Is professional home staging worth the investment?

Yes. Professional staging is a strategic marketing tool that strengthens pricing confidence, improves listing presentation, and increases perceived value. Staged homes typically photograph better, generate stronger buyer interest, and help protect seller equity and agent commission by creating competitive momentum.

Who typically pays for home staging?

In most cases, staging is a seller investment as part of preparing the home for market. Some brokers incorporate staging consultations or partial contributions into their overall marketing strategy. Positioning staging as part of the launch plan helps sellers understand its value.

How much should sellers budget for staging?

Staging investment varies depending on property size, condition, and scope of work. Brokers often present staging as part of the overall marketing budget, aligning the level of service with the listing price, competition, and target buyer expectations.

Do you offer financing options for staging services?

While staging is typically paid prior to installation, we are happy to collaborate with brokers and sellers to explore structured solutions, including aligning staging costs with closing proceeds when appropriate. Our goal is to support your listing strategy and remove preparation barriers.

What staging options are available if a seller’s budget is limited?

We offer flexible service levels including staging consultations, partial staging for key rooms, full-service vacant staging, and occupied home styling. This allows brokers to tailor the approach based on price point, competition, and seller readiness.

Kitchen Staging Tips: 5 Steps to a Market-Ready Kitchen

Here’s a photo of a kitchen we staged in Bellevue. With open plan layouts especially, less is more when it comes to kitchen decor.

A kitchen is often the deciding factor in a home sale. It’s the "heart of the home," but for a buyer, it can also be a source of stress if it looks cluttered, dark, or high-maintenance.

The goal of staging a kitchen isn't to show how you live in it; it’s to show how a buyer could live in it. Here is the Essential Home Staging guide to creating a kitchen that looks expensive, spacious, and ready for a gourmet meal. Five easy kitchen staging tips and you’ll have your kitchen ready for staging photos and showings.

The 90% Rule (Decluttering)

In a kitchen, counter space is currency. Buyers want to see that there is plenty of room for meal prep. You might be wondering how to declutter your kitchen and really, it’s easier than you think:

Clear the decks: Remove the toaster, the knife block, the dish rack, and the coffee maker. Aim for 90% empty surfaces.
Fridge focus: Clear everything off the refrigerator—magnets, photos, and calendars. A clean fridge makes the whole room look more orderly.

Deep Clean Beyond the Surface

Kitchens get "lived-in" grime that we often stop noticing. Buyers, however, will notice.

The "Shine" Check: Clean the inside of the oven, the dishwasher front, and especially the sink. A sparkling stainless steel or porcelain sink makes the entire kitchen feel newer.
Scent matters: Avoid heavy air fresheners. A deep clean should smell like... nothing. Or, at most, a faint hint of citrus or vanilla.

The "Rule of Three" Styling

Once your counters are clear, you need to add back just enough "life" to prevent the room from feeling cold. Use the Rule of Three: group items in odd numbers of varying heights.

The Hero Item: A large wooden dough bowl filled with green apples or lemons adds a pop of natural color.
The Tactical Trio: On a corner counter, place a high-end wooden cutting board, a bottle of artisanal olive oil, and a small potted herb like rosemary.
The Textile Touch: Hang one high-quality, neutral-toned linen tea towel over the oven handle or the edge of the sink.

Light It Up

As we discussed in our lighting guide, the right bulbs change everything.

Under-cabinet lighting: If you have it, turn it on for every showing. It adds depth and highlights your backsplash.
Pendant perfection: Ensure your island pendants are clean and fitted with "Soft White" bulbs (2700K to 3000K).

Organize the "Hidden" Spaces

Yes, buyers will open your cabinets and your pantry.

The Pantry: If your pantry is overflowing, remove half of the items. Organize the remaining boxes and cans by size or color.
The "Luxury" Cabinet: Arrange your coffee mugs or wine glasses in neat rows with the handles facing the same way. It suggests that the house has been meticulously cared for.

The Final Touch

Before a showing, make sure the trash is taken out and the dishwasher is empty. A kitchen that looks like it has never seen a dirty dish is a kitchen that sells.

Not sure where to start with your layout? If you're overwhelmed by the thought of packing and prepping, we can help. From styling consultations to full-service staging, we make your kitchen the star of the show.

How to Stage Your Seattle Area Kitchen