Home staging transforms residential properties to appeal to potential buyers through strategic furniture placement, decor, and design elements. Professional stagers create inviting spaces that help buyers envision themselves living in the home, which can lead to faster sales and higher selling prices.

These professionals work with real estate agents, property owners, and investors to prepare homes for the market. They handle everything from decluttering and rearranging existing items to bringing in rental furniture and decorative pieces. Stagers must understand current design trends, buyer psychology, and real estate market preferences.

Many home stagers start as real estate agents or interior designers and then launch their own staging business. Successful home staging requires an eye for design, knowledge of real estate trends, strong project management skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Related: Checklist To Start A Business

How Do Home Stagers Make Money?

Home staging companies generate income primarily through staging services, charging clients for transforming properties with furniture, decor, and design expertise. Most stagers bill an initial consultation fee followed by monthly rental rates for furniture and accessories used in the staged property.

Additional revenue streams for home staging businesses include:

• Design Consultations: One-time meetings with homeowners or real estate agents to provide recommendations for using existing furniture and decor
• Furniture Rental: Monthly fees for lending furniture and decor items to clients staging their own properties
• Moving and Storage: Fees for packing, moving, and storing clients’ existing furniture during the staging period
• Property Photography: Professional photos of staged properties for real estate listings and marketing materials
• Organizing Services: Helping homeowners declutter and arrange their spaces before staging or selling

Home Staging Industry Summary

The home staging industry has grown considerably over the past decade, driven by a competitive housing market. According to Ruby Home, over 38% of realtors believe staging increases a home’s selling price. On average, staged homes sell 48% faster and for 1%- 5% above asking price.

Industry Statistics

Home staging is a specialized service in the real estate and design industries that prepares properties for sale. This industry falls under NAICS code 541410 – Interior Design Services.

Home Staging Industry Size & Growth: The home staging industry’s growth tends to follow real estate market trends closely. The industry is expected to grow steadily, with a projected annual increase of 2.04% through 2029. This growth is tied to continued strength in residential real estate sales and growing awareness of staging’s impact on property values. (Mordor Intelligence)

Home Staging Profit Margin: Home staging businesses typically maintain profit margins between 15% to 25%.

Costs To Start a Home Staging Business

Starting a home staging business typically costs between $15,000 and $75,000. The wide range reflects differences in initial inventory investments and business scale. Here are some of the more expensive items to plan for when starting:

Furniture and Decor Inventory: The largest expense when starting a home staging business is building an inventory of furniture and accessories. A basic inventory to stage one or two properties might cost $10,000 to $30,000. This includes living room furniture sets, bedroom sets, dining furniture, artwork, rugs, and decorative accessories.

Storage Space: A warehouse or storage facility to keep furniture and decor items when not in use ranges from $500 to $2,000 per month, depending on size and location. Some stagers start with a small storage unit and expand as their inventory grows.

Moving Equipment and Vehicle: Professional staging requires reliable transportation for furniture and decor. A cargo van or small box truck, along with dollies, furniture pads, and moving equipment typically costs between $20,000 to $35,000. Some stagers start by renting vehicles or partnering with moving companies.

Insurance Coverage: Professional liability insurance and coverage for furniture damage during transport and storage typically runs $2,000 to $4,000 annually. This protects against potential damages to client properties and inventory.

These estimates provide a general idea of startup costs, but actual expenses will vary. Some stagers begin with smaller inventories and expand over time, while others invest in larger inventories from the start.