10 Myths About Home Staging Busted

By Maria Stokes

Let’s face it—empty homes can feel a bit… well, lifeless. No matter how pristine the walls are or how freshly the carpets have been cleaned, a vacant property often struggles to connect with buyers.

That’s where home staging comes in. But if you’ve ever thought, “It’s empty, what more do I need to do?”—you’re not alone. There are plenty of myths floating around about staging an unfurnished property. And we’re here to bust every single one of them.

At House of Arden, we specialise in transforming empty properties into styled, inviting spaces that help buyers fall head over heels at first viewing. So, let’s separate fact from fiction once and for all.

Myth 1: “It’s better to leave the property empty—buyers can imagine their own furniture.”

Busted: Most buyers can’t visualise how to furnish a space—especially when it’s just four blank walls. Vacant, empty rooms can feel smaller, colder, and less functional. Home staging helps buyers understand how each space could be used, and gives them that all-important emotional connection.

Myth 2: “Empty properties sell just as fast as staged ones.”

Busted: In reality, staged homes sell 3x faster. Why? Because staging adds context, warmth, and lifestyle cues. A bare bedroom doesn’t evoke the same feeling as one with soft lighting, a well-dressed bed, and a framed mirror. Presentation matters—especially in online listings where you only have seconds to make a great first impression.

Myth 3: “It’s too expensive to stage a property that’s empty.”

Busted: We get it—when your property is sitting empty, the idea of spending more money can feel daunting. But staging isn’t a cost—it’s an investment. It reduces time on the market, attracts more viewings, and often results in higher offers. For the price of one small price reduction, you can have your entire property professionally styled and photographed.

Myth 4: “A clean, freshly painted house is all buyers need.”

Busted: Clean and freshly painted is a great start—but it’s not the finish line. Buyers need help visualising the scale, purpose, and layout of a space. Staging is a psychological tool that  shows them what’s possible. It turns a ‘clean slate’ into a ‘dream home’.

Myth 5: “I’ve already moved out, so there’s no point.”

Busted: Actually, this is the perfect time to stage! With no personal belongings or bulky furniture in the way, our team can step in and dress the space in a way that’s tailored to your target buyer. Whether it’s a chic flat for a young professional or a family-friendly home, we bring in furniture and accessories that tell the right story.

Myth 6: “Buyers only care about location and price.”

Busted: Those things are important—but emotion plays a huge role too. If a buyer doesn’t feel excited or inspired when they walk in the door (or scroll through your photos), they’re likely to move on. Staging helps you stand out in a crowded market by creating that spark buyers are looking for. Check out 5 Things Buyers Look for Before Anything Else

Myth 7: “Home staging is just interior design.”

Busted: Staging and interior design serve totally different purposes. Interior design is personal. Staging is practical. It’s all about helping the buyer picture a lifestyle—not expressing your own. When we stage a property, we use design principles that appeal to a broad audience and highlight the home’s strengths.

Myth 8: “The rooms will look bigger when they’re empty.”

Busted: This one feels true—but it’s not. Empty rooms actually tend to feel smaller, not larger. That’s because the eye has no reference point. A staged room, on the other hand, gives buyers a sense of scale and proportion. It helps them see how their own furniture might fit—and how they might live in the space.

Myth 9: “I’ll just do a virtual staging instead—it’s cheaper.”

Busted: Virtual staging looks good online—but it falls flat during viewings. Buyers walk into the property expecting what they saw in the listing, only to be met with an empty shell. Physical staging creates a real, tangible experience that begins with the online listing and carries through to the viewing—no awkward surprises.

Myth 10: “It’s not worth it in a hot market.”

Busted: Even when homes are selling quickly, staging gives you a competitive edge. It helps drive up the perceived value of your property and often results in more viewings and stronger offers or even bidding wars. Don’t just sell—sell smart.

Final Thoughts

An empty house may be a blank canvas—but without staging, it rarely paints a compelling picture. With today’s buyers scrolling through hundreds of listings, your property needs to stand out, not blend in.

At House of Arden, we take empty properties and turn them into homes people want to live in. Whether it’s a new build, a rental you've just finished refurbishing, or a probate property ready to go on the market—we’ve got the furnishings, the flair, and the strategy to help it shine.

Want your empty property to sell faster and for more money?

Let us stage it to perfection. Get in touch today for a free consultation.

P.S. Our full-service staging packages include everything—furniture, accessories, artwork, and styling. We set it all up, take it all down, and leave your property photo-ready and buyer-ready. Easy!