What is Virtual Staging and How do You Virtually Stage a Room?

Selling a home or a property comes with its own set of challenges, especially when it comes to helping potential buyers visualize the possibilities of a space. That’s where virtual staging steps in as a game-changer. By digitally enhancing rooms with stylish furniture and decor, virtual staging offers an affordable, convenient way to showcase a property’s full potential.

In this post, we’ll dive into what virtual staging entails and walk you through how to virtually stage a room to create a lasting impression.

What is Virtual Staging?

Live, in-person home staging is the process of preparing a property to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Services can include upping the curb appeal, depersonalizing the decor, changing or repurposing spaces to engage a larger audience, and the less glamorous steps of cleaning, making repairs, and decluttering.

Virtual staging performs the same services, but instead of changing the actual house, you change high-resolution images – mostly 2D, but sometimes 3D.

The rising importance of online listings in the home selling process has been a driving force behind this trend, but the advantages of virtual staging over live staging are the reason it may be here to stay.

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Home Staging?

Being able to stage a home with just the click of a button brings several advantages for real estate agents. Some of them include:

Buyers Can See Staged Property From Anywhere

Virtual staging allows potential buyers to view properties from anywhere in the world. This is particularly beneficial for buyers who live in remote areas or have busy schedules. Additionally, virtual tours can be accessed 24/7, allowing buyers to view properties at their convenience. This increased accessibility can lead to a larger pool of potential buyers and faster sales.

Virtual Furniture Staging Provides More Options

Live home stagers have practical limitations regarding furniture and décor, like the expense of purchasing and storage or some inventory already being in use.

Virtual staging designers don't have this problem. They can have a huge library of digital assets, so variety and availability are never issues. It's easier to customize things like color schemes or design styles, and they can include smaller décor items that aren't practical with real inventory.

It's Faster to Virtually Stage a Room

Turnaround for virtual staging can be same day, in some cases. Even more extensive manipulations only take a few days.

By contrast, live staging is much slower. The stager has to assess the house, negotiate the estimate, check inventory, and schedule movers to deliver the rented items. Then you need another appointment for the photographer.

Live staging can take a week or even two. Those are weeks that the house can be on the market with virtual staging.

Virtually Staging a Room is Cheaper

Live staging involves the labor of an entire team, plus furniture rentals. Maybe even storage for the owner's real belongings. Staging an empty property is especially expensive because the entire house needs to be furnished.

With virtual staging, you're paying for the labor of software programmers and graphic designers using assets that can be recycled over and over. Computer storage and processing power are much cheaper at volume than warehouses and moving trucks.

In terms of the price tag, there is no contest. Live staging costs are in the thousands. Digital staging typically costs hundreds for professional work and less for DIY.

What Considerations and Concerns Come with Virtual Staging?

There are a few things you need to consider when you choose virtual home staging.

Look for Quality in Virtual Staging Companies

There are a few ways to approach virtual staging, but they're not all created equal.

You can hire professionals to digitally stage photos. The current technology can produce very realistic results with a skilled hand. Prices, turnaround times, and exact services vary by company.

A more economical option is virtual staging software or virtual staging apps that allow you to make changes yourself. Right now, the results of DIY virtual staging are hit and miss, but they're suitable for simple applications and will undoubtedly improve with time.

Either way, technical proficiency (yours or someone else's) should factor heavily into your choice – you want to avoid the uncanny valley effect of poorly manipulated photos. However, it's also important to think about design sense (a Photoshop license does not make someone an interior designer) and the ethical boundaries a company or tool enforces.

Use Digital Staging Ethically

Speaking of ethics, it's a potential pitfall of digital staging.

The whole point of virtually staging a home is to make the sale easier. But if buyers walk into a property and realize you've drastically misrepresented it, then you wasted everyone's time.

Be transparent about what is real and what isn't. Consider including untouched photos alongside the staged ones, especially for empty homes or those under renovation.

You should avoid making changes that are deceptive – for example, a drastic digital renovation with new kitchen appliances that don't exist.

You also want to make sure virtual furnishings are proportional to the space so you don't accidentally misrepresent the size of the room.

Step-By-Step Guide to Virtually Staging a Property

To effectively virtually stage a property, follow these steps: First, ensure the property is clean and clutter-free to create a welcoming atmosphere. Next, take high-quality photos of each room, capturing various angles and details. Edit the photos to enhance lighting, adjust colors, and improve overall composition. Then, choose a virtual staging method that best suits your needs, whether it's a user-friendly app, specialized software, or a professional service. Select furniture and decor that complements the property's style and target audience. Finally, export the high-quality, virtually staged images to use in your online listings and marketing materials.

What Are the Best Virtual Staging Companies?

