When selling your property, first impressions truly count. A well-selected property styling company can transform your space, elevate your home’s appeal, and contribute to a faster, more profitable sale. There are many styling services available, so how do you find the right partner to represent your property at its best? Let’s explore what to consider, and how embracing the latest global home staging trends for 2025 can give your property a decisive edge.

What to Look for in a Property Styling Company

1. Explore Their Portfolio and Reviews
Begin your search by browsing through the company’s portfolio. High-quality before-and-after photos demonstrate their ability to handle a variety of properties and situations. Reading customer reviews and testimonials can provide insight into their reliability, customer service, and outcomes.

2. Focus on Personalisation
No two homes are the same, and staging shouldn’t be either. The best stylists will develop a tailored plan to highlight your property’s strengths while appealing to the most likely buyers. Ask about their design process and how they adjust each project to suit individual needs.

3. Up-to-Date on Design Trends
A top property styling business will be in tune with current trends and able to explain how those can enhance your sale. Styling that reflects what buyers are seeing in design magazines and online can help your property stand out in a busy marketplace.

4. Quality and Versatility of Inventory
Review the quality, condition, and variety of the available furniture and décor. A strong collection of on-trend pieces and versatile accessories will help create polished, on-point interior looks.

5. Depth of Experience
Look for a team with an excellent reputation and a proven track record across a range of property types. Established companies will have the expertise to deliver consistently beautiful and functional styling results.

Top 5 Home Staging & Styling Trends for 2025

Pairing your property with the right modern styling amplifies its appeal. Here are the current global trends making an impact for 2025:

1. Warm Earthy Tones and Organic Materials
Warm terracottas, muted olives, and natural beiges—along with timber and rattan furnishings—bring instant comfort. Buyers respond positively to homes that feel welcoming and grounded.

2. Greenery and Biophilic Design
Incorporating an abundance of high quality artificial indoor plants, living green accents, and designs that maximise light and air flow is high on the list of buyer preferences. Nature-inspired styling continues to trend upward for its calming effect.

3. Vintage Touches and Personal Flair
A move towards “collected not copied” spaces means more stylists are using vintage or retro elements—such as statement mirrors, unique side tables, or mid-century pieces—to make interiors memorable and full of character.

4. Bold Accents and Statement Pieces
While layered neutrals are still a foundation, introducing strong pops of color through cushions, art, or a feature wall adds energy and sophistication. Statement light fixtures are also in demand, serving as practical art within each room.

5. Multipurpose and Flexible Spaces
With many buyers now seeking flexibility, rooms that demonstrate dual uses—like a workspace that transforms into a guest room, or a dining area doubling as a study—showcase adaptability and help buyers envision living in the space.

Elevate Your Sale with the Right Styling Partner

Working with a property styling company is about more than furniture—it’s about crafting a lifestyle and an emotional connection for buyers. The right team will blend professionalism, creativity, and insight into buyer behavior, ensuring your home is styled impeccably and in line with the strongest current trends.

Ready to present your property at its best?
Get in touch for a personalized consultation. Discover how contemporary, creative property styling can help your home achieve its full potential.

Final words

Designs to Inspire is a Melbourne based property styling business having worked in the industry for over 15 years. We pride ourselves on offering honest and open advice to help clients make the right decision for their unique circumstances.

To check out our portfolio, visit the Designs to Inspire Instagram page or https://www.designstoinspire.com.au/recent-projects.

Not ready to engage a stylist? Check out our ten tips for preparing your property for a successful sale, www.designstoinspire.com.au/top-tips-for-a-successful-sale/.

The post Chosing the Right Property Styling Company for Your Home appeared first on Designs to Inspire.

Property styling, also known as home staging or home styling, has become a key factor for a successful sale. As your home is your most valuable asset, selecting the right stylist is crucial. But how do you separate the novices from the experts? Here are the top questions you should ask to find the right property stylist for your home.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Property Stylist?

1. As a property stylist, what are your qualifications and experience?

Anyone can start up a home styling business. Qualified interior designers understand more than just the decorative elements. They are trained to recognize the architecture, design and style that will complement and enhance the presentation of your home. They are also trained to provide advice on enhancements to both the interior and exterior of your property. Remember one style does not fit all.

2. Do you cater to diverse styles?

Does the stylist you are considering have a variety of styles to suit the style and era of your property or do they cater for one style? A good stylist can create a range of looks from classic to modern and everything in between.

Look at your stylists work on social media and ask for recent examples of similar homes they have styled. Remember, one style can limit your buyers. Your aim is to make your home a standout and attract the right buyers.

3. What’s the ‘real’ cost of your hire?

Most property stylists offer furniture hire for 4-6 weeks. This allows for photography and a 4-week sales campaign. But what is the extended hire cost beyond the initial term?

Be mindful, higher end properties and/or changing market conditions can mean it takes longer to sell. Or, what happens if your home is one that doesn’t sell at auction or the sale falls through?

