Open House Reality Check: What Staged Homes Don’t Tell You
Let’s be clear—this isn’t about talking you out of every house. It’s about helping you understand what you’re actually buying, so you’re not blindsided later.
That dreamy open house? It might be hiding some not-so-dreamy realities. And that’s okay—as long as you know what you're walking into. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s clarity. Because once you understand what projects or quirks you might be taking on, you can plan for them instead of being constantly frustrated and wondering if you made a huge mistake.
We bring in home inspectors to look at the systems—but we don’t usually bring in someone to ask:
Will this home actually work for how you live?
Will your furniture fit? Is there anywhere for your dog’s crate? Is the kitchen workflow going to drive you nuts? Where are you going to store the holiday decorations?
That’s where I come in. My job is to help you see beyond the staging, so you’re not buying a beautiful disappointment.
And hey—shoutout to stagers. They’re not trying to trick you. They’re doing their job: helping you see a home’s potential. But their job isn’t to point out the tiny closets or how little wall space there is for a dresser. That’s where having a second set of eyes really matters.
In this market, you won’t get everything you want. But with a clear plan and smart expectations, you can still end up with a home you love—and avoid the regret that comes from missing the details that matter most to you.
1️⃣ Where Are the Dressers?
That bedroom looks massive with just a bed, two nightstands, and a single chair that no one will ever sit in. But here’s a fun game: try to imagine where your actual dresser goes. Or your laundry hamper. Or, I don’t know—your pants?
What to do:
Mentally move your real bedroom furniture in.
If you own more than six articles of clothing, will they fit?
Bring a tape measure if you want to be the adult in the room (and you do).
2️⃣ Storage, or the Lack Thereof
You won’t see any cords, clutter, or Costco-sized paper towel packs during a showing. But unless you’re planning to live like a monk, you’ll need places to stash actual things. Open shelving and a single cute basket won’t cut it.
What to do:
Open every closet. No shame.
Look under sinks, in utility spaces, even inside kitchen drawers.
Ask yourself: where would I put the vacuum, the winter coats, the overflow toilet paper? If the answer is “no clue,” that’s a problem.
3️⃣ The Living Room Lie
Home stagers love undersized furniture. That “spacious” living room? It’s rocking a loveseat, a bistro-sized coffee table, and zero electronics. You know—just how no one lives.
What to do:
Visualize your own couch. Will it fit? Will you have to sacrifice a walking path to squeeze in your TV?
If the room looks big but only fits dollhouse furniture, it’s a setup.
4️⃣ Kitchen and Bathroom Reality Checks
Let’s be honest: a single bowl of fruit and a pristine Dutch oven don’t count as a fully functional kitchen. Same with bathrooms—cute tray of rolled hand towels, but where are the actual toiletries?
Kitchen:
Are there enough drawers and cabinets for your everyday kitchen essentials? Not your “someday I’ll make bread” gear—just your real, daily tools.
Is there enough counter space to cook, prep, and live without balancing a cutting board over the sink?
Bathroom:
Peek under that sink. Is there anywhere to store your toothpaste, extra shampoo, or the ten things you use every morning?
Got a single vanity? Picture elbow wars during the morning rush.
Where’s the toilet paper going? (And don’t say “in a cute wire basket on the floor.” No one does that.)
5️⃣ Layout Shenanigans
It’s amazing what a rug and some moody lighting can distract you from. Like the fact that your “primary suite” has zero privacy, or that the fridge door opens into a hallway.
What to do:
Walk the house like you live there.
Go through the motions of your day: Where do you drop your bag? How far is the kitchen from the entrance? Where would your dog’s bed go?
If it feels awkward now, it won’t magically improve once you move in and fill it with stuff.
Real Talk
Staging is designed to show you what’s possible, not what’s practical. And that’s fine—as long as you know what you’re looking at. Don’t get seduced by the fantasy only to realize your actual life doesn’t fit inside it. That cute office nook? It might hold a laptop, but not your monitor, printer, or the tangle of cords you pretend you’ll organize “someday.”
Bottom line: don’t fall for the vibe alone. Fall for the function. A home should fit your real stuff, your real routines, and your real life.
