Differences between home staging and interior design.

Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or looking to refresh your living space, understanding the distinction between home staging and interior design can help you make informed decisions. We offer both home staging and home design services at Olive + Opal and while both practices aim to enhance the aesthetic appeal of a home, the goals, processes, and outcomes are quite different. Here are the five main differences between home staging and interior design:

1. Purpose and Objective

Home Staging: The primary purpose of home staging is to prepare a property for sale. The goal is to make the home appealing to the broadest range of potential buyers, helping them visualize themselves living in the space. Staging aims to create a neutral, welcoming environment that highlights the home’s best features and maximizes its marketability. Our staging inventory consists of furnishings that complement the home and appeal to a wide audience, ensuring a welcoming and universally attractive environment.

Interior Design: Interior design, on the other hand, focuses on creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing environment tailored to the homeowner’s tastes and lifestyle. The objective is to enhance the living experience by incorporating the client’s personal style, preferences, and needs into the design. On the design side, Meg works with individual clients to execute their design vision, creating rooms that are both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

2. Audience

Home Staging: The audience for home staging is potential homebuyers. Staging is all about creating a universally appealing space that can attract a wide variety of buyers, making it easier for them to envision how they would use the space. At Olive + Opal, our 7+ experience (and hundreds of homes) has helped us to become market experts in the St. Louis area. We use this knowledge to create a staging plan that is true to the property and the neighborhood, and speaks to potential buyers.

Interior Design: Interior design caters to the current homeowner. The designer works closely with the client to understand their desires, habits, and requirements, crafting a personalized space that reflects their unique personality and lifestyle.

3. Timeframe

Home Staging: Staging is typically a short-term project with a quick turnaround. The focus is on making impactful changes in a short period to get the home ready for sale as soon as possible. Our average project installation is around 4 hours start to finish and we coordinate with our agent partners to schedule staging as the last step before listing photos. Staging is also temporary, with furniture and decor rented for the duration of the selling process. At Olive + Opal, our inventory typically remains in the property for an average of 45 days and is removed in conjunction with the close of the home.

Interior Design: Interior design projects usually span a longer timeframe. The process involves detailed planning, sourcing materials, and implementing changes that will last. Interior design is a long-term investment in creating a space that the homeowner will enjoy for years to come.

4. Customization

Before & after: neutral living room transformed with staging furniture.

Home Staging: Staging tends to avoid customization and personalization. The idea is to depersonalize the space, removing personal items and specific styles that might not appeal to all buyers. The goal is to create a neutral, inviting environment that allows buyers to imagine their own lives in the space. The neutralization of the home, however, does not mean that every staging project looks the same. At Olive + Opal, each staged property is highly curated, with our furnishings specifically selected to highlight the home and enhance the appeal.

Interior Design: Interior design is highly personalized. Designers work to incorporate the client’s individual tastes, preferences, and needs into the design. From selecting color schemes and furniture to customizing layouts and decor, interior design is all about reflecting the homeowner’s unique style.

5. Budget and Investment

Home Staging: The budget for staging is generally seen as an investment in selling the home quickly and at the best possible price. At Olive + Opal, we see an average 5x return on investment for staging projects. As an example, an investment of $4,000 in staging typically generates a $20,000 return at the time of sale. The staging costs are typically lower compared to full-scale interior design projects, focusing on key areas that will make the most significant impact on buyers.

Interior Design: Interior design can often involve a more substantial financial commitment. It’s an investment in the homeowner’s quality of life and the long-term enjoyment of their space. Budgets can vary widely depending on the scope of the project and the level of customization desired. We offer a more budget-friendly approach to design at Olive + Opal, offering design packages to help refresh and enhance existing spaces. All design projects start with an on-site consultation in which Meg prepares a customized plan of action to execute individually or with her assistance.

Understanding these differences can help you decide whether home staging or interior design is the right approach for your needs. Whether you’re looking to make a strong impression on potential buyers or create a home that perfectly suits your lifestyle, each practice offers unique benefits that can transform your space.