Home Staging Costs in the UK: The Complete 2025 Price Guide
- naomichance
- Mar 25
- 9 min read
When it comes to selling your property quickly and for top price in today's competitive UK market, professional home staging has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity. But how much should you budget for this investment?
As someone who's worked with hundreds of UK property sellers, I'm often asked: "How much does home staging actually cost, and is it really worth it?"
The short answer? Home staging costs in the UK typically range from £500 for basic consultation services to £5,000+ for comprehensive staging of a large property—but the ROI can be extraordinary! According to the latest data from The Home Staging Association UK, professionally staged properties sell for an average of 8-10% more than unstaged homes and spend 73% less time on the market.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll break down exactly what you can expect to pay for different levels of home staging services across the UK in 2025, from DIY-friendly virtual consultations to full-service luxury staging packages.
Understanding Home Staging Service Tiers in the UK
The UK home staging industry has evolved considerably, with services now typically structured in these distinct tiers:
Virtual consultation: Professional advice without physical staging
Occupied home staging: Enhancing your lived-in property
Vacant property staging: Full furnishing of empty properties
Partial staging: Focusing on key rooms only
DIY staging packages: Professional guidance with self-implementation
Let's explore the costs and benefits of each approach.
Virtual Staging Consultations: £250-£750
Virtual consultation services have become increasingly sophisticated in 2025, offering exceptional value for sellers on limited budgets or those with good existing furniture.
What's typically included:
60-90 minute video consultation with a professional stager
Room-by-room assessment and recommendations
Shopping list of suggested items and improvements
Digital mood boards for key rooms
Paint colour and styling recommendations
2-4 weeks of follow-up support via email
Property stylist Emma Thompson explains: "Virtual consultations are perfect for sellers who have decent furniture but need professional guidance on arrangement, decluttering, and styling details that make properties photograph beautifully."
The average ROI on virtual consultations is impressive, with properties typically selling 30-40% faster than non-consulted homes, according to recent UK estate agent surveys.
Regional price variations:
London and Southeast: £350-£750
Midlands and Southwest: £300-£550
North of England: £250-£450
Scotland: £300-£500
Wales: £250-£400
Most virtual consultation services offer tiered packages based on property size and level of detail. Entry-level packages covering 3-4 main rooms start around £250, while comprehensive packages for larger homes with follow-up sessions can reach £750.
Occupied Home Staging: £800-£3,000
For sellers continuing to live in their property during the sales process, occupied home staging services work with your existing furnishings while supplementing with rental items as needed.
What's typically included:
Initial in-person consultation (1-2 hours)
Detailed staging plan for each room
Decluttering and depersonalisation guidance
Furniture rearrangement and optimisation
Accessory rental for 6-8 weeks (artwork, cushions, throws, lamps)
Styling of key focal points for photography
Pre-photography styling session
"Occupied staging is about finding the perfect balance between livability and marketability," explains London-based property stager Sarah Williams. "We transform the property for viewings while keeping it functional for daily life."
Cost breakdown for a typical 3-bedroom semi-detached house:
Consultation and plan creation: £350-£500
Decluttering assistance: £200-£400
Furniture rearrangement: £250-£350
Accessory rental (8 weeks): £500-£1,200
Pre-photography styling: £200-£300
Regional price variations:
London and Southeast: £1,500-£3,000
Major cities (Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh): £1,200-£2,500
Other regions: £800-£1,800
The investment in occupied staging typically delivers returns of 800-1000%, with the average UK property seeing a price increase of £15,000-£25,000 according to research from The Home Staging Association UK.
Vacant Property Staging: £2,500-£10,000+
Empty properties present particular challenges, with research showing they sell for 6-8% less than furnished homes and take significantly longer to move. Vacant property staging provides complete furnishing solutions for maximum impact.
What's typically included:
Full furniture rental package for living areas, dining areas, and bedrooms
Artwork, mirrors, and accessories
Complete styling and installation
Kitchen and bathroom enhancement
Outdoor space styling (weather permitting)
Professional photography coordination
Rental duration of 6-8 weeks (with extension options)
"An empty property is a missed opportunity," notes property marketing expert James Wilson. "Buyers struggle to gauge size and purpose without furniture, and photographs of empty rooms simply don't engage online viewers."
