Staging your home or property is a big ask but an important part of modern and competitive real estate, particularly in Melbourne. Staging your property can add a lot of value to your property while also making it more attractive to potential buyers but this has been said before. Something we have yet to really discuss is how you live with the staged property in the meantime. 

Ideally, this won’t be a long term issue. The market is still actively a buyers market and if you have had your property professionally staged, a quick sale is more than likely, especially in the right market. However, that still means a few weeks of living in what is essentially a showroom with every bit of typical life impacting the staging and styling of the property and potentially damaging the investment. 

Now, many people choose to move out of their property during the staging process and move into temporary accommodation and staging is also quite popular with the commercial housing market to maximise their investment and potential return so the sellers are unlikely to be living there during staging anyway. However, what if alternative housing isn’t possible or you would simply prefer to stay in your home? Is it possible to live in the staged space and what should do to reduce your impact on the staging. 

Is it possible to live in a staged home?

Yes, it is possible to stage your home and still live in it. This is never ideal but it occurs quite regularly where alternative living arrangements aren’t possible or the new home isn’t ready yet. This can be a bizarre and uncomfortable situation; living in a home that has been purposefully depersonalised with unfamiliar furniture and a need to keep your overall impact on the home as minimal as possible. However, it is possible to live quite comfortably in a staged home for the short term. The property is well organised and clean, the staging process helps with speeding up packing and you get to see your old home in a new light. Despite this, that burning desire to ensure everything is just so will likely be present in your mind so how can you minimise your impact? Let’s look at 5 ways to live smarter in a staged property.

Move your pets into alternative accommodation

You might be able to live in a staged home but unfortunately the same can not be said for your pets. Pet allergies are quite common and as a pet owner, you’ll be familiar with the relentless upkeep needed to keep your pets from covering your home in hair and scratching your furniture into pieces. With new rental furniture likely being moved in for the staging process, it’s not worth the risk. Pets also give a property an unmistakable smell that can be hard to get rid of on the morning of a viewing. It’s best to move them into a kennel or cattery for the meantime. Hopefully, you won’t be missing them for very long.

Create Functional Spaces

Living in a staged property can often feel quite limiting and you can often feel like you are trapped. Staged homes often present rooms with a generic purpose, such as a "living room" or "office." However, you can reimagine these spaces to meet your specific needs. Convert a staged office into a cozy reading nook or a creative workspace. Transform a spare room into a fitness area or hobby room. Adapt the spaces in a way that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

Establish a Daily Routine

Living in a staged home might feel transient, but establishing a daily routine can help make it feel more like your own space. Set aside time each day for activities you enjoy, such as reading, practising yoga, or cooking. Incorporating these personal rituals into your routine will help you feel more connected to the home and create a sense of familiarity. Essentially, you want to find familiarity in a way that doesn’t impact your home and taking the time to simply live can be a great way to reduce that stress you might be experiencing.

Keep your personal belongings hidden

Keeping your personal belongings hidden is a key part of the staging process but it becomes more complicated when you have to live and work in that space. Personal items are going to need to be present in your home but they should be put away whenever you don’t need them. Items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, hairbrushes, shampoo and other personal care products should be put into closed cupboards when not in use. Buyers want to see themselves living there, not you.

Try to keep some rooms unused

There’s no way around it. Living in your house is going to impact the staging of your home. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s impossible but it does mean that you’ll need to be more diligent with cleaning and tidying, especially around viewings. This means that it is highly beneficial to leave some rooms undisturbed if possible. For example, using just one bathroom in your house or using the living room for work or leisure instead of the spare room. It might not be ideal but it won’t be for long and it’ll reduce any harm you may cause and will also allow you to breathe a little easier.

While certainly an unusual challenge, living in a staged home offers a unique opportunity to experience a well-designed and aesthetically pleasing environment. By embracing minimalism, adding personal touches, and creating functional spaces, you can transform a staged home into a comfortable and inviting living space that you won’t feel scared of ruining while you hopefully wait for a quick sale of your property.