When selling a home, a good home stager is far more valuable to a real estate agent than a pocket full of interior designers. The opposite is true after the home sale. While both know all about architecture, the difference between a home stager and an interior designer ultimately rests with the goal.

When to Use a Home Stager

Home stagers make the home appealing to the target buyer for the immediate sale. They highlight interesting details of the home through a variety of design decisions while minimizing attributes that will distract a potential buyer. They use a neutral pallet. Typically, they focus on particular areas of the home rather than staging every single room.

Everything home stagers do seeks to draw in the buyer. They know how to stage for photos so the home first shows well on the web, then pulls the potential buyer in from the curb when they arrive for a tour. Good staging leads them all the way through the home in a way that helps them envision living in the space. All decisions home stagers make are for the seller’s highest return on investment possible.

When to Use an Interior Designer

Interior designers make a home livable and enchanting to the owner for the long haul. They get to know the client, how they live, what’s important to them, how they spend their time, and what their future in the home looks like. They consider major investments such as moving walls and renovating bathrooms and kitchens. Ultimately, interior designers encourage their clients to invest in permanent changes.

The Difference Between a Home Stager and an Interior Designer

Real estate agents and sellers need to understand the difference between a home stager and an interior designer. Both are indispensable for specific tasks. Before we parse the distinctions, let’s first consider the similarities.

Home stagers and interiors designers both:

• Work to please the audience
• Understand architecture
• Understand design essentials
• Improve the look and efficiency of the home
• Know design trends

Home stagers and interior designers compared side-by-side:

• Home stagers work before the sale; interior designers work after the sale
• Home stagers market your home to a specific demographic; interior designers make the home beautiful to the owners
• Home stagers make decisions based on what highlights the features of the home and the aspirations of the target demographic; interior designers make decisions based on what the owners want
• Home stagers design with neutral colors; interiors designers make color decisions based on the owner’s tastes
• Home stagers make the final design decisions; interior designer’s clients make the final decisions
• Home stagers stores all their own staging material; interiors designers order for each individual project
• Home stagers understand the current market and the lifestyle of the target demographic; interior designers understand the lifestyle of the owner
• Home staging take only a week or two; interior design takes months or even years

The goal of each professional is very different. A home stager who knows her craft — including the current market, surrounding community, and target demographic — will increase the list price and reduce time on the market. As a result, the seller receives the cost of the home staging back and then some. Which means you increase your profit.

Every listing package should include home staging. We believe in the value of home staging so much that we offer a free pre-listing marketing tool. If you want to know more or are interested in a consultation, let us know!