OPINION

Styling versus renovating: What adds the most value before selling?

Professional styling offers homeowners a higher return on investment than pre-sale renovations, costing a fraction while significantly impacting buyer emotion and marketing appeal. For most properties, strategic styling can mask dated features, maximise perceived space, and create emotional connections - all without the delays and financial risks of major renovations.

When preparing a property for sale, one of the most common questions vendors ask is: Should I renovate or just style the property?

As a property stylist with over 15 years of experience, I’ve seen the impact of both approaches.

The answer isn’t always black and white, but in most cases, styling offers a significantly higher return on investment, especially when time and budget are tight.

Here’s a breakdown of how to help your clients make the right call, and where styling can often outperform a pre-sale renovation.

1. Consider the Market and Buyer Demographic

The most important question to ask first is: Who is buying this home?

If the property is in a location where most buyers are first-home owners, developers, or renovators, it might not be worth spending thousands on major cosmetic changes.

Instead, highlight the home’s potential through clever styling that gives buyers a clear vision of what the home could be.

For family homes or high-end properties where buyers expect move-in-ready spaces, you might need to suggest strategic updates, such as painting, carpet replacement, or lighting upgrades, combined with professional styling to present the home at its best.

2. The Cost-to-Return Ratio Favors Styling

A typical cosmetic renovation (e.g., new kitchen, bathroom, flooring) can cost anywhere from $30,000 – $100,000, and that figure can increase with delays or hidden issues.

In contrast, professional styling costs a fraction of that, typically between $3,000–$8,000 depending on property size and location, and can significantly impact buyer emotion, marketing visuals, and competition on auction day.

Styling consistently helps properties sell faster and for higher prices, without the upfront risk of overcapitalising.

3. The Power of First Impressions

Beautiful styling can distract from dated finishes, amplify natural light, and improve the flow of awkward floorplans.

A well-styled home photographs better, which increases engagement online and gets more feet through the door.

Before committing to expensive renovations, ask yourself:

  • Are the bones of the property solid?
  • Can we improve the appeal with paint, lighting, and furniture alone?
  • Are the kitchen and bathroom functional, even if not modern?

If the answer is yes, styling is your best bet.

4. Quick Styling Wins vs. Renovation Delays

Renovations take time, often weeks or months, and can delay your campaign launch. Styling, on the other hand, can be completed in a few days after a basic clean and any minor repairs.

This is particularly helpful for deceased estates, tenanted homes, or situations where sellers are under time pressure to list.

5. What Styling Can Help You Achieve:

Professional styling is more than just “dressing up” a home. It can:

  • Maximise perceived space with scaled furniture and strategic layout
  • Soften dated features using textures, art and decor
  • Highlight lifestyle potential (e.g. working from home zones, outdoor entertaining areas)
  • Create a neutral, high-end appeal that lets buyers emotionally connect
  • Help define unclear or multi-use spaces (such as landing areas, alcoves or nooks)

6. When Renovating Does Make Sense

Of course, there are exceptions. You may want to recommend targeted upgrades if:

  • The home has severe visual or structural issues that could scare buyers off
  • The kitchen or bathroom is not functional (e.g. plumbing issues, damage)
  • You’re targeting a premium market where buyers expect turnkey finishes

In these cases, keep renovations cosmetic and strategic, focus on updates that have the most visual impact without reworking layouts.

A fresh coat of paint, modern handles, updated lighting, and professionally styled furniture can still go a long way.

Encourage your clients to consult with a stylist before they spend a cent on upgrades.

A professional stylist can often advise on low-cost changes that deliver a big visual impact, avoiding unnecessary renovation spend and ensuring the property is presented in its best light.

By working together early in the pre-sale process, agents and stylists can tailor the home’s presentation to suit the target buyer and suburb profile, boosting buyer engagement and helping you achieve premium results.

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Justine Wilson

Justine Wilson is the director and owner of Vault Interiors. She has a Bachelor of Interior Design from the University of Technology Sydney – and an impressive history of experience over the years in styling and staging homes for sale.