Are These Styling Mistakes Costing You Buyers?
When it comes to selling your home, first impressions are everything. Buyers don’t just look at properties—they feel them. They imagine their life there, picturing their furniture, their family, their future. If your home doesn’t create an instant emotional connection, they’ll move on to the next listing.
But here’s the kicker: styling mistakes can cost you thousands. Even small missteps in furniture placement, colour selection, or decor choices can make a property feel smaller, darker, or uninviting—ultimately lowering your sale price or leaving your home sitting on the market for too long.
As experts in home staging in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Australia real estate market, we’ve seen it all. Some homeowners unknowingly sabotage their sale by making common yet avoidable mistakes. That’s why we’ve put together this essential guide to help you identify and correct these styling errors before they impact your sale price.
Here are the five most common property styling mistakes—and how to fix them.
1. Over-Personalising the Space
One of the biggest home styling mistakes? Decorating for yourself, not your buyers.
The Mistake Many homeowners fall into the trap of showcasing their personality through bold colours, quirky furniture, and unique decor pieces. While this might make a house feel like home for you, it can alienate potential buyers who struggle to picture themselves living there.
Buyers need to see the potential of the space, not be distracted by personal tastes or design choices that may not align with their own.
The Fix Opt for neutral colour palettes (soft greys, beiges, and whites) and timeless, elegant styling. This makes it easier for buyers to envision themselves in the space. Keep furniture selections classic and avoid over-the-top decor.
Additionally, remove any personal items such as family photos, personalised artwork, or niche collectibles. Creating a broad appeal is key to ensuring that as many buyers as possible can connect with the property.
Pro Tip: According to realestate.com.au, homes with neutral tones and light, airy spaces tend to sell faster and for higher prices.
2. Ignoring Scale and Proportion
Ever walked into a room where the furniture just feels… off? Maybe the couch is too big for the space, or the dining table is too small for the room. Poor furniture scale can make a home feel cramped or incomplete.
The Mistake Overcrowding a small living area with oversized furniture or using tiny rugs that make the space feel disconnected. Alternatively, using furniture that is too small for a large room can make a space feel uninviting and underutilised.
Buyers are naturally drawn to homes that feel balanced and well-proportioned. If a space doesn’t look or feel right, it can be a red flag that affects their overall impression of the home.
The Fix Scale your furniture to suit the room. If you have a small living area, choose slimline furniture with clean lines to create the illusion of more space. In larger spaces, go for bigger pieces that fill the room appropriately without overwhelming it.
Investing in correctly sized rugs also makes a significant impact. A rug should extend under key furniture pieces—otherwise, it can make a space look disjointed and awkward.
Pro Tip: Large mirrors and glass furniture can help reflect light and make small spaces feel more open and airy.
3. Poor Lighting Choices
Lighting is one of the most underestimated elements in home styling. It can make or break a space. Dark, poorly lit rooms feel uninviting and small, while bright, well-lit spaces feel fresh, open, and welcoming.
The Mistake Relying solely on overhead lighting or using outdated light fixtures can create harsh or unbalanced lighting. A single ceiling light often casts unflattering shadows, making rooms feel smaller and less inviting.
Another common mistake is neglecting natural light. Heavy curtains, dark blinds, or furniture blocking windows can all contribute to a dull, lifeless feel.
The Fix Layer your lighting. Use a mix of:
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Ambient lighting (ceiling lights for general illumination)
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Task lighting (lamps, pendant lights over benchtops, reading lights)
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Accent lighting (wall sconces, LED strips, candles, or decorative lights)
For natural light, ensure all blinds and curtains are fully open during inspections and photography. Use mirrors strategically to reflect sunlight and brighten the space.
Pro Tip: Swap outdated light fixtures for modern, warm-toned LED lighting for an instant upgrade.
4. Forgetting About Flow and Functionality
Home styling isn’t just about making a space look pretty—it’s about enhancing functionality and flow. If furniture placement makes a room feel cramped or blocks natural walkways, buyers may struggle to connect with the space.
The Mistake Placing furniture in a way that disrupts movement or makes a room feel cluttered. For example, positioning a sofa too close to a doorway or blocking access to outdoor entertaining areas can make a home feel impractical.
The Fix Arrange furniture to create clear, natural pathways. Keep key areas (like entryways and main living spaces) open and inviting. Less is often more when it comes to styling, so removing unnecessary pieces can actually make a space feel larger and more functional.
Pro Tip: Before finalising a layout, walk through your home as if you were a buyer. Does everything feel intuitive and spacious?
5. Skipping Professional Styling
This is perhaps the biggest mistake of all. Many sellers think they can handle styling themselves—but DIY staging often lacks the polish and expertise needed to maximise a home’s appeal.
The Mistake Trying to cut costs by skipping professional styling, only to end up with an underwhelming presentation. Poorly styled homes often take longer to sell and attract lower offers.
The Fix Work with a professional property stylist who understands buyer psychology, current market trends, and how to style a home for a quick, profitable sale. A well-styled home creates a lifestyle buyers aspire to—and that aspiration is what drives competitive offers.
Pro Tip: According to the Real Estate Staging Association, professionally styled homes sell 73% faster than unstaged properties.
Final Thoughts: Get Styling Right, Sell for More
Home styling isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic tool that can increase your sale price and speed up your sale. Avoiding these five mistakes can mean the difference between a lacklustre listing and a home that buyers fall in love with at first sight.
If you’re preparing to sell and want to maximise your home’s value, our team at Brisbane Makeover Co. can help. With years of experience in luxury home styling across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, we know how to create spaces that captivate buyers. Connect with us!
