I’m a property stager and these inside decor ideas and methods could make your properties really feel luxe and costly – with out pricey renovations

Staging a property is the most important part of selling multi-million dollar homes. 

When a completely empty property hits the market, prospective buyers walk into every single room, and they all feel the same. They don’t know how to use that space. 

But when it’s decluttered, renovated, and furnished, they get a sense of how to use the different living spaces and can picture themselves there. It brings that dream they have into reality.

I’m Liv Conlon – I run multi-award-winning ThePropertyStagers, which stages 400 properties a year across the UK. 

Earlier this year, my team and I were enlisted by the owners of a five-bedroom detached new build property in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, to get the empty property ready to be sold. 

The 1.5-acre house features a grand hallway with a stunning centrepiece staircase, five ensuite bathrooms, its own lake and stunning views. We focused on seven key aspects to convert the completely empty, expansive property – called Wintringham Lodge – into a desirable family home. 

But you can use these tips and tricks to give your own house a luxe makeover – without any fussy renovations or expensive materials. 

A lounge with a ‘wow factor’

We wanted to keep the lounge looking modern and elegant, with a focus on clean lines, neutral tones, and a strategic use of colourful accents. 

While we opted for a beige carpet and white walls, which created a calm and spacious atmosphere, teal and turquoise armchairs and artwork provided vibrant pops of colour that add depth and interest to the space. 

We also added in two light-coloured sofas, two chairs and a chaiselong to emphasise where the connection places would be and demonstrate the seating options. 

Finally, the bold leaf patterns on the cushions perfectly complement the complements the countryside vibe of the property which is surrounded by greenery, trees and wildlife. We wanted to bring the outside in and liven up this space. 

When you’re in properties like this, that are newly built with white walls, light flooring, and are big spaces, people can be overwhelmed and not know what to do with it. So we add that pop of colour to create that warm and fuzzy feeling. 

I love doing over the top, over-scaled accessories that add that touch of glam.

A vibrant family room 

The house has a second lounge, which could either be used as a TV room or a family room. We decided on the latter, and set about styling the room so that it was relaxing and serene, as well as functional at the same time. 

We picked a large, three-seater sofa in a neutral, soothing colour like this light grey fabric, and added two modern accent charis with wooden legs and a patterned cushion. 

This adds an element of sophistication and provides additional seating without cluttering the space. Splashes of turquoise and teal in the cushions and decor items add a playful and refreshing touch without overwhelming the space.

The open-plan kitchen that sells this house

The kitchen was reimagined as a luxe, modern, and sophisticated space that combines contemporary design with functionality. 

We settled on sleek, matte grey cabinetry and shelves that instantly overrode the cold, lab-type vibe. We added a fun teal velvet sofa to warm up the space while continuing the theme with patterned cushions in varying shades of blue and teal for texture. 

Two gold-framed coffee tables with glass tops complement the sofa and add a touch of luxury while the tables’ metallic finish echoes other accents in the room. The dining area is purposely set for six and works as a perfect conversational area. The key to staging a kitchen is adding big, statement items but not overstaging the worktops. 

When we’re selling a property, we don’t put the kettle, toaster or microwave on the worktops, we’re styling it elegantly and classically.

Sprucing up the home office  

The final reception room was transformed into a home office as it’s now vital to most people’s living spaces. 

The space exhibits a clean and modern aesthetic with a minimalist design. The room integrates functionality with style, focusing on a light and open atmosphere conducive to productivity.

The office features a contemporary wooden desk with a natural finish, which provides a warm contrast to the room’s lighter tones. The desk is spacious, offering ample room for working materials and equipment, and includes a comfortable, upholstered desk chair. 

We’ve also doubled it up with placing a sofa and coffee table in here to demonstrate a chilled working vibe. 

Finally, we opted for a slightly different colour scheme and incorporated touches of yellow and black to differentiate the vibe between living and working at home.

Transforming the master bedroom 

The key to creating a master bedroom that really draws in potential buyers is styling it so it looks luxurious and inviting – so that they want to see themselves living in that space. 

To that end, we decided on a minimalist and modern design, with an emphasis on space, light, and comfort. 

The room is dominated by a neutral colour palette, with light cream carpeting and white walls, creating a serene and calming environment. I added a modern bed with a light grey, tall, and upholstered headboard for sophistication and comfort.

It’s neatly made with crisp, white linens and layered with darker grey blankets and throws for a cosy feel. There’s also two sleek, metallic nightstands which flank the bed. Their mirrored surfaces and minimalist design add a touch of elegance and modernity. 

While you could add more furniture in this huge space, the art of staging is about showing somebody how to use a space but not over furnishing it. 

You’re showing an example of the lifestyle they would have if they lived here. 

Minimalism sells for bathrooms 

The master bathroom on this property boasts an incredible feature bath and expansive walk-in shower, but the key to staging a bathroom is to use minimal items to style the space. 

We added a few towels to warm it up, but because these bathrooms are gorgeous, we don’t want to overstyle it.  

Extra bedrooms with a style of their own 

In the second primary bedroom, we concentrated on symmetry. The bed was purposely fit in the centre of the space with two bedsides and matching lamps.

There’s an area set up for a dressing room table, from where the bedroom’s residents can enjoy the view of the idyllic plot. 

We opted for a warm purple shade in this room with greens and blues to pull in that sense of luxury plus the velvet buttoned ottoman at the end of the bed.

The third and fourth bedrooms are mirrors of each other, so it was a priority for the staging team to demonstrate the symmetry but also differentiate them. 

They boast the same space, closets and bathrooms but the staging choices are different. 

One is a ‘green bedroom’ with palm prints and a nature theme, while the ‘yellow bedroom’ has a fruity vibe with funky artwork and a matching bedspread.

My top tip for styling multiple rooms on the same property is to have a cohesive theme that manifests in slightly different, yet harmonious, ways.