Alrighty, we’ve spoken about the must-haves when staging your home and everything you should do, but what about the don’ts? The things you shouldn’t do and should definitely avoid spending your money on?

Here at Sell In Style Property Styling, we’ve seen just about everything when it comes to renovations and pre-sale updates. While we love the enthusiasm, we often advise that less is more when preparing your home for sale.

Here are our top “don’ts” when staging your home.

Buy Your Own Stuff

We know it’s tempting to rush out and buy your own styling pieces, but it can quickly become stressful, costly, and time-consuming. At Sell In Style, we already have everything you need to create a fully styled, cohesive, and beautiful home—without the last-minute panic shopping.

Worry About Cleaning Out Your Cupboards

Many homeowners stress over emptying and perfectly organising cupboards before staging. Here’s the good news: most buyers rarely look inside them during inspections. It’s perfectly okay to store your day-to-day clutter in cupboards and focus your energy where it counts—on visible spaces buyers care about.

Don’t Spend Money On What You Won’t Get Back

While staging is an investment, avoid pouring money into upgrades that won’t deliver a return. For example, swapping out your kitchen sink or other permanent fixtures may not add the value you expect—especially if the new buyers have different tastes. Focus on cosmetic updates and styling that highlight your home’s existing features instead.

Add To Your Windows

Window furnishings like curtains and drapes can be expensive, but they don’t always offer the return on investment you’re hoping for. During staging, we typically work with existing window setups and, where possible, open curtains to maximise natural light rather than replacing them entirely.

Avoid Buying New Appliances

New appliances are rarely worth the expense when selling your home. While you may dislike your current dishwasher or fridge, buyers often plan to bring in their own. Instead of spending thousands, focus on enhancing your home’s overall presentation with professional staging.

Don’t Paint Feature Walls

Feature walls can be polarising and, more often than not, costly without adding real value. Freshening up your home with neutral tones is fine, but avoid committing to bold feature walls since buyers may prefer their own colour palette.

What Now?

If you’re still unsure what you should or shouldn’t do when staging your home, get in touch with our experienced team. We’re happy to guide you on where to invest, where to save, and how to make your property shine—without overspending.