Professional staging typically costs between 1–2% of a property’s market value.
The exact figure depends on the condition of the home, its size, and how many rooms or areas need to be dressed.
For homes valued at £500k or below, staging often falls between 1.5–2% of the property value. For higher-value properties, the percentage usually reduces to around 1%, sometimes as low as 0.5%.
For example, on a recent £2m property in Bristol, the staging investment was £9,000 (+ VAT), which included dressing the house, along with light maintenance, painting and minor electrical work.
Why do agents recommend staging?
Estate agents typically recommend staging for two key reasons:
1. Photography and marketing.
Online listings, particularly on Rightmove and social media, need to create instant impact. Empty rooms with bare lightbulbs and undressed windows rarely inspire confidence. Professionally staged homes generate stronger first impressions, more clicks and more viewing requests.
2. In-person viewings.
A thoughtfully dressed home, with clearly defined spaces, helps buyers visualise how they would live there. That clarity often leads to faster, stronger offers.
Why staging works
For the most up to date and detailed industry insights, I recommend following Elaine Penhaul (Lemon & Lime Interiors) and Simon Leadbetter (Unchained).
According to The Property Investor Today, 22% of agents reported that staging increased sale prices by up to 5%, with a further 17% seeing uplifts of around 10%. Some studies suggest gains of 10–20% are achievable in the right circumstances.
It’s not only about price, it’s about pace. The Real Estate Staging Association found that unstaged homes averaged 143 days on the market, compared to 40 days once staged, and as little as 23 days when styled prior to listing.
Beyond the statistics, staging creates emotional clarity. Between 77–87% of buyers say staging helps them visualise the property as their future home. That emotional shift, from seeing a house to imagining a life there, is often what turns the initial interest into concrete offers.
The rise of staging in the UK
Staging has long been standard practice in the USA and Australia and has gained significant momentum in the UK since the early 2000s, thanks in large part to the pioneering work of Elaine Penhaul.
Elaine is the founder of one of the UK’s first staging companies, Lemon & Lime Interiors and author of Sell High, Sell Fast and How To Sell Your House.
I met Elaine in early 2024 and was fortunate to be mentored by her for 12 months. The entire Porter & Gold team benefited enormously from that experience, particularly in refining our systems, logistics, legal awareness, insurance structures and operational processes.
What do you receive when you book our staging service?
When you book our full staging service, your investment includes:
A professionally designed interior scheme informed by market research and tailored to your target buyer.
Project management of cleaning, maintenance and decorative improvements where required.
A carefully curated selection of furniture, art, lighting, textiles and objects from our archive of modern art, bespoke pieces, antiques, vintage finds and sustainably sourced design.
Full logistics management, packing, warehousing, transport, steaming textiles, bed building, curtain hanging, art placement and complete installation.
Final styling ready for professional photography and viewings.
12 weeks’ hire of a fully dressed property, plus collection at the end of the hire period.
How are we qualified to stage your home?
Alongside our staging mentoring with industry leaders, Lemon & Lime Interiors, our team includes professional project managers, interior stylists, film and TV set designers, skilled carpenters and trades, and marketing specialists.
I’m Samaya, founder and director of Porter & Gold. I hold a Master’s degree in Arts Management and bring nearly 30 years of experience across design, media (film, TV, music and fashion) and visual marketing.
We are a focused, highly skilled and experienced team and we dedicate ourselves fully to each property until the staging is complete and installed to our highest standard.
What are the real costs behind staging?
When working with a professional staging company, the investment reflects more than the furniture hire alone. It also includes:
Storage and warehousing
Installation preparation and design
Website, CRM systems and marketing
Skilled administrative and design support
Inventory management software and subscriptions
Insurance for inventory, transportation and public liability
Why work with Porter & Gold?
Over the past 12 months, we have helped our clients sell over £10 million worth of property in Bristol and the South West. Our staging and styling services are proven to support successful sales across Bristol and the South West. We have quite a few 5 star google reviews, as well as our client testimonials on our website.
We come highly recommended by the best estate agents in Bristol, including Richard Harding, Rupert Oliver, Elephant, Boardwalk, Savills, Knight Frank, Hollis Morgan, Hydes, By Design, Andrews, Howards, Ocean and CJ Hole. We are also part of The Developers Network Bristol and work with some amazing local and national developers, such as Nest, YTL, Fairholme Estates and Kipling Build.
Staging your property with us will attract the right buyer by looking exceptional in both photography and in-person viewings, increasing the likelihood of achieving the desired sale price and selling within a shorter timeframe.
We source real art, rare prints, antiques, vintage and high-quality design-led furniture for our projects to ensure a unique finish. Our bespoke staging service aims to deliver installation within 10–14 days of initial enquiry.
As a professional staging company based in Bristol, we serve the South West, from the Cotswolds to Cornwall. Our projects range from apartments in Clifton Village to large country homes. We also offer show home design and installation services for developers, either as a staged rental option or a permanent installation. To see some of our recent work, visit our projects page.
We would love to help you sell your property, please get in touch to find out more!
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