Every year, around this time, people are hyped about new design trends. However, design trends come and go—color palettes shift, furniture styles evolve, and new materials emerge. If you’re a home stager, real estate agent, or property seller focusing solely on design trends, you’re missing the bigger picture. The real shift isn’t about which color is trending or whether mid-century modern is in or out—it’s about how people want to live in their homes. And if you understand that, you’ll be ahead of the curve in a way that truly matters.

Staging for the Next Owner, Not the Current House

For years, staging has been disregarded for the value it brings, treated as “nice to do if there is a budget” or decluttering and decorating. Simply putting a couch here, a rug there, add artwork, and voila! But that’s not enough anymore. The role of a stager isn’t just to make a space look pretty—it’s to help potential buyers see how they can live in the space. A staged property, beautifully done or not, which has ignored lifestyle needs, simply won’t connect with buyers in the same way a strategically staged™ property will.

People’s expectations of how they use their home have changed dramatically in the past decade. The pandemic accelerated shifts that were already happening, making it clear that home is no longer just a place to sleep and eat—it’s an office, a classroom, a gym, a retreat, and so much more. Stagers who recognize these changes and stage accordingly will stand out in the market.

The New Way People Use Their Homes

I am saying “new way” because to some the concept of “Strategic Staging™ will be totally new, much like the frog in boiling water analogy. In my work as an educator, preparing people to lead the staging field, with stellar work, I have always taught Stagers to analyze not just the physical space but how people want to live in it.

Why This Matters for Real Estate Agents and Sellers

If you’re a real estate agent or seller, working with a stager who understands these changes is crucial. Buyers aren’t just looking for a beautiful home—they’re looking for a home that works for their lifestyle. A house staged with that in mind will sell faster and for more money.  When a buyer walks into a home and immediately sees how it fits their life, they’re emotionally invested. They’re already imagining where they’ll drink their morning coffee, where they’ll take work calls, and where they’ll relax at the end of the day. That emotional connection leads to offers.  Here’s an idea of some ways spaces are changing:

1. Flexible Spaces Matter More Than Ever
   

   Buyers today aren’t just looking for a three-bedroom, two-bath house. They’re looking for a lifestyle they want to have and versatility.

   With consumer habits changing, many rooms are experiencing the chameleon effect. Many homeowners embraced open concept layouts for primary living areas. This space evolution provides the opportunity to reallocate space previously devoted to separate rooms, giving regularly used parts of a home greater functionality and room to breathe. Walls are coming back in style though, with pocket doors for flexibility, (even retractable walls!) providing renovators/builders the opportunity to use space for non-traditional lifestyle activities.  For instance, if square footage is at a premium, the dedicated dining room will be top of the chop list. Freeing space for a music room, parent bedroom with ensuite, main-floor dedicated laundry room, or even a stylish place for home schooling/working from home. It is important to note that in some cultures (Asian, Korean, Eastern European or Persian) there is still a desire for a formal dining room, f family style living/dining has been integrated to a great room/kitchen, a house without a dedicated dining space, could affect resale value in those instances.   Another lifestyle change Stagers and agents need to realize and let go of is staging “kid’s” rooms. You may not know this however it has been changing for the last decade and now,2024 research from PEW, showed 57% of adults under 50 are unlikely to have kids because they don’t want to! Completely shattering the ideology of what a traditional bedroom will be used for. A bedroom may need to function as a guest room, but in the meanwhile it maybe a dedicated hobby room; so, no surprise to learn one of the hottest trends for space saving and increasing property value are wall-beds

   Strategic staging™ tip: Show flexibility. Instead of staging a room for a single purpose, create zones that suggest multiple uses. A sleek desk in a corner of a bedroom tells buyers, “This can be your quiet workspace.” A cozy reading nook in a living room suggests it can be a place for both relaxation and productivity.

   2. Work-From-Home Isn’t Going Away

   Remote work is here to stay, so buyers need to see that a home can support that lifestyle without looking like a corporate office. People want functional workspaces, but they also want them to blend seamlessly into their homes. Also be aware a growing trend of children being homeschooled

   Strategic staging™ tip: Instead of using an entire room as an office, stage a stylish and compact workspace in a bedroom, but not the main, under a staircase, or in a nook. Show that a home can support a work-from-home lifestyle without sacrificing a whole room.

   3. Wellness Spaces Are a Must

   Buyers are prioritizing their well-being at home. That means they’re looking for spaces that support mental and physical health—whether it’s a meditation corner, a fitness space, sensory retreat or even just a cozy retreat for reading and unwinding.

   Strategic staging™ tip: Look for a space you can turn it into a wellness feature. A corner of a basement or a sunlit spot in the living room can be transformed with a chaise or create a into a yoga or meditation space. Showing buyers how they can prioritize self-care in a home makes a property feel more valuable.

   4. The Kitchen Is Still the Heart of the Home—But It’s More Than Just for Cooking

   Kitchens have always been a selling point, but now they’re also workspaces, homework hubs, entertainment places and gathering spots. Buyers want a kitchen that feels both functional and inviting.

   Strategic staging™ tip: Set up a kitchen in a way that suggests real, modern living. Create a casual seating area where people can imagine themselves connecting with family. A trend growing in popularity is the eat in kitchen. Think casual farmhouse vs contemporary island. If you are involved in renovation, add a banquet, or use a round table with a bench and chairs.

   5. Outdoor Living Is More Important Than Ever

   Whether it’s a small balcony or a sprawling backyard, buyers want usable outdoor space. It’s no longer enough to have a patio—buyers want to see how they can truly live, entertain, relax and play in it.

    Strategic staging™ tip: Even the smallest outdoor spaces should be staged to show function. A tiny balcony with a cozy chair and a coffee table feels like an inviting morning retreat. Birdwatching, a fountain, croquet set is just as important as a seating area suggesting a perfect spot for entertaining – at a strategic drinks area.

   The Future of Staging: Be a Strategist, Not Just a Stager

   Home staging is evolving.  At CSP® we believe and teach the word STAGING is an umbrella word for preparing property for sale AND a photo shoot!  Staging for the photo no longer is about making a home look like no one lives there—it’s about understanding how people want to live and staging accordingly. Stagers who embrace this shift will not only be in demand but will also set themselves apart as true professionals in the industry.

   Here’s what needs to change:

   • Stop staging just to fill rooms with furniture. Instead, think about function, flexibility, and lifestyle.
   • Understand buyer psychology. People buy homes based on emotion. Help them see how their lives will unfold in a space.
   • Be ahead of the trends in living, not just in design. The way people use their homes is shifting. Pay attention to what buyers are asking for, not just what designers are showcasing.
   • Educate real estate agents and sellers. Many still think staging is just about looks. Help them see the value of strategic staging™ that highlights lifestyle and function.

   Final Thoughts

   The staging industry is at a turning point. It’s time to move beyond just making homes look nice and start making them feel like the future home of the next buyer. Stagers who become strategists will not only be in demand but will also redefine what property preparation truly means.

   For those looking to deepen their understanding of these shifts, it’s worth noting that CSP International® have been integrating these principles into their core training and continuing education for decades. Recognizing the evolution of home staging beyond aesthetics, CSP has long emphasized strategy, buyer psychology, biophilic and functional design. The future of staging belongs to those who see beyond the surface, and those willing to invest in that deeper learning will lead the way.

   So, the next time you stage a property, ask yourself: Am I just placing furniture, or am I preparing this space for how someone will live? That shift in perspective will set you apart and elevate the entire profession of home staging.

Are you ready to rewrite your story and build a career that lasts? Click here to learn more about CSP International Staging Training and take the first step toward your dream career today.