Home Staging
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Home staging questions and answers are always a popular topic of discussion between professional home stagers, their clients and the general public at large. Home staging Q&A allows people to ask a specific question about home staging and receive a personal answer to their query. I offer my Q&A service to people who have inquiries about home staging strategies, costs or problems. I hope the Q&A section will help you to plan your property staging project better and provide you with all the tools you will need to succeed in selling your house for top dollar!
A: Sure Linda, Lots of stagers seek internships. I encourage you to contact some local stagers and see if they might be interested in showing you the basics. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: What if you are not selling your home but you want someone to stage it so your house can look fabulous. i cannot afford to hire a professional, but i was wondering if beginning stagers would use my house as a starter location for them to practice. Stacy
A: Stacy, It is a good idea. The only way to know is to contact a few companies locally or a home staging school and propose your idea to them. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I would like to get training in becoming a home stager and need more info on how and the best way to get started. Tiffany
A: Hi Tiffany, The process is detailed on my site. Read the home staging training section. Shop around for the best program to meet your needs, then simply take the course and work towards building a successful career. It is a great time to become a stager! Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I recently got my Real Estate license, have a natural flair for home decorating and want to focus on home staging as a career. I cannot afford the expensive courses offered in Nashville or online at the moment. Can I use my own common sense, talent and e-books etc. to start my own business? I think that your website is incredible!!! Amanda
A: Hi Amanda, I am never one to discount natural talent and creativity. Many successful stagers do not undergo formal training. Of course, training will help and certainly can't hurt, but I do not think it is an absolute requirement. Thanks for the kind words about my site. I send my best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi, I am very interested in becoming a stager. It's in my soul. I love this profession. I always get compliments on my home decor,I know that i would be great at this, could you please give me some advice on where and how i should begin. Do i really need to take a course in redesign? Thanks, Darlene
A: Hi Darlene, There is no absolute need to take a course, but it is very useful for most beginners. Not only will it teach you the fundamentals of staging design, but just as important, the basics of the business aspects of the career path. Of course, you can always look for an entry level or intern job without trainings and hope that whomever you work for will fill in these gaps for you... Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I have a large family room with a floor to ceiling brick fireplace and built ins on either side that take up the entire focus wall. Where would you put the TV? The house is a 1948 era design, would you paint the brick fireplace? Patricia
A: Hi Patricia. Usually, I would not paint the fireplace, but I would have to see the room to really venture an opinion. It also depends on the color and condition of existing brick... As far as the TV, if there is no room over the mantle, then I would suggest a sensible alternate wall or inside a cabinet. It would not be a bad idea to lose it altogether out of the family room during the sales process. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I have a multipurpose room I can't figure out. It leads to a great little backyard with a hot tub surrounded by ivy, nice planters and a great view. My gut tells me the room leading to it should have a relaxed, spa feel to connect the outside to the in, but it is currently a multipurpose, computer, tv, exercise, and music room with instruments and more. It's making me insane! I know I have to pick a single purpose for the room, but which? Mary
A: Hi Mary, That really depends on what the rest of your home offers. Chose the most useful application and stick to it. You are right to want to change the multipurpose room, since this always confuses buyers and makes them feel like the home is too small to give each function a separate space. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I am looking for an apartment staging company in the LA area, I work for a real estate company and we have several new properties. The owners would like to have some vacant units staged. Can you help me? Thanks! Mary
A: Hi Mary, I recommend searching Google for home stagers in your area. This is the best way to find them... "Los Angeles home staging", etc... Alternately, contact a local staging association to network with many of them in your area... Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello, I was wondering if I've made a mistake for staging my kitchen. We painted it caliente by Benjamin Moore. I love it with the pickled oak cabinets & new oil rubbed hardware. The dining side of the kitchen is a camelback (Sherwin Williams). The colors are beautiful together. We have a upper island that divides the rooms. With the black appliances, I felt that the red and the gianti cream, choco, black countertops really look nice. Not sure if the kitchen might be a negative (the bold color) if and when we are ready to sell. Any advice would be helpful.Thank you,Linda
A: Hi Linda, I would not recommend any red for a kitchen. Too taste specific and a definite liability. Enjoy it while you are there and change it when you are ready to sell... Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: I am a consultant for a prop company in in Brooklyn, NY. We are a prop house and are looking to expand our business into the home staging world. My question is where would we begin that journey? Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Kristine
A: Hi Kristine, The first recommendation would be to try and make some contacts in the local staging scene. Sending a generic mailing or email will not do. You need to actually make some personal connections. Try to offer a free presentation to local staging groups along with some deep discounts to get some pros on board with your plan. You have lots of competition in NYC, so you will need to work hard and back it up with great services. Next, you can start to advertise where stagers go to look for services like yours. Online is great, and a much better value than the ridiculously expensive and ineffective phone book. Hope this gets you off to a good start. Best of luck, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: we have a regular couch and love seat in our living room. however i put our tv over the fireplace and that wall is on an angle so to watch tv you always have to turn your head side ways uncomfortable. any suggestions? thank you, tom
A: Sure Tom, This one is super easy. Either position the furniture differently, move the television or acclimate to a crooked neck. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello. I am staging my home for sale on a limited budget. My dilemma is flooring. The downstairs (living/dining) has newer carpet in good condition. The upstairs (bedrooms) carpet is old and must be replaced.
