Defining a Focal Point: The Key to Staging Success

by Alicia Herring October 23, 2019

A room will feel much more inviting if it's arranged around a focal point.

Home staging is an art as well as a process. When a professional takes on the staging of a home, they work room-by-room and step-by-step. The very first, and paramount step in staging is to define the focal point in the subject room. Sometimes a focal point is an architectural feature. Other times, a focal point can be a special picture, mirror, or a piece of furniture.

Here's how to find a focal point in your room and how to make the most of it, after which you'll want to add staging props to complete the staging. Shopping links to my favorite staging props from Amazon are linked at the bottom of the page.

Looking at the room, determine the "biggest" feature. It may be a fireplace, window, or built-in bookcase. These could become your focal point.
If your room has no distinguishing architectural features, identify the largest furniture pieces. These could become your focal point.
A focal point should be something interesting to look at, something colorful, or texturally and visually appealing.
You can create a focal point for the room by focusing on artwork, paint color, or shelving.
The focal point should be the first thing you see when entering a room. If possible, build your furniture arrangement around the focal point.
If an outdoor view is the focal point, orient the furniture inside and outside to take advantage of window areas.
You can create a focal point wall by painting one wall a different color from the rest and accessorizing with a wall arrangement, artwork, or display shelves.
Use lighting to enhance your focal point. For example, use a picture light, track light, or wall washer fixture on a painting or wall display.
If you've identified a mantle or shelf as the focal point, use plants and accessories to decorate them.
Use contrasting colors to make the focal point stand out. For example, use a light wall color behind a dark wood armoire.

Remember to choose the first thing you see or the biggest item for a focal point.

To complete the staging of the room, arrange the remaining furnishings around the focal point, keeping in mind that "less is more." Add staging props to complete the look and you've got a beautifully staged room!

Before and After Examples: A DEFINED FOCAL POINT