You fell in love the moment you walked into that staged home. The cozy furniture placement, the soothing color palette, the sense that this is where your next chapter begins. Fast forward to move-in day, and suddenly… it feels a little empty. Literally and emotionally.
Here’s the good news: you can often hire the very person who made the space feel so perfect—the home stager—to help you make it yours. And in many cases, doing so is one of the smartest, most seamless ways to transition into your new space.
What’s the Difference Between a Stager and a Designer?
At first glance, home stagers and interior designers may seem like they do the same job—but they have very different goals.
Home stagers prepare properties to appeal to the widest pool of potential buyers. They focus on flow, light, layout, and neutral aesthetics that help someone imagine their life in the home.
Interior designers work with homeowners to create personalized, functional spaces based on individual style, needs, and long-term living goals.
But here’s where it gets interesting: many professional stagers have interior design backgrounds—or even offer both services. So if you loved the way your home was staged, you may already have found your ideal designer.
Why Hiring Your Home Stager Makes Sense
1. They Already Know Your Space. A stager who worked on your home before the sale knows the layout, the natural light patterns, the tricky corners, and the features worth highlighting. That knowledge saves time and can lead to smarter design decisions right from the start.
2. They’re Masters of Flow. Because staging is all about making a space feel open and inviting, stagers understand how to arrange furniture and decor to maximize movement and comfort. When they switch roles to designer, they bring that spatial awareness with them—creating a home that functions beautifully day-to-day.
3. They’re Great at Working Within Budgets. Stagers are used to transforming spaces quickly and cost-effectively. They know where to splurge, where to save, and how to make inexpensive pieces look like a million bucks. Whether you’re furnishing your whole home or updating one room at a time, they’ll help you get the best bang for your buck.
4. They Can Help You Prioritize Projects. A new home often comes with a long wish list—paint here, furniture there, maybe a kitchen update down the line. A staging-savvy designer can help you sequence those updates strategically, so you enjoy your space as it evolves and don’t waste time or money along the way.
5. They Design With Resale in Mind. Stagers never fully take off their “sellability” hat. So while they’ll design your home to reflect you, they’ll also help you avoid overly trendy choices or major renovations that could hurt your home’s resale value in the future.
6. They Have Trade Resources. Many stagers have access to furniture suppliers, art dealers, wholesale vendors, and contractors you might not find on your own. That network can save you money—and open the door to higher-quality pieces than you’d typically get from a big-box retailer.
Things to Keep in Mind
Not every home stager offers interior design services, so it’s worth asking before you move forward.
Some may be more focused on neutral or minimalist aesthetics—make sure you share your style vision to ensure a good fit.
If your home was staged by the seller’s agent or staging company, you might still be able to find and contact the designer through a quick call or search. It doesn’t hurt to ask!
Keep the Magic Going
The staging made you fall in love with the house. But design is what makes you fall in love with living in it. Hiring a home stager to continue the transformation into a personalized, fully functional home is a savvy, stress-reducing move that can pay off in both joy and long-term value.
Whether you're planning a full redesign or just need help deciding what to do with that weird alcove in the hallway, don’t overlook the talent that made you say “yes” in the first place.
Looking for a designer who stages—or a stager who designs? We work with a fantastic network of design professionals who do both. Reach out and we’ll be happy to make an introduction!
