Let’s be honest—living in a staged home isn’t exactly easy. Between keeping every surface spotless and hiding signs of daily life, it can feel like you’re performing a juggling act.
But here’s the good news: while it may not be convenient or practical, it absolutely works when it comes to selling your home faster and for top dollar.
You might be wondering, “How am I supposed to live here and still keep my sanity?”
Great question! Below, I’m sharing my top 10 designer-approved tips to help you survive—and even thrive—while living in a beautifully staged home.
1 – Document Your Space with Photos
Before you start living in your staged home, take clear photos of every room and surface. These images will serve as your personal reference guide. While professional listing photos are great, taking your own allows you to capture close-ups and different angles — especially of styled surfaces, tabletops, and decor groupings.
This simple step makes it much easier to reset everything after daily life happens — ensuring your home always looks ready for showings with minimal effort.
Take photos of your staged rooms from different angles to make daily resets quick and easy.
2 – Maintain the Design Intent
Try to resist the urge to move décor items that have been intentionally placed by your professional stylist. Each piece has been thoughtfully positioned to create balance, flow, and visual appeal — key elements that help your home photograph and show beautifully.
Leaving the décor as-is not only reduces the chance of damage but also saves you the stress of trying to recreate the perfect setup later. Instead, do your best to live around the design, maintaining the look and feel that buyers will fall in love with.
Maintain the design – even your artwork to always look it’s best.
3 – Stay Organized with Stylish Storage
Organization is your best friend when living in a staged home. Use go-to bins, baskets, or decorative boxes to store your everyday essentials — keeping them both accessible and out of sight.
Choose storage containers that blend with your home’s style and keep them tucked away in nearby closets or cabinets. For example, bathroom toiletries can be stored in a bin under the vanity or in your linen closet, while hats, mitts, and umbrellas can go in a basket on the top shelf of your coat closet.
Limit what you keep on hand and pack away anything you don’t use daily. Less visible clutter means your home looks effortlessly tidy — and buyers can focus on the beauty of your space.
Cabinetry that is sold with the house should appear organized and functional
4 – Plan Family Outings (and Enjoy the Break!)
Living in a staged home is the perfect excuse to get out and enjoy a little family fun. Plan day trips, visit local attractions, or take the dog on new adventures. If possible, take a short vacation while your home is being shown — it gives everyone a mental reset and helps keep your home in picture-perfect condition.
Whenever you can, arrange for pets to stay with a trusted friend or family member, especially during open houses. Enrolling kids in day camps or short programs can also reduce stress and keep the house calm, clean, and ready for showings.
Plan fun outings with your family and pets to keep your staged home showing-ready
5 – Hire Help (or Create a Simple Cleaning Routine)
If it’s within your budget, hiring professional help can be a game-changer while living in a staged home. Schedule a cleaner once a week to handle maintenance or deep-cleaning tasks like the oven, fridge interior, or windows. You can also outsource outdoor jobs such as gutter cleaning, siding washdowns, or garden upkeep — freeing up time and energy for the move ahead.
If professional help isn’t in the cards, create a realistic day-to-day cleaning schedule for each family member. Keeping tasks small and consistent turns cleaning into maintenance rather than a weekend marathon. Add in small rewards for the extra help — it keeps everyone motivated and the home ready for showings without overwhelm.
Hire a professional cleaner or create an easy routine to keep your staged home spotless.
6 – Create Designated Play Zones
Keep playtime organized by setting up one designated area for toys and activities while your home is on the market. Choose a single space — such as your child’s bedroom or a section of the basement — and make it clear that this is their new play zone.
Pack up extra toys and keep only a few favourites on hand. This helps maintain a tidy, clutter-free look throughout the rest of the home and makes cleanup simple. You can even turn packing into a positive experience by telling the kids how exciting it will be to unpack their toys in the new house — like discovering old favourites all over again.
Limit toys to one designated space to keep your staged home tidy and stress-free.
7 – Refer Back to your Market-Ready Tip Sheet
Make sure you review your property stylist’s (home stagers) suggestions and recommendation handout — it’s packed with quick, actionable ideas to help you prepare for open houses or last-minute showings. From cleaning hacks to final styling touches, this guide helps you get your home showing-ready in no time.
Keep it handy for those moments when you get a sudden call for a private viewing. With this checklist on hand, you’ll always feel confident knowing your home looks its absolute best.
Keep your Market-Ready Tip Sheet close by — your go-to guide for quick, last-minute home prep.
8 – Reduce Your Living Zones
Whenever possible, limit the number of rooms you actively use while your home is on the market. For example, if you have both a living room and a family room, choose one for daily life and keep the other staged and untouched.
This strategy helps preserve that just-styled look for showings while making cleanup easier. We suggest keeping the most visible room — usually the one buyers see first, like the formal living room — completely off-limits.
If your home has multiple bathrooms, designate one for the whole family’s day-to-day use. A little discipline now will go a long way toward maintaining that polished, ready-to-show appearance.
Limit daily use to one living space to keep your staged home showing-ready.
9 – Reduce Your Belongings Before You Move
Take this opportunity to start packing early and lighten your daily load. After all, you’ll need to pack once your home sells — so why not begin now? This proactive step reduces visual clutter and helps your home feel calm, open, and inviting.
Adopting a “less is more” mindset serves you in more ways than one: it simplifies your routine, reduces stress, and presents your home as move-in ready. Buyers notice when a home feels organized and intentional — it signals that you’ve cared for your space and are ready for what’s next.
Start pre-packing to reduce clutter and create a calm, move-in-ready feel.
10 – Eliminate Odours (Keep It Fresh, Not Fragrant)
When potential buyers walk through your door, the first impression should be one of freshness — not fragrance. Many people are sensitive to scents, so it’s best to avoid plug-ins, candles, or air fresheners, which can send the wrong message and suggest you’re masking odours.
Instead, focus on keeping your home genuinely clean and neutral-smelling. Avoid cooking with strong spices or foods like fish that can linger for days. Wash pet beds frequently, empty indoor bins daily, and double-bag garbage before placing it in the garage. A home that smells clean immediately feels well cared for — and that leaves a lasting, positive impression.
Final Words: A Little Effort Goes a Long Way
Enjoy the rewards of all of your hard work!
Selling and moving are among the most stressful experiences a family or individual can go through — hands down! But with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and the right support system, it can become a far smoother process. Lean on your circle — family, friends, and neighbours — and don’t hesitate to hire trusted professionals when you can. The help will pay off in both peace of mind and presentation.
Yes, it’s a time for small concessions and extra effort, but the payoff is worth it. A well-staged, organized, and cared-for home leads to faster sales and higher offers. With good organization, a touch of creativity, and the mindset that every detail adds value, your investment of time and energy will reward you many times over — through elevated buyer experiences and stronger perceived value of your home.
