4 min read

Home Staging for Success: 5 Design Tips to Attract Buyers or Renters

The concept of staging — preparing a home to make the best impression on potential buyers or renters — has become increasingly popular in recent years. Staging a home before listing it on the market can make a huge difference in how quickly it sells or rents and for how much.

Staging has been shown to increase selling prices by up to 5%. First impressions matter, especially in a competitive housing market like we're currently experiencing in Vienna. Your residence must be visually distinctive and inviting as new tenants or buyers enter the property.

Modern room with bookshelves, yellow chair, and artworks on a desk. Adjacent space has a wooden chair and circular rug. Bright, minimal design.

The Psychology of Staging

According to the National Association of Realtors report, almost half of real estate agents believe staging helps sell properties faster.

If you're in the Vienna real estate market, you'll be pleased to know that staging is highly regarded by professionals in the industry.

Staging goes beyond just making a home look nice. Staging helps create a lifestyle vision so viewers can imagine themselves living in the home.

5 Essential Staging Tips

Here are five design tips to attract more interest in your home:

1. Curb Appeal is Key

First impressions matter, so focus on maximizing your home's exterior curb appeal.

Simple improvements like mowing the lawn, raking leaves, planting flowers, painting the front door a vibrant color, and adding an inviting doormat can go a long way in catching a potential buyer or renter's eye. You want them excited to see more as soon as they pull up.

2. Declutter and Depersonalize

Tidying up and removing clutter opens up a feeling of roominess.

To make the space more attractive and unbiased, eliminate additional furniture and personal possessions such as family pictures.

3. Furniture Arrangement and Flow

Proper furniture arrangement can make a significant difference. Designate clear areas for living, dining, and sleeping spaces. Arrange furniture to create an easy flow for navigating throughout the home.

Position key furnishings, such as a couch or mattress, in locations that attract attention and give the impression of a more expansive area.

4. Lighting Sets the Mood

Good lighting is essential for any home, especially when showing a space. Use lamps, overhead lighting, and natural light from windows to ensure each room is properly lit, with no dark corners or shadows. Neutral paint colors on the walls and trim also help make rooms feel more open and airy.

Think about drawing back the curtains and window shades so daylight can pour into the rooms prior to showing your home to prospective purchasers. Carefully position lighting and decor to cultivate a cozy and welcoming feel.

5. Neutral Color Palette

Stick with neutral paint colors and decor to appeal to more buyers and renters. Neutral tones like off-white, gray, and beige make rooms appear fresh and spacious. Neutral colors are most likely to complement a variety of furnishings and decor styles. Combining cool and warm neutral tones creates soothing, inviting spaces.

Minimalist bedroom with wooden walls, a white bed, and a teddy bear on a shelf. Sunlight casts shadows, creating a calm atmosphere.

Beyond the Basics

When staging a home for sale or rent, it's important to remember that small touches can make a big difference. Thoughtfully accessorizing each room is one of the most effective ways to enhance the ambiance and appeal. Carefully selected decorative items bring warmth and personality into the space.

The key is to use well-maintained, neutral furniture as your blank canvas, then layer in eye-catching accents. Rearrange the living room by putting some new flowers in a vase on the coffee table and arranging decorative cushions on the couch. It will give the room a welcoming appearance. Hang artwork on the walls that reflects the desired aesthetic.

In the bedroom, a cozy throw at the foot of the bed and decorative trays on the nightstands add depth. A fruit bowl on the kitchen counter, a scented candle in the bathroom, and sheer curtains in the bedroom — these touches make a house feel like a home. The goal is to create an ambiance buyers and renters can envision themselves enjoying.

Remember, less is often more. Don't overcrowd the space. Use accent pieces purposefully to highlight focal points and create visual interest. A vase of fresh flowers instantly lights up a room. The artwork draws the eye to blank walls. The right accessories enhance the furnishings rather than compete with them.

To Sum Up

You don’t have to spend a fortune to effectively stage your home for potential renters or buyers. Focus on the fundamentals, maximize what you already have, and bring in personal touches to warm up the space.

Additionally, consider using 360 Virtual Staging services to enhance your home’s appeal without the high costs of traditional staging.

With the right combination of decluttering, furniture arranging, and accessorizing, you can showcase your property in the best possible light without breaking the bank. Staging your home for success doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive — keep it simple, stylish, and inviting.

Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014 and the luxury interior design blog All The Pretty Homes in 2024. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.