In this short guide, the Bartos Group presents practical Home Staging Tips designed to get a property the most views, the highest selling price, and sold in the shortest amount of time. These Home Staging Tips are focused, homeowner-friendly, and tailored to Southwest Florida’s market — where transitional and coastal aesthetics often attract the best buyer response.

Why Staging Matters — The Big Picture

Home staging is not just about making a property look pretty. The right staging strategy aligns photography, in-person showings, and buyer perception so the home stands out in a crowded market. These Home Staging Tips aim to:

• Increase online views and interest
• Showcase the property’s best features
• Shorten time on market
• Improve final offers and selling price

As Lisa emphasizes, “we need to get your home ready so you’ll get the maximum amount of views, the highest selling price in the shortest amount of time.” That’s the promise behind every staging decision.

Three Essential Considerations for Staging a Home

When staging, the Bartos Group focuses on three major considerations: Style, Feature, and Costs. These three pillars form the decision-making framework every homeowner should use when preparing to list.

1. Style — choose the right aesthetic

First, determine the style that best suits both the home and the local buyer pool. In Southwest Florida, transitional and coastal styles typically perform best. A cohesive style helps buyers mentally place belongings and life into the space; it reduces distraction and allows the home’s strengths to shine. These Home Staging Tips recommend a neutral base palette, tasteful coastal accents (if appropriate), and clean lines that support the buyer’s imagination.

Practical style checklist

• Declutter surfaces; keep accessories minimal and purposeful
• Neutral paint tones with a splash of color in accent pieces
• Quality textiles—pillows, throws, and area rugs to define spaces
• Remove overly personal items (family photos, political memorabilia)

2. Feature — highlight what buyers will love

Next, identify the home’s strongest feature and make every staging decision direct attention to it. For many Southwest Florida homes, that feature is an outdoor living area, water view, pool, or spa. The entire interior presentation should funnel the eye toward that asset. As Lisa points out while touring a property, “look at this expansive water view, amazing pool and spa — this is what we definitely want to highlight with this home.”

Once the prime feature is identified, reconfigure furniture, remove distracting items, and stage sightlines to guide prospective buyers immediately to the view or outdoor space. This is one of the most effective Home Staging Tips: stage to sell the view.

Feature-focused staging checklist

• Arrange seating so it faces the view or opens toward the outdoor area
• Clear windows and doors; avoid heavy curtains that block light
• Limit indoor accessories that compete with the outdoor focal point
• Stage outdoor furniture to show function and lifestyle possibilities

3. Costs — invest wisely for the best ROI

Staging has costs, and the goal is to spend where it produces the greatest return. Lisa recommends partnering with a listing agent and a professional stager to make cost-effective decisions. Instead of guessing which improvements matter, use professional guidance to prioritize staging dollars for the highest return on investment.

Key Home Staging Tips regarding costs:

• Get a staging consultation before making purchases.
• Consider rental staging for vacant homes rather than buying all new furniture.
• Focus investments on high-impact areas: living room, master bedroom, kitchen, and outdoor spaces.
• Small upgrades—fresh paint, updated lighting, and new hardware—often outperform costly renovations when staged correctly.

Room-By-Room Approach: Simple Actions That Make a Difference

Applying the three considerations above to each room will create a cohesive presentation that appeals to buyers. These Home Staging Tips work room-by-room so sellers don’t feel overwhelmed.

Living areas

• Keep furniture proportionate to the room size; remove excess pieces.
• Arrange traffic flow to make rooms appear larger and more inviting.
• Use greenery or an accent piece for warmth but avoid clutter.

Bedrooms

• Make beds with neutral, high-quality bedding.
• Minimize personal items on dressers and nightstands.
• Create small reading nooks to suggest lifestyle possibilities.

Kitchen & bathrooms

• Clear counters of appliances; keep a bowl of fresh fruit or a single plant.
• Replace worn towels and update cabinet hardware if needed.
• Ensure lighting is bright and fixtures are clean and polished.

Outdoor spaces

Outdoor areas are often the decisive factor in Florida properties. Stage patios, pools, and waterfront areas as liveable extensions of the home. Consider ambient lighting, fresh potted plants, and staged seating that reflects how buyers will use the space.

Working with Professionals: Staging + Listing Agent = Success

One of the most practical Home Staging Tips is to collaborate with a listing agent and a professional stager from the outset. Agents who work with experienced stagers can navigate cost-benefit tradeoffs, arrange rental staging if necessary, and coordinate the timing so the home is show-ready for photography and open houses.

Lisa’s recommendation: “partner with your listing agent and a professional Stager so they can assist you in making the wisest decisions for your property to get the highest return on investment possible.” That combination helps sellers avoid unnecessary expenses and focus on what drives buyer interest and offers.

Bonus Resource: The Prepare to Sell Booklet

For sellers who want a practical, low-pressure starting point, the Bartos Group offers a Prepare to Sell booklet. This piece provides simple, hard-copy guidance—perfect for homeowners who aren’t ready for full staging but want actionable Home Staging Tips they can implement at their own pace. The booklet is available electronically or by mail and covers step-by-step staging tasks and priorities.

For many sellers, that booklet serves as a “snack taste” of staging—easy tasks that immediately improve photos and showings without committing to a full staging budget.

Checklist: Staging Actions to Complete Before Listing

• Deep clean the entire property (carpets, windows, baseboards).
• Declutter each room; rent a storage unit if needed.
• Depersonalize—remove family photos and unique collectibles.
• Address small repairs: leaky faucets, loose tiles, burned-out bulbs.
• Freshen paint in neutral tones where needed.
• Stage focal rooms: living room, kitchen, master bedroom, outdoor living area.
• Schedule professional photography after staging is complete.

Conclusion: Staging Is an Investment That Pays

Effective staging combines smart stylistic choices, feature-first presentation, and thoughtful spending to produce faster sales and better prices. These Home Staging Tips focus on getting the most out of what the property already offers—especially standout features like water views and outdoor living. Sellers who follow a strategic staging plan, and who work with an experienced listing agent and professional stager, typically see the best returns.

The Bartos Group and Lisa Fulkerson emphasize practical, easy-to-implement Home Staging Tips that sellers can use today to start improving their listing presentation and buyer appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the most important Home Staging Tip for a seller on a budget?

A: Prioritize decluttering, deep cleaning, and highlighting the home’s primary feature (view, pool, kitchen). These inexpensive steps often have the biggest impact on buyer perception and photography quality.

Q: Should vacant homes be staged?

A: Yes. Vacant homes benefit significantly from rental staging because emptiness can make it difficult for buyers to imagine living there. Rental staging is usually more cost-effective than purchasing new furniture.

Q: How much does staging typically cost?

A: Costs vary by market and the extent of staging needed. A consultation with a professional stager and listing agent will outline options and projected ROI. The key Home Staging Tip here is to invest where it enhances the most desirable property features.

Q: Can I stage my home myself?

A: Absolutely. Many sellers can implement basic Home Staging Tips themselves—declutter, depersonalize, freshen paint, and rearrange furniture to open sightlines. For maximum impact, combine DIY efforts with professional advice when possible.

Q: When should staging occur in the listing timeline?

A: Staging should be completed before professional photos are taken and before the listing goes live. This ensures the marketing images and first in-person impressions reflect the property at its best.

Next Steps

For sellers ready to take action, contact a listing agent who understands staging and the local market. Request a staging consultation or order the Prepare to Sell booklet to get started with simple Home Staging Tips that make a measurable difference.

These recommendations are guided by the Bartos Group’s experience in Southwest Florida and reflect practical staging choices that help homes sell faster and at better prices.