Cost factors that influence vacant staging prices:
Property size: The primary cost driver, with each additional room adding £500-£1,000
Property value: Higher-value properties require higher-quality furnishings
Rental duration: Standard packages cover 6-8 weeks, with extensions priced at 15-25% of the initial cost per month
Location: Urban properties typically cost more to stage due to access and transportation factors
Style requirements: Contemporary styling typically costs less than period-appropriate furnishing
Sample pricing for vacant property staging (8-week rental):
1-bedroom flat: £2,500-£4,000
2-bedroom property: £3,500-£6,000
3-bedroom property: £4,500-£8,000
4+ bedroom property: £6,000-£10,000+
Luxury property: £10,000-£20,000+
Regional price variations:
London (Prime): £6,000-£20,000+
London (Outer): £4,000-£10,000
Southeast England: £3,500-£9,000
Major UK cities: £3,000-£8,000
Other regions: £2,500-£7,000
While these figures might seem substantial, the return on investment is compelling. In 2025, the average vacant staged property in the UK sells for £32,000 more than comparable unstaged properties, according to data from Zoopla and The Home Staging Association UK.
Partial Staging Packages: £1,500-£5,000
For sellers with budget constraints or properties where only certain rooms need attention, partial staging offers a strategic middle ground.
What's typically included:
Staging of 3-4 key rooms (typically living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and one additional space)
Furniture and accessory rental for selected rooms
Consultation for unstaged rooms
Installation and styling
6-8 week rental period
"Partial staging allows us to focus resources on the spaces that most influence buying decisions," explains Manchester-based property stager Rebecca Thompson. "We prioritize the rooms that feature prominently in photography and those where buyers linger longest during viewings."
Cost breakdown for partial staging of a 3-bedroom house:
Living room: £700-£1,200
Master bedroom: £600-£900
Kitchen styling (no furniture): £300-£500
Dining area: £500-£800
Consultation for remaining spaces: £250-£350
Regional price variations:
London and Southeast: £2,500-£5,000
Major cities: £2,000-£4,000
Other regions: £1,500-£3,500
Partial staging typically delivers around 80% of the benefits of full staging at 50-60% of the cost, making it an excellent option for strategic sellers focusing on maximizing ROI.
DIY Staging Packages: £500-£1,500
For hands-on sellers with time and basic design sensibility, DIY staging packages provide professional guidance with self-implementation.
What's typically included:
In-depth consultation (2-3 hours)
Detailed room-by-room action plan
Shopping lists with specific product recommendations
Furniture arrangement diagrams
Colour consultation with paint samples
Styling guidelines and checklists
Follow-up virtual consultation post-implementation
Optional accessory rental packages
"DIY packages work wonderfully for sellers who have time and some design inclination," notes home staging consultant Emma Davis. "We provide the expert framework and specific guidance, while clients handle the implementation."
Cost breakdown:
Initial consultation and plan: £350-£600
Sample materials and swatches: £100-£200
Follow-up consultation: £150-£250
Optional accessory package: £400-£800
The beauty of DIY staging is scalability—sellers can implement recommendations gradually according to their budget and timeline. Most DIY stagers report spending an additional £500-£1,500 on recommended purchases and improvements, but these items can be taken to their next home.
Home Staging Costs by Property Type
Different property types have distinct staging requirements and cost considerations. Here's what to expect:
Flats and Apartments (£1,500-£4,000)
Smaller spaces require fewer furnishings but need careful scaling
Storage solutions become particularly important
Light-enhancing techniques often required for lower-floor units
Building access considerations may add to costs in buildings without lifts
Terraced Houses (£2,000-£5,000)
Flow creation between potentially narrower rooms becomes crucial
Period features often require highlighting with appropriate styling
Front entrance staging particularly important due to direct street access
Garden staging can significantly enhance perceived space
Semi-Detached Houses (£2,500-£6,000)
Family functionality needs to be balanced with aspirational styling
Multiple reception rooms require clear purpose definition
Outdoor space staging offers significant returns
Detached Houses (£4,000-£10,000+)
Larger spaces require more furnishings
Cohesive flow between numerous rooms becomes essential
Preventing rooms from feeling sparse requires additional accessories
Premium market positioning typically requires higher-quality furnishings
Luxury Properties (£10,000-£25,000+)
Bespoke staging often required rather than standard inventory items
Art curation and placement becomes significant
Designer furniture rental costs substantially more
Multiple outdoor living areas require comprehensive staging
Lifestyle element staging (wine rooms, home cinemas, etc.) adds specialised costs
Beyond the Basics: Specialty Staging Services and Their Costs
Beyond standard staging packages, several specialty services are gaining popularity in the UK market:
Garden and Outdoor Staging (£500-£2,500)
Creating inviting outdoor living spaces has become increasingly important, particularly after recent lifestyle shifts. Costs typically include:
Outdoor furniture rental: £300-£1,200
Planting and landscaping: £200-£800
Lighting enhancement: £150-£500
Accessories and styling: £100-£300
Virtual Staging for Online Listings (£75-£150 per room)
For empty properties where physical staging isn't feasible, digital virtual staging offers a cost-effective alternative:
Standard room virtual staging: £75-£120
Premium virtual staging with multiple angles: £100-£150
360° virtually staged room views: £150-£250
Before/after sliders for listings: Additional £50-£75
Day-of-Photography Styling (£350-£750)
For sellers handling most staging themselves but wanting professional polish for photographs:
Half-day styling service: £350-£500
Full-day styling service: £500-£750
Accessory rental for photoshoot: £200-£400
Includes styling reset after photographer leaves
Pre-Launch Deep Cleaning (£250-£600)
Many staging companies now offer specialist pre-photography cleaning:
Standard 3-bedroom property: £250-£350
Larger properties: £350-£600
Window cleaning (internal and external): Additional £100-£200
Carpet deep cleaning: Additional £150-£300
Is Home Staging Worth the Investment in 2025?
