Before And After: Real Staging Transformations
Every home—and every seller’s situation—is a little different.
Working with a staging company can provide sellers with helpful and practical tips so the process goes more smoothly. Some homes only need a staging consultation to refine what’s already there. Others benefit from a more in-depth approach, where we provide a detailed, written plan outlining specific updates like paint colors, lighting, flooring, and layout adjustments to help the home show its best.
From there, some homeowners choose to take it a step further—completing those updates, moving out, and having us fully stage the home to create a clean, cohesive, and move-in ready feel for buyers.
For this post, we’re sharing two recent projects that followed that full process:
A staging consultation with a detailed update plan; including paint, carpet and light fixture updates
Thoughtful improvements made by the sellers; plus moving everything out (including themselves)
A curated, custom design to stage specific areas in the home
These before and after transformations highlight not just how a home can look different—but how the right strategy can completely change the way a home is experienced by buyers.
Let’s get into it!
Project 1: This home is located in West St. Paul and was built in 1992. It sold in the fall of 2025 in 1 day!
The Starting Point: This project started with a home staging consultation that included a report for specific updates we recommended to have the home feeling updated and refreshed before it hit the market.
Our Strategy & Update Recommendations:
New carpet for the office and entire upper level as well as a bedroom in the lower level
Remove dated wallpaper in a few rooms. Add a fresh coat of paint for the office and most of the upper level
Add a number of new light fixtures throughout the home
Bathroom fixtures and hardware updated for a more modern look
The Transformation: Here are the results!
All images: Left = Before & Right = After
The office felt dark, dated and cluttered. Paint, carpet and staging brought calm and clarity to the space to inspire buyers.
Staging uses much less furniture to really feature the space and create a spacious and open environment.
Removing wallpaper, painting and updating hardware does wonders!
We recommend fresh neutral paint over dated wallpaper any day.
Bold, darker colors typically close in a room and turn off potential buyers.
Light, bright and airy is much more appealing to buyers.
The Result: This home was sold in 1 day for $5,000 over asking.
Project 2: This home is located in Mendota Heights and was built in 1974. It sold in the fall of 2025 in 2 days!
The Starting Point: This project started with a home staging consultation that included a report for specific updates we recommended to have the home feeling updated and refreshed before it hit the market.
Our Strategy & Update Recommendations:
New carpet throughout the home
Remove wallpaper and paint the home in certain areas with a light neutral color
New light fixtures for multiple rooms
Remove drop ceiling in several spaces
Additional recommendations included removing drapery and track blinds in a few rooms as well as general deep cleaning
The Transformation: Let’s see more before and after photos shall we?!
The Result: The home sold in two days for $14,000 over asking.
All images: Left = Before & Right = After
Old, colorful carpet and dated light fixtures were distractions to this home’s potential.
We kept the entryway light fixture but updated others; along with fresh and neutral paint.
Staging with modern furniture gives purpose and emotional connection to this space.
Removing style-specific window valances, along with the carpet update and staging, give this primary bedroom new life!
These two homes are great examples of how staging can create a clear plan from the beginning of the home selling process and follow it through to the end with a quick sale.
When homeowners know exactly which updates will make the biggest impact, and those updates are paired with intentional staging, the end result is a home that feels polished, inviting, and ready for today’s market.
Whether it’s a staging consultation or a large transformation like these, our goal is always the same: to help your home stand out and connect with buyers the moment they walk through the door.
Author: Megan Rivas, Stager at Rooms With Style
