View Publishing caught up with Kate Jones of Lemon and Lime to ask: What exactly is interior home staging, and why should we consider it when planning our next property move? Kate has all the answers – and she’s a thoroughly lovely person too – so, what’s not to love?

KJ: Hi I’m Kate, and I head up the team at Lemon and Lime Cardiff. I live in beautiful South Wales, and I’m ideally located to serve the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan property market. The core business has been running for over ten years, and I am proud to introduce the Lemon and Lime magic to South Wales.

VP: So what is interior home staging Kate? I think it originally came from the US?

KJ: You’re right! Home staging is a marketing strategy that helps boost the sale of a home. It is the art of dressing, staging and presenting a property in line with particular lifestyles, so that it appeals to target buyers. It is widely used throughout the US, Australia and parts of Europe, and has been growing in importance in the UK over the past decade.

VP: Ok, so what is the main purpose?

KJ: So the purpose of staging a property ready for sale is to enhance photography, attract serious viewers, and increase the likelihood of a quick sale with high offers. There is a great deal of market research and data analysis that goes into staging choices – it is far more in-depth than pretty cushions and candles.

VP: Why is it important to choose the right interior home staging service?

KJ: You are about to sell your biggest asset. It is important that the stager you select is professional, committed, knowledgable, and able to take on any task.

Every property is different and requires different help. The staging service you select will be the team you trust to prepare your home to look its absolute best for marketing.

Consider experience and property market knowledge over certification when choosing a staging company, and take a look at past work and case studies to ensure that they align with your property type and market position. Check testimonials and any existing partnerships with estate agents, trades, and other relevant services.

VP: So, the big question is: is there likely to be a financial increase in my property price if I use interior staging services?

KJ: There certainly can be, yes. At Lemon and Lime, we have over ten years of our own data from projects we have worked on. We can confidently say that properties staged by us achieve on average 103% of the asking price. This increases to 110% if the property has been previously marketed unstaged and the homeowner then enlists the help of Lemon and Lime.

Investing in staging really does give your property an edge in the market and can be especially effective as an alternative to the dreaded asking price reduction. Staging is usually a fraction of the cost of the first price reduction and reduces the significant risk of a property becoming stagnant on the market. Rightmove reports that properties that have had a price reduction can take over three times longer to sell than those that haven’t. Staging isn’t just a luxury to get nice photos, it’s a serious strategic approach to property marketing, and can give you a very healthy return on your investment.

VP: Let’s say I decide to go ahead. How much will this impact my life?

KJ: We generally complete our design work in-house, though we do liaise with the owners if the property is to remain lived in during the staging process, so we can ensure our work doesn’t interrupt day-to-day life. Our work and designs are crafted to enhance property appeal specifically for marketing purposes. We take into account the character and uniqueness of each property to showcase it at its absolute best.

VM: It seems natural that prospective buyers benefit from being able to view a space and see themselves in it – like they can actually ‘see’ themselves living a particular lifestyle?

KJ: Yes! That’s exactly right. 75% of viewers won’t make an offer on a home if they can’t visualise themselves living there. The benefits for prospective buyers dramatically increase the likelihood of a quick sale for the seller.

It’s so much easier to envision how a space can work if it has been staged properly. The scale and proportion of furniture is more obvious, and empty rooms can look larger as a result. With occupied homes, staging can help to depersonalise a space and allow buyers to see their own future. It creates an aspirational appeal that is targeted to the buyers’ desires, and this drives quick and decisive offers on the sellers property. Being able to feel and see yourself living in a home you are viewing encourages emotional connections to that space

VM: What else can Lemon and Lime Interiors help me with?

KJ: We offer a range of services including decluttering, removals, decorating and project management. I’m passionate about this industry and live and breathe it. I love seeing the effects of our transformative work on clients’ homes and lives.

Helping people achieve their property goals and transition from one stage of their lives to the next is such an honour for me – I would love to help you!

VM: Thanks Kate – what a property services star! If you would like advice or staging assistance for your property sale, contact Kate on 01639 203310 or kate.jones@lemonandlimeinteriors.co.uk.