Is Staging Your House Worth the Cost?

Home staging can make your property more appealing, helping it sell faster and for more money.

Published: 2/5/2026, 9:45:01 AM EST

Is Staging Your House Worth the Cost? — (Sheila Say/Shutterstock)

It’s important that prospective buyers of your home be able to picture themselves living in it. Staging your house may make it easier for them to do this and, in turn, make it more appealing.

Home staging can make your property stand out and possibly attract more lucrative offers. But is staging worth it? What’s the return on investment (ROI)?

What Does a Home Stager Do?

Different stagers offer various perspectives and services. Some stagers include shopping for and incorporating items such as artwork, bedding, or other accessories. A stager often will rent these kinds of props and come into the home to style before photos are taken.

Most stagers discuss how best to furnish a space and recommend which furniture, window treatments, and accessories should be removed or added.

Stagers often identify needed repairs or maintenance issues.

Typically, not all rooms need to be staged. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 37 percent of buyers said that staging the living room was the most important. This was followed in importance by staging the master bedroom.

How Much Does It Cost to Stage a Home?

According to HomeAdvisor, the normal range to stage a home is between $832 and $2,922. Staging services vary based on your home’s needs. The size of the home and the scope of the project are major factors in determining the price.

Other factors could include the number of rooms staged, the percentage of the listing price, hourly rate, or bundled services at a fixed price. There could be a one-time fee or recurring expenses.

Many stagers offer services in 30-day increments, with some requiring a 60- to 90-day commitment.

Most professional stagers charge an upfront consultation fee. The initial cost to evaluate and make recommendations is typically $150–600.

Does Staging Matter to a Buyer?

Staging is about showcasing a move-in-ready home that creates an emotional connection with a potential buyer.

According to the NAR 2023 Profile of Home Staging, 82 percent of buyer’s agents said staging helped their clients visualize the property as their future home.

Staging can minimize the negatives and accentuate a property’s positives to ensure a good first impression.

More than a quarter of buyers are willing to overlook property faults if a home is staged, according to the NAR.

If the home is vacant, staging helps buyers visualize their furniture in the space and how it will fit their lifestyle.

It creates a more inviting space.

Ninety-nine percent of millennial home buyers begin their house search online. So, staging a photo-ready property can directly influence a potential buyer’s decision to visit your home and submit an offer.

Is Staging a Home Worth the Investment?

The real test is the ROI for a staged home. The NAR found that staged homes sold 73 percent faster than non-staged homes.

Staged homes spent an average of 23 days on the market compared to 184 days for unstaged homes in 2023.

The final sale price was also impacted by staging. Staged homes sell for 1 percent to 10 percent more than homes that are not staged, according to the NAR.

How to Save on Home-Staging Costs

Because so many people start online when searching for a house, a virtual staging may be all you need. Virtual or digital staging is when photos of rooms are digitally refurnished to entice online buyers.

This is a less expensive option than physically staging a house. Some companies offer renderings for as little as $8 per room. Most companies use photo-editing software to create a conceptual view of what the room could look like.

Another option to save on staging is to implement the ideas of staging yourself, or pay for the consultation then do the work.

You don’t need to stage every room. Stick with the living room, master bedroom, and kitchen. If you have an odd bonus room, you may want to show how it can be used.

Ensure you declutter and deep-clean so buyers can see the home, not just your belongings. Wash the windows so the outside light can shine through. Move excess furniture to a storage unit or borrow a family member’s basement. Put away personal items, such as family photos and other paraphernalia. If you have heavy window treatments, now’s the time to replace them with simple blinds.

How to Find a Home Stager

If you’re interested in staging your home, check with your real estate agent. They will be able to recommend a company they have worked with. Some agents may also provide this service.

Friends or a quick search online will also help. Ensure any staging company you choose has references and photos of projects they have done.

Should You Stage Your Home?

Discuss home staging with your real estate agent. If you have a vacant house, it might be a good option to help buyers visualize living in it. Evaluate the real estate market and the condition of your home. You may be able to just tweak existing furniture and window treatments to have the same effect as full staging.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors. They are meant for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. NTD does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. NTD holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.

From The Epoch Times