Staging While You Still Live There — And Design Secrets That Get Your Airbnb Booked

Staging While You Still Live There — And Design Secrets That Get Your Airbnb Booked

You don't have to move out to make your home show-ready — you just have to know what to fix first.

That's the takeaway from my latest Home Story episode with Daniela Acosta-Levin, founder of Dwell & Roam, a design and staging studio here in Charlotte. Whether you're selling your primary home or running a short-term rental, Daniela's approach is the same: design should perform, not just look pretty.

Staging while you're still living there. The biggest myth sellers believe is that staging means packing up your whole life. It doesn't. Daniela's rule is simple — remove what distracts, keep what functions. Personal photos, oversized furniture, and closet overflow are usually the first to go. Everything else can stay if it's clean, neutral, and photographs well. It matters: according to the National Association of REALTORS®' 2025 Profile of Home Staging, 83% of buyers' agents say staging makes it easier for buyers to picture themselves living in a home.

Designing for Airbnb. If you're hosting, the goal shifts from "sell it" to "book it." Daniela says color choices, lighting, and a few intentional touches do more for your review score than a full renovation ever will. Think durable fabrics, layered lighting, and photos that stop the scroll — because guests are booking off images before they ever see the space in person.

The upgrades that actually move the needle. No "rip out the kitchen" advice here. We're talking paint, lighting, and furniture swaps that cost a fraction of a renovation and still show up in your offers or your booking calendar.

Whether you're prepping to list or trying to boost your nightly rate, small, strategic design choices carry real weight — and they cost a lot less than you'd think.

🎧 Full episode: Home Story with Veronica, Fridays 2 PM ET on NowMedia TV.