Interior styling and decoration can go a long way when selling your home. In fact, figures indicate that staging a home before listing it on the market can increase the sale price by up to 5%.
But what does that equate to in actual dollars? And which regions of the country can earn the most with some well-chosen decor?
We’ve analyzed average property prices across major U.S. cities and all states to uncover where home staging, from painting to custom framing and more, offers the greatest return on investment.
U.S. cities with the highest potential home staging value boost
1) San Jose, California
San Jose ranks at the top for potential revenue increase through home staging, with homeowners in the city able to add an impressive $76,051 to their home’s value with the right decor choices. With a typical home in the city valued at around $1.5 million, a 5% boost through effective staging pushes the average sale price to just under $1.6 million.
Sustainability remains a cornerstone of San Jose’s decor style, and many homeowners are increasingly opting for eco-friendly materials, such as reclaimed wood, bamboo, and recycled metals, which is worth keeping in mind for your staging decisions.
2) San Francisco, California
San Francisco ranks second, with a potential $65,069 home value boost from the right decor decisions. Popular trends in this interior design hotspot include biophilic design, natural materials, and bold color palettes. For sellers, investing in professional staging and curated decor can give a style and financial advantage in a highly competitive market.
However, it’s also possible to boost the appeal of your home yourself with some more cost-effective decor additions. For example, you can appeal to the local interest in natural materials with a few thoughtfully placed rustic frames.
3) San Diego, California
San Diego ranks third, with homeowners gaining an average $51,340 from home staging. The city’s average home is valued at almost $1.03 million, meaning the 5% boost through staging could raise the value to $1.07 million.
The coastal city’s laid-back lifestyle is reflected in home decor in pops of natural color, mosaic tiling, and versatile outdoor spaces. Nature-inspired framed posters, like botanical prints, ocean scenes, and tropical motifs, can add a touch of San Diego flair to your home. Bold, oversized abstract art can also make a statement, serving as focal points to living spaces.
The full top 10 list:
States with the biggest increase in value after home staging
1) Hawaii
Hawaii is the state with the highest potential return from home staging, offering homeowners an average value boost of $42,064. With an average property price of $841,274, staging can push sale values to over $883,000 - a huge boost in one of the nation’s most desirable markets.
The island’s laid-back luxury decor style often incorporates natural materials like bamboo and reclaimed wood, and open-air design that emphasizes indoor-outdoor flow. Homeowners can boost appeal to potential buyers by incorporating framed photos of ocean scenes or locally crafted artwork to highlight the space’s tropical appeal.
2) California
California ranks second, with staging offering homeowners an average property value increase of $39,446. The state’s average home value is $788,920, but staging can boost this sale price to $828,366.
Creating a relaxing and carefree atmosphere is a top interior design trend in California, known as ‘California Cool’. To recreate this popular design and draw buyers in, focus on natural light, layers of texture, and a blend of crisp white and earthy color palettes.
3) Massachusetts
Massachusetts ranks third, with an average home value increase of $31,763. With typical property prices coming in at $635,252, well-executed staging can elevate the sale to an estimated $667,015.
In the north-eastern state, interior design trends often reflect the region’s blend of historic charm and modern comforts. Buyers are typically drawn to neutral wall colors and lots of natural light, with over 65% of homebuyers considering this a vital purchasing factor.
The full top 10 list:
Our tips on maximizing your home’s value through staging
Even seemingly minor design enhancements like neutral color schemes, modern furnishings, and curated wall decor can significantly elevate the look of your home and its buyer appeal if you’re planning to sell.
In some of the country's most competitive real estate markets, this additional appeal can mean tens of thousands of dollars more on your sale price. Here are some tips to elevate your interior design and maximize your home’s value:
1) Enhance natural light
Natural light is a great way to make your home brighter and more inviting. It can make spaces feel larger, inspiring potential buyers about what they could do to make the space their own.
Natural light also contributes to sustainability, reducing the reliance on artificial light sources, which is a big focus for many modern homeowners. When staging your home, clean your windows and make sure that furniture isn’t blocking natural light sources.
2) Choose neutral color palettes
Neutral color palettes are a great way of highlighting your home’s versatility and timelessness. Houses are a long-term investment, and neutral colors can accentuate this.
Giving your home a paint refresh in this palette is one of the best ways to boost its value. Research has shown, for example, that a white kitchen can add $500 or more to your home’s value.
3) Elevate aesthetics with framed art
The right framed artwork can set the mood of a house, adding a sophisticated focal point and luxury feel. The size and placement of artwork are important in home staging - it should be proportionate to the wall and furniture, and hung at eye level to ensure it’s visually accessible and enhances the room's balance.
The style and quality of the frame are also key when creating a luxury design look and aiming to boost the value of your home. Opt for museum-quality custom frames for a true high-end feel that will elevate your space and contribute to driving your sale price up.
Methodology
We created our seed list based on the 50 most populous cities in the United States and a separate ranking for U.S. states.
Using Zillow, we found the average house price in each city and state, taking the average home value over the past year. These prices are accurate as of 06/05/2025.
We used the estimated staged home increase statistic (up to a 5% increase) from the National Association of Realtors Research Group 2023 Profile of Home Staging to calculate how much higher the average house price could be when investing in home staging.
All data was collected in May 2025 and is correct as of then.
Sources
- https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/2023-profile-of-home-staging-03-30-2023.pdf
- https://massrealestatenews.com/how-stage-home/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/behr-paint-x-zillow-release-color-palette-that-may-help-homeowners-see-more-dollar-signs-301346100.html
Level Frames is an online custom framing service offering an end-to-end experience for framing your best photos, artwork, vinyls, and more. We help you transform your home in just minutes through framing favorite moments and memories in handcrafted, museum-quality frames delivered right to your doorstep.