The data on staging ROI in the UK market is compelling:
Staged properties sell for 8-10% more than unstaged comparables (Home Staging Association UK)
The average time on market drops from 69 days to 24 days for staged properties (Rightmove data)
92% of estate agents report that staging makes it easier for buyers to visualise the property as their future home
Professionally photographed staged properties receive 43% more clicks in online listings
83% of staged properties sell at or above asking price compared to 63% of unstaged properties
When calculating ROI, consider these factors beyond just the selling price:
Carrying cost savings: Faster sales mean fewer mortgage payments, council tax, and utility costs while the property is on the market
Reduced chance of price reductions: Staged homes are 85% less likely to experience price reductions
Competitive advantage: In areas with high inventory, staging can be the differentiator that sells your property first
Stress reduction: While harder to quantify, many sellers report that professional staging significantly reduces the stress of the selling process
How to Choose the Right UK Home Staging Service
With the growing popularity of home staging, the UK market has seen an influx of service providers. Here's how to select the right company for your needs:
Verify credentials: Check for membership in The Home Staging Association UK or other professional organisations
Review portfolios: Examine before/after photos of similar properties
Request references: Speak with recent clients about their experiences
Understand inventory quality: View furniture pieces in person if possible
Clarify insurance coverage: Ensure the stager has proper insurance for working in your property
Confirm availability: Popular stagers often book 3-4 weeks in advance
Get detailed contracts: Ensure rental periods, installation dates, and removal timelines are clearly specified
Money-Saving Tips for Home Staging
If budget is a concern, consider these strategies to reduce staging costs while maintaining impact:
Focus on key rooms: Living room, kitchen, master bedroom, and entrance make the strongest impressions
Consider timing strategically: Off-peak seasons (November-January) often see staging discounts of 10-15%
Extend existing contracts: If another staged property sells quickly, some stagers offer discounted rates on their soon-to-be-available inventory
Opt for consultation plus key accessories: Combine a professional consultation with strategic accessory rentals rather than full furniture packages
Explore home staging cooperatives: Some areas have staging cooperatives that offer lower rates than commercial services
Negotiate photography packages: Many stagers have partnerships with photographers and can arrange discounted rates
DIY Home Staging on a Budget: Professional Tips
If professional staging exceeds your budget, these DIY approaches can still deliver significant benefits:
Invest in a professional consultation: £250-£500 for expert guidance you implement yourself
Focus on the fundamentals:
Thorough decluttering (consider temporary storage units: £80-£150/month)
Neutral wall colors (painting a standard room: £250-£400 DIY)
Maximum light (professional window cleaning: £75-£200)
Strategic furniture arrangement (free except for your time)
Rent key statement pieces: Consider renting just 2-3 impactful items rather than full packages
Borrow strategically: Friends and family may have pieces that can elevate your presentation
Shop budget-friendly retailers: Stores like H&M Home, Dunelm, and IKEA offer staging-worthy accessories at accessible price points
Home Staging Costs vs. Price Reductions
When considering staging costs, it's illuminating to compare them to typical price reductions:
Average first price reduction on unstaged UK properties: 3-5% (£9,000-£15,000 on a £300,000 property)
Average second price reduction: Additional 2-3% (£6,000-£9,000)
Total potential reduction: £15,000-£24,000
By comparison, professional staging typically costs £2,000-£6,000 for the same property—a significantly better investment than absorbing a price reduction.
"Many sellers focus on the upfront cost of staging rather than the cost of not staging," notes property expert James Wilson. "When you calculate potential price reductions and extended carrying costs, staging quickly becomes the financially prudent choice."
Making an Informed Staging Investment
Home staging costs in the UK reflect the professionalism and value that expert presentation brings to the property selling process. While prices vary significantly based on property size, location, and service level, the data consistently shows that professional staging delivers exceptional returns on investment.
As you plan your property sale in 2025, consider staging costs not as an expense but as a strategic investment that typically delivers returns of 500-1000% when all factors are considered. From faster sales and higher offers to reduced carrying costs and stress, professional staging offers benefits that extend far beyond aesthetics.
Whether you opt for comprehensive staging services or a consultation-based DIY approach, presenting your property in its best possible light is increasingly essential in the UK's competitive property market.
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