The Top 5 Things We Always Talk About During a Staging Consultation

Sometimes the best staging advice isn’t about what to add — it’s about what to take away.

When we walk into a home for a staging consultation, every house is different. Some need quite a bit of editing and rearranging, while others just need small tweaks before they’re ready for photos and showings.

But there are a handful of things we find ourselves talking about in almost every home.

The goal of staging isn’t to make your home feel empty or impersonal. It’s about removing distractions, bringing in as much light as possible, and helping buyers notice the features of the home itself. And often, some of the smallest changes can make the biggest difference.

Here are five things we almost always discuss during a staging consultation.

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1. Lighting

Good lighting can completely change how a home looks and feels — especially in listing photos.

We want every room to feel as bright, warm, and inviting as possible. That means checking that all light bulbs are working, replacing bulbs that are too cool or harsh (no daylight bulbs), and making sure the lighting throughout the home feels consistent. Soft White bulbs, around 2700K–3000K, are ideal to ensure the home feels bright and warm.

We’ll also look for areas that feel particularly dark and may benefit from an additional lamp or a simple lighting adjustment.

One of the biggest staging tips is consistency: bulbs within the same room—and ideally throughout connected spaces—should have the same color temperature. Mixing yellow, white, and blue-toned bulbs is very noticeable in listing photos.

And when it’s time for photos and showings? Turn on the lights! Even in rooms with plenty of natural light, having lamps and fixtures on helps create that bright, welcoming feeling buyers respond to.

2. Windows, Screens & Natural Light

This one sometimes surprises homeowners: we often recommend removing window screens before listing photos.

Screens can make windows appear darker and slightly cloudy, particularly in photographs. Removing them allows more light into the room and gives buyers a clearer view outside. And while the screens are off, it’s the perfect opportunity to clean the windows thoroughly — inside and out.

Clean, clear windows can make an incredible difference in how bright and fresh a home feels.

Natural light is one of the best features you can give a home, and we want to take advantage of every bit of it.

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3. Rugs — Sometimes Less Is More

Rugs are another thing we talk about in nearly every consultation.

In kitchens and bathrooms, we typically recommend removing small rugs and mats for photos and showings. Too many small rugs can visually break up a space and distract from the flooring underneath.

The same goes for rugs that are very colorful or heavily patterned. If the rug is the first thing your eye goes to when you enter the room, it may be competing with the home rather than complementing it.

The exception is often the living room. If the room is not carpeted, a large, appropriately sized area rug can be a wonderful staging tool because it helps define the space, anchors the furniture, and makes the entire room feel more intentional and pulled together.

We often suggest a neutral-colored area rug that has a slight mix of ivory, cream, beige, greige and subtle texture or pattern. The key is choosing a rug that supports the room rather than becoming the focus of it.

4. Window Treatments

Window treatments can either help a room feel finished and inviting — or block one of its greatest assets: natural light.

If curtains are heavy, dark, overly colorful, or dated, we will recommend taking them down. The same goes for dated, damaged, or broken blinds.

Our priority is to let as much natural light into the home as possible, particularly for listing photos and daytime showings.

That doesn’t mean every window needs to be completely bare. Light, neutral curtains can soften a room and make it feel comfortable and styled without distracting from the space. If your window treatments complement the room and allow plenty of light through, they may be worth keeping.

5. Hide the Everyday Stuff

This may be one of the least glamorous parts of staging, but it makes a huge difference.

Before photos and showings, we want to hide the things we all use every day — especially in bathrooms and kitchens.

Clear personal hygiene products from bathroom counters and showers. Put away cleaning products around toilets and sinks. Hide trash cans, tissue boxes, paper towel rolls, toilet brushes, plungers, and other household necessities.

These things are completely normal to have in a home, but when someone is viewing a listing photo, they become visual clutter.

We want buyers looking at the beautiful tile, countertops, cabinetry, flooring, windows and room size — not your shampoo bottles or trash can.

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And One More Thing: Depersonalizing

We’ve talked about depersonalizing before, but it’s always worth a quick reminder. Buyers are naturally curious (and, let’s face it, a little nosey!). Family photos and other very personal items can quickly become a distraction as buyers start focusing on who currently lives in the home instead of the home itself. They can also make buyers feel like they’re intruding in someone else’s space. Removing personal photos and belongings helps create just enough separation for buyers to feel comfortable and, most importantly, start imagining themselves living there.

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It’s All About Removing Distractions

You may notice a common theme throughout all five of these recommendations: we want the home itself to be the star.

Staging doesn’t always require buying new furniture, completely redecorating, or making major changes. Often, it’s about knowing what to take away.

Removing a small rug can make a floor feel more expansive. Taking down a heavy curtain can completely change the light in a room. Clearing a bathroom counter can suddenly make it look larger. Removing a window screen can make the view outside feel brighter and clearer.

These are simple details, but together they can have a big impact on how a home photographs, how it feels during a showing, and ultimately how buyers experience the space.

That’s exactly what we’re looking for during a staging consultation: the small changes that will help your home show at its very best.

Author: Megan Rivas, Stager at Rooms With Style