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- Miami Real Estate Media • South Florida -

The Staging Guide

The exact prep checklist we send to every seller. Follow these steps and your photos will look like a magazine cover.

Why Home Staging Matters

Statistics consistently show that staged homes sell faster and for higher prices than their unstaged homes, here are a few facts!

Staged homes typically sell for 1-5% more than unstaged homes

Well-staged properties spend 73% less time on the market

83% of buyers’ agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to visualize the property as their future home

First impressions form within 7-10 seconds of entering a space.

What’s in this guide

  1. General Prep — Day Before
  2. Exterior & Curb Appeal
  3. Living Room & Family Room
  4. Kitchen
  5. Dining Room
  6. Bedrooms
  7. Bathrooms
  8. Patio, Yard & Pool
  9. Shoot-Day Checklist

Pets

We love pets but they can also be great photo bombers. We ask to place them in a room that won't interfere with the photoshoot.

Windows

Open as many blinds or window shades as you can to let all that natural light into your property and provide scenic views from those windows.

Doors

Open all doors inside your home that leads to rooms or bathrooms in order to give a visual of the space and what lies behind those doors.

Lights

Ensure all lights are on, if any light bulbs need to be changed ensure they all match in color temperature. This will compliment your spaces.

Kitchen

Ensure the kitchen has no plates in the sink and the counter tops are free of any items that might become "eye sores" in the pictures.

Clean

A quick mop of the floor or scrub of the tubs and showers can bring your home to life. Check for any stains or dirt spots that could be cleaned.

Bedrooms

A clean and organized room is always appreciated as it brings life and space to the space. Check for beds that can be made, toys that can be picked up, night stands that have clutter.

Staging

Set up your home as if you're having an open house or new friends over. Make it look as presentable and welcoming as possible.

Storage

Take a look at your garage or any storage area like pantry closets or utility rooms. Check there's no clutter to add more space to your rooms.

1. General Prep — Day Before

The single biggest factor in great real estate photos isn’t the camera — it’s how the home is staged before we arrive. Here’s what to do across every room before shoot day.

  • Deep clean: vacuum, dust, mop, wipe baseboards.
  • Remove personal photos, religious items, diplomas, and political memorabilia.
  • Replace any burned-out lightbulbs (matching color temperature — warm white is ideal).
  • Open all blinds and curtains for natural light.
  • Hide cords, chargers, remotes, and power strips.
  • Pet bowls, beds, litter boxes, and toys: out of sight.
  • Turn off ceiling fans and TVs.

2. Exterior & Curb Appeal

Buyers decide whether to click your listing in about half a second based on the first photo. That photo is almost always the front exterior — make it count.

  • Mow the lawn, edge walkways, and trim shrubs 1–2 days before.
  • Remove trash cans, recycling bins, and yard tools from view.
  • Pull cars out of the driveway and away from in front of the home.
  • Coil and hide garden hoses.
  • Sweep porches, walkways, and the driveway.
  • Open patio umbrellas, straighten outdoor furniture.
  • Add seasonal flowers or planters near the front door for a pop of color.

3. Living Room & Family Room

  • Fluff couch cushions and straighten throw pillows.
  • Fold blankets neatly or hide them.
  • Clear coffee tables — leave just 1–2 styled objects (a candle, a book, a vase).
  • Hide remotes, tissues, magazines, and gaming consoles.
  • Vacuum carpets in one direction so lines don’t show.
  • Hide visible cords behind furniture (or use cord covers).
  • Center the rug under the front legs of the sofa.

 

What to leave out

A vase of fresh flowers, one styled accent piece, and a clean throw blanket draped over the arm of the sofa. That’s it.

4. Kitchen

Kitchens sell homes. They also have the most clutter in the average household. Aim for the “model home” look.

  • Remove all magnets, photos, calendars, and notes from the fridge and dishwasher.
  • Hide dish soap, sponges, hand towels (or replace with a clean folded towel).
  • Empty the sink. Run the dishwasher the night before.
  • Wipe down stainless steel appliances (microfiber + glass cleaner cuts streaks).
  • Polish the faucet.

 

What to leave out

A bowl of fresh fruit, a wooden cutting board with one styled element, or a vase of flowers. Maximum two countertop accents.Clear countertops of everything. Toasters, coffee makers, knife blocks, paper towel holders — all hidden.

5. Dining Room

  • Clear the table fully — then re-style with a centerpiece (flowers, candles, or a single styled bowl).
  • Push chairs in evenly. Count them — odd numbers look unbalanced; aim for an even-sided arrangement.
  • Dust the chandelier and replace burned-out bulbs.

 

Optional

Place setting at the head of the table makes the room feel inviting.

6. Bedrooms

  • Make the bed crisply. Iron or smooth out the duvet.
  • Use neutral, hotel-style bedding if your current set is dated, busy, or wrinkled.
  • Clear nightstands except for one lamp and one styled object.
  • Remove anything stored under the bed — cameras catch it.
  • Closets: organize and remove half the clothes. Empty-looking closets feel bigger.
  • Remove personal photos, kids’ artwork, and religious items.
  • Open blinds; pull curtains tied back evenly.

7. Bathrooms

  • Clear all countertops. Hide toothbrushes, soap, contact cases, hair products, makeup.
  • Replace used towels with clean, neatly-folded white towels (rolled or stacked).
  • Close the toilet lid. Always.
  • Remove bath mats and shower mats.
  • Hide trash cans, scales, plungers, and toilet brushes.
  • Remove shampoo and bodywash bottles from the shower (or use clear refillable dispensers).
  • Wipe mirrors and faucets streak-free.

8. Patio, Yard & Pool

  • Clean and uncover the pool. Remove pool toys and pool cleaner.
  • Wipe outdoor furniture; straighten cushions; open umbrellas.
  • Pre-set the BBQ area: closed lid, no bottles, no tools out.
  • Sweep patios and decks.
  • Remove pet waste, kids’ toys, and seasonal items (deflated pool floats, etc.).
  • Trim back overgrown branches that block windows or roofline.

9. Shoot-Day Checklist

Run through this 30 minutes before we arrive:

  • All lights ON throughout the entire home (yes, every room).
  • All ceiling fans OFF.
  • All TVs OFF.
  • All blinds and shades open.
  • All toilet lids closed.
  • All trash cans hidden or moved to garage.
  • Pets removed from the home or contained in a carrier.
  • Cars moved out of the driveway and at least 1 house down the street.
  • Thermostat set to a comfortable 68–72°F (helps prevent ceiling-fan-related blur).

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