If I could afford to do the whole house, I would put in laminate throughout. If it were just the living areas that needed fixing, I would likewise replace with laminate in a heartbeat. But given that I can only afford to do the upstairs, and that the downstairs will remain carpeted, what is my best choice for new upstairs flooring? It seems a backward step to be putting in carpet knowing that most people prefer wood floors and the new owner may well rip it out. But, would it be too weird to have wood floor start at the top of the stairs? Also would it just draw attention then to a deficit downstairs...appearing as a half-complete upgrade...vs the less-desirable "design choice" of good carpet throughout? This is an entry-level home built in 1983, remodeled in 2002, being marketed as move-in ready to mostly first-time home-buyers. Thanks very much for your opinion. (and this web site!!) Jennifer
A: Hi Jennifer, Actually laminates are probably the best choice throughout. Currently lumber liquidators has some great prices which might make it possible to get your whole house done quite inexpensively. Alternatively, Empire Today is running their usual 60% off sale, which is a really great deal I have used several times myself. If you truly can only do one or the other, I recommend going with the carpet replacement upstairs. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: I live in a loft space in Detroit. It is very modern and most of the people in the building are young artistic types. Professional, though. I consulted with 2 stagers. One wanted to do ultra modern and the other basic contemporary. Which do I go with? Thanks, Roberto
A: Given the info I have, I would say go somewhere i between. Ultra modern can be a bit exclusionary, but a cross between modern and contemporary may be just right. This would be my call, sight unseen. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Will home staging really help me to sell? It seems the economy is so bad now and there is so much inventory in the real estate market. What will make mine go before the rest? Lucinda
A: Hi Lucinda, Statistically, staging works just as well in every type of economy. Of course, a slow buyers market is just that and nothing, including staging will change this fact… However, by investing time or money into your staging, you are setting your home apart from the competition and placing it is the idea light to receive the best offers possible. Adam Rostocki
Q: I am thinking about hiring a stager to help me get my house ready to sell. Will I have input as to the type of look the stager will design? I mean, I want to like living home till I sell it. Thanks for taking time to answer, Ruby
A: Hi Ruby, Most clients love the designs created by their stagers. However, if you do not like the design, but recognize that it is best to sell your home, then it may be wise to simply put up with it for the few weeks or months it takes to allow you to move on to your new home. Remember, a stager’s job is NOT to please their client’s tastes, but instead to suit the preferences of the target buyer demographic. This is why you are hiring a stager to begin with! Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: The real estate market is so down now. Is it worth staging? I feel like I am not making any money, even if I sell the damn house, which I can’t seem to do! What do you think? Aggravated, Chris
A: Hi Chris, Yes, I think we all are at our present economic circumstances… I still advise staging to be a good investment, since it is a tax write off in the US and will help you get that home sold already. This is half the battle now…simply selling AT ALL. Staging will give you home an edge. Really want to save? Consider a DIY job. Best, Adam Rostocki
Comment: Hi Adam, I am just writing to say thanks for the recent consultation service you provided to myself and my family. This economy had us on the ropes trying to sell our Brooklyn apartment and your advice and guidance got the property sold after 5 months on the market. In fact, after we implemented your recommendations, the home closed in less than 5 weeks! Fantastic. Of all the investments we made into the home, your staging fees were the best value with the most payoff. Thanks ever so much and our eternal gratitude. We know who to call if we decide to sell again! Thanks, William.
