How To Become a Home Stager

One of the best parts of learning how to become a home stager (at least in our opinion) is the time spent browsing real estate listings in your area

It’s a guilty pleasure that becomes productive – you’ll find yourself mentally rearranging furniture, reimagining layouts, and picking paint colors the moment a new listing drops. And if the listing includes a floor plan? That’s the icing on the cake.

This kind of research isn’t just entertaining – it sharpens your eye and builds your instincts. We always tell our students to start here and see how it feels. If you find yourself naturally spotting what works and what doesn’t, that’s a sign you’re already thinking like a home stager.

In order to become a great home stager, you have to understand what makes buyers tick. Sure, it’s about price, square footage, and proximity to schools. But beyond the checkboxes, buyers are looking for something more emotional: a sense of comfort, security, and possibility. A home that whispers “you belong here.”

You’re not just arranging furniture. You’re setting a mood, crafting a lifestyle, and inviting someone to imagine a new chapter.

A bright, uncluttered home with thoughtful details like flowers, fruit bowls, and neutral colors has a calming, welcoming effect. These choices might seem small, but they’re powerful. Humans are naturally drawn to pleasing environments. Clean lines, natural light, and balanced layouts create a feeling that’s hard to describe – but easy to fall in love with.

On the flip side, clutter, poor lighting, and bold personal decor can ruin that connection. Buyers won’t just be distracted – they’ll be emotionally disengaged. That’s why part of your role is creating a blank slate. Not one that’s cold or lifeless, but one that allows potential buyers to imagine their life in the home, not the current owners’.

One of our students, Taylor from Colorado Springs, made this her entire focus when she first got started. After earning her certification, she committed to visiting 50 open homes in 60 days. She took notes at every one, paying close attention to things like how buyers moved through the space, where their attention landed first, and what design details seemed to impress. That single commitment transformed her instincts and helped her land her first three clients (all before she even launched her website).

If you’re just starting out, we recommend you try something similar.

Pull up listings in your local zip codes and review the photos like a buyer would. Visit open homes whenever you can. Look at the curb appeal, the layout, the way natural light flows through each room. Carry a notebook, or use the notes app on your phone. And yes, bother to actually write things down – it’ll make you better, faster.

If you sign up for one of our home staging certification courses, this is in fact one of the first assignments. You’ll be visiting a couple open homes in your area and telling us exactly what you like, and what you don’t like.

We’re only scratching the surface here, but there are seven main steps that every stager should master if they want to be successful. Each one plays a key role in transforming a home from “meh” to “must-have.”

Let’s run through the essentials:

1. Crafting a detailed staging plan.

2. Help the seller clean and declutter the home.

This is where your emotional intelligence comes in. Sellers are attached to their homes, but you’ll need to guide them in removing personal items, deep cleaning, and simplifying the space. Suggest storing knick-knacks, depersonalizing walls, and even replacing bold paint colors with soft neutrals. If carpets are stained or hardwoods are dull, encourage professional cleaning or refinishing. Every detail matters.

• Bleach and scrub all household tile surfaces in the bathrooms and kitchen.
• Clean and polish the hardwood floors.
• Have the carpets and drapes steam cleaned. If stains persist, counsel the seller to replace the carpets.
• Ditch the dust bunnies and cobwebs.
• Repair wall cracks and holes.
• Re-paint the interior walls. Use neutral colors. Beige, cream or pastels work well in living areas, while bathrooms in blues and greens sell well.
• Remove most of the furniture, especially the oversized pieces.
• Rearrange the remaining furniture to maximize space.
• Clear out closets or at least organize them. Store things off-site.
• Have the seller remove the small appliances, children’s toys, pet paraphernalia, books, and magazines.
• Also, have them pack away and store family photos, collectors’ items, jewelry, and medicines.
• Clean out the garage and put it all in storage if the seller has not yet moved into their new home yet.

3. Maximize the home’s curb appeal.

The front of the home sets the tone. Make sure the lawn is neat, the pathway swept, the front door clean, and the landscaping cared for. A new welcome mat, potted flowers, and working lights can go a long way. Don’t underestimate the power of first impressions – they happen before anyone even steps inside.

• Have the seller paint the home’s exterior, trim, doors, and shutters.
• Double-check the appearance of the front door, welcome carpet, and address number. Check that the doorbell works.
• Power wash the windows and any siding.
• The seller should have the roof inspected. Make repairs if necessary.
• Mow and edge the lawn. Also, water and fertilize it. Trim and shape shrubs and trees. Rake, bag, and dispose of any leaves.
• Sweep the entryway, walkways, sidewalks and repair cracks in any masonry.
• Plant bright flowers and shrubs, if the landscape does not already have them.
• Put any outdoor furniture or toys in storage.
• Clean up pet excrement.
• Clean the home’s gutters and downspouts.

4. Clean and update the bathrooms and kitchen.

These are the deal-makers. Buyers will forgive a dated bedroom, but a grimy kitchen or tired bathroom? Not a chance. Clear countertops, polish fixtures, hide small appliances, and swap out towels and hardware if needed. One student, Jamal from Ontario, started offering a low-cost “kitchen and bath touch-up” package as an entry point for budget-conscious sellers. It worked so well, he eventually turned it into a standalone service and used it to upsell full-staging jobs.

5. Set an appealing ambiance

Open curtains. Add greenery. Bake cookies. Seriously – these things work.
Lighting and scent play huge roles in how buyers feel when they enter a home. Avoid overpowering air fresheners, and instead opt for subtle, natural scents. Replace dim bulbs with warm, high-lumen options and turn on all the lights before a showing. The goal is to make the home feel alive.

6. Showcase the top features of the home.

You’re not just filling space – you’re drawing attention. If there’s a fireplace, stage the area with cozy seating. If the view is a selling point, make sure nothing obstructs it. One of our students in Chicago made this her specialty, and now leads every staging plan by identifying 2–3 “hero” areas in the home to elevate. These focal points guide how buyers experience the space.

7. Make logistical preparations for your open house.

Even if you’re not the one hosting the open house, you can make sure your client is fully prepped. That includes printing info sheets, tidying up cords, removing signs of pets, and leaving behind a light snack for guests. Encourage your client to leave the house during viewings – buyers feel more comfortable when the owners aren’t around.

Can you picture yourself doing these tasks for a client’s home? How about doing it for three homes a week? If you’re reading this and thinking, “I’d love that,” then you’re in exactly the right place. You’ve got the mindset, the interest, and now the foundation.

Let’s keep going.