Property Styling Melbourne · Designs to Inspire

You’re getting ready to sell your home. You want to make as much money as possible. So where should you spend your money first?

The answer is clear: staging your home before you sell it is one of the best things you can do. It costs much less than most people think — and the extra money you make at sale is almost always far more than you spend.

Here is everything you need to know, in plain language.

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What Is Home Staging?

Home staging means filling your home with furniture, artwork, and beautiful things before buyers come to look at it. A professional stylist picks out all the pieces and sets them up for you.

The goal is simple: help buyers fall in love with your home the moment they walk through the door — or the moment they see it online.

Most of the time, the home is empty when it goes on the market. An empty home can feel cold and hard to imagine living in. A staged home feels warm, welcoming, and ready to move into.

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How Much More Money Can You Make?

This is the big question — and the numbers are very good.

In Australia, research from whichrealestateagent.com.au shows that staged homes sell for between 7.5% and 15% more than homes that are not staged.

Our own results at Designs to Inspire back this up. Based on real sales from August 2025, our clients made an average of $129,000 above their reserve price. And for every $1 they spent on staging, they got back $39.

“It has been the been the best money we have ever spent.”
— Tracey, Designs to Inspire client

One of our clients, Andrea, sold her late mother’s unit during a slow market. The home sold for nearly 20% more than any of the valuations they had been given. That is a life-changing result — made possible by professional staging.

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What Does That Look Like in Real Dollars?

Now think about how much staging costs. Our packages at Designs to Inspire start from just $2,300. Even on a $646,000 apartment, making $51,000 extra for a $2,300 spend is a huge return.

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Staged Homes Also Sell Faster

Getting more money is great. But did you know that staged homes also sell up to two weeks faster?

That matters more than people think. Every extra week your home is on the market costs you money. You’re still paying your mortgage, your council rates, and your insurance. You’re also losing your power to say no to a low offer.

When buyers see a home has been sitting for weeks, they start to wonder why. They might offer you less. A well-staged home gets more interest right away — and that means more competition between buyers, which pushes your price up.

What happens when you don’t stage:

Skipping staging to save a few thousand dollars can cost you much more in the end. Here is what often happens:

• The home looks empty and cold in photos online
• Fewer buyers click on your listing
• Fewer buyers come to inspect
• Less competition means lower offers
• The home sits on the market longer
• You end up dropping the price

Australian research shows that buyers still compete hard for homes that look great — even in slow markets. Homes that need work or look poor soften in price fast.

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Why It Works: Buyers Decide Fast

Most buyers find homes on websites like realestate.com.au and Domain. They scroll through hundreds of photos. If your first photo doesn’t grab them, they keep scrolling.

A staged home photographs beautifully. It stops the scroll. It gets clicks. Clicks become inspections. Inspections become offers.

When a buyer walks into a staged home, they don’t just see a house. They see their life in it. They picture their family at the dining table. They imagine relaxing in the living room. That feeling is what makes them pay more.

At Designs to Inspire, we have been doing this for over 17 years. We style more than 300 homes every year across Melbourne. We know what Melbourne buyers want to see — and we know how to give it to them.

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Which Rooms Matter Most?

You don’t have to stage every single room to make a big difference. The rooms that buyers care about most are:

• The living room — this is where buyers picture their everyday life
• The main bedroom — buyers want to feel calm and cared for here
• The dining area — especially in open-plan Melbourne homes
• The kitchen — even small styling touches make a big difference

If you can only stage a few rooms, start with these. A styled living room and main bedroom alone can change how buyers feel about your home — and what they are willing to pay for it.

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Questions People Ask Most

How much extra money can staging add to my sale price?

In Australia, staged homes typically sell for 8–10% more than homes without staging. On a $955,000 Melbourne home, that is up to $95,500 extra. Our own Designs to Inspire clients averaged $129,000 above reserve in 2025, and got back $39 for every $1 they spent.

Is staging worth it for an apartment?

Yes — often more so than for a house. Apartment buyers make quick decisions based on photos. A styled apartment looks stunning online and in person. It attracts more buyers and stronger offers.

When should I book a stylist?

About four to six weeks before you want to list your home. This gives us time to plan the look, select the furniture, and have everything in place before your photos are taken. Homes that are styled from day one always do better than homes styled later in the campaign.

Do I need to move out?

No. We can work with both empty homes and homes you are still living in. For occupied homes, we work around your furniture and add pieces to lift the look. You don’t have to go anywhere.

Can I claim staging on my tax?

If you are selling an investment property, staging costs may be tax deductible. Talk to your accountant to find out what applies to you.

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Want to Know What Your Home Could Sell For?

Get a free staging quote from Designs to Inspire. We’ll look at your home and tell you exactly what we’d do to help you sell for more.

Get a Free Quote — designstoinspire.com.au/contact-us

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Sources

1. Designs to Inspire — Client sales data, August 2025. designstoinspire.com.au/home-staging
2. whichrealestateagent.com.au — Guide to Property Styling & Home Staging in Australia [2025]. whichrealestateagent.com.au/property-styling
3. Real Estate Institute of Victoria (REIV) — September 2025 Quarter Report. reiv.com.au
4. Home Grail — 10 Home Staging Statistics in Australia: Updated 2026. homegrail.com/home-staging-statistics-australia
5. Amazema Interiors — Styling Home for Sale: The Ultimate ROI Guide for Australian Sellers [2026]. amazema.com
6. BritWealth Australia — Property Styling in Australia: Does It Actually Increase Value? [2025]. britwealth.com/au
7. KPMG Australia — Residential Property Market Outlook 2026. kpmg.com/au
8. Domain Australia — Melbourne House Prices 2026: Market Commentary. domain.com.au