The Rooms That Matter Most When You Sell

The Rooms That Matter Most When You Sell

With more options available to buyers today, it's important to be more deliberate about how your home appears when it hits the market. Home staging can be an effective way to make a strong impression.

What Is Home Staging?

It’s not about creating a picture-perfect or overly trendy space. The goal is to make your home feel inviting and move-in ready, allowing potential buyers to easily imagine themselves living there.

Staging can vary widely—from minor adjustments to full-scale design work—based on what works best for your timeline and budget. But even small improvements can have a big impact when selling, especially in today’s competitive market.

According to a study from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes that are staged tend to sell more quickly and for a higher price than those that aren’t (see below):

Which Rooms Matter Most?

The great news is you likely don’t need to stage your entire home to create a strong impression. According to NAR, these are the areas buyers’ agents say have the most impact when staged (see graph below):

As you can see, agents who regularly work with buyers agree—the most important rooms to stage are the ones buyers are likely to spend the most time in, like the living room, main bedroom, and kitchen.

While this gives you a helpful starting point, nothing beats the insight of a local agent.

How an Agent Helps You Decide What You Need To Do

Local agents know exactly what buyers are looking for in your area because they’re constantly receiving feedback during showings, tours, and conversations with other professionals. They’ll use that knowledge to assess your specific home and suggest where some simple staging updates might help, like:

• Clearing out clutter and removing personal touches like family photos

• Rearranging furniture to improve flow and make rooms feel larger

• Adding greenery, updating artwork, or styling accessories for a fresh look

Sometimes, that advice is all a seller needs. But if your home needs a bigger refresh—or if it's vacant and would benefit from temporary furniture—a good agent will help you decide if hiring a professional stager is worth it. Just keep in mind, that route tends to cost more. According to NAR:

“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 skilled agent will help you weigh your options, considering your budget, how quickly homes are moving nearby, the current market conditions, and your price range.

Bottom Line

Staging doesn’t have to be elaborate or expensive—it just needs to help buyers envision themselves in your home. A great agent will guide you in finding the right level of staging that fits your goals.

Which room in your house do you think would make the biggest impression on a buyer?

Let’s tour your home together and talk about what can help it stand out.