The Rooms That Matter Most When You Sell

Now that buyers have more options for their move, you need to be a bit more intentional about making sure your house looks its best when you sell. And proper staging can be a great way to do just that.

What Is Home Staging?

It’s not about making your house look super trendy or like it belongs in a magazine. It’s about helping it feel welcoming and move-in ready, so it's easy for buyers to picture themselves living there.

It’s important to understand there’s a range when it comes to staging. It can include everything from simple tweaks to more extensive setups, depending on your needs and budget. But a little bit of time, effort, and money invested in this process can really make a difference when you sell – especially in today’s market.

A study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows staged homes sell faster and for more money than homes that aren't staged at all:

Which Rooms Matter Most?

The best part is, odds are you don’t have to stage your whole house to make an impact. According to NAR, here’s where buyers’ agents say staging can make the biggest difference:

As you can see, agents who talk to buyers regularly agree, the most important spaces to stage are the rooms where buyers will spend the most time, like the living room, primary bedroom, and kitchen.

While this can give you a good general idea of what may be worth it and what’s probably not, it can’t match a local agent’s expertise.

How an Agent Helps You Decide What You Need To Do

Agents are experts on what buyers are looking for where you live because they hear that feedback all the time in showings, home tours, walkthroughs, and from other agents. They'll use those insights to give their opinion on your specific house and what areas may need a little bit of staging help, such as:

✅ Decluttering and depersonalizing by removing photos and personal items
✅ Arranging your furniture to improve the room's flow and make it feel bigger
✅ Adding plants, moving art, or re-arranging other accessories

A lot of sellers find that a great agent’s eye is all they need. But if your home needs more of a transformation—or it’s empty and could benefit from rented furniture—a trusted agent will also guide you on whether professional staging is worth it.

Keep in mind, that added help comes with a cost. NAR reports:

“The median dollar value spent when using a staging service was $1,500, compared to $500 when the sellers' agent personally staged the home.”

A local expert will help you weigh that investment based on your timeline, market trends, and the condition of your home.

Bottom Line

Staging doesn’t have to be over-the-top or expensive. It just needs to help buyers feel at home. And a great agent will help you figure out the level of staging that makes the most sense for your goals.

Which room in your house do you think would make the biggest impression on a buyer? Let’s walk through your home together and chat about what will make your listing shine.

🔎 Curious what your home is worth before making changes?
Use this free tool to get your home value instantly:
👉 Know Your Home’s Value Now

📺 Be sure to catch Inside Georgia Real Estate every Saturday at 1PM on WSB 95.5 FM for more market tips and insights from Deborah Morton.