The field of virtual staging is still young, and there are dozens of contenders out there, especially in terms of professional services. Here are a few of the current standouts.

PadStyler, a Realistic Virtual Staging Service (Including 3D)

PadStyler offers a well-rounded list of virtual staging services, including virtual landscaping, virtual renovation, 3D interactive staging, video walk-throughs, architectural rendering (for new construction), and rush services. They can also provide fully furnished 3D floor plans to help potential buyers visualize the whole space.

What makes PadStyler stand out? Their range of services is paired with their commitment to quality. They use design collections hand-picked by professional interior designers, which are then staged for realism with an attention to light and shadow.

It's worth noting that Virtual Staging Solutions and Virtually Staging Properties are services that get similar compliments for realism and attention to detail, but only in 2D.

VRX Staging, a Fast & Affordable Virtual Staging Service

VRX Staging offers 2D virtual staging, along with photography services (in the U.S.) and special edits like virtual twilight, sky and grass enhancements, paint color, and custom requests. These touchups can be ordered with or without the virtual staging services.

What makes VRX Staging stand out? They have a reputation for being fast and affordable with great customer service. Their virtual twilight results are excellent, though their staging definitely looks virtual. Regardless, their fans say they provide excellent value for the price.

RoOomy, a Shoppable Virtual Staging Service/Virtual Staging App

RoOomy offers 3D virtual staging, including virtually staged Matterport tours.

What makes RoOomy stand out? For one thing, it's shoppable! All virtual décor comes from the very real catalogs of their retail partners, so buyers can purchase items if they like what they see.

It's also the best of both a virtual staging service and a virtual staging app. First, you consult with professionals who create expertly staged 3D renderings. Once the pros have done their jobs, agents can give prospective buyers the ability to customize the virtual staging further through roOomy's iOS interior design app.

VisualStager, a DIY Virtual Staging Software

VisualStager offers real estate agents the tools to virtually stage property themselves. It's a simple drag-and-drop interface that is best suited to empty (or nearly empty) properties, though there are also furniture removal options.

Since their virtual staging software is browser-based, you can access it anywhere, regardless of platform or device.

What makes VisualStager stand out? Users say it's easy to learn and incredibly affordable. They also say the results are realistic, the furniture catalog is big, and the software is constantly improving.

Get Started With 360training

Virtual staging is the next frontier in real estate, and it can help your listings sell faster for more money. It's cheaper and faster than live staging, but it can also introduce ethical dilemmas and produce poor results. Those are important things to keep in mind as you add virtual staging to your toolbox.

Did you find this helpful? Great!  Our mission is to help you advance your real estate career through learning.  Check out the online Continuing Education courses we offer in your state, and let us help you meet your renewal requirements on time.  Much like virtual staging, it's a convenient, affordable, and effective way to meet your goals. Get started by heading to our website today!

What is Virtual Staging?

Live, in-person home staging is the process of preparing a property to appeal to as many potential buyers as possible. Services can include upping the curb appeal, depersonalizing the decor, and changing or repurposing spaces to engage a larger audience, as well as the less glamorous steps of cleaning, making repairs, and decluttering.

Virtual staging performs the same services, but instead of changing the actual house, you change high-resolution images – mostly 2D, but sometimes 3D.

The rising importance of online listings in the home selling process has been a driving force behind this trend, but the advantages of virtual staging over live staging are the reason it may be here to stay.

What Are the Advantages of Virtual Home Staging?

Digital Staging is COVID-19 Friendly

Regardless of future popularity, digital real estate staging is definitely a tool made for our time.

As numbers climb again and states or municipalities tighten social distancing restrictions, virtual staging removes a lot of the uncertainty from getting a house ready for market. The reduced contact protects both home sellers and real estate professionals.

And at a time when only motivated buyers are visiting properties in person, the perfect in-person staging matters less. Online presentation is the key to engaging prospects.

Virtual Furniture Staging Provides More Options

Live home stagers have practical limitations regarding furniture and décor, like the expense of purchasing and storage or some inventory already being in use.

Virtual staging designers don't have this problem. They can have a huge library of digital assets so variety and availability are never an issue. It's easier to customize things like color scheme or design style, and they can include smaller décor items that aren't practical with real inventory.

It's Faster to Virtually Stage a Room

Turnaround for virtual staging can be same-day, in some cases. Even more extensive manipulations only take a few days.

By contrast, live staging is much slower. The stager has to assess the house, negotiate the estimate, check inventory, and schedule movers to deliver the rented items. Then you need another appointment for the photographer.

Live staging can take a week or even two. Those are weeks that the house can be on the market with virtual staging.

