Staging is the highest-ROI thing you can do before listing your Des Moines home. The National Association of REALTORS® reports staged homes sell faster and for 1-5% more on average. Here is the actual checklist I walk every Des Moines metro seller through before we hit the MLS.
Before You Stage — The Three Rules
Rule 1: Declutter aggressively. The biggest single visual improvement is removing 30% of what's in the house.
Rule 2: Depersonalize. Family photos, religious items, sports memorabilia, hobby collections — pack them away. Buyers need to picture themselves in the home, not feel like guests in yours.
Rule 3: Clean to a level you'd never live at. Professional cleaning is worth every dollar.
Exterior — First Impressions
- Power-wash siding, walkways, and driveway
- Mow, edge, mulch, and add fresh annuals at the entry
- Repaint the front door (a fresh color adds disproportionate appeal)
- New welcome mat
- Clean or replace exterior light fixtures
- Clean gutters and downspouts
- Fresh house numbers if yours are dated
- Hide trash cans and recycling
- Stage the porch with two chairs and a small table
Entry / Foyer
- Remove all coats, shoes, and clutter from entry closet
- Add a small mirror or piece of artwork
- Bowl for keys, single small accent
- Fresh flowers on a console table if there's space
Living Room
- Remove 30% of the furniture so the room feels larger
- Arrange remaining furniture in conversation groupings, not against walls
- Neutral paint touch-ups
- Fresh throw pillows in modern colors
- One large piece of art per wall, not gallery walls
- Open all blinds and curtains for max natural light
- 60W+ bulbs in every lamp, daylight color temperature
Kitchen
- Clear every counter except 1-2 small appliances and a fruit bowl
- Empty the refrigerator front of magnets, photos, kid art
- Polish stainless appliances or hide fingerprints
- Fresh dish towels, soap pump, sponge
- Add a cookbook on a stand for staged warmth
- Clean inside the oven, microwave, and refrigerator (buyers WILL look)
Dining Room
- Remove leaves from the dining table to make the room feel more spacious
- Set the table with simple place settings
- Centerpiece — fresh flowers or a single sculptural piece
- Remove any extra furniture (china hutches, sideboards) if the room feels crowded
Bedrooms
- Primary bedroom is the second most important room after the kitchen
- White or neutral bedding (hotel-style)
- Remove personal items from nightstands
- Clear closet floors and reduce hanging clothes by 50% so closets look spacious
- Make sure the bed is the focal point, not the TV
Bathrooms
- All-new white towels (3 per bathroom — never use them, just for showings)
- Clear all counters except a soap pump and one decorative item
- Replace any caulk that is mildewed
- Clean grout
- New shower curtain
- Hide all personal toiletries, medications, and trash cans
Basement and Garage
- Buyers care about basements and garages even though sellers often don't stage them
- Sweep the garage floor and remove 30% of stored items
- Stage one corner of the basement as "this is what the space could be" (workout area, kids playroom, office)
The Day Before a Showing
- Run a fresh towel through every bathroom
- Empty all trash
- Vacuum
- Open all blinds
- Turn on every light
- Set thermostat to 70F in summer, 68F in winter
- Bake cookies or use a subtle vanilla scent — not strong air fresheners
- Take pets and pet bowls out of the house
Should You Hire a Professional Stager?
For Des Moines metro homes priced over $400,000, professional staging usually pays for itself. For homes under $300,000, a good REALTOR® walk-through is often enough. As an SRES® REALTOR® I do a free pre-listing walk-through and give you a customized staging plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does professional staging cost in Des Moines?
A: Typical Des Moines metro staging costs $1,500 to $3,500 for a vacant home or $500 to $1,500 for a consultation with rented accent pieces if you're still living in the home. The ROI is usually 3-10x.
Q: Can I stage with my own furniture?
A: For most homes yes. Professional stagers add the most value when the home is vacant or the existing furniture is dated. A REALTOR® consultation is usually enough to make your existing furniture work.
Q: What is the most important room to stage?
A: Kitchen first, primary bedroom second, living room third. These three rooms are where buyers make their decision.
Q: How long before the listing photos should I stage?
A: Stage 100% of the home before the photographer comes. The listing photos sell the house — every showing after that is just a confirmation of what the buyer saw online.
Want this applied to a specific house?
Send the address and your question. Within 1 business day you will have an answer in writing: what the house would likely bring, what it would net after Iowa closing costs, and what to fix first or leave alone, with the reasoning shown. No listing agreement, no call required.
Ask a Question, Answered in Writing →
Related Resources