Stepping into a beautifully designed home that caters to comfort invites you to relax, connect, and truly live. But when that same home stands empty, it feels hollow and unfinished —full of potential, yet lacking the warmth, texture, and soul that make a house feel like home.
Reason #1: Flaws Become the Focal Point
In vacant spaces, flaws such as awkward layouts, outdated fixtures, or even the smallest knicks on the trim become instantly noticeable. There’s nothing to distract or soften the eye. The right furnishings and thoughtful staging can completely transform these flaws, guiding the eye toward a room’s strengths and creating flow, function, and visual balance.
Reason #2: You Can’t Attract The Right Buyer
Home staging is about more than just decorating. It’s about strategically appealing to the right buyer for both the home and its neighborhood. Empty rooms don’t tell a story or help buyers visualize how they’ll live in the space, which can make a listing feel cold and uninspiring. Vacant homes on the MLS often get overlooked entirely, missing opportunities to connect with the right buyer.
Reason #3: Empty Rooms Feel Smaller
Contrary to popular belief, empty rooms often feel smaller because there’s no sense of scale or flow to guide the eye. The right furniture placement not only defines the purpose of each space but can also make rooms appear larger and more functional.
Reason #4: Unstaged Homes Lack Purpose
Nearly 70% of potential buyers struggle to imagine how they’d live in a vacant home, making it harder for them to see themselves living there. Without staging, rooms lack clear purpose. This leaves buyers guessing whether a space is meant to be a bedroom, an office, or just wasted square footage. Staging eliminates any guesswork, defining each room with clarity.
Reason #5: Vacant Listings Undervalue the Home
Staging plays a key role in establishing a home’s perceived value and justifying its price point. Empty rooms rarely create a sense of luxury or worth, making it harder for buyers to connect the space with a higher asking price. In contrast, well-staged rooms with stylish, comfortable furnishings instantly elevate a vacant home, making it feel more luxurious and absolutely worth the investment.
It’s easy to spot home staging that is not professionally done, even if you don’t have an eye for design. Great home staging goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about creating a connection with buyers and maximizing a home’s value. If you’re preparing your property for sale, especially in a competitive market like Wilmington NC, avoid these common staging mistakes that can negatively affect your home’s appeal and final sale price.
Mistake #1: Choosing Small Scale Furnishings
Scale plays a big part in staging, especially for MLS photos. Furnishings that are small in scale divide the room disproportionately. For example, a rug that is too small makes the room feel limited. The front legs of the sofa and end tables should be on the rug! Choosing correctly scaled pieces helps the space feel cohesive and balanced. Our staging plans are made specifically for every property – no “one room fits all” staging here. Big living rooms get bigger than usual sofas and small dining rooms get perfectly proportioned 4 top dining tables.
Mistake #2: Overcrowding the Space
Overly large or ornate pieces take away from the home’s features. The wrong size furnishings can impede the flow of traffic. Excess pillows, artwork, and accents are distracting. Professional home staging in Wilmington NC is about enhancing—not overwhelming—the space.
Mistake #3: Inexpert Staging That Ignores the Homes Existing Features
The staging plan should complement and enhance the home’s features. A coastal home at Wrightsville Beach should look and feel different than a historic home in downtown Wilmington. Ignoring these features results in a disjointed look that doesn’t resonate with buyers.
Mistake #4: Generic Staging That Doesn’t Match the Buyers
The style, color palette, and accents create an emotional response in potential buyers. The purpose of staging is to create a vision for a specific buyer and make them feel at home. Professional stagers takes into account location, sales price, and buyer profile when selecting each piece. In Wilmington NC and surrounding areas, we stage to attract the right buyer for each unique property.
Mistake #5: Relying on Virtual Staging
Virtual staging may get a few initial clicks on your listing, but the end buyer experience will fall flat. You can always tell when a home has been virtually staged—it just doesn’t look right. The proportions are off, the styles don’t match, the lighting is wonky. Talk about underwhelming. Plus, the house is empty if seen in person, which turns off most potential buyers. In-person staging delivers results because it creates an emotional connection to the home. A logical purchase suddenly becomes a very emotional “gotta have it” moment when buyers are shown the potential in a property.
Home staging is so much more than decorating. It’s about curating the property to attract the ideal buyer and ensure a fast, profitable sale. Whether you’re selling a beachside home or a downtown bungalow, professional home staging in Wilmington NC makes all the difference.
