Vacant vs. Occupied Staging

Vacant vs. Occupied Staging: What’s Best for Your Home?

When you're preparing to sell your home in a competitive market like Seattle, home staging can make the difference between a quick sale and a long wait. But one of the biggest decisions sellers face is: should you stage a vacant home or stage it while it's still occupied?

At Styling With Jas, we specialize in both approaches and understand the unique benefits of each. Here's a guide to help you decide what’s best for your home—and your timeline.

Vacant Staging: Starting with a Blank Canvas

What it is: Vacant staging involves staging an empty home from scratch. Furniture, decor, and accessories are brought in to style the most important rooms.

Best for:

• Investment properties or flips

• Relocated sellers

• Homes that are already empty

Pros:

• Allows for full creative control and design flow

• Highlights the potential of each space without distraction

• Makes listings look professionally polished for photos and tours

Considerations:

• Slightly higher cost (furniture rental + delivery)

• Requires more setup time

Styling Tip: Focus on staging key rooms like the living room, dining area, and primary bedroom—these have the greatest impact on buyer perception.

Occupied Staging: Working with What You Have

What it is: Occupied staging enhances a lived-in home by using the seller’s existing furniture and supplementing with strategic pieces, art, or decor.

Best for:

• Sellers still living in the home during listing

• Budget-conscious clients

• Homes with decent flow and condition

Pros:

• More cost-effective

• Shorter setup time

• Keeps daily life relatively undisturbed

Considerations:

• May require decluttering, depersonalizing, or storing excess furniture

• Less design flexibility than a fully vacant project

Styling Tip: Keep color schemes neutral, remove personal items, and elevate with accessories like throw pillows, greenery, and simple art.

So… Which One Should You Choose?

It depends on:

• Timeline: Are you already moved out?

• Budget: Can you invest in full furniture rental or prefer a refresh?

• Current Furniture: Is your current layout stylish and photo-ready?

A professional consultation can help guide you toward the best choice for your goals, timeline, and home condition.

Need Help Deciding?

Styling With Jas offers both vacant and occupied staging services tailored to your listing. From Queen Anne to Bellevue, we help Seattle homeowners transform their homes to impress buyers—and close faster.

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Follow @StylingWithJas for real-time transformations and staging tips!