From Pro to Personal: A Stager Stages Her Own Home for Sale

After years of transforming homes for market, I finally found myself on the other side of the story: staging my own.

For well over a decade, I’ve worked as a home stager, helping homeowners see their spaces through a buyer's eyes. I depersonalized, decluttered, and dressed up homes with fresh pillows and neutral art, always with one goal: a faster sale at the best price. But when it came time to sell my own house, I learned just how different—how emotional—the process really is when it’s your home on the line.

The Emotional Tug-of-War

I knew the rules. Take yourself out of the space. Create a clean, inviting canvas. But knowing and doing are two very different things when you’re wrapping bubble wrap around your child’s artwork or rolling up a rug you bought on your honeymoon. Suddenly, every staging decision carried a memory—and a pang of resistance.Still, I pressed on. I reminded myself of the advice I’d given to so many others: you’re not selling your home, you’re selling a house. And if you do it right, someone else will fall in love with it just like you did.

A welcoming entry sets the stage

Turning the Lens on Myself

I walked through my home the way I’d walked through hundreds of others, clipboard in hand and eyes scanning like a buyer. Did the entryway feel open? Was the furniture placement maximizing space or making it feel cramped? Were the colors warm and neutral, or loud and personal?

There were surprises. Rooms I thought were “good enough” suddenly needed editing. That bold blue wall I once adored? Gone. The mismatched furniture in the den? Swapped for a simpler, more cohesive look. I had to treat myself like any other client—ruthlessly objective.

The Advantage of Experience

The silver lining? I knew what worked. I didn’t waste time trying out looks I hoped would appeal to buyers. I knew how to light each room for photos, where to place mirrors for maximum impact, which updates would earn real returns (hint: paint, paint, paint), and having the windows (as well as the inside of the house professionally cleaned.

I even pulled some favorite staging tricks from my old toolbox—like placing a cozy throw blanket and pillows, and a tray on the kitchen island, fresh flowers in a few places to sell a “lifestyle,” not just a room.

Don’t Forget the Outside

One of the biggest lessons I relearned during this process: curb appeal isn’t optional—it’s critical. Buyers form first impressions in seconds, often before they even open the front door. I’d staged many many interiors in my day, but I gave just as much attention to the yard this time.

We trimmed low branches off of trees in the front yard, edged the lawn, and power-washed the walkway until the concrete practically sparkled. I added a fresh layer of mulch and planted colorful annuals with bright pops of color that made the house feel cheerful and cared for.

Street view of the in-law addition

View from the street showing a new driveway

Even small touches made a big difference: a new doormat, a couple of potted ferns by the front steps, and a subtle solar light to frame the entrance. It felt warm, welcoming, and most importantly—move-in ready.

The backyard got love too. I staged the patio with a conversation set, a few lanterns, pots of bright flowers and filled the window boxes with beautiful annuals. I wanted buyers to imagine themselves sipping coffee on a quiet morning or entertaining friends on a summer evening. That vision—the lifestyle—was just as important as the layout

Perfect place for a glass of wine on a warm summer night

The Final Reveal

When the for-sale sign went up, I felt equal parts vulnerable and proud. The photos looked stunning and the feedback has been glowing. Add just a little luck and hopefully this house will sell fast just like I always promised my clients.

And it worked! We accepted a full price offer just 36 hours after hitting MLS and P&S signed in less than a week!

What I Learned

Staging my own home taught me something no amount of client work ever could: how deeply tied we are to the spaces we live in. It also reminded me of the power of good staging—not just to sell a house, but to help someone say goodbye to it.

Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time seller, here’s my advice: give yourself grace, make space for the memories, and then let the house go. You’re not erasing your story—you’re making room for someone else to start theirs.

Closing the chapter on this home we raised our children in and have loved for so many years.