The vast majority of prospective buyers today choose a home either from visualisations (in the case of new developments), or from photographs in property listings. So you definitely want your property to look as good – and therefore as valuable – as possible.
According to a major study commissioned in 2025 by the American association of real estate agents, half of the professionals in this field said that home staging clearly led to a faster signing of the contract for the sale of a property. As for the price tag on it, the study works with estimated increases ranging from 5 to 10%.
For a flat worth ten million Kč, that can mean as much as an extra million in your pocket. So even after deducting the cost of home staging – which ranges from a few thousand to the lower tens of thousands of crowns – this effort clearly pays off.
Why do home staging?
The study also notes that home staging helps a great deal especially when selling atypical properties or flats that have minor “beauty flaws”. These include family houses in less attractive locations or flats with an unusual (and often slightly impractical) layout.
Make sure the flat doesn’t end up looking like a hotel room in the photos
In short, home staging is no longer just about making a flat look nice in photos. It is the ideal way to give viewers the feeling that they could settle into the space straight away. And anyone who has been in the real estate business for a while knows that when buying a property, people often weigh up not only the numbers, but also emotions. Often very strong ones.
So let’s take a look at what properly done home staging should always deliver.
1. It all starts with cleaning
If you thought you were pretty good at cleaning a flat, a professional company specialising in this kind of work will quickly set you straight. Ordinary cleaning is definitely not enough; viewers notice very quickly things like dirty grouting, fingerprints on glass or limescale in the bathroom. In other words, things you have perhaps got so used to that you no longer even register them.
Another advantage of experienced cleaning companies is their professional equipment
2. Remove personal belongings
Your family photographs, fridge magnets or collection of holiday souvenirs have no place in a property listing. For one thing, you want to protect your own privacy, and for another, you don’t want to draw attention away from the space itself. The aim of home staging is for viewers to be able to imagine the flat as their very own (not your) home!
Don’t overdo the accessories and keep personal items well out of sight
3. Don’t overcrowd rooms with furniture
When it comes to furniture, less is sometimes more. You may be tempted to think that “a small table would still fit here”, a lamp over there and a chest of drawers would surely appeal to viewers. But too many pieces of furniture make the flat look smaller. Airy space feels more valuable and photographs better.
4. Go for neutral colours and decorations
Bold colours or extravagant accessories won’t appeal to everyone. A simple, clean style (a little like the catalogues of the furniture chain IKEA) works almost always better when selling. Bear that in mind when painting too – garish purple walls are best left back at the turn of the millennium, where they belong; go for classic white or a light cream instead.
Colourful walls and bold wallpaper can put a potential buyer off
5. Let as much light into the flat as possible
One of the most common mistakes is photographing a beautifully arranged flat in poor lighting conditions. Pull back the curtains, switch on the lamps and replace weak bulbs. A bright flat looks bigger, more pleasant and better maintained. And make sure it’s a nice day outside! It will clearly show in the photos in a positive way.
Now you know how to prepare a flat or house for a photo shoot. But can you also find a reliable tenant who will pay the rent regularly and cause no trouble? We have almost twenty years of experience with exactly that. Entrust your empty property to professional management by FLAT SERVICE and rent it out simply, with no worries and at a clearly set price. For more information about our Partner and Garant services, call +420 277 000 330 or write to sales@flatservice.cz.
