Home Staging Guide - 2025

2025

Home Staging Guide

Meet Jennifer Adams E NG E L & VÖLKERS’ LIFESTYLE A ND DE SIGNER EXPERT

Jennifer

Adams

is

a

nationally

recognized designer,

entrepreneur, and TV personality who has built a career around helping people create beautiful, livable spaces. With over two decades of experience, she’s known for her warm, approachable aesthetic that blends simplicity, comfort, and timeless style.

As Engel & Völkers’ Lifestyle and Designer Expert, Jennifer brings a holistic approach to staging — one that emphasizes not just how a home looks, but how it feels. Her thoughtful perspective throughout this guide reflects her belief that every design choice, from layout to lighting, helps buyers emotionally connect with a home.

In addition to her work as a designer, Jennifer has developed a range of home products inspired by real-life living — from bedding to décor — all designed to make elevated style both accessible and practical. Her philosophy? Beautiful spaces begin with intention and finish with feeling.

“Design is about creating a feeling. Staging is the first step in helping someone fall in love with a home.”

– Jennifer Adams

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Why Staging Matters More than ever before, homebuyers have unfettered

prospective buyers that will ensure they leave your house

access to more information, more inspiration, and more

determined to call it ‘home.’ Investments in staging can

properties — all increasing what they expect to find on

make a big difference — even when the smallest things

a walkthrough. At the end of the day, homebuyers are

are swapped out and touched up.

looking for beautiful homes. Staging your home will help it stand out both aesthetically and psychologically, because, yes, everyone notices those small details. A thoughtfully selected faucet here and a paint color there

The following is a home staging guide to help prepare you for bringing your home to market with an affiliated Engel & Völkers advisor by your side.

can establish the positive psychological reaction from

81% 2

According to the National Association of REALTORS® Home Staging Profile, 81% of buyers’ agents said staging made it easier for buyers to visualize the property as a future home, and 58% said it had an effect on most buyers’ view of the home.

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Set the Stage from the Street First impressions matter — and often begin before a prospective buyer ever walks through the front door.

The exterior of your home should set the tone for the experience that awaits inside: polished, welcoming, and well cared for.

In many cases, your home’s exterior is the first photo buyers see — and the first impression they form. Make sure it’s clean, refined, and styled to invite interest.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Simple, natural elements — like symmetrical planters or a tidy porch bench — can elevate your entryway and offer a sense of balance and calm before stepping inside.

• Ensure all walkways and driveways are clean — consider a professional power wash for added impact.

• Maintain a manicured landscape: trimmed hedges, freshly mown lawn, and neatly edged flower beds.

• Remove weeds and fallen leaves from garden beds and hardscapes.

• Store hoses, tools, and outdoor equipment out of sight to create a streamlined look.

• Add seasonal potted greenery in simple, elegant containers near the entryway.

• Replace worn doormats and eliminate dated or overly personalized outdoor décor.

• Apply a fresh coat of paint to the home’s exterior, front door, or trim if needed to elevate curb appeal.

• Polish or replace house numbers and hardware so they are clean, visible, and stylish.

• Make sure every detail — from the mailbox to the doorknocker — sparkles and shines.

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Run a Tight Ship Whether it’s the countertops, the corners of the bath, or that one spot you thought no one would notice — cleaning from top to bottom is key. Make appliances and surfaces look like new to signal a home that’s been genuinely cared for. Then, remove anything overly personal — photographs, laundry, and daily clutter — to let the space itself take center stage.

Use staging as an excuse to declutter — this way, a buyer’s focus will be on the space itself, and you can prepare for an easier, lighter move.

Clean, Declutter, Refresh A spotless space signals a well-maintained home.

• Deep clean all surfaces, from appliances to baseboards.

• Store personal items, including photos and toiletries.

• Edit down furniture and accessories to avoid clutter.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Use crisp white bedding and fluffy white towels for a hotel-like experience. Remove any distracting patterns from linens, pillows, and shower curtains.

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Leave Them Floored A home’s flooring should never be overlooked — it can be one of the most transformative and value-adding upgrades you make when preparing to sell.

• Stained carpets or worn flooring can distract buyers, even in an otherwise well-staged home.

• For kitchens and bathrooms, ceramic tile or stone adds timeless appeal and durability.

• Throughout the home, hardwood flooring is a buyer favorite — but luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is a high-style, cost-effective alternative that offers durability and a modern finish.

• LVP mimics the look of hardwood while being waterresistant, low maintenance, and easier to install.

• If budget allows, replacing dated flooring can make a dramatic impact on the home’s overall feel.

• At a minimum, invest in professional cleaning and repair to present the space as well cared for.

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Brighten Things Up Lighting and color play a powerful role in how a home feels — and how buyers connect with it. A well-lit, neutral environment creates a fresh canvas that appeals to the widest audience.

Let in the Light Lighting sets the mood. Maximize natural light by opening curtains and blinds in every room. Where overhead fixtures fall short, layer in table or floor lamps to create warmth and balance. Replace bulbs with consistent warm white LEDs to avoid mismatched tones.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Mirrors are an inexpensive, stylish way to reflect light and make a space feel larger and more open.

Paint with Purpose Paint and wallpaper are some of the most personal design choices — and often the most polarizing. Refresh your walls with soft, warm neutrals and remove unique wallpapers or bold accent walls that might limit a buyer’s imagination. Stick to cohesive tones throughout to create flow and visual calm.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Consistency is key. Skip the accent walls and keep tones light and inviting.

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Style with Intention Staging isn’t just about making a home look good — it’s about helping buyers see how they could live there. Every piece should serve a purpose, every space should feel intentional, and every room should offer just enough inspiration to spark imagination.

• Define the purpose of every room — even tricky corners.

• Style high-impact areas first: the main living spaces, kitchen, and primary bedroom.

• Use furniture to showcase the scale of the space — not just to fill it.

• Maximize walking space without making rooms feel sparse or unfinished.

• Ask your Engel & Völkers affiliated advisor for guidance — an outside perspective can help determine what stays and what might be getting in the way.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Ground living rooms with a properly sized rug. All furniture legs should rest on it, and it should extend past the sofa with enough space for side tables.

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Apply Patches Where Needed Before the finishing touches go in, take time to address cosmetic wear and tear.

Even small imperfections can raise big concerns for buyers.

• Check walls and ceilings for cracks or dents — especially in high-traffic areas.

• Patch and paint as needed to create a seamless, well-maintained appearance.

• Don’t let minor damage suggest major issues — clean, smooth surfaces inspire confidence.

On the assumption that all foundational issues have already been resolved, staging is the perfect time to correct these visual distractions. While life happens, signs of damage can be a hard impression to overcome.

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Finish Strong with Details Buyers notice the details.

• Check for mismatched hardware or fixtures.

• Stick to no more than two metal finishes per room.

• Consider black or matte hardware for an updated look — but only if it complements existing finishes.

• Refresh cabinet pulls, switch plates, and faucets if they feel dated.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: Walk through each room and take note of every finish.

Aim for cohesion in hardware, lighting, plumbing and appliances.

Create Flow with Color and Texture Tying a room together can be as simple as a shared color.

• Repeat accent tones across pillows, throws, rugs, and artwork.

• Layer neutral textures for visual interest without clutter.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: A ribbon of color used thoughtfully — from throw pillows to area rugs — pulls the entire space together.

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Showtime On showing day, your home should feel warm and inviting.

• Open windows to circulate fresh air.

• Fluff pillows, straighten throws, and tidy every surface.

• Add a vase of fresh greenery or neutral florals.

• Vacuum and sweep just before visitors arrive.

• Turn on all lights for a welcoming glow.

• Ensure your home smells clean and fresh — avoid strong odors from pets, cooking, or musty spaces.

Jennifer Adams Pro Tip: If there’s an electric or gas fireplace, turn it on during showings for a cozy feel that also shows off a great feature of the home.

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A Fresh Start Begins Here Staging doesn’t mean starting from scratch — it means making the most of what you already have. With intention, simplicity, and support from your Engel & Völkers advisor, your home will look its best and move closer to the closing table.

Because every ending is also a beautiful new beginning.

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