Home staging is one of the most powerful tools in your selling toolkit. Done well, it can spark emotional connections, generate multiple offers, and lead to higher sale prices. Done poorly—or not at all—it can cost you thousands. In this post, we’ll walk through 10 of the most common staging mistakes homeowners make, explain how they impact your sale, and show how our Stage, Style and Sell course helps you avoid them with confidence.
1. Overpersonalising the Space
Buyers need to imagine themselves living in your home—but they can’t do that if it’s filled with reminders of your life. Family portraits, quirky collections, and strong personal decor styles can make it hard for potential buyers to connect emotionally.
The Cost: Reduced buyer interest and emotional disconnection = fewer offers.
The Fix: Our course helps you strike the perfect balance between warm and welcoming, without being too personal. Learn how to create a neutral yet inviting space that appeals to the widest possible market.
2. Ignoring Clutter
Clutter isn’t just about mess—it’s about space. A cluttered home feels smaller, busier, and less serene. Buyers are looking for light, space, and flow.
The Cost: Perception of less space = lower perceived value.
The Fix: Inside Stage, Style and Sell, you’ll get a decluttering roadmap, including printable checklists and a proven “4-box method” to help you clear space without overwhelm.
3. Poor Furniture Layout
Furniture placement can make or break the feel of a room. Too much furniture, pieces that block natural pathways, or odd arrangements can make your home feel cramped or awkward.
The Cost: Awkward layouts = confusion about how space can be used.
The Fix: We’ll show you how to create flow and maximise visual space using our layout diagrams and staging blueprints—tailored for real-life homes, not showroom perfection.
4. Dated or Worn Furnishings
You may love your floral couch from 2003, but buyers might see it as a sign the house hasn’t been updated. Worn or outdated furnishings drag down the perceived value of the home.
The Cost: Dated decor = impression of a home that needs work.
The Fix: You’ll learn how to refresh your space affordably using throw cushions, neutral covers, and simple edits. Our course shows how to modernise without replacing everything.
5. Bad Lighting
Lighting changes everything. Dim or uneven lighting can make even beautiful rooms feel dull and depressing. Conversely, warm, layered lighting creates mood, energy, and ambience.
The Cost: Poor lighting = uninviting atmosphere and bad listing photos.
The Fix: The course includes a full lighting module—bulb types, placement, and layering—to help every room feel bright, open, and welcoming.
6. Skipping Curb Appeal
First impressions are formed in seconds, and if your front yard, entry, or exterior is neglected, buyers may be turned off before they even step inside.
The Cost: Poor kerb appeal = fewer viewings and emotional disconnection.
The Fix: Our curb appeal checklist walks you through what matters most—from front door colour to plant styling—and how to make a great impression with minimal effort or spend.
7. Neglecting Small Repairs
Buyers notice details. Loose doorknobs, cracked tiles, or chipped paint signal to buyers that the home may not be well cared for. These small red flags can lead to lowball offers.
The Cost: Perception of neglect = decreased buyer confidence.
The Fix: The course includes a pre-sale maintenance checklist so you can tackle all the little fixes before listing. We help you identify what really matters to buyers.
8. Going Too Neutral
While neutrality helps buyers picture themselves in a space, going too beige can feel flat, cold, or uninspiring. You want buyers to feel something—and remember your home.
The Cost: Lack of emotional response = forgettable home.
The Fix: We teach you how to add warmth and energy through soft textures, greenery, and subtle pops of colour—so your space feels fresh but still universally appealing.
9. Overstyling
Yes, staging is important—but too much of it can backfire. Overdone vignettes, excessive cushions, and trendy props can feel inauthentic or distracting.
The Cost: Overstyling = buyers focusing on decor, not the home.
The Fix: We help you edit with intention. The course shows you how to create clean, aspirational spaces that feel real—not staged for Instagram.
10. Poor Photo and Inspection Prep
Most buyers see your home online before they see it in person. If it doesn’t photograph well, or if it’s not inspection-ready, you lose their interest fast.
The Cost: Poor presentation = less online engagement and wasted viewings.
The Fix: You’ll get a full pre-photo and open day prep guide with quick checklists to make your home shine in every setting—from camera to walkthrough.
Why These Mistakes Matter
Buyers make emotional decisions fast. If your home feels cramped, cluttered, or off-putting—even slightly—it can sit on the market longer or invite lower offers. Staging is not about perfection; it’s about creating the right feeling. And the right feeling sells homes.
Our Stage, Style and Sell course was built for homeowners just like you—people who want to sell smarter, not harder. You’ll get room-by-room strategies, real-life examples, printable tools, and everything you need to transform your space without the stress or cost of a professional stylist.
Avoid the costly mistakes. Learn what works. Sell with confidence.