As Cheryl Eisen, owner of New York City-based interior design and home staging company Interior Marketing Group, explains, successful home staging—especially in the high-end market—can be the key to getting a sale.
« Staging changes everything, » she said. « It’s not simply about making a space attractive; it’s a tactical tool. It makes buyers envision the possibilities and delivers top-dollar for sellers. »
Eisen’s client list features the likes of Jeff Bezos, Daniel Craig, Robert De Niro, and Kim Kardashian. From Manhattan’s Billionaires’ Row, with its high-rise penthouses overlooking Central Park, to estate residences in the Hollywood Hills and Miami and Palm Beach coastal estates, her projects vary widely.
In a recent interview with Mansion Global, Eisen touched on how the world of luxury staging has evolved, what’s hot in the business now, and how foreign buyers impact her trajectory.
Cheryl Eisen: You’re trying to impress buyers who’ve seen the world. These are individuals with private islands, multiple properties, and a refined sense of taste. The goal isn’t just to furnish a home—it’s to make it unforgettable. That means creating emotional impact and curating every element to feel rare and intentional.
How has the idea of « luxury » shifted, and how does staging keep pace?
Luxury is not flashy anymore. People are gravitating toward calm, airy spaces with thoughtful design. It’s not flash anymore; it’s mood. We add layers of texture, we have soft color, and we design with experience in mind. With little time in the world, move-in-ready houses are more desirable than ever.
How does staging influence price and days on market, especially with luxury homes?
In New York, our staged listings sell 82% faster than the average in the luxury market—that’s 107 days compared with 600. But speed is just part of it; many sell completely furnished and well above asking.
What do high-end buyers look for when they tour a staged home?
They require instant understanding of how the house functions—not just in a functional sense, but at its highest potential. And they must be moved emotionally. If the dining room invites entertaining or the bedroom invites retreat, that emotional hook tends to translate into an offer.
What trends are shaping luxury staging today, and what’s getting left behind?
Organic modernism is leading the pack—think earthy colors, raw wood, and sculptural lines that are cozy and worn. But character is what’s really on the upswing. We mix in vintage finds, mid-century behemoths, and show-stopping pieces that also double as art. That richness brings homes soul. Glammy elements overdone and mass-market furniture sets? Those are rapidly falling out of favor.
Are consumers finally insisting that luxury homes need to be move-in ready?
Absolutely. Turnkey is no longer an afterthought—now it’s normal. For international buyers or high-end professionals, a turnkey, designer-decorated home is a first choice. It’s not convenience—it’s about entering a lifestyle on day one.
How do international buyers influence your staging strategies in major markets like New York and Miami?
The majority of foreign purchasers purchase long-distance from brokers, so the appearance must present value from the time that you lay eyes on it. Clean lines and subdued colors please everywhere, but we also keep culture in mind. Elegance designs fit some; other people crave privacy in openness. Global hotspots, we’re always juggling form, function, and global style.
How do you ensure every property—that’s historic homes, as well as modern penthouses—has a certain feel of its own?
It starts with a story. We treat every project like a blank sheet of paper and ask: who is the buyer, and what is the dream we’re constructing for them? That story guides every choice. Every home is individual, but all are designed to connect emotionally and create offers.
