Home Staging Tips You Won’t Hear From Anyone Else (But Really Need To)

We’ve all heard the basics of home staging: declutter, clean until everything sparkles, and light a candle that smells like fresh cookies. That’s all fine and dandy—but if you want your home to truly stand out (in a good way), you’ve got to dig a little deeper.

As a real estate agent who’s seen more homes than a pizza delivery driver, I’m here to spill the beans on some rarely mentioned but seriously effective home staging tips that can make a difference. So if you’re ready to go beyond the basics, read on—your perfectly staged home awaits.

1. Take Down All Flags—Yes, Even That Cute Garden One

Let’s start with one that might ruffle a few feathers: take down all flags on the property.

I’m talking national flags, state flags, sports team banners, pirate flags, that “Welcome Fall” one with the pumpkins—you get the idea.

Why? Because flags, believe it or not, carry personal, political, or regional messages, even unintentionally. And while you may love your vintage Route 66 banner, a buyer might see it and start forming opinions—none of which have anything to do with your lovely hardwood floors or upgraded kitchen. We want buyers to focus on your home, not your affiliations. Think of your house like a blank canvas they can imagine themselves in—not a flag pole of personal expression.

2. TV Over the Fireplace? Time to Rethink That

Look, I get it. Hanging a TV above the fireplace feels efficient—it’s like a two-for-one deal: cozy vibes and Netflix.

But when staging your home for sale? That TV’s gotta come down.

Here’s why: When a buyer sees a TV above a fireplace, two things happen:

1. They assume it’s the only place the TV can go.

2. They also assume watching TV is going to be a literal pain in the neck.

No one wants to imagine themselves craning upward to binge their favorite shows. And TVs hung above doorways? Even worse—it makes the room feel cramped and awkward, like the TV is watching you.

Instead, either remove the TV entirely (and patch/paint the wall), or stage it in a more neutral spot if possible. Let the fireplace be the focal point it was born to be.

3. Lower. Your. Artwork.

This one’s a biggie, and almost no one talks about it: Most people hang their artwork way too high.

I’ve seen art hung closer to the ceiling than the couch. It’s like the painting’s afraid of us.

The sweet spot? Aim for the center of the artwork to be around 57 to 60 inches from the floor. Why? That’s eye level for the average person (and museum standard, by the way). It helps anchor the space and keeps the home feeling balanced.

Trust me, lowering your art can totally change the feel of a room. Try it and watch your walls thank you.

4. Greenery Is Great—Until It's a Jungle

Plants are magical. They bring life, color, and that “I’m a responsible adult” vibe to a space. But too much greenery can quickly tip into rainforest territory.

The goal here is selective greenery. A couple of plants—one tall floor plant and maybe a small potted succulent on a table—go a long way. But when your home starts to look like the botanical garden gift shop exploded? It’s time to scale back.

Also: dust your plants. Real or fake. A dusty fake ficus is not the vibe.

5. Your Refrigerator Is Not a Bulletin Board

This might seem small, but it’s a big visual distraction: take everything off your fridge.

No calendars. No wedding invites. No preschool artwork (even if your niece is a creative genius). No "Live, Laugh, Love" magnets. Not even that takeout menu from the local Thai place.

Why? Because it creates clutter in an otherwise clean kitchen, and it reminds buyers they’re walking through your space—not theirs. Clean lines and open surfaces allow them to imagine how they would use the kitchen, not how many grocery lists you can fit on a magnetized dry erase board.

6. Hide (or Replace) the Weird Lighting

Listen, we all love a good statement piece. But if your dining room chandelier looks like something out of a spaceship, or your bathroom sconce gives off “mad scientist lab” energy—it might be time for a swap.

Buyers tend to overestimate how much work or cost it takes to replace lighting. So if it looks funky or dated, it might cast a shadow (pun intended) over their interest in the house. Neutral, modern, and simple is the name of the game here.

And while we’re at it—make sure all your bulbs match in warmth and brightness. Nothing says “ehhh” like a mix of cool white, soft white, and daylight bulbs all in the same room.

7. Remove Personal Care Products from Bathrooms

It’s one of those “I didn’t think of that” tips: clear out the personal care products in the bathroom.

No toothbrushes, razors, deodorants, or half-squeezed tubes of toothpaste.

Why? Because bathrooms are intimate spaces, and nothing reminds buyers that someone else lives there quite like a bar of used soap.

Stage your bathroom like a spa: think clean white towels, maybe a plant or a candle, and a fancy soap dispenser that’s never been used. Clean, calm, and just generic enough to feel like a luxury hotel instead of a lived-in utility room.

8. Don’t Forget the Eaves, Sheds, and Garages

This one’s for the overachievers who really want to win over buyers: stage your outdoor storage spaces too.

Garages, sheds, attic eaves—buyers will peek inside. Don’t make the mistake of using these spaces to shove everything you decluttered from inside the house.

Instead, organize them. A few clear bins. A pegboard with neatly hung tools. A swept floor. It tells the buyer, “Hey, even our junk is tidy.” And that says a lot.

9. Neutral is Nice, But Add Personality (Sparingly)

We want buyers to imagine themselves in the home, not feel like they’re in a furniture showroom. So yes, go neutral with wall color and big furniture, but it’s okay to sprinkle in a little personality.

A textured throw blanket. A unique coffee table book. One quirky art piece that sparks curiosity.

These little touches make your home memorable without making it too personal. It’s a delicate balance, but done right, it can make your place stand out—in the best way.

Final Thoughts

I’ve walked through hundreds of homes and been a fly on the wall for just as many buyer reactions—and let me tell you, the things people notice (and say out loud) would surprise you. It’s not always the big stuff that makes or breaks a first impression—it’s the little details most sellers don’t even think about. These tips come straight from those moments—the raised eyebrows, the whispered comments, the subtle hesitations. This isn’t theory or guesswork; it’s boots-on-the-ground experience from someone who’s seen what works, what doesn’t, and what quietly kills the vibe of a showing.

Home staging isn’t about perfection. It’s about setting the stage (literally) for buyers to fall in love. By going beyond the cookie-cutter advice and focusing on the details most sellers overlook, you give your home an edge that can mean faster offers and potentially higher prices.

If you need help figuring out how to stage your home without turning it into a lifeless beige box, let’s talk. I’m always up for a no-pressure, real conversation about what’ll actually move the needle when it comes to selling your home.