Professional home staging is the most profitable investment when selling real estate. Studies by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals show: Staged properties may be perceived differently depending on the property and market. No specific price or time effect is guaranteed. The effect in the premium segment even stronger.
What is Home Staging?
Home staging is the professional preparation of a property for sale. Different from simple Tidying up is about the targeted staging of rooms - with the aim of creating an emotional feeling among buyers To establish a connection to the object.
In the premium segment, home staging includes:
- Concept development: Analysis of the target group and staging strategy
- Furnishing advice: Which furniture stays and which gets replaced
- Furniture rental: High-quality temporary designer furniture and accessories
- Styling: Decoration, light, plants, textiles
- Photo preparation: Optimization for professional photography and video
Costs and ROI at a glance
| Staging type | Cost | Suitable for | Expected ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advice (walk-through) | By quotation | Inhabited objects | Not guaranteed |
| Partial staging | By quotation | Partly empty or unfashionable | Not guaranteed |
| Full staging | By quotation | Vacant premium properties | Not guaranteed |
| Luxury staging | By quotation | Villas from CHF 3M | Not guaranteed |
Example case (fictitious, for illustrative purposes): An empty 5.5 room apartment on the Gold Coast (Offer price CHF 2.4M) is advertised for 4 months without staging, without an offer. After a full staging For CHF 12,000, 4 viewings and 2 offers will follow within 3 weeks; the selling price is at CHF 2.52M. Such an effect is possible, but not guaranteed.
The 7 most important staging rules for premium objects
- Declutter first: Remove 50% of personal items and furniture. Less is more — buyers need to be able to imagine themselves in the room.
- Neutralize: No flashy colors, no religious or political ones Symbols, not family photos. Goal: A blank canvas for the buyer's imagination.
- Maximize light: All curtains open, all lamps on (even during the day), LED bulbs in warm white. Eliminate dark corners.
- Upgrade kitchen and bathrooms: New towels, fresh fittings, tidy work surfaces. Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses — invest here first.
- Stage the outdoor area: Well-kept garden, clean terrace, welcoming Entrance. The first impression counts - and it starts on the street.
- Note smells: No cooking, no pet smell, no traces of smoking. Freshness Flowers and subtle scented candles instead.
- Professional photography after staging: Staging without good photos is a waste money. Invest in a real estate photographer (CHF 800-2,000).
When is home staging particularly worthwhile?
- Vacant properties: Empty rooms appear smaller and less inviting furnished
- Longer marketing time: Having a property on the market for >60 days helps Staging to signal the “restart”.
- Premium segment (from CHF 1.5M): Buyer expectations of the presentation increase the price
- Properties with defects: Staging focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses
- Off-market sales: If only a few viewings are possible, everyone must be seated
Home Staging vs. Renovation
A common mistake: expensive renovations before selling. In many cases it is staging more cost-effective:
| Measure | Cost | Increase in value | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen completely new | CHF 30,000-60,000 | CHF 15,000-30,000 | 0.5:1 |
| Bathroom completely new | CHF 20,000-40,000 | CHF 10,000-20,000 | 0.5:1 |
| Professional staging | By quotation | CHF 50,000-150,000 | 10:1 |
| Fresh color + staging | CHF 8,000-18,000 | CHF 60,000-180,000 | 8:1 |
Sales advice with staging recommendation
We will advise you whether and which staging may have the greatest effect on your property. Scope and any remuneration are agreed individually in writing.
Request advice→ More about the sales process: Best time to sell · Sell discreetly
As of April 2026. All information is non-binding.