Designer Tips for Better Staging
Spotting layout imbalances, harsh lighting, bare walls, low ceilings and clutter can help real estate pros stage rooms that feel cohesive, inviting and memorable.
NEW YORK – Interior designers say that a room should be an experience of visual stimulation with details that complement one another. When surveying a space, designers will often zero-in on several elements that are disrupting that experience.
One of the first things designers look for in a room is balance in terms of floor plan, color and scale, including the size of the furnishings and overcrowding. Since lighting also can provide focal points in a room, poor lighting or too much can be a negative. Natural light in a room is preferable to artificial light because it provides an airier feel and mood enhancement. Wall sconces can augment natural light, but designers say the prefer soft white light with dimmers to control brightness.
Walls can be a blank canvas for many and adorning them should set the tone for the room, whether it is through paint, wallpaper or decoration. Blank walls can make the space feel sterile, which is why a strategically placed painting or wallpaper can provide a focal point. Textured walls also can liven up a space.
Ceiling height is another area of concern because low ceilings are harder to work with. Designers say to make these spaces feel larger, homeowners should consider painting the wall and ceiling the same color. The optical illusion will provide a feeling of more space, especially when an oversized mirror is added.
Other aspects of a room that designers notice are whether a room feels loved, lived-in or messy. Bad smells can leave a poor first impression.
Source: Southern Living (06/14/25) Milstein, Hallie
© Copyright 2025 Smithbucklin