Is Staging Worth the Investment?

Nothing quite says “welcome home” like echoey rooms, bare walls, and a single lonely floor lamp. At least, that’s the vibe if you list your house without staging.

We get this question a lot: Is staging worth the investment; worth spending hard earned money on? After all, it’s not cheap. And unlike many decisions in life, this isn’t one you can A/B test. You either stage or you don’t, and once the listing goes live, there’s no running a side-by-side experiment to see which version sells faster or for more.

But I do have real-world experience. A lot of it. And here’s my take…

What Staging Actually Does

When buyers tour homes, they’re doing more than counting bedrooms and measuring hallways. They’re imagining themselves there. And a staged home makes that vision much easier.

Vacant homes, no matter how charming, often feel… well, vacant. Cold. Lonely. Lifeless.

Staging flips the emotional switch. It gives buyers a glimpse of possibility. It warms up the space, defines those weird in-between zones (looking at you, tiny room off the kitchen), and makes every area feel intentional.

Especially in a place like Tacoma, where homes often come with quirks—built-ins, alcoves, random nooks with mysterious past lives—staging helps unify the story. It helps buyers see the flow instead of getting distracted by questions like “what is this room supposed to be?”

It’s About More Than Looks

Yes, staged homes show better in person—but they also photograph way better. And let’s be honest: today, most home tours start with a swipe. Beautiful photos grab attention. They lead to more clicks, more showings, and more serious buyers through the door.

Increased exposure often translates to faster offers, more competition, and better results at the bottom line.

What If You’re Still Living There?

Vacant homes are the ideal candidates for full staging, but that doesn’t mean staging isn’t an option if you’re still living in the house. There’s a middle ground. Partial staging or even just a consultation can help a lot.

Sometimes it’s about rearranging what you already have, bringing in a few accent pieces, or editing down the personal touches that might distract from the home’s best features. (Your Star Wars shrine is amazing—but maybe save it for the new place.)

So… Is It Worth It?

In many cases, absolutely. That’s why you see so many staged homes out there. Sellers and agents aren’t doing it for fun—we do it because it works… it pays!

Sellers face a lot of closing costs and costs for preparation of the house before listing. If you’re on the fence about staging, give your Realtor a call! I know that we are always happy to take a look at a seller’s space and offer honest advice based on years of experience working with buyers and sellers here in the Tacoma area.