Do your research. Independent sources such as REIV offer market statistics on the number of days it takes for properties to sell. Statistics from the Domain Group also highlight the range of the days on the market according to the suburb and dwelling type.

Also, consider the time of year you are selling how this may impact the length of your sale.

As an example, property stylists Designs to Inspire Home Staging & Interior Design was asked to provide a quote to style a home on the market. This property was being sold over the summer holiday period and the client was dissatisfied with the amount her current stylist would be charging for the additional weeks hire required. It would cost the client more in extended rental charges than to have the home newly styled again!

It is crucial you understand the cost of ongoing rental charges and factor this into your decision up-front to avoid any nasty surprises.

4. Can I hire your furniture while living in my home?

Not all stylists will supply furniture for lived-in homes due to the risk of damage and wear and tear.

If you find yourself needing to live in your home while selling, then this should be a leading question to help narrow down your stylist.

For these ‘partial’ styling requests, where stylists work with your existing furniture, expect advice for which furniture pieces they can be used and those that should be placed into storage. Ask for advice on how you can maintain that show-worthy look throughout your open for inspections.

It’s always important to understand styling to sell is different from interior design. Styling to sell is about de-personalizing your home and creating wider appeal whereas styling to live in a home is tailored to your personal taste.

5. Is your stylist’s advice truly independent?

Your stylist is there to give you honest and independent advice to help maximise the sale price of your property and generate a faster sale.

Independent stylists work for you and can be hired irrespective of the agent you employ. We find many homeowners ask for our advice before they decide on their real estate agent. The advantage is that they can begin preparing their home for sale as the process can take longer than anticipated. Consultations can vary from a paid redesign service which includes advice on cosmetic renovations, such as which paint colours would suit your home or a free onsite quotation which provides advice on the items that can be used for staging which can help you in the decluttering process.

Make sure you ask your stylist if they have any preferential deals with estate agents. Ensure the quality and style of the work of a recommended stylist is of the standard you would expect. Lastly, use these questions as a checklist when interviewing a home stylist.

Why Choose Designs to Inspire for your Property Styling needs?

Designs to Inspire is a Melbourne based property styling business having worked in the industry for over 7 years. We pride ourselves on offering honest and open advice to help clients make the right decision for their unique circumstances.

We have written this article to help property owners avoid any nasty surprises and ensure transparency in the industry.

To check out our portfolio, visit the Designs to Inspire Instagram page or https://www.designstoinspire.com.au/recent-projects.

Not ready to engage a stylist? Check out our ten tips for preparing your property for a successful sale, www.designstoinspire.com.au/top-tips-for-a-successful-sale/.

The post How To Choose Your Property Stylist appeared first on Designs to Inspire.

1. Today I want to be.. Decide on the look and feel for your event

Pictured: (Top to bottom) Designs to Inspire Coastal Styling and Oz Design Furniture as seen in Home Beautiful, https://www.instagram.com/homebeautiful.

The look of your table should complement the style of your home. Think about the mood you want to create for your fabulous get together-

– Coastal and laid back: Think pale colours, linens, rattan and washed timber for a coastal look

– Lux and classy: A touch of shimmer and shine like gold cutlery

– Monochrome and hip: Go for modern black candelabras for some drama!

2. Add layers to your table settings- Place mats, napkins, boards, dinner plates, side plates and more

Pictured: Designs to Inspire Rustic Styling

The more layers, the merrier!

For a different take on your traditional placemat, check out Provincial Home Living Kriss Paper Placemat. Set with colouring pencils for some fun at the table, http://www.provincialhomeliving.com.au/christmas/set-the-christmas-table/paper-placemat-4011.

If you’re unsure of how to set out the cutlery and piles of plates, see how with this video from https://www.brosa.com.au/blog/how-to-set-a-table-guide.

3. Create your centerpiece

Pictured: Designs to Inspire Styling

This can be as simple as using:

– 1 board or tray with a stack of crockery for a casual get-together

– 2 candelabras create symmetry for a formal dinner

– 3 vases with flowers or ornaments for a more eclectic look

Check out these 7 Tips from Ash Bailey from The Byrd Collective for Creating Beautiful Flower Arrangements at Home, http://www.hgtv.com/design/make-and-celebrate/entertaining/7-tips-for-creating-beautiful-flower-arrangements-at-home-pictures

4. Add personality

Get creative with finishing touches to add more character to your table

– Greenery from your garden or fruit is a great way to add interest and colour to your table!

– Personalise your table setting with chalkboard signs or wine markers to write guests names on glasses, https://www.house.com.au/cellar-glass-marker-pens-2-pack

Pictured: Designs to Inspire Styling

5. Repeat

Pictured: Designs to Inspire Styling

Repeat the pattern – everything in rows looks pretty and plentiful!

Final words

Lastly, make sure you prepare as much as can in advance to make enjoy every moment your time with family and friends.

