Integrated Home Staging: Is It Worth the Hassle?

When it comes to home staging, you’ve probably heard of integrated staging – also known as occupied, partial, or blended staging. It’s a hot topic in the staging community, with some loving it and others steering clear. So, what’s the deal? Is it really worth the hassle? Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty and see what it’s all about.

Note: This article is aimed at professionals in the staging industry. However, if you’re selling your home and happened to find this, we believe you’ll still find it valuable.

Integrated staging is a method where we style a home for sale while the owner is still living there, using a mix of their furniture and our staging pieces. This approach can be a fantastic way to keep costs down and add a unique touch to the property, but it does come with its own set of challenges.

Integrated staging comes with several perks that make it an appealing option for many home staging businesses:

1. Cost-Effective: Since you’re using much of the homeowner’s existing furniture, the cost can be lower than a vacant staging job, making it an economical option for both you and your clients.

2. Personal Touch: By incorporating items already in the home, the space retains a sense of personal warmth, character and uniqueness that can resonate with buyers, enhancing the home’s appeal.

3. Convenience for Clients: Integrated staging can be less disruptive for the homeowners, as they don’t have to move out. This convenience can be a significant selling point when pitching your services.

4. Relationship Building and Business Growth: Offering integrated staging sets you apart from competitors and builds stronger relationships with real estate agents who value this unique service. Since many companies don’t offer integrated staging, there’s less competition, giving you a competitive edge. This niche service is loved by sellers and can help you grow your business in markets where it’s in demand but underprovided.

“Clear communication and detailed planning are essential for a successful integrated staging job.”

However, integrated staging isn’t without its challenges. Here are a few cons to keep in mind:

1. Coordination Challenges: Working around the homeowner’s schedule and belongings can be tricky (compared to an empty home) and requires clear communication, which can add complexity to the process.

2. Time-Consuming: It takes more time to plan and prep for an integrated job, as it involves coordinating with the homeowner and making adjustments based on their input. Additionally, what you can charge is generally lower, impacting profitability.

3. Potential for Damage: Dealing with damage from pets or kids can be a concern, as most insurance doesn’t cover pet damage. This risk needs to be managed carefully to protect your inventory.

4. Emotional Attachment: Homeowners can be emotionally attached to their furniture, making it challenging to suggest necessary changes. Navigating these sensitivities requires tact and diplomacy.

Despite these challenges, we believe that integrated staging offers unique advantages that make it worthwhile.

Why We Offer Integrated Staging

Integrated staging has been a crucial part of our business growth. If we’d stuck to vacant properties only, we wouldn’t have seen the same level of inbound work. Offering this service has set us apart and allowed us to cater to a broader range of clients.

A favourite part of integrated staging for us is seeing homeowners’ reactions. They often fall in love with their home all over again, thanks to the fresh perspective we bring.

Final Thoughts

Integrated staging isn’t for everyone, but for those willing to embrace it, the rewards can be substantial. It requires clear communication, flexibility, and a bit of creativity, but the results speak for themselves. Whether it’s the homeowner’s renewed love for their property or the standout appeal to buyers, integrated staging has a lot to offer.

So, next time you’re approached to do an integrated staging job, perhaps don’t write it off too quickly. With the right approach, it can be a ‘hassle’ worth taking on.

Got thoughts or experiences with integrated staging? Drop a comment below – we’d love to hear from you!

We’ve also recorded a video on this topic which you can find below.