Staged to Sell: Inside a Beautiful Gulfport, FL Condo Transformation
Thinking About Selling? Here’s How to Make Your Home Stand Out
If you’re thinking about selling your home, you’ve probably wondered:
“How do I make my home stand out?” and “How can I get the best price, without spending a fortune?”
The answer? Home staging!
Buyers aren’t just looking for four walls and a roof—they’re looking for a place that feels like home. That’s why professional home staging has become one of the smartest steps homeowners can take when getting ready to sell. It helps buyers picture themselves living in the space and makes your listing shine in photos, online, and in person.
At Simply Practical, we see this transformation every day. One recent project—a vacant 890-square-foot condo in Gulfport, Florida—is a great example of just how powerful staging can be when you’re ready to list your home.
From Empty to Inviting: Meet Condo #26
This one-bedroom, one-bath condo had great potential. It featured tall ceilings, white walls, hardwood floors, and a fully equipped kitchen. But when the owner came to us, he had a concern: the space was completely empty, and he planned to list it for $178,000. He needed buyers to feel like the space was worth that price, and it’s tough to do that when all they see is an echoing, empty room.
That’s where we came in.
What Is Home Staging (And Why Should You Care)?
Home staging is the process of preparing your home for sale by arranging furniture and decor to highlight its best features and help buyers emotionally connect to the space. It’s not about decorating—it’s about strategy. In some homes, staging might mean decluttering and rearranging what’s already there. In others—like this condo—it means fully furnishing the space to create warmth, style, and a clear vision of what life could look like there.
Still unsure if it’s worth it?
Here’s what the numbers say:
90% of realtors say staging helps homes sell faster
40% of buyers spend more time looking at staged homes online
Staged homes sell 6–10% faster
Homeowners typically get a 5–15% return on investment
The cost of staging is usually just 1–3% of your asking price
In short: It’s a small investment that pays off big.
Living Room: The First Impression Matters
The living room is the first thing most buyers see, and first impressions are everything. This condo had great natural light and tall ceilings, but with no furniture, it felt cold and a bit confusing. Buyers couldn’t tell how to use the space or whether their furniture would even fit.
To solve that, we brought in:
A plush blue sofa to anchor the room
Soft white accent chairs for contrast
A round glass coffee table for flow
A large area rug in blue and white
A few houseplants for warmth and a pop of life
In minutes, the room went from “empty” to “I could live here.” That’s the kind of emotional connection that gets homes sold.
Kitchen & Dining: Showing What’s Possible
Kitchens are always important—but they can also feel a little sterile when they’re empty. This kitchen had sleek appliances and clean cabinetry, but needed some warmth.
We added:
Two small succulents on the counter for color and texture
A simple decor piece to soften the space
Then, in the dining area, we placed a modern table and a sculptural centerpiece. It wasn’t set for dinner, but it served a big purpose: showing that yes, a dining table fits here—and you can absolutely have a place to eat, gather, or entertain. It also helped visually tie the kitchen and living room together, making the whole space feel more open and functional.
Bedroom: Calm, Cozy, and Clearly Defined
Next up: the bedroom. It’s the second most important space to stage (right after the living room), and our goal here was to make it feel like a peaceful retreat—but also to give buyers a clear sense of how the space functions.
One of the biggest staging mistakes sellers make is leaving a bedroom empty. Without a bed in place, buyers can’t visualize what will fit. Is it big enough for a queen? Could they add nightstands? Will it feel cramped?
Staging answers those questions for them—before they ever have to ask.
In this room, we used:
A neutral headboard with crisp, inviting bedding
Throw pillows in soft blues and warm browns to tie into the overall color scheme
A textured area rug for comfort and contrast
Simple bedside tables with lamps and soft lighting
The end result was a room that felt spacious, cozy, and clearly defined. Not just a square with a ceiling fan—but a real retreat buyers could imagine themselves waking up in.
Why Home Staging Works
Once the staging was complete, the home was professionally photographed and listed online. The impact was immediate.
Where once there was an empty space with no personality, there was now a warm, inviting home with style and soul. Buyers were excited. Showings picked up. And most importantly, they could see themselves living there.
That’s the secret: people don’t just buy homes—they buy how it makes them feel.
Thinking of Selling? Here’s Why You Should Consider Staging
Whether you’re preparing to sell a small condo or a large family home, staging can help you sell faster and for more money. Here’s what it can do for you:
Make your listing stand out in a crowded market
Help buyers visualize living in the space
Increase your chances of better offers
Give you a competitive edge over similar homes nearby
If your home is vacant, staging fills in the blanks. If you’re still living in it, we’ll work with what you have and give you a game plan to make it shine.
What It’s Like to Work with Simply Practical
At Simply Practical, our mission is to take the guesswork out of selling your home. We know that preparing a property for the market can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.
Whether you're living in your home while it’s listed or preparing to sell a vacant property, we offer two straightforward, stress-free staging options designed to make your home shine—and help you get the results you deserve.
1. Staging Strategy Session (For Lived-In Homes)
If you’re still living in your home, this service is perfect for you. We’ll visit your home for a 90-minute, in-person walk-through, where we assess each room, discuss your goals, and identify key changes that can increase buyer appeal.
Within 48 hours, you’ll receive a custom Styled to Sell Guide by email. This includes:
Room-by-room recommendations
Suggestions for furniture arrangement, lighting, and decor
Decluttering and organization tips
Affordable updates that make a big impact
A step-by-step plan you can follow at your own pace
This session is ideal for homeowners who want expert guidance but prefer to do the prep work themselves—or who may only need a few focused tweaks to get their home market-ready.
2. Vacant Home Staging (Like This Condo Project)
If your property is empty, don’t worry—we’ll bring it to life. Vacant homes can feel cold and impersonal, making it difficult for buyers to connect emotionally. That’s where full-service vacant staging makes a huge difference.
We fully furnish your space with professionally selected furniture, artwork, rugs, lighting, and accessories that highlight the home’s best features and complement the neighborhood and price point.
We handle everything:
Furniture and decor selection
Delivery and setup
Styling and layout
Removal after the property sells or the contract ends
Every piece is chosen with intention—to reflect the lifestyle your ideal buyer is dreaming about.
Our goal? To create a warm, welcoming, move-in-ready look that helps your home stand out online, photographs beautifully, and resonates with buyers during showings.
Whether you need advice on refreshing a few rooms or a full staging transformation from top to bottom, Simply Practical is here to make the process easy—and make your home unforgettable.
Want to find out which option is right for you?
Contact us for a free consultation, or visit our Home Staging Services page to learn more.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone
Selling a home can be overwhelming. But with the right support and a little strategy, it doesn’t have to be.
Home staging isn’t just about making your home look pretty—it’s about helping buyers fall in love with it. It’s about showing them the lifestyle they could have. And that’s what gets homes sold.
If you're wondering how to sell your home faster, staging might be the missing piece.
Ready to make your home market-ready? Let’s talk.
Until next time, happy designing!
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