Ready to stage your home for its fastest, most profitable sale? Contact us — we’ve got your back!
Home Staging vs. Interior Design: 3 Key Differences You Need to Know
While home staging and interior design may appear similar at first glance, their purposes are distinct. Understanding these differences can help homeowners make the right choices whether they’re preparing to sell or customizing their living space.
1. Home Staging Showcases the Property, Interior Design Personalizes It
Home staging is all about making a property appealing to the widest range of potential buyers. It highlights the home’s best features and creates a neutral, inviting environment that buyers can envision as their own. In contrast, interior design is a personalized process tailored to the homeowner’s unique tastes and lifestyle, focusing on comfort and functionality.
2. Staging Focuses on Aesthetics, Design Prioritizes Function
Staging is all about those first impressions. It’s like dressing your home up for a big event—strategic furniture placement, pops of color, and just the right decor to make everything shine. The goal? To boost your home’s value and help it sell faster. Interior design, though, isn’t just about looks—it’s about how your space works for your day-to-day life. It’s where style meets function.
3. Staging Preps Your Home for Buyers, Design Makes It Perfect for You
When staging a home, everything’s set up to wow people in photos and during showings. Think furniture positioned to highlight cool architectural details or using neutral colors so everyone can imagine themselves living there. But with interior design, it’s all about you—your style, your needs, your vibe. It’s about making your space work for the way you live.
In both home staging and interior design, the home itself is the foundation. Professional design highlights architectural features and showcases the home’s true potential.
Let’s Make Your Space Shine
Whether you’re staging to sell or designing to stay, it all starts with the home itself. Professional staging and design bring out the best in any property, highlighting its features and showing off its true potential.
Ready to Sell for Top Dollar?
If you’re ready to list your home for top dollar, we would be glad to help you achieve that. Reach out and let’s chat about your upcoming sale!
How to Stage Your Kitchen to Sell Your Wilmington, NC Home Faster
When it comes to selling a home in Wilmington, NC, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to stage. Buyers often see the kitchen as the heart of the home, and a well-staged space can make all the difference. Here are some professional home staging tips to ensure your kitchen shines and helps sell your property quickly.
Tip #1: Keep Accessories Minimal and Intentional in Kitchen Home Staging
Kitchens naturally have a lot going on, so it’s essential to keep the decor simple and purposeful. Adding just a few well-placed items helps buyers envision their life in the space without it feeling cluttered. Some ideas include:
Propping up wooden or marble cutting boards.
Displaying clear containers filled with staples like flour or sugar.
Placing a cookbook on a stand, open to an inviting recipe.
These touches create a functional yet stylish look that resonates with buyers searching for a home in Wilmington’s competitive real estate market.
Tip #2: Style Your Windows & Walls
Don’t overlook your kitchen’s windows and walls. The right decorations can enhance the room’s aesthetic and connect it to the rest of your home’s design. Try these tips:
Add coastal artwork or blue curtains to reflect Wilmington’s beach-town vibe.
Style open shelves or glass-front cabinets with simple items like glassware, woven baskets, or neatly arranged cookbooks.
These elements create a polished, modern look that’s perfect for staging homes in Wilmington’s coastal market.
Tip #3: Create an Inviting Dining Space In Your Kitchen Staging Plan
Staging the dining area within or adjacent to the kitchen helps buyers visualize how they’ll entertain family and friends. Focus on these details:
Arrange barstools at the kitchen island to showcase seating capacity & added function
Set the dining table with tasteful place settings to emphasize its functionality.
Highlight how many people can comfortably fit in the space, whether it’s a casual breakfast nook or a formal dining room.
These thoughtful touches help buyers imagine themselves hosting gatherings in their new home.
The kitchen and dining spaces are where buyers envision spending quality time with loved ones. A beautifully staged kitchen can be the deciding factor for many buyers. Thoughtful home staging adds a designer touch and helps your property stand out in Wilmington’s competitive real estate market.
Looking for Professional Home Staging Services in Wilmington, NC?
If you want to sell your home faster and for top dollar, Mickler & Co. specializes in professional home staging for Wilmington, NC, and surrounding areas. Let us help transform your space to appeal to potential buyers. Contact us today to get started!
People spend a lot of time in their kitchen and dining spaces, and these can be the selling point for many buyers. Adding a designer touch to these rooms can make a huge impact right off the bat. Let Mickler & Co. Design Studio make your home irresistible to buyers. Together, we’ll get your property ready to sell quickly and at the best price possible!
