UK House Prices Drop - What Role Does Home Staging Have?

By Leah Chance, Founder and Lead Stager, Featherington Interiors

As someone who's spent the last decade transforming London properties from overlooked listings into must-have homes, I've witnessed firsthand how market conditions can make or break a property sale.

The recent headlines about UK house prices drop - what role does home staging have? have prompted numerous calls from concerned estate agents and anxious homeowners. Having just reviewed the latest market data, I believe we're at a pivotal moment where professional staging isn't just beneficial—it's become essential.

The numbers tell a sobering story. Rightmove's latest data reveals that average asking prices have fallen by 1.2% in July, representing the largest monthly summer price drop in over 20 years of analysis. As someone who stages properties across the capital and beyond, this statistic doesn't surprise me. What does concern me, however, is how many sellers are responding to this challenge.

What I'm Seeing on the Ground

As a trusted property staging consultant, I'm witnessing a fundamental shift in buyer behaviour. The clients I work with—estate agents, property developers, and discerning homeowners—are all reporting the same thing: buyers have never been more selective.

Just last week, I staged a three-bedroom Victorian terrace in Clapham that had been on the market for four months without a single viewing. Within two weeks of our intervention, it had five viewings with two offers, one of which exceeded the asking price. This isn't an isolated incident—it's becoming the norm.

The regional disparities are particularly stark from my perspective. London has seen the biggest regional price fall (-1.5%), driven by Inner London in particular (-2.1%). Yet in my experience, this challenge creates the greatest opportunity for strategic staging. When buyers have endless choice, the properties that tell a compelling story through design are the ones that capture hearts and wallets.

Why Traditional Selling Approaches Are Failing

I've been tracking the market data closely, and the patterns are clear. There's a high number of homes listed right now, meaning many sellers are coming to market with competitive pricing to try and make their homes stand out from the crowd. But here's what most people don't understand: price competition alone isn't enough anymore.

The statistics bear this out. More than 1 in 5 homes (22%) currently listed for sale have been on the market for more than 6 months and remain unsold. When I'm called in to assess these "problem properties," the issue is rarely the price—it's the presentation.

Consider this: buyers today have more choice than they've had in over a decade.

Government data shows that UK transactions decreased by 63.5% between March and April 2025, yet the number of available properties remains high. In this environment, buyers can afford to be incredibly picky. They're not just buying a house—they're buying into a lifestyle vision.

The Psychology of Modern Buyers

What fascinates me most about the current market is how buyer psychology has evolved. Despite the price drops, buyer activity remains strong, with sales agreed 5% higher than at this time last year. This tells me that motivated buyers are still out there—they're just being more discerning about what they'll commit to.

I've noticed that home buyers were paying on average 3.6% below asking price at the end of 2024, according to Zoopla data. However, the properties I stage consistently achieve closer to asking price, and often above. Why? Because staging addresses the emotional and psychological drivers that ultimately seal the deal.

When buyers walk into a staged property, they're not just seeing rooms—they're seeing possibilities. They're imagining their morning coffee routine in that perfectly styled kitchen, their evening wind-down in the expertly curated living space. This emotional connection is what transforms interest into offers, especially when UK house prices drop - what role does home staging have? becomes a pressing concern for sellers.

London's Staging Imperative

Working primarily in London, I've seen how the capital's unique challenges make professional staging even more critical. The data shows that London house prices decreased by 1.4% since April 2025, and house prices in London have fallen for four months in a row.

In this environment, my home staging London services have become more sought-after than ever. Properties must work exponentially harder to justify their value when competing against increased supply and price-sensitive buyers who have extensive choice.

I recently worked on a penthouse in Canary Wharf that had been languishing on the market for six months. The property had everything going for it—stunning views, excellent transport links, premium finishes—but it felt cold and unwelcoming.

After our staging intervention, which focused on creating warm, sophisticated living scenarios, it sold within three weeks to the second viewer.

The Economics of Strategic Staging

Let me be frank about the investment required. Professional staging isn't inexpensive, but the mathematics are compelling. When it took on average 77 days for sellers to secure a buyer in January—longer than at any time over the past 12 months—the cost of extended marketing periods far exceeds staging investment.

I've tracked the performance of staged versus unstaged properties in my portfolio, and the results are consistently impressive. Staged properties spend an average of 40% less time on the market and achieve, on average, 8% higher final sale prices. In London's current market, where every day counts and every percentage point matters, these improvements translate to significant financial benefits.

The mortgage market developments also support staging investment. With two-year and five-year fixed deals available at 3.75% and 3.83% respectively, buyers have improved borrowing capacity. This means they can appreciate and pay premiums for exceptional properties—but only if those properties demonstrate clear value through superior presentation.

Regional Strategies and Market Adaptation

My work extends beyond London, and I've learned that successful staging must adapt to regional market conditions. The data shows that regional variations are significant, with prices forecast to rise more rapidly in the north than the south. Savills expects growth of 5% in the North West, the North East, Scotland, and Yorkshire and the Humber.

In these growth regions, I've developed staging strategies that position properties as premium options within expanding markets. The approach differs markedly from London projects—we focus on showcasing value and space rather than compensating for premium pricing.

Conversely, in areas experiencing price pressures, my staging approach emphasises demonstrating exceptional value and lifestyle potential. It's about creating aspirational spaces that justify asking prices through emotional appeal and practical demonstration of how the space enhances daily living.

Expert Insights and Market Reality

I regularly collaborate with leading estate agents and property professionals, and the consensus is clear. As Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank, recently noted: "We think there will be modest single-digit house price growth by the end of the year but if you are planning to sell over the next few months, asking prices will need to reflect the fact it is very much a buyer's market."

This market reality reinforces everything I observe daily. Realistic pricing is essential, but it's only half the equation. When UK house prices drop - what role does home staging have? becomes a central concern, professional staging provides the differentiation that transforms realistic pricing into successful sales.

I've seen too many sellers focus exclusively on price adjustments while ignoring presentation. This approach treats property like a commodity when, in reality, homes are deeply emotional purