Staging for real life
Spruced Interiors Shares Home‑Staging Secrets That Go Beyond the Market
BOSTON – A Boston‑based design firm is turning the concept of home staging—once reserved for sellers—into everyday design strategy. The tips, compiled by Jacqueline Kennedy, owner and lead designer of Spruced Interiors, were first published in the Press Herald’s “Maine Home Improvement” section on September 14, 2026.
Kennedy, who has spent a decade working with homeowners and real‑tors to make properties “highly desired,” explained that the goal of staging is to make a home “look as if no one has ever lived in it” only if the space feels empty. Instead, she argues, the best staging works for the people who live in it, making rooms functional, beautiful and enjoyable long before a sale is ever contemplated.
Start With the Room, Not the Sofa
The designer warned that the most common mistake people make is buying furniture before they have a plan. “Start with the architecture,” she advised. “Think about how natural light falls, where people will walk, and what each room needs to accomplish.” Kennedy suggests drafting a few layout options before a purchase. She recommends free online tools such as Homestyler, which let users input room dimensions and experiment with virtual furniture—an easier alternative to moving a 200‑pound sectional in person. For those who prefer a tactile approach, she proposes marking the floor with painter’s tape or cardboard to sketch furniture footprints, quickly revealing whether there is sufficient walk‑space and how different arrangements will feel.
Layer, Don’t Match
Kennedy noted that a “collected” home feels more interesting than one that is strictly coordinated. She encourages mixing wood tones with painted finishes, pairing vintage pieces with newer ones, and adding woven baskets, ceramics, natural stone and soft textiles to create depth and warmth. “Homes feel loved and lived in when everything doesn’t arrive in the same delivery truck,” she said.
Where to Save Without Sacrificing Style
The designer dispelled the myth that great design demands a limitless budget. She outlined six cost‑saving strategies that still deliver high‑end results:
- Keep existing plumbing if the layout is functional, saving thousands that would otherwise be spent on moving fixtures.
- Use stone remnants—leftover marble or quartz slabs—in secondary spaces like bathrooms, mudrooms, laundry rooms or built‑in desks.
- Invest in a quality sofa, but opt for budget‑friendly side and accent tables.
- Keep bedding simple with a neutral duvet cover and augment it with high‑quality pillows, throws and blankets.
- Replace built‑in microwaves with a countertop microwave housed in a cabinet or appliance garage to ease future upgrades.
- For rooms that don’t demand privacy, choose ready‑made linen or cotton panels for window treatments; many retailers offer easy adjustments for length and width.
Design Around Your Life
Kennedy stressed that the most beautiful room is one that works for its occupants. “If you have young children, choose performance fabrics that can handle spills,” she said. For those who entertain often, flexible seating that can be rearranged easily is key. She also advised embracing pets’ preferred spots rather than forcing them to move.
Professional Guidance Still Pays Off
The article concludes by inviting readers to consider a professional opinion when stuck on paint samples or sofa layouts. “Sometimes a fresh perspective is the smartest design investment you can make,” Kennedy said.
For more guidance, homeowners can contact Spruced Interiors at (207) 899‑7841, visit www.spruced-interiors.com, or follow the firm on Instagram at @sprucedinteriors.