Oh, and if you want to extend your style to the rest of your home, why not style your console to create that wow moment your guests arrive into your home! Check out our blog, https://www.designstoinspire.com.au/consoles-5-steps-style-perfectly/

Here’s to a summer of fun!

Happy styling,

The DTI team x

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The following styling tips will help make your bathroom feel more enticing, luxurious and warm this winter.

Stack, layer and group

Layering items create a sense of opulence. Stack towels, with a soap or coral on top or use a tray to group items together.

Green bathrooms

Escape at home with greenery – oh so restful, uplifting and inviting.

From potted plants that love humidity to a single green leaf. And who said you can’t introduce a vase with flowers in a bathroom? For a master bathroom (and needless to say a kid-free zone), these gladioli make a big statement.

For a low-cost option, forage around your garden and place a succulent in a small vase or flower in a glass.

Bathing rituals

Look across cultures, and you’ll appreciate bathing rituals.

From Cleopatra’s milk soaked baths, heavenly warming hot springs in Japan to the quintessential Russian banyas. How do you bring this sense of pampering to a humble abode?

Occasional tables or drums layered with fragrant candles, soft wash cloths and scrubbing brushes invite you to unwind.

Artful designer towels

We’re coveting Ninnho designer towels for their standout designs and sumptuous feel. Take a look at how they’ve added a wow factor to homes we’ve styled recently.

For neutral bathrooms, towels can add welcome colour. Add a luxurious gold sheen with the Sapphire or Diamond design which lift the room with their sparkle. Further, you can accentuate graphic elements in a monochrome bathroom scheme with black and white towels, such as one of our favourites, the Watermark.

Wall art

Apart from the regulatory mirror, walls in bathrooms can be adorned with art. Choose a metal or plastic frame to withstand humidity and start out with an inexpensive print and see the difference it makes!

Creative storage

Need additional storage? Baskets can be used to store towels or even toilet rolls in bathrooms which lack cupboard space. Here these two baskets act as a clothes hamper and towel storage.

Final words

These simple tips can help add both style and function to your bathroom.

Remember, the little items can add up to provide a lot more character and help place the finishing touches to one of the hardest working rooms in your home.

Happy styling!

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Now you’ve found a place for your sideboard, how do you achieve that elusive look that warrants more than a quick sideways look? No matter your personal taste; traditional, Nordic, Hamptons, Industrial..follow our 5 steps to style your console like a pro.

1. Create height

A good place to start is with a statement lamp or set of lamps for a more formal look. In addition to adding ambient lighting, the height establishes the foundation for how you style your console.

With a lamp, go for a solid base to anchor it to the console. A graphic black base adds designer flair, washed timber suits a Hamptons-inspired look or go for a quirky lamp, such as our stylist’s pineapple lamp, for a sense of playfulness.

Importantly, a high component on your console creates scale. It also helps your eye travel across the different layers you’re about to build for your perfectly styled console.

2. Add a mirror or artwork

To inject a sense of your personality choose an artwork or group of artworks that scream ‘this is me!’ Artwork can be centred above a smaller console or propped up against a wall or hung off centre as a stylish alternative. We’re crushing on Antoinette Ferwerda’s colourful and layered art at the moment, and mist filled escapist prints.

There are so many pluses in having a mirror in your space. Mirrors make spaces look larger, bring in much-needed light to a room and can be positioned to reflect a beautiful view. With many options to choose from, we love bold sculptural frames to make a statement and metal frame with a leather strap for a modern edge.

3. Group elements

Layer, layer. layer and did we say ‘layer?’. The keys to success with your console styling are building different levels of height and layers. To create your layers you can:

• Stack hard bound books together with a decorative object on top
• Place decorative items on a tray and see the difference it makes. As a side note, we love how the talented Mr Darren Palmer positions trays on top of old bedroom side tables to enhance their look (genius!)
• Group vases with alternating heights together for interest. The added bonus is they no longer need to be stored away!
• Add a sculpture as an art aficionado and make a statement

4. Soften with foliage and flowers

Feathery maidenhair ferns, lush magnolia flowers, fiddle fig leaves and orchids bring a touch of green touch to your table. Choose seasonal flowers to celebrate with warm autumnal colours or try branches and twigs for a long lasting display!

5. Maximise space

Amp up the practical nature of your console. Don’t forget to use the space underneath to add baskets for storage of cushions, firewood or shoes. A stool or pair of ottomans underneath a console can turn it into a powder room table or functional workspace.

Final words to perfectly style your console

With this newfound knowledge, you’ll be able to dissect images of artfully arranged consoles and see how they follow these 5 steps!

A word of caution, to avoid your console looking like a circus, don’t go for too many colours. Choose similar tones for decor to create harmony, and then you can add one pop of colour for a welcome burst of delight.

Most of all, have fun playing with the arrangement on your console. When it works, you’ll know! And enjoy how guests pause to take in that beautiful new space you’ve created in your home.

Happy styling!

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