Living rooms are arguably one of the most essential rooms in a home. They are a shared space that needs to appeal to parents and kids alike. After all, the living room is where families hold meetings, enjoy movie nights, drink coffee with friends, and host playdates and parties. That’s why living room staging is one of the most important tools for helping buyers emotionally connect with your home.
Without proper staging, a living room can look uninviting, cluttered, or confusing to potential buyers. Enhance your marketing efforts by staging an easy-to-love living room.
Identify focal points
Begin by identifying the living room’s focal points—for example, a fireplace, large bay window, or custom built-in can impress buyers. Although flat-screen TVs are often the center of most living rooms, they fail to highlight the best features of a home. The goal is to draw the eye to permanent fixtures and upgrades that will wow buyers.
If large, modern windows are the focal point, make sure there is no furniture blocking them, and plenty of natural light shines through. Consider pulling blinds up or using sheer curtains for optimal brightness.

When highlighting a fireplace or built-ins, avoid over decorating. Choose a strategic layout and aesthetically-appealing books, candles, and décor pieces without cluttering the mantle or shelves. Remember, when it comes to staging, less is more.
If the room doesn’t have obvious focal points, arrange seating that inspires conversation. Try making a coffee table or ottoman the focal point with several options for people to sit face-to-face—for example, a small sofa on one side with two chairs on the other. Add a stylish serving tray with mugs and fresh flowers atop the table or ottoman.
Fresh coat of paint
Living rooms can see wear and tear as a busier space in a home. Freshening up paint makes a huge difference. Choosing a light and bright color helps the room appear larger and acts as a clean, blank slate. Also, a neutral color appeals to a larger buyer pool. Paint choices play a huge role when you stage a living room, especially if you want to create a blank canvas for buyers. But don’t worry; you can add a few pops of color when decorating later on.
While you’ve got your painting supplies out, don’t forget to freshen up the baseboards. Scuffs, marks, and dust make a house feel dirty and dated. Fresh, white baseboards, however, really make a room shine.
Scale down furniture
Staging should open up and highlight a home. With that in mind, when staging a living room:
- Use a small sofa, two chairs, and a coffee table
- Remove excess end tables and multiple lamps
- Limit accent pillows and personal decor
- Consider wall-mounting the TV or removing it completely
When you scale down furniture, you create more opportunities to choose the layout and design the room in a way that looks incredible in professional real estate photos and at in-person showings.
Depersonalize, declutter, but don’t empty
It might feel strange to remove personal touches from a home, but it’s an important part of staging. The goal is to find a balance between minimal and lived-in.
Start by removing items that can be distracting, such as:
- Family photos
- Knick-knacks
- Pet toys and beds
- Most books
- Personal items
- Awards, trophies, or collectibles
These things shift the focus away from the home itself. Remind yourself that staging is about showcasing the space, not the homeowner’s personality.
Your real estate agent will guide you through the home-selling process, including smart staging strategies. They may even recommend a professional stager to help elevate your listing.
Decorate the scene
Great décor makes you feel a certain way – it inspires you. When you stage a living room, think about how you want the buyer to feel and what you want them to visualize. For a living room, try to create a cozy, open, and family-friendly space.
A classic decorating technique is the rule of three. Simply put, design elements look better in a group of three. Add three pieces of art next to each other or three items on a shelf or table—for example, a candle, frame, and vase.

You can also add a few pops of color with a throw blanket, fresh flowers, or artwork. Ensure there is plenty of light in the space, and table lamps or and updated light fixture if necessary.
A well-staged living room appeals to a more extensive selection of prospective buyers. So, take the time to freshen up, clean and declutter, and thoughtfully decorate to set the mood.
Bring your living room (and listing) to life
A well-staged living room makes all the difference when it comes to attracting buyers and selling faster. If you’re preparing your home for the market, Virtuance can help every step of the way—from stunning real estate photography to helpful resources like our home staging guides. Whether you’re working with an agent or listing on your own, these tools can help your space shine online and in person.
Ready to show off your beautifully staged living room? Book a Virtuance photo shoot and let your listing stand out.
FAQ
If your budget allows, a professional stager can help maximize your space’s appeal—but with the right resources and effort, DIY staging can still be highly effective.
Avoid overly bold artwork, political or religious decor, and anything too personal or cluttered that could distract buyers.
Costs vary, but professional staging for one room can range from $300 to $1,000 depending on your market and needs.