What is the difference between staging a vacant home and an occupied home?

In a vacant home, the stager starts with empty rooms and brings in furniture, rugs, art and accessories. This helps buyers understand scale and how rooms can be used, since empty rooms can look smaller and less inviting in photos and in person.

In an occupied home, the stager works with what the sellers already have. That often means removing extra furniture and personal items, rearranging pieces, adding a few accents and recommending small updates. The family keeps living there, so maintaining the look between showings is part of the job.

Vacant staging usually costs more and involves rental agreements, while occupied staging relies on the seller's willingness to declutter and keep things tidy. Your agent and stager can help decide which approach fits your home and timeline.