A: Hi William, I am happy to hear you got the deal done after all this time. I know your wife will feel much relief! Good luck in the new home and thanks of taking the time to write in this beautiful letter. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi there. I am curious as to the best color to paint to create an atmosphere of universal appeal? Thanks, Dan
A: Hi Dan, There are no absolute rules. You have some freedom of choice. What you want to do is choose a neutral shade, preferably with some warmth. You do not want to choose primary, bright or pastel colors anywhere! I like earthtones and true neutrals and tend towards the lighter shades. Always use white for the trim. Best, Sensei Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello Adam. Please tell me what to do… I have already bought a new home and moved in. Unfortunately, in this bad economy, I can not seem to sell my old one, which is now empty and a bit banged up from the move… Worse still, now there are 2 mortgages. I thought I could get it sold, but time flew by and now I am stuck. What to do? The home was said to be priced a bit high, but got good reviews from potential buyers when I was there, but now, it seems really lifeless and devoid of any charm. Help! Thanks, Dianne
A: Hi Dianne, You need to address 2 distinct issues here. First, you need to stage the home with some rented furnishings. You can do this yourself, if you have the time, or you can hire a pro home stager to do it all for you. Next, you need to revise your pricing strategy by consulting with your real estate agent and find a number which will get the property sold NOW. Doing both of these should free you up to enjoy your new home without the stress of the old… Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Question: Do I go with my furniture to save money or spend more and rent? Rena
A: Hi Rena, That depends. If your furniture is in new condition and qualifies as providing “universal appeal” then it is suitable, as long as the proportion is right and the color palate is not too taste specific. If it is close, then you may be able to use slipcovers and paint to get some extra appeal out of the pre-existing furnishings… If it is not close at all, then by all means, rent. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: I have a lovely home which shows well. However, my garage has terrible oil stains on the concrete floor and in a luxury property like mine, this seems like a real turn off. My real estate agent suggested replacing the concrete slab in the 4 car garage, but this seems excessive. Is there another solution? Thanks, Leonette
A: Hi Leonette, Sure. You can buy an epoxy paint kit for a few dollars which will make the floor look brand new and last virtually forever. Alternately, you can invest in special textured mats or panels commonly used to line the floor in garages. You can find these at any home improvement store, but the paint is the cheap way to go and will provide the best results. Good luck! Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi Adam, Thanks for a very informative website. Been very helpful so far. My question is, Do you recommend repainting faux finishes or keeping them. My home has most of the living space done in Tuscan style faux, with faux cracks and aging. It looks nice, but not really my taste anymore and probably not my buyer’s either. I think I answered my own question… Renee
A: Hi Renee, Yes, you did. Lol. Paint it. Neutralize it and move on to your next home. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello, I want to know if it is worth it to replace carpeting which is a different color in every room? The condition is ok, but not new, with some wear marks. Markie
A: Hi Markie, Definitely, different colors room to room provides a disjointed look and feel. If you have hardwoods underneath, refinish those instead of putting down new carpet. It not, consider laminate flooring as a cheap alternative to hardwood. If none of the above appeal to you, then replace the carpets all around. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: IS it really possible to stage my own home and make it look good? I do not know where to start. Help! Dottie
A: Hi Dottie, Sure, it is certainly not only possible, but quite easy. There are many articles on this site about DIY staging and strategies for each area. This is a good place to begin. There are also television shows, articles and books about staging (including m own book) which give you detailed advice and technique tips. Learn first, them implement. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: I am self staging my loft for sale in San Fran. I love the site and am using it to guide me in the process. Thanks! I do have a question. What can I do to depersonalize my very taste specific furniture (red leather). It is a modern space and mostly white and black, with these items being the accent color. I already painted earth tones to make the place more likeable for less severe tastes and now the furniture really looks out of place. Thanks again, Franny
A: Hi Franny, Depending on the style, you may be able to keep it and cove it with slipcovers. These foolproof solutions work well for many styles of furniture and can be had for under $100. Alternately, you might want to move the red leather into storage (or sell it) and simply rent appropriate new couches for a few dollars a month. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: My husband and I are arguing over paint colors. We are selling our traditional style home in San Diego and I want to neutralize the living room with a more universal color, while he wants to keep the faux finish Tuscan we already have (pics attached). I think he just does not want to do the work or pay for it! What do you think? Margie
A: Hi Margie, Lose the faux using a good primer and neutral color. It will only take a day or work and I think the results will be much better based on the pictures you sent. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello, Thanks for a great website. I love the DIY section. Question: Should I invest in new appliances for my kitchen before listing the home. They are yellow from like 1980 and the rest of the home is great, with many updates including a new master bath. I want to sell, but also want to save! Thanks, Tammy Lynn
