John and Vanya McCarthy of Stage My Home share their top tips …
People shop with their eyes, and in a world driven by social media and online listings, first impressions are everything. Research shows that staged properties sell up to three times faster than their unstaged counterparts, and achieve a final sale price anywhere between 7-20 per cent higher. Husband and wife team John and Vanya McCarthy, whose company manages furniture and accessories rental, storage and removal services, in addition to minor repairs, painting and deep cleaning – in short, complete project management – stage around 150 homes annually that sell for at least 15 per cent above asking price, with faster sales.
Image: Hunters Estate Agent
John cites an example in Killiney, Co Dublin. The home was originally listed in 2025 for €550,000, presented to the market unfurnished. Despite its location, it received very little interest and only a handful of viewings as it didn’t communicate its value. “Our team was brought in to stage the property fully. We added furniture, accessories and replaced the curtains, giving each room a clear purpose and a cohesive design scheme tailored to appeal to a family of five. The property was relaunched and relisted at €575,000. The impact was immediate. The home attracted far greater interest and went sale agreed within the initial two-month rental period – and ultimately sold for €595,000. The property hadn’t changed, just the presentation.”
“Staging is about inspiration,” says John. “When people view a property, that flash of inspiration is what makes them imagine themselves there. We’re not selling furniture or cushions, we’re selling a dream and every hand-picked detail is there to help a buyer believe in it.”
Vanya’s path into property staging was not a straight line. “After being made redundant from a managerial role in retail during the pandemic, I found myself stepping fully into life as a full-time mum. It was a grounding experience, but after a time I began looking for a career change. At the time, John and I were actively house hunting. Week after week, I walked through poorly presented properties, spaces with real potential simply failing to communicate their value. With a degree in interior design, I could see exactly what was missing. Staging felt like a natural fit: it combines creative flair with practical logistics and offers something that I genuinely love – the one-day project turnaround and extraordinary satisfaction of the reveal. There’s nothing quite like watching a space transform and knowing that transformation will help someone find their next home.”
Vanya and John have grown the company from a garage business four years ago to an SME employing six people and dozens of contractors. So much so that John left his lucrative creative career in film and TV production work. Vanya says that the cost of staging varies on the size and condition of the property, whether it’s vacant or occupied, and how much furniture and accessorising is required. “As a guide, investment in staging is between 0.5-1.5 per cent of the asking price. Part or full home staging fees can be set against capital gain tax for any landlord considering the service.”
Staging is typically installed in a day and remains in place for an agreed rental period, usually between two to three weeks. In most cases, the property is on the market and sale agreed well within that window. “I start with the furniture layout and make sure all furniture is the right size. If the furniture is too big or too small, a room never feels right. Then I move to the art as it sets the tone for everything that follows. The goal is always to create a look that appeals to the largest possible pool of buyers – calm and aspirational, without being too specific to any one taste.”
“Plants, whether real or artificial, are another small detail that earn their keep. They add a layer of colour and soften hard lines. Good quality cushions are also non-negotiable to create a plush look. Rather than layering lots of bold colours, I layer textures. I might place three beige cushions on a sofa, but each one will have a different texture. That subtle contrast is what creates a sense of luxury.”
“When I work with colour, I lean toward rich neutrals: burnt orange, sage green and warm taupe. We recently staged a new development and used burnt orange paired with navy, and the combination gave a real sense of style to the interiors. A nest of tables also instantly resolves an unusually shaped room. Accessorised with a vase of flowers, a book, candle and a few small additions, it grounds the whole space.”
“In the bedrooms, I again start the styling process with the art. Critically, I create a different colour scheme for each room. When buyers scroll through listings online, they need to be able to tell one bedroom apart from another and keep their count straight. Two bedrooms styled identically will read as one bedroom photographed twice, which costs the seller perceived value. We used to stage spare bedrooms as home offices, but that trend is changing. For buyers purchasing from abroad, the message about what the property offers needs to be unambiguous. A study area can be added to the living room, a generous landing or a quiet nook elsewhere.”
“We work with existing furniture wherever possible, ensuring that everything we add looks and feels as though it belongs in that home. That sense of belonging is essential. Even a single piece of art that feels out of place will disturb the balance rather than create it.”
It’s important to note that not every intervention requires a significant budget. Some of the most impactful changes cost very little, but read enormously well in photographs and viewings. Find Vanya’s five top tips:
1. Replace all light bulbs with 100-watt equivalents. Brightness transforms a space on screen and in person – it’s one of the simplest and most effective changes you can make.
2. If repainting is not within budget, wash the walls in the hallway with a diluted solution of washing-up liquid and warm water. It lifts scuffs, removes grime and gives the walls a fresh appearance without the cost of a full repaint.
3. If you can paint, go for a warm white. “Pointing” by Farrow & Ball is my favourite as it has warmth without reading as yellow. You can ask your local paint supplier to mix the same shade in a more affordable brand for a fraction of the cost.
4. Pay close attention to the first and last impression rooms. The entrance hall sets the tone the moment a buyer steps through the door and the attic room or top-floor space is often the last they see. Both deserve careful thought and a strong finish.
5. Invest in a set of white bed linen and towels, and use them exclusively for staging. Folded towels in bathrooms and bedrooms add an immediate sense of quality.
