Before & After: Occupied Staging Refresh for Denver Bungalow

By Dana Gutwein

Today I’m walking you through an occupied staging we did this week for this adorable 1950’s brick bungalow, full of personality and situated on a large lot (complete with chicken coop!) in North Park Hill, Denver.

I fell in love with the style right away- fun, modern, a little eclectic, sort of like the house itself. From the wood floors, greenery, books, and natural lighting to the guitars, raised garden beds, rich jewel tones, and yes, to, the chickens in the back, the home felt like a creative retreat… with easy access to all that Denver has to offer.

My goal in helping prepare this home was to focus on a few small, intentional updates to create a memorable first impression, an emotional connection for buyers, ensure that the function of each space was clear, while still allowing the home itself to be the highlight.

Focus on Function

One of the biggest challenges with occupied stagings is that the way we live in our homes isn’t always the same way they need to show. We all design our spaces for our own hobbies and day-to-day lives, not necessarily how the next person will experience them.

For example, here, one of the bedrooms had been functioning as a music room, which worked beautifully for the owners—but can make it harder for buyers to picture it as a bedroom.

One of the simplest but most impactful changes we made was bringing it back to a bedroom setup for showings. This helps buyers understand scale and layout without working too hard to imagine it.

This was not a full vacant staging, but we did bring in a bed and headboard so the sellers did not have to make a purchase that they would not need.

We also edited some of the larger instruments and equipment to create more breathing room, and allow the space itself to stand out.

Creating a Memorable First Impression

The entrance of the home opens directly into the living room- our opportunity to make a strong first impression. The large fiddle-leaf fig and jewel blue sofa already created a striking focal point, so I complemented what was working with a few small updates.

The front room gets incredible natural light, so I hung a mirror I snagged from Facebook Marketplace to reflect the light; the warm wood tone and arched shape added just the right amount of contrast and interest between the bookshelf and the window to boost our focal point.

I picked a handful of throws from our inventory that matched the jewel tones, without introducing too many new colors, and pulled a few items from the home to style the coffee table—mixing heights and textures to keep it feeling interesting yet intentional.

Finally, I adjusted the layout just a bit, pulling the sofa away from the wall (which surprisingly actually makes the room feel larger) and repositioned the ladder bookshelf to better center the coffee table.

Creating Space

I usually recommend keeping about 20-30% open space on shelving wherever possible, it keeps things feeling styled, but not crowded, and helps buyers focus on the space rather than the items.

Throughout the home, we edited bookshelves and surfaces by removing some, but not all, personal items to create that space. In general, we want to “prepack” family photos and more personal items, so the new person can imagine their own family living here.

Then, I brought in a handful of larger scale decorative objects to finish the styling, which tend to photograph better and help anchor the space.

Keeping it Simple

The bathroom and kitchen were thoughtfully updated, we kept things simple – swapping a more neutral shower curtain and clearing counters to let the finishes and thoughtful updates stand out. Sometimes the most impactful choice is editing back.

Boosting Curb Appeal

Last but not least, I decided at the last minute idea to grab some greenery to the barrel planters lining the walks. For under $100, I grabbed a fresh welcome mat and these lush little boxwoods, instantly boosting our curb appeal.

With a few, targeted changes, we were able to get this open house ready, while keeping its personality intact and helping buyers visualize the space as their own.

Pop by and see this artistic retreat for yourself, contact LaDawn to schedule a showing.

Takeaways for your Occupied Staging in Denver

Pre-pack personal items (especially family photos)

Aim for about 20- 30% open space on shelves and surfaces

Small curb appeal updates can go a long way

Focus on function – make it easy for buyers to understand how each space is supposed to be used.

About Us

LaDawn Sperling provides full-service home staging for her real estate clients in the Denver Metro Area, helping prepare both vacant and occupied listings for today’s market. Home Staging design is led by Dana Gutwein, our team designer. Contact LaDawn with questions about how we can help prepare your home for success.