A: Hi Tammy Lynn, Definitely, kitchens sell houses! Get an inexpensive stainless steel appliance package (under $2000 usually) and upgrade the kitchen for a more appealing look and feel, not to mention functionality. You will get this money back and sell much faster. If the kitchen needs help in other ways, do it, but think refinish, rather than replace, whenever possible. Best of luck, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi, I live in the UK and I'm very interested in pursuing a career in Home staging? I am planning to move and work in New York? But I want to a complete a course or training firstly, in order to pursue that career in New York? Please can you give me advise on what course or training I should choose? Be that in the UK or NY? and how I should go about pursing a home staging career in NY? I would really appreciate your feedback.Thank you so much, Kind Regards, Sofina
A: Hi Sofina, Some of the finest staging companies and schools are here in New York. If you intend on training in person, I advise you wait till you get here. If you are considering an online course, you can get it done in advance. Competition here is fierce in every industry and the real estate sector is one of the toughest. However, the rewards can be great for talented and hard working stagers. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi, I plan to become an apartment stager and I was wondering what college/major do I need to get a job? - Elizabeth
A: Hi Elizabeth, Most home stagers do not have college degrees and if they do, they are coincidental. No degree is needed. Studying design would be a big asset though... Home staging training is typically a non-college, trade school based educational program. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hello. I have 15 years experience as a floral designer, my question is would a home staging co. be interested in giving me a opportunity to work for them.I live in Las Vegas.If you think I HAVE chance would you be able to recommend a company out here. Thank you for your time. Corazon
A: Hi Corazon, If you decide to pursue staging, I recommend that you take some training first, in order to add to your skill set. The combination of floral experience and staging techniques is valuable, but just floral design, not so much...too limiting. I am based in NY, so you probably have a better idea of the companies out there! You can contact a local stager's association for some possibilities. I send you my best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Staging home for sale. Bathroom has good quality stainless steel grab bars installed in the master bathroom tub surround (4" ceramic tile around standard 5' steel/enamel tub). [Two 12" ones mounted vertically at chest height at either end, and a 18-24" one mounted diagonally on the back wall.] As we're having the tub and tile reglazed to white, it's an opportunity to remove the grab bars and fill/refinish the holes in the tile. Is it better to remove the grab bars for staging, or leave them? - Chris
A: Hi Chris, Definitely remove them. This is a special interest feature which will not appeal to most buyers. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: HELLO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IT BETTER TO SHOWCASE YOUR HOME WITH OR WITHOUT FURNITURE IN IT WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO SELL IT. THANKS. LORI
A: Hi Lori, It is always far better with furniture and art.I have written 2 articles addressing this common question here:
http://www.home-staging-home-stager.com/staging-an-empty-house.html
http://www.home-staging-home-stager.com/vacant-home-staging.html
Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Hi Adam, Nice website. Thanks for the effort! I am a good amateur designer and am thinking about selling my home soon. Do you think I can do my own staging? I am pretty confident and have some nice furnishings to use. Thanks, Cath
A: Hi Cath, Sure, why not. You can certainly try it. There are so many resources online, in book form and on television to help. Take your time and get the design right before listing. Try to retain a real estate agent with a good sense of design as well and have them approve your look and feel before marketing. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: Should you leave children's removable decals on walls when selling your home? Thanks. Kelly
A: Hi Kelly, I would advise removing them and transforming their rooms into a more classic version of a general purpose bedroom in every way... Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: I am staging my one bedroom apartment myself. SO far so good, but the bedroom looks cluttered and too small no matter what I do. The set is king sized and the room is 12 feet by 14. What should I do? Thanks for any tips, Eva
A: Hi Eva, If the rest of the furniture is not too large, you can save it and simply replace the bed with a queen size. You can buy a cheap air mattress to use, if it is just for show or rent a mattress if you are actually sleeping on it. Consider removing one of the nightstands, if there are 2, for added room or losing either the dresser or the chest. Hope this helps, Adam Rostocki
Q: i live in north carolina and was wondering how much i should charge as a home staging consultant? bobbi
A: Hi Bobbi, You must research your competition's fee's. market conditions and the amount of competition you have. Using this data, you should be able to come up with a fair price for your services. Start lower, you can always raise the price as you gain clients. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: I was wondering if you had a suggestion for me- my career has been in Visual Merchandise. Recent years, the focus has been on Showroom and Special Event installations. This has involved furniture rental, prop sourcing and overall layouts. I would like to shift out of fashion and more into home staging, but I don't have any contacts in this field. Can you recommend a company I can approach? I take pride in my work and would like to be able to utilize my skills. Any advice is appreciated.Thanks! Carolyn
A: Hi Carolyn, I do not align myself with any particular firms, but suggest approaching all of them in your area. What do you have to lose? Apply for a position and bring your best skills to the table. See what they can offer you and go from there. Alternately, you can go out on your own and build your own business. Just make sure you receive any training you might need so that you are prepared to fulfill your client's most lofty expectations. I wish you the best of luck and hope you can make the transition into a new and challenging career. Best, Adam Rostocki
Q: How much will it cost me to stage my house? Billi
A: Hi Billi, It really depends on many factors, including the size of your home, the geographic location and the type of staging design you require. Of course, the type of staging you choose, be it professional or DIY will also be an important consideration. I advise reading my section on "home staging costs" for detailed information. Best, Adam Rostocki
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