Does Property Styling Work?
Multiple Australian industry studies show staged properties sell for 5-15% more than equivalent non-staged properties and sell faster (typically 30-50% fewer days on market). REIV (Real Estate Institute of Victoria) data shows staged properties achieve on average $50,000 more than comparable unstaged properties in Melbourne's median market.
What Property Stylists Do
A property stylist assesses your home and installs rental furniture, art, plants, bedding, and accessories to present it in the most appealing way for photography and inspections. They typically have 3-4 furniture packages for different styles and price points. All items are on loan for the campaign period (typically 4-8 weeks).
Costs
- 1 Full vacant property styling (3-bedroom house): $3,000–$8,000 for a 4-6 week campaign
- 2 Partial styling (owner-occupied, complement existing furniture): $1,500–$4,000
- 3 Occupied property consultation only (styling advice, not furniture): $200–$600 — you implement the recommendations yourself
- 4 Photography and drone: $500–$1,500 — best done after styling is complete
When is Styling Most Worth It?
- 1 Vacant properties: empty rooms look small — furniture makes rooms look larger and more purposeful
- 2 Properties needing modernisation: current furniture dates the home — contemporary styling updates it
- 3 Competitive markets where buyers can choose between similar properties
- 4 High-value properties: a $10,000 styling investment on a $2M property that adds 5% ($100,000) is an obvious ROI
Pro tip: Declutter and deep clean before the stylist arrives. Styling doesn't overcome clutter or dirty surfaces — it amplifies what's already there. A $200 professional clean before the stylist comes is always worthwhile.
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