Wow: Through furniture rentals and turnkey design packages, this firm specializes in creative staging that highlights a home’s unique features.
- PadStyler: Known for virtual staging and virtual renovation services, this company is backed by research to help sell or rent properties faster.
3. Home staging associations
Home staging associations maintain directories of reputable, certified staging professionals. These associations set standards for members and provide ongoing training, so you can be confident in their expertise and credibility:
- Real Estate Staging Association (RESA): RESA’s search tool helps you find certified staging professionals who adhere to industry standards.
- American Society of Home Stagers and Redesigners (ASHSR): Search for accredited stagers who have undergone training and meet ASHSR’s standards.
- International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP): This organization features a directory of members who have completed professional staging courses and meet association criteria.
These resources make finding a reputable home stager nearby easier. You can avoid the uncertainty of a standard internet search and instead connect with trusted professionals ready to help your property shine.
4. Ask a top local real estate agent
Seasoned real estate agents often collaborate with a network of trusted professionals, including home staging companies. Some benefits of consulting with an agent include:
- Access to vetted professionals: Experienced agents have established relationships with reliable staging companies, reducing the risk of hiring an unqualified service provider.
- Market-specific insights: Local agents are familiar with what buyers in your area are looking for and can connect you with stagers who tailor their designs accordingly.
- Proven track record: Agents can refer you to staging companies with a history of success, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome for your home sale.
To connect with a top local real estate agent who can provide valuable recommendations, consider using HomeLight’s free Agent Match platform.
Keep up on staging trends: The National Association of Realtors (NAR) maintains a blog resource called Styled, Staged & Sold. It provides content produced by professional home staging and style experts from throughout the country.
What to look for when hiring a staging company
Here are some key factors to consider when you begin your hunt for a staging company near me:
- Experience and portfolio: Look for companies with a proven track record and examples of past work. Reviewing portfolios of staged homes can give you a sense of their style, expertise, and the kinds of properties they work with.
- Credentials and affiliations: Reputable staging companies are often members of professional organizations, like RESA or ASHSR. These affiliations indicate a commitment to industry standards.
- Range of services offered: Some companies provide full-service staging, from consultations to furniture rentals, while others focus on virtual staging. You’ll want a company that focuses on staging rather than interior design.
- Pricing transparency: Staging costs can vary, so look for a company with clear, upfront pricing. Be wary of companies that won’t provide estimates or have hidden fees.
- Client reviews and testimonials: Check online reviews or ask for client references. Positive feedback and testimonials are good indicators of reliability and quality.
- Flexibility and communication: A good staging company will listen to your needs, offer flexibility in scheduling, and communicate clearly. This ensures a smoother process from consultation to staging completion.
- Turnaround time: Ask about timelines, from consultation to completion. Virtual staging may only require a day or two to shoot and enhance photos, but this won’t be as effective for buyers touring your home.
How much does it cost to stage a house?
The cost of staging a house can vary widely based on several factors, including the home’s size, the type of staging required (partial or full), and the property’s location. Generally, homeowners can expect to spend between $800 and $3,000 for initial consultations and basic staging, with costs reaching $5,000 or more for comprehensive staging of larger, vacant properties. According to Angi, the average cost of staging for typical U.S. homeowners is $1,839.
Here’s a quick breakdown of typical staging costs:
- Initial consultation: $150 to $600 – A professional stager assesses your home, providing recommendations on furniture, decor, and layout.
- Furniture rental: $500 – $600 per month – This estimate can vary depending on the size of the home and the amount of furniture you need.
- Occupied home staging: $800 to $2,500 – The stager rearranges your existing furniture and adds decor to enhance key rooms.
- Vacant home staging: $2,000 to $5,000+ – A higher investment, as stagers supply furniture and decor to stage empty rooms.
Your final staging costs will also depend on the location of your home. The average cost of staging in Denver is just over $1,000 while the typical cost in Los Angeles is $4,000. Below are some metro area estimates from Angi.com.
