An Eye for the Edit — The Art and Impact of Home Staging

PHOTOS PROVIDED

When evaluating a home that is about to hit the market, the first step is to go room by room and take an inventory, not of what is in the house, but of what needs to be edited out of the home. That could entail rearranging furniture, clearing surfaces, swapping out a rug, or even adding a few key staging pieces. The goal of staging a home is to, digitally through online marketing, create an image that draws a Buyer in and, physically when they visit the home in person, allows them to visualize themselves living in the home. A well-staged home will create an instant connection with a Buyer from the moment they walk through the door.

The word Staging can sometimes be interpreted as a full home makeover. At Baker Group, the most basic service available to all clients is a simple Home Edit. Sometimes it’s just about seeing the home with fresh eyes. This process involves rearranging existing pieces and removing excessive items. A skilled Listing Agent can walk into a room and quickly eye what needs to be simplified, softened, or slightly shifted to make the space feel open, inviting, modern, and memorable.

STAGING TIP: The Rule of Odd Numbers – decorating in groups of 3 or 5 creates a more dynamic & engaging space.

To create an open feel in a home, clients are asked to think of their surfaces as airplane runways – clean, clear, and ready for takeoff. That means countertops, nightstands, side tables, and mantels should be decluttered, with just a few intentional pieces left to create a clean line and inviting flow.

The next step up in staging a home combines the Simple Home Edit with more intensive work, including painting, moderate repairs, and the addition of a few new key pieces of furniture, art, and home décor from Baker Group’s staging collection.

The impact of the Moderate Home Staging is huge. Spaces feel elevated, aspirational, and more importantly, a home will photograph beautifully.

The final and most intensive staging service offered at Baker Group is Whole Home Staging, which includes the first two levels of service plus the installation of staging furniture throughout the entire home. A third-party home staging service or local furniture store may be brought in to decorate the whole house in partnership with Baker Group.

Today’s buyers decide whether they want to buy a home with just the simple scroll of a smartphone, and photos are the first showing. A house must stand out digitally, or it will be lost in a sea of other online options. Thoughtful staging and professional photos are the call to action for a Buyer to make an in-person showing appointment.

The truth is, staging isn’t about perfection; it’s about perception. It’s about making small, strategic changes that help Buyers see the potential of your home as their own. And more often than not, those minor edits make a significant difference in both how quickly a home sells and what it sells for.

Baker Group Realty can bring their personal eye for editing to any home getting ready to list. The first step is to schedule a Staging Consultation where a Seller will receive honest advice on the best path forward to marketing their home. To schedule an appointment, visit bakergrouprealty.com and let us help you make a strong first impression when selling your house!

KATIE BAKER is a local REALTOR and the owner of Baker Group, Maury County’s new boutique brokerage. Baker Group specializes in Fine Properties, Historic Homes, Vacation Homes, and Commercial Real Estate in Middle Tennessee and the Tennessee River. Call (901) 351-7235 to schedule an appointment and follow them on social media at @bakergrouprealty.