Will Home Staging Still Matter in 2026? The Seller’s Edge in the St. Louis Market

If you plan on selling your house in 2026, you shouldn’t have much trouble. Affordability is expected to improve as interest rates drop. Inventory, however, is limited, so sellers need to use every available tool to attract buyers and get top dollar. Home staging is one of those tools. 

We’ll look at why this tried-and-true method will be just as relevant in 2026 as it’s always been, and provide tips to make your house stand out from the competition.

Regardless of the housing market, buyer psychology remains consistent. Thanks to social media and television home improvement shows, buyers today expect to see homes that look polished and “move-in-ready.” Staging is a reliable way to achieve the aesthetics of popular Instagram and Pinterest pages. 

Staging isn’t about fooling buyers. It’s no secret that the homeowner’s things have been replaced with stylish, coordinated furnishings. But by swapping out a dated, sagging couch, adding an area rug that brightens the room, and arranging furniture to create a pleasing flow, the space is shown to its greatest advantage.

Here’s what home staging can accomplish when done right:

• Makes a great first impression. Staging can establish a memorable “wow” factor compared to other similar homes that haven’t been staged. 
• Looks great in photos. Nowadays, home searches begin online. Photographing a staged home will result in more appealing pictures than those of empty rooms, mismatched furniture, or unusual style choices.
• Spaces feel bigger and brighter. Ordinary family homes are lived-in; cluttered with a lot of day-to-day “stuff” that can make rooms feel smaller than they are. Staging can pare down furnishings and place them with intention for the best flow. Some stagers even suggest removing curtains to bring in more natural light.
• Shows off features and focal points. Staging can create a cozy grouping of seats by the fireplace, or make a large eat-in kitchen welcoming by setting the table as if for a dinner party. In winter, why not bring in a towering Christmas tree that highlights the cathedral ceilings in the great room? All are meant to draw attention to a home’s best qualities.
• Adds a look of luxury. It doesn’t matter if you think your house is boring and run-of-the-mill. Staging with furnishings that appear expensive can create a high-end feeling of a luxury property. 
• Allows buyers to picture themselves in your house. Staging gives people a view of what the home could look like if it were theirs.
• Illustrates overall care and maintenance. Staging can show that the home has been well-maintained.

Home staging has been found to provide a good return on a modest investment. In general, it tends to boost the perceived value of a house, resulting in higher sales prices and fewer days on the market. 

In the St. Louis area, the cost of staging a house in 2025 ranged from $109 to $1,102 per room, with an average of $636. 

Statistics from the Real Estate Staging Association show that houses that used staging sold for an average of about 9% above asking price. For a $300,000 house, that’s an additional $27,000, making staging well worth the cost. 

A National Association of Realtors survey also found that 30% of agents saw a slight decrease in days on the market for staged homes, while 19% of agents observed significant decreases. 

Sellers do not have to stage their homes. Historically, however, the moderate investment has been able to sell homes more quickly and bring in better offers. This is unlikely to change in 2026 and beyond.

If you’re selling your house in 2026, consider the following home staging trends. They aren’t necessarily new, but they tap into current buyer preferences.

• Minimalism is in. Make sure to declutter and remember that “less is more” when it comes to decorative touches.
• Stick to a warm, neutral color palette. Muted shades of brown, sage green, and creamy white are favored over bright splashes of color when staging.
• Make use of natural lighting and incorporate natural textures and touches like wood, woven textiles like linen, or terra cotta planters. Add greenery for an eco-friendly, sustainable vibe.
• Create lifestyle-focused spaces like a cozy reading nook, quiet office, functional home gym, or vibrant playroom.
• Opt for authentic over fussy and too-perfect decor. This can be accomplished with small touches like a best-selling book on the nightstand, a basket of toys in the corner, and cozy throws on the couch. Consider setting the table with casual dishes and coffee mugs instead of china and crystal stemware (unless, of course, you’re staging a formal dining room).

Show off smart-home features. During open houses, showcase technology like smart thermostats, automatic window shades, lighting, and garage doors, as well as security features.

Using AI to stage a home has become popular recently as online househunting soars. In addition to physically bringing in furnishings, agents can create computer-generated views of each room. They can add virtual furniture, and change wall colors and floor coverings.

Virtual staging can be helpful to highlight potential uses for some rooms. For example, viewers may be able to see a bonus room styled as a guest room, nursery, teen’s bedroom, office, or yoga space. It can also fill an empty house with furniture to create a more complete and pleasing view.

While virtual staging can be interesting and even fun, it shouldn’t replace the real thing. Instead, it should enhance the staging process when preparing a home for sale. A lack of authentic photos can seem suspicious to viewers who will wonder what flaws are being covered up. Buyers will still want to see the house in person and will be unhappy if the online views are too far from reality.

Staging, whether by a professional or by the seller, should always begin with cleaning and decluttering. This might mean putting things in storage while the house is on the market, but it will be worth the trouble.

If resources are limited, consider staging strategically. The living room, kitchen, and master bedroom are usually most important to buyers, so start there. Just make sure the other spaces are kept neat and organized. Using AI to stage these unstaged spaces might make sense as a supplement to actual photos so buyers can see their potential.

As you prepare your home for sale, contact Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Select Properties. In addition to home staging, our agents can help with pricing, marketing, and everything else that goes along with selling your house in 2026.