Decorating your home for the holidays transforms it into a warm, inviting, and festive retreat. For rental properties, the right holiday décor can leave a lasting impression on guests, creating a memorable stay filled with seasonal cheer. In this post, we’ll share 3 renter-friendly ways to decorate your rental property for the holidays that balance style, inclusivity, and functionality.
Tip #1: Keep it Simple and Welcoming
It’s best to stay consistent rather than to go all out. Warm string lights on the porch, a wreath on the door, garland on the railing. Nothing too large or distracting from the home, just enhancing the welcoming feel with festive accents.
What to Try: Add warm string lights to the porch, a neutral holiday wreath on the door, and a garland on the railing to create a festive yet understated look.
Pro Tip: Focus on temporary holiday decorations that highlight your property’s best features without overshadowing them.
These small touches bring holiday cheer while maintaining a welcoming feel for all guests.
neutral holiday wreath on rental property door
Tip #2: Choose Inclusive, Neutral Decor
Make sure your holiday decor is inclusive to all. Use natural elements like greenery and pinecones, in keeping the same theme throughout with a neutral color palette. Bring the feeling of the holidays with wintery accents, snowscapes, pine and wood scents, warm lighting, and soft textiles.
Ideas to Include:
Greenery, pinecones, and frosted branches.
A neutral color palette with whites, greys, and soft metallics.
Scents like pine, cedar, or cinnamon for a subtle seasonal vibe.
Incorporate soft textures such as faux fur throws, knit pillows, and warm lighting to make the space feel cozy and inviting. This renter-friendly holiday décor ensures your property appeals to a broad audience while keeping the atmosphere festive.
Tip #3: Be Festive but Functional
Avoid overcrowding spaces, especially ones that will be utilized by the guests. Use candles and smaller accents in high-traffic areas and make sure larger items like the dining centerpiece can be easily moved. The mantel and console tables are the best places to do something fun and add a focal point. Create a winterscape with garlands, candle sticks, mini trees, etc.!
Decorating Tips:
Use smaller decorative items like candles, mini trees, or ornaments in high-traffic areas.
Create a winter scene on the mantel or console tables with garlands, candlesticks, and miniature holiday figurines.
Keep the dining table centerpiece movable, so guests can easily use the space for meals or gatherings.
These seasonal décor ideas for rental properties provide a festive touch without sacrificing functionality, ensuring your guests enjoy a stress-free holiday stay.
Bonus tip: Add an extra touch with a hot cocoa station, fresh baked goods, or champagne flutes set out on the counter to make your guests feel truly welcome.
Looking for more tips on how to decorate your short-term rental for the holidays? At Mickler & Co. Design Studio, we specialize in creating renter-friendly holiday décor that enhances your property’s charm. Whether you need help with temporary holiday decorations or full-service rental property & Air BnB design, we’re here to help.? Reach out to us!
Staging an open concept floor plan with the proper layout and furnishings helps buyers see the space’s true potential and visualize themselves living in it! Since 95% of home buyers view the property online first, great photos with professional home staging ensure the property will make an impression.
Pro Tip #1: Use Staging to Define Each Area Clearly
In an open concept home, arranging furniture thoughtfully is extremely important. Area rugs help define each space, while the layout and choice of furnishings enhance the natural flow and character of the house. Each area should be staged to make a memorable impression at first glance!
Pro Tip #2: Staging Establishes Seamless Flow Between Spaces
We strategically place furnishings to maximize the home’s natural flow. Bookshelves can be used as room dividers, consoles can define walkways, and mirrors can be reflective focal points. Eye-catching artwork can draw attention and guide movement through the space.
Pro Tip #3: Staging Brings Unity to Distinct Spaces
Style is the key to creating unity throughout a home! We carefully select staging furniture that aligns with the home’s character, considering existing features like flooring, tile, and countertops. By choosing cohesive colors and materials, we create a unified feel that highlights the home’s unique qualities.
Open concept floor plans are especially popular in Wilmington and along the coast, and we’ve mastered the art of staging them so you don’t have to! Reach out to learn more about this service!
Until next time,
Rebecca
Say Hello To Mickler & Co. Welcome to the Mickler & Co. Design Studio blog, your go-to source for expert interior design, home staging & rental design tips, the latest trends, and creative inspiration to transform your home into a personalized haven.
Visit us at 2007 Dawson St., Wilmington, NC 28403, or shop our online store for inspiration! https://shop.micklerco.com/