Virtually Staging a Room is Cheaper

Live staging involves the labor of an entire team, plus furniture rentals. Maybe even storage for the owner's real belongings. Staging an empty property is especially expensive because the entire house needs to be furnished.

With virtual staging, you're paying for the labor of software programmers and graphic designers, using assets that can be recycled over and over. Computer storage and processing power are much cheaper at volume than warehouses and moving trucks.

In terms of the price tag, it's no contest. Live staging costs are on the order of thousands. Digital staging typically costs hundreds for professional work, and less for DIY.

What Considerations and Concerns Come with Virtual Staging?

There are a few things you need to consider when you choose virtual home staging.

Look for Quality in Virtual Staging Companies

There are a few ways to approach virtual staging, but they're not all created equal.

You can hire professionals to digitally stage photos. The current technology can produce very realistic results with a skilled hand. Prices, turnaround times, and exact services vary by company.

A more economical option is virtual staging software or virtual staging apps that allow you to make changes yourself. Right now, the results of DIY virtual staging are hit and miss, but they're suitable for simple applications and will undoubtedly improve with time.

Either way, technical proficiency (yours or someone else's) should factor heavily into your choice – you want to avoid the uncanny valley effect of poorly manipulated photos. However, it's also important to think about design sense (a Photoshop license does not make someone an interior designer) and the ethical boundaries a company or tool enforces.

Use Digital Staging Ethically

Speaking of ethics, it's a potential pitfall of digital staging.

The whole point of virtually staging a home is to make the sale easier. But if buyers walk into a property and realize you've drastically misrepresented it, then you wasted everyone's time.

Be transparent about what is real and what isn't. Consider including untouched photos alongside the staged ones, especially for empty homes or those under renovation.

You should avoid making changes that are deceptive – for example, a drastic digital renovation with new kitchen appliances that don't exist.

You also want to make sure virtual furnishings are proportional to the space so you don't accidentally misrepresent the size of the room.

What Are the Best Virtual Staging Companies?

The field of virtual staging is still young, and there are dozens of contenders out there, especially in terms of professional services. Here are a few of the current standouts.

PadStyler, a Realistic Virtual Staging Service (including 3D)

PadStyler offers a well-rounded list of virtual staging services, including virtual landscaping, virtual renovation, 3D interactive staging, video walk-throughs, architectural rendering (for new construction), and rush services. They can also provide fully furnished 3D floor plans to help potential buyers visualize the whole space.

What makes PadStyler stand out? Their range of services paired with their commitment to quality. They use design collections hand-picked by professional interior designers, which are then staged for realism with an attention to light and shadow.

It's worth noting that Virtual Staging Solutions and Virtually Staging Properties are services that get similar compliments for realism and attention to detail, but only in 2D.

VRX Staging, a Fast & Affordable Virtual Staging Service

VRX Staging offers 2D virtual staging, along with photography services (in the U.S.) and special edits like virtual twilight, sky and grass enhancements, paint color, and custom requests. These touchups can be ordered with or without the virtual staging services.

What makes VRX Staging stand out? They have a reputation for being fast and affordable with great customer service. Their virtual twilight results are excellent, though their staging definitely looks virtual. Regardless, their fans say they provide excellent value for the price.

RoOomy, a Shoppable Virtual Staging Service/Virtual Staging App

RoOomy offers 3D virtual staging, including virtually staged Matterport tours.

What makes RoOomy stand out? For one thing, it's shoppable! All virtual décor comes from the very real catalogs of their retail partners, so buyers can purchase items if they like what they see.

It's also the best of both a virtual staging service and a virtual staging app. First, you consult with professionals who create expertly staged 3D renderings. Once the pros have done their jobs, agents can give prospective buyers the ability to customize the virtual staging further through roOomy's iOS interior design app.

VisualStager, a DIY Virtual Staging Software

VisualStager offers real estate agents the tools to virtually stage property themselves. It's a simple drag-and-drop interface that is best suited to empty (or nearly empty) properties, though there are also furniture removal options.

Since their virtual staging software is browser-based, you can access it anywhere regardless of platform or device.

What makes VisualStager stand out? Users say it's easy to learn and incredibly affordable. They also say the results are realistic, the furniture catalog is big, and the software is constantly improving.

Bottom Line

Virtual staging is the next frontier in real estate, and it can help your listings sell faster, for more money. It's cheaper and faster than live staging, but it can also introduce ethical dilemmas and produce poor results. Those are important things to keep in mind as you add virtual staging to your toolbox.

Did you find this helpful? Great!  Our mission is to help you advance your real estate career through learning.  Check out the online Continuing Education courses we offer in your state, and let us help you meet your renewal requirements on time.  Much like virtual staging, it's a convenient, affordable, and effective way to meet your goals!