Over the years I have had to explain the difference between staging and interior design many times. And although I think it is really simple and the differences are clear I know that the average person does not find it clear and simple. Here is the easiest way for me to describe the difference:

Interior Design is creating a plan and design that is in the best interest of the end user of the space. It must incorporate function and beauty to be successful.

Staging is designing a space in a way to appeal to the widest group of people so that they can see themselves in the space and are moved to purchase the building.

Do you see the differences? Design is all about the client, staging is all about selling.  Things are set up very differently for someone who is using the space daily verse the home that is only set to show the buyer what could be. Function of the end user is not taken into consideration in staging. Function of the end user is huge when designing for a client.

Interior Designers make great stagers. Stagers are not designers. This is huge. This is also where a lot of confusion comes in because there is the line of thought that if you can stage a space you can be a designer. This is not the case most of the time. Because what usually gets involved is the stagers personal style and what they like to see. There really is no place for that in great interior design. Although designers who are used to being able to separate their personal style from their client’s do make a great stagers because they are keeping up on what the newest trends are and know how to incorporate them into a plan that everyone can get behind.

So I thought I would share some pictures of a home that I staged recently to show how we keep things very “vanilla” and appealing to as many people as possible.

When staging a home we look to show how big it is, what life the buyer could have, and how amazing the features are in the property.

Are you looking to sell your home? Are you needing to redo an existing home? Or maybe you need some help with a home you just purchased. Find an interior designer that can help you with all of that. We would love to be the firm that you select but if not make sure that the firm you go with has the right mindset and can truly help you with all of your needs.