How to stage a property with existing furniture

Working with clients on a property they are either planning to sell or rent out as a holiday let can be a challenge if they’re wanting to work with existing furniture.

Starting a room scheme from scratch is a much easier process, however taking on the challenge of existing furniture is always a really fun part of interior staging.

Here are a few key tips on staging and styling a property around the clients existing furniture. 

Splashes of colour

Depending on what furniture is already occupying the space, it can sometimes look quite clunky. For example, a large wooden sideboard can dominate a hallway, so it’s a good idea to look for ways to soften it and add interest.

Adding a bouquet of flowers is a great way of bringing in a splash of colour without having to spend too much money.

Alternatively, decorate furniture with colourful accessories - a pile of books, candles and the odd plant or two works wonders.

Use artwork to brighten plain walls

As well as existing furniture, staging clients may not want to fully decorate or paint the walls. You can easily brighten up plain white or cream walls with colourful artwork.

Try and pick out colours from the soft furnishings and accessories and replicate this in your choice of artwork.

To tip: Black frames feel modern and make the artwork pop! 

Create a welcoming table

Styling an existing dining table is the key to bringing it to life. When it comes to staging, potential buyers or holiday renters need to be able to visualise themselves either living or enjoying the space.

Laying the table with plates, cutlery and glasses immediately elevates a standard dining table and makes it feel put together. You can’t beat a vase of real or faux flowers in the middle of table for some much needed wow-factor.

Soft furnishings

Any design of bed can be jazzed up with a little bit of TLC. Soft furnishings work wonders in bringing in colour and texture to a plain bedroom.

Coming up with a particular colour scheme to keep a room looking consistent is a great tip. The bedroom pictured above boasts mustard yellow accents, which really helps make it feel more inviting.

Choose a textured throw and match the colours up with a pair of cushions to complement each other. 

Add a stylish rug

Sofas take up a lot of room in a living space and a client might already have ones that they want to use, like the ones pictured above.

Adding a statement rug in the middle of a room frames the space perfectly and makes a it feel more on trend. This cream and black berber design works really well with the other furnishings and accessories in the room. 

Modern lighting

Decorate existing bedside tables or chest of drawers with elegant lighting. A statement table lamp will offer a different lighting option to the main ceiling light as well as bringing an extra layer of style to a room. 

Choose a metallic finish that you will use for entirety of the room. For example, in the bedroom pictured above we chose a chest of drawers with brass hardware, a brass mirror and a black and brass table lamp to complete the look.