5 Decorating Mistakes Professional Home Stagers Are Begging You to Avoid 

We’ve all been told to never judge a book by its cover, but who are we kidding? First impressions matter, especially in your home. As soon as you open your front door, you are giving guests an intimate look into your life. So, shouldn’t you (and your space) put their best feet forward? 

Sure, great design is subjective; however, some choices are missteps in virtually every home. That’s exactly why we turned to home stagers for their thoughts. These pros don’t just know how to transform an empty real estate listing or spec home into a warm, welcoming environment: They basically have their PhDs in nailing the first impression. 

“Staging isn’t about disguising a home or convincing someone that it is something it isn’t,” explains Meridith Baer, founder of her eponymous design that services California and author of The Making of a Home. “It’s about revealing its best possible version.”

If you want to create an impactful, well-appointed space, here are the decorating mistakes to avoid.

Design by Francesca Grace; Photo courtesy of Francesca Grace

1. Chasing Trends, Not Authenticity

Trends come and go, which means your house doesn’t have to abide by the flavor of the week. Priscilla Rodrigues, founder and principal designer of Halcyon Home Staging + Design in San Francisco, encourages you to let your home’s architecture guide the direction. 

“A white with black trim works well on modern properties, but it is not a one size fits all solution,” she explains. “If you own a Victorian or Mediterranean style home, the color scheme is likely not the answer.”

Francesca Grace, who runs her own interior design and staging company in Southern California, agrees. “When every house has the same furniture, the same palette and the same styling, buyers stop seeing the house,” she shares. I’d rather lean into what makes a property special and create something that feels one-of-a-kind and memorable. You want someone to walk away still thinking about that house later.” 

If you want to create an authentic environment, do your research. Quickly searching your home’s style or when it was built can conjure some timeless ideas.

2. Cultivating Clutter

There’s a fine line between a home that’s collected—and one that appears chaotic. The most effective way to toe the line? Removing clutter.

“Almost every home benefits from having less in it,” Baer says. “You don’t need to empty the house, you need to be intentional about what remains.” 

She encourages you to think of how a room photographs. “Something that feels perfectly fine when you’re standing in a space can suddenly look cluttered or unbalanced in a photograph,” Baer explains.  In its place, she says, are personable items like vintage furniture or a great piece of art.

Design by Halcyon Home Staging + Design; Photo by Radiant Photo Video

3. Picking a Presumptious, Pared-Back Palette 

“Color and warmth create one of the most immediate emotional reactions when someone enters a space,” says Christine Hung of White Harmony Design & Staging in San Francisco and the greater Seattle area. “The right combination can make a home feel more comfortable, inviting, and cohesive.”

White walls are classic for a reason, but Grace gives you the go-ahead to think outside the paint swatch. “Color can completely change how a room photographs and how you experience it in person,” she shares. “Even a muted or unexpected color gives a room so much more depth than another white wall.” 

The designer is a huge fan of unexpected hues from Farrow & Ball such as Jitney, Sulking Room Pink, and French Gray. 

4. Overlooking Smaller Rooms

Kitchens, living rooms, and bedrooms might be rife with design potential, but don’t overlook those more utilitarian corners. In Rodrigues’s experience, closets, laundry rooms, and garages tend to get the least amount of love. The good news? Some thoughtful accessories can make these once-ignored spots feel more intentional.

“Placing plush white towels, baskets and a decorative laundry soap container in a laundry room helps it feel friendlier and more inviting,” she suggests. Meanwhile, closets will look functional and fashionable with decorative storage bins, matching hangers, and neatly folded piles of clothing. “If there is enough space, consider adding an ottoman or bench for convenient seating,” Rodrigues adds. 

Design by Francesca Grace; Photo courtesy of Francesca Grace

5. Deprioritizing Lighting

Home stagers agree: You never want to skimp on good lighting. 

“Replacing outdated light fixtures throughout a home can make an incredible difference,” Rodrigues says. “Since listing photos are often a buyer’s first impression, modern lighting can instantly turn your home into a Pinterest-worthy vision and increase its perceived value.”

Switching up your light fixtures not only makes an impact, but Rodrigues says it’s a relatively affordable tweak. However, if you want to keep costs to a minimum, simply swap out your light bulbs. Hung recommends temperatures between 3000 and 3500K. 

“It creates a warm, comfortable atmosphere while still feeling bright and clean,” she explains. “By comparison, cooler temperatures around 5000K are more commonly associated with offices, hospitals, and other task-oriented environments.”