Staging a home isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s a move that can shape a buyer’s first impression and even boost your final sale price. But with limited time or budget, many sellers ask the same question: Which room matters the most?
The National Association of Realtors®’ 2025 Profile of Home Staging offers a clear answer, based on feedback from agents across the country. It turns out that one specific room has the biggest impact on how buyers perceive the rest of the home.
And it’s not the kitchen. Or the bathroom. Instead, the data points to a more emotional and visible space: the living room.
Why staging still matters to buyers
Home prices and mortgage rates might dominate the headlines, but staging still proves to be a powerful strategy. An impressive 83% of buyer’s agents said staging helps buyers visualize a property as their future home, according to the 2025 NAR report.
That emotional connection matters, especially in a high-stakes market. Nearly 9 in 10 buyers are influenced by staging to some degree, with 60% of agents saying it sways some buyers and 26% saying it strongly shapes perception. When buyers are stretching financially, staging could be the nudge that makes a home feel worth it.
The clear winner: Stage this room first
Kitchens and bathrooms might get the renovation dollars, but when it comes to staging, the living room reigns supreme. According to the report, 37% of buyer’s agents said the living room is the most important room to stage, followed by the primary bedroom (34%) and the kitchen (23%).
That tracks with what veteran agents see on the ground.
Prioritize high-impact spaces when the budget is limited. Guest bedrooms, laundry rooms, and other lower-traffic areas can typically be skipped—only 7% of buyer’s agents said guest rooms were “very important” to stage.
Does staging really raise your sale price?
Absolutely. According to the report, 17% of buyer’s agents said staging increased offer prices by 1% to 5%, and 10% reported increases of 6% to 10%. In a competitive market, that could translate into tens of thousands of dollars.
Staging also plays a key role in visibility: 31% of buyer’s agents said it made buyers more likely to visit a home they had first viewed online.
What buyers expect (blame TV)
Years of binge-worthy design shows have raised the bar—nearly half of agents (48%) say their clients expect homes to look straight out of HGTV. And when reality doesn’t match the fantasy, 58% report buyers leave disappointed.
That’s why clean lines, clutter-free surfaces, and emotional impact matter more than ever—especially in the first three rooms a buyer sees.
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