Home Staging Trends to Look Out for in 2026
The multiple benefits of home staging are already well known, from its ability to generate quicker, more profitable sales to the way it helps viewers make an emotional connection with a place. It creates urgency and a story, helping potential buyers to make speedier decisions.
Higher Returns and Stronger First Impressions
Well-staged houses and apartments frequently attract offers of up to 15% higher than they would otherwise be in prime London locations, according to Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RISC) research. Meanwhile, return on investment in staging regularly exceeds 20%.
It’s also about perception, with staging making properties look as upscale as possible. Property viewers often forge emotional connections with a property based on their first impressions, which significantly shape perceptions and expectations. After all, people aren’t just purchasing the bricks and mortar, they’re buying a vision of their future lives. Home staging helps to create that vision, and many are willing to pay a premium price for it.
A Shift Away from Minimalism
But what does the year ahead have in store for this process? There’s certainly been a clear move away from minimalism and neutral staging in favour of personality, authenticity and warmth, to create spaces which emphasise quality rather than the quantity of furniture pieces, and which feel layered yet uncluttered. At the upper end of the market, in particular, people are hoping to see something new in a place they’re viewing for the first time.
There’s also been a shift towards natural materials such as stone and wood, rattan and wicker, plus earthy tones including deep olive and forest shades. A statement piece such as an oak table works in numerous settings, for example, while plants and other botanical elements are also popular.
Bold Colour Trends in London Homes
In terms of colour, rich emerald is increasingly sought-after, as are warm terracotta, ochre and rust shades. Burgundy and plum are becoming more prevalent as well. In London properties, there are now more atmospheric, bolder colour choices. Texture looks set to be big in 2026, creating interest and depth. So designers are incorporating brushed wood, soft matte or woven textiles.
Another significant trend for 2026 is likely to be the emergence of personal, evolved spaces rather than rooms which are showroom perfect. Above all, stagers will be pairing modern and vintage pieces and different furniture styles and layering patterns and textiles to avoid a sterile, impersonal effect.
In summary, we can expect a move towards intentionality, or places which are deliberately designed with high-quality materials and textures which have been designed to create personality and character, replacing a generic, ‘safe’ approach to staging.
Home staging from McGlashans Interior
At McGlashans, we’ve specialised in luxury furniture hire and staging since 1988. We’re known for our strong attention to detail and the vast majority of our business comes from word-of-mouth referrals. Our expert home staging creates gorgeously curated spaces which enhance style, functionality, value and perception, whether the home in question is a one-bed apartment or a huge residence.
The highly personalised nature of our service sets us apart from the competition. Visit our Marylebone showroom to get a better feel for what we do, or get in touch with any queries or comments. Our expert team is always delighted to help.