Property Styling on a Budget: How to Furnish a Melbourne Home for Sale

A well-styled home photographs better, feels larger at inspections and helps buyers picture themselves living there. Styling does not have to mean hiring a full package for thousands of dollars a month. If you buy a few key pieces yourself, you keep them after the sale, and buying brand-new clearance furniture keeps the outlay low.

Shop the pieces in this guide

Focus on the rooms buyers see first

Buyers form an impression in the first few rooms and in the listing photos. Put most of your budget into the living room, the dining area and the main bedroom. Secondary bedrooms and studies can be styled lightly or left clear and clean.

The essential pieces

• A neutral sofa: beige, oatmeal or light grey fabric suits the widest range of buyers. A chaise or corner sofa signals comfortable family living without filling the room.
• A dining set sized to the space: a 120cm round table suits apartments; a 7 piece set suits a family home. A table that is too big makes a dining area look cramped.
• A coffee table and one side table: they finish the living room and give the photographer somewhere to place a vase or books.
• Rugs, cushions and plants: the cheapest way to add warmth and texture.

Keep it light, neutral and spacious

Natural timber, white and beige make rooms feel bright and larger. Leave clear walkways of around 90cm, pull furniture slightly off the walls, and remove anything personal. One statement piece per room, such as a sculptural chair or a round coffee table, is enough.

Why clearance furniture works for sellers

Hiring a styling package is an ongoing cost while the home is on the market. Buying brand-new clearance pieces is a one-off cost, and the furniture moves with you to your next home. Many property stylists also buy from us for the same reason. See our guide to furnishing on a budget for more ideas.

Common questions

Which rooms should I style when selling?

Focus on the living room, dining area and main bedroom. These rooms appear most in listing photos and shape buyers’ first impressions.

What colour furniture is best for selling a home?

Neutral colours such as beige, oatmeal, light grey, white and natural timber appeal to the widest range of buyers and make rooms feel bright and spacious.

Is it cheaper to buy or hire furniture for a sale?

Hiring is an ongoing cost while the home is on the market. Buying brand-new clearance furniture is a one-off cost, and you keep the furniture afterwards.

See it in the showroom, or have it delivered

Everything we sell is brand new in the box, priced at up to 80% off RRP and covered by a 1-year warranty. Visit our showroom at 65A Grange Road, Cheltenham VIC 3192 (Opposite Moorabbin DFO on Grange Road), open all 7 days: Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. We deliver Australia-wide, with delivery from $40 priced by distance, and Afterpay and Zip are available. Clearance stock is limited, so once a piece sells out it is gone. Questions? Call 03 8522 2115 or 0421 768 052.