Stage It Like You Mean It: The Subtle Art of Making Your Home Feel High-End—And Sell Even Higher
At Marcia Moore Design, we believe in the power of first impressions—and no tool is more powerful than thoughtful, editorial-quality staging. Staging isn’t about filling a room; it’s about curating an experience. Whether you’re prepping your home for the market or refreshing it to fall in love all over again, these are our favorite ways to stage like you mean it.
Proof that staging isn’t about adding more—it’s about showing what’s possible. A few artfully arranged pieces on the coffee table and a wide open layout let this space breathe and allow buyers to envision their life here. / Photo by Karen Palmer.
1 The 1/5 Rule: Decluttering That Sells
Buyers need to see space—not stuff. And the best way to help them feel the potential of a home? Remove most of what’s currently in it.
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Closets: Clear out 80% of your wardrobe. Think: only the season’s staples in matching hangers, spaced evenly. A tidy closet says “ample storage.” A packed one says, “too small.” If 80% is too scary, try 50%. Removing off-season & seldom-worn clothing is the quick fix.
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Surfaces: Kitchen counters should be nearly bare—one sculptural bowl of fruit, maybe a coffee machine. The same goes for bathroom vanities: one tray with essentials is enough.
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Furniture: Less is luxe. Remove extra armchairs, oversized ottomans, or cluttered bookshelves. Allow each room to breathe and show off its scale.
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Built-ins: Style shelves with intention—group books by tone, add a few neutral objects, and leave open space for the eye to rest. While I would never group books by tone permanently, it is a great look for staging.
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Storage rooms + garages: Organize with clean bins or temporarily store items off-site. Buyers are always looking for space, even in “hidden” areas.
Set with just the right amount of styling, this staged dining area is the perfect blend of charm and clarity—clutter-free, but warm enough to make you feel right at home./Photo by Karen Palmer.
2. Paint It Right, Then Let It Breathe
Paint is your best friend when preparing a home to sell. It’s affordable, transformative, and signals freshness.
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Walls: Stick to clean neutrals like soft white, ivory, or warm beige. We love Sherwin-Williams Snowbound, White Duck, Steamed Milk, or Cotton White. For a little more color, try Muslin.
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Trim: Paint it the same as the walls for a seamless, contemporary feel—or contrast it slightly with a crisp white for subtle definition.
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Ceilings: Bright white is best. It opens up the space and keeps sightlines elevated.
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Accent walls: Skip them. Bold color may speak to your personality, but buyers want to imagine their own vision.
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Touch-ups: Don’t ignore scuffs, nail holes, or patchy finishes. A freshly painted home reads “move-in ready.”
A minor primary bathroom remodel with major payoff: by keeping the original cabinets and upgrading everything else—from the pendants to the hardware—this space now feels elegant, calm, and ready to impress. / Photo by Suzy Gorman
3. Layer Your Lighting
Lighting shapes the mood—and tells buyers whether a home feels current or forgotten.
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Entry fixtures & hallways: Replace builder-grade dome lights (“boob lights”) with sleek flush mounts or semi-flush styles in matte black, brass, or milk glass.
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Kitchen pendants: Swapping outdated pendants for simple, sculptural lighting makes the space feel designed, not just functional.
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Under-cabinet lighting: Add LED strips or battery-powered puck lights to instantly upgrade your kitchen’s ambiance.
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Ambient lighting: Use table lamps or floor lamps to create pools of warm light. Soft, layered lighting feels elegant and intentional.
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Day-of-showings: Turn on every light. Light = space, and space = perceived value.
Staging isn’t always grand—sometimes it’s as simple as a well-placed chair and reading glasses that hint at the desk this console table could become. Inviting, multi-functional, and ready to inspire. / Photo by Karen Palmer.
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4. Neutral, Curated, Calm: The Power of Staging
Good staging doesn’t shout—it whispers luxury.
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Color palette: Stick to soft, tonal layers—linen, ivory, taupe, muted sage. These colors unify a home and photograph beautifully.
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Textiles: Style beds with layered neutrals: a white duvet, a folded throw at the foot, two or three decorative pillows in varying textures.
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Accessories: Think in odd numbers and restrained groupings. One vase, one candle, one coffee table book. Let every object feel chosen.
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Plants: Use greenery sparingly—one olive tree, a potted fern, or fresh eucalyptus in a ceramic vase goes a long way.
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Art: Large-scale, minimal, abstract or landscape. Avoid family photos, word art, or niche styles.
Formerly a simple painted wall, this once-unremarkable coffee bar became a design highlight with the addition of a showstopping backsplash—proving that one intentional detail can elevate an entire space. /Photo by Karen Palmer.
Bonus Tips for the Day You List
It’s the finishing touches that make the biggest difference.
- Remove personal photos and sensitive documents. Buyers should never see your family photos, diplomas, or mail. This protects privacy and helps them emotionally connect to the space.
- Stash pet supplies. Litter boxes, food bowls, and pet beds should be out of sight and out of scent. Not everyone is a pet person—and the presence of animals can raise concerns.
- Add subtle fragrance. Avoid strong florals. Instead, use a light vanilla or citrus candle 30–60 minutes before a showing. Blow it out before you leave.
- Focus on curb appeal. Fresh mulch, swept porches, and a single pot of seasonal flowers can elevate your entry in seconds.
- Edit the entry. Add a small rug, a mirror, and one elegant console table. Let buyers walk in and feel the energy of the home—calm, curated, and elevated.
This minor kitchen remodel proves big transformation doesn’t require a full gut: we kept the original cabinets and counters, then elevated everything with new paint, hardware, tile backsplash, window shades, lighting, and updated fixtures. /Photo by Karen Palmer.
Final Thoughts:
When it comes to preparing your home for market, every detail is a design decision.
From the curve of a pendant light to the quiet elegance of a neutral wall, staging isn’t about perfection—it’s about potential. It’s about helping buyers not just see your home… but feel themselves in it.
At Marcia Moore Design, we believe staging is an act of storytelling—one that blends beauty, simplicity, and intention. When done right, it transforms rooms into refined, inviting spaces that sell not just faster, but smarter.
Whether you’re one year out or listing next week, we’re here to help you stage with purpose—and stage like you mean it.
