When it comes to selling your home, first impressions matter more than ever. Whether you’re painting, redecorating, or rearranging furniture, the way you stage your home can determine how quickly and for how much it sells. But according to Austin-based interior designer Claire Zinnecker, even small design choices can make or break a buyer’s perception.
Zinnecker, who has spent more than 16 years designing residential and commercial spaces and co-hosts NBCUniversal’s design series Get Out of My Room, says the key to successful staging is simple: help buyers imagine themselves in the home. “Buyers need to be able to visualize themselves in the space,” she told Newspapers. “That’s the goal but sometimes design can actually get in the way.”
Below are five common staging mistakes she says homeowners should avoid when preparing to sell.
1. Displaying personal photos can make buyers uncomfortable.
While family photos may make a house feel like home, they can also make it harder for potential buyers to picture themselves living there. “Having personal photos throughout the house can be a mistake,” Zinnecker said. She recommends removing or minimizing them entirely keeping a few in hallways or bedrooms if necessary, but ideally putting them away for showings. The more neutral and anonymous the space feels, the easier it is for others to imagine their own lives unfolding there.
2. Bold wall colors can overwhelm potential buyers.
Vibrant paint might showcase your personality, but it can alienate buyers who have different tastes. “If possible, neutralizing paint colors is a smart move,” Zinnecker said. “Even though it’s just paint and can be a simple fix, people are very visual. When they walk into a room, the paint color can be a make-or-break factor.” She advises sticking to soft neutrals or light tones that open up a space and appeal to a wide range of preferences. “Bold colors or accent walls just aren’t the way to go when you’re trying to sell,” she added.
3. Overstuffing rooms with furniture makes spaces feel smaller.
Zinnecker says one of the biggest mistakes sellers make is overcrowding their home with too much furniture. “You want to make the spaces feel large,” she explained. “People should feel inspired and creative able to visualize their own furniture and their own lives happening in the house.” She recommends editing down to essential pieces, emphasizing open space and flow. In staging, less truly is more.
4. Skipping the small details can make your home feel neglected.
The little things matter often more than sellers realize. “It would behoove sellers to spend a little on those items to make the home feel fresh and new, and less lived-in,” Zinnecker said. That means fixing baseboard scuffs, repainting trim, replacing worn-out pillows, and hiring professional cleaners. Even small touches, like fresh kitchen decor or updated hand towels, can make the home feel luxurious. “Anything to make the home feel almost like a boutique hotel,” she added. “It’s an easy way to elevate the space and make it feel more expensive than it really is.”
5. Harsh artificial lighting can ruin listing photos.
In today’s housing market, a home’s online presentation is just as important as in-person viewings. Zinnecker cautions against overly bright, artificial lighting in photos. “My husband’s a realtor, and he might disagree with me,” she said, “but I love photos with natural light.” Overexposed or harshly lit images can make rooms feel sterile and uninviting, she explained, while soft natural light helps capture the warmth and character of the space. The goal is to make your home feel welcoming both in person and on screen.
Zinnecker’s bottom line is that good staging isn’t about impressing buyers with your design taste; it’s about creating a blank but beautiful canvas that allows them to see themselves living there. “The best-staged homes feel natural,” she said. “You don’t want people to notice your décor you want them to notice how great the house feels.”
