When Rebecca and James decided to sell their three-bedroom family home in Preston, they thought location and price alone would do the trick. But after six weeks on the market with barely a nibble, they turned to professional home staging in Melbourne and sold in just 10 days.
They’re not alone.
In Melbourne’s competitive real estate landscape, staging a home isn’t just a nice to have – it can be the difference between a stale listing and a sold sticker. If you’re selling in suburbs like Preston, knowing how to present your home can shave weeks off your days on market – and potentially boost your final sale price too.
Why Days on Market (DOM) Matter in Melbourne?
Buyers pay attention to how long a property has been sitting unsold. In areas like Preston, a listing that lingers tends to raise red flags:
- What’s wrong with it?
- Is it overpriced?
- Why hasn’t anyone snapped it up yet?
According to Domain’s Property Report, homes in Preston had an average DOM of 32 days in early 2024. But staged homes? They often sell in less than 21 days when styled properly for Melbourne buyers.
That’s because well-presented homes:
- Stand out in search results and open homes
- Create emotional connections with buyers
- Appear move-in ready (even if they’re not)
What is Home Staging, Really?
Home staging is more than just decorating. It’s a targeted strategy to help buyers visualise themselves in your home.
For example, at The Style Cast, professional stylists offer complete staging solutions in Melbourne, including furniture selection, layout optimisation, lighting, and accessories tailored to the home’s architecture and the area’s demographics. In Preston, that often means:
- Modern furniture that appeals to first-home buyers
- Clean lines with warm textures to soften older builds
- Flexible spaces staged for work-from-home appeal
The Preston Buyer Profile
Preston sits in a unique pocket of Melbourne: urban enough to be trendy, suburban enough for families. That means buyers can be:
- Young professionals looking for lifestyle
- Couples upsizing for kids
- Investors chasing future value
And that’s why house staging in Melbourne suburbs like Preston needs to speak to a mix of priorities:
- A stylish living room for entertaining
- A tranquil bedroom retreat
- A functional and appealing workspace
You’re not just selling rooms you’re selling possibilities.
How Home Staging Saves Time (and Stress)?
Here’s how staging helps move your home faster:
1. Creates Instant Appeal in Listings – First impressions count. Professionally staged homes photograph better, which increases clicks on listings and social media ads. In fact, REA reports staged homes can attract 20% more views online.
2. Shortens Open House Fatigue – Instead of dragging through 10+ open houses, sellers often close in 2–3 weekends when their home is styled properly. That’s less cleaning, less stress, and a faster result.
3. Avoids the Price Drop Trap – A home sitting too long often needs a price reduction to attract attention. Staging helps generate strong early interest, reducing the likelihood of that painful markdown.
Before & After:
Let’s say your living room currently has:
- Bulky, mismatched furniture
- Dim lighting
- Family photos on every wall
After staging:
- Sleek Scandinavian-style seating
- Soft throw blankets and layered cushions
- Neutral art and greenery
- Bright, ambient lighting
Now the space feels fresh, calm, and buyer-friendly – ready to be featured in the listing headline.
Staging Isn’t Just for Million-Dollar Homes
Many sellers in Preston assume staging is expensive. But the reality is quite the opposite. The Style Cast offers affordable real estate home staging in Melbourne, including:
- Partial staging: Add styling to key rooms only
- Full staging: Empty homes fully transformed
- Furniture hire packages to suit all budgets
Compared to dropping your asking price by $25,000, spending a few thousand on staging is a smart investment.
Key Takeaway:
Home staging in Preston isn’t about faking it – it’s about unlocking the potential buyers want to see. From increasing online visibility to reducing the time your property sits unsold, staging provides one of the best returns on investment when preparing to sell. If you’re thinking about putting your Preston home on the market, give it the edge it deserves with a curated look that attracts, engages, and sells.
Ready to Stage Your Home?
Visit The Style Cast’s staging solutions page to learn more about Melbourne property styling options tailored to your home. Whether you need full furniture hire or just a few finishing touches, their experienced team can help speed up your sale – stylishly.