Staging cost examples by location
Home location | Average home-staging cost |
Los Angeles, California | $4,000 |
New York, New York | $2,000 |
Houston, Texas | $2,000 |
Phoenix, Arizona | $2,000 |
Seattle, Washington | $1,900 |
Boston, Massachusetts | $1,250 |
Denver, Colorado | $1,050 |
Detroit, Michigan | $1,100 |
What are the benefits of home staging?
While the cost of staging can feel substantial, it often pays off by attracting more buyers and helping your home sell more quickly and for a higher price. According to a HomeLight survey of more than 1,000 top real estate agents throughout the country, a professionally staged home can sell for up to 13% more than an unstaged home. Using a median home price of $420,000, that could mean up to $55,000 more in proceeds.
Here’s how staging can help your property stand out in a competitive market and benefit you as a seller:
- Creates a great first impression: Staged homes tend to look cleaner, more inviting, and better maintained. When buyers see photos online or walk through in person, a staged property has a greater chance of leaving a positive impression.
- Helps buyers visualize the space: Staging allows buyers to imagine how they might use the space themselves. By placing furniture and decor strategically, staging showcases each room’s functionality and purpose.
- Increases perceived value: Staging can make a home feel larger, more updated, and generally more valuable. This often justifies the asking price and may encourage buyers to place competitive offers.
- Speeds up the sale: Staged homes typically sell faster than unstaged ones. When a home looks move-in ready, buyers are often more motivated to act quickly.
- Boosts listing photos: With online listings being crucial in attracting buyers, well-staged rooms photograph better, capturing attention in crowded listings and driving more foot traffic to your home.
FAQs on a staging company near me
Can a real estate agent help with staging?
Yes, many real estate agents have connections with local staging companies or can provide staging advice. Some agents may even offer staging as part of their service to help market your home effectively.
Can I rent furniture to stage my home?
Absolutely. Many staging companies offer furniture rental options, especially for vacant homes, so you don’t need to purchase new items. This approach helps create a polished look without a long-term commitment.
Which rooms are most important to stage?
According to a survey by the National Association of Realtors, your living room is the most important staged room for buyers (39%), followed by your primary bedroom (36%) and then the kitchen (30%). Dining areas can also be impactful. Many top agents also recommend staging your outdoor areas.
Can I cut costs by only staging key rooms?
Yes, focusing on key rooms — like the living area and primary bedroom — can reduce costs while still presenting a well-staged look. Talk to your stager about partial staging options for more budget-friendly solutions.
Can I stage my home myself?
You can DIY stage your home, especially if you’re comfortable with design basics and have a good eye for layout. However, professional stagers offer expertise and access to furniture and decor that can significantly enhance your home’s appeal.
Can I virtually stage my empty home?
Yes, virtual staging is an option for vacant homes and can be cost-effective. It involves digitally adding furniture to photos of your home, giving online viewers a sense of each room’s potential without the cost of physical staging. While faster and more affordable, virtual staging is typically not as effective with home shoppers touring your home.
How long does staging typically take?
Most staging can be completed within a few days, though larger or vacant homes may require more time. Be sure to plan with your stager to fit your timeline for listing photos and showings.
Does staging guarantee a higher sale price?
While it doesn’t guarantee a higher price, most top real estate agents say staging will boost a home’s perceived value and help it sell faster, which may lead to better offers.
A top agent will know a staging company near me
Partnering with a knowledgeable real estate agent can make all the difference when selling your home. Top agents know which local staging companies have the expertise to significantly increase your home’s appeal and help it stand out to buyers. From identifying the right stager to coordinating the process, an experienced agent can streamline the entire preparation and sale.
Looking for a trusted agent? Use HomeLight’s Agent Match platform to connect with a top local agent who understands the value of staging and has the right connections to make your home market-ready. We analyze over 27 million transactions and thousands of reviews to determine which agent is best for you based on your needs.
Header Image Source: (Francesca Tosolini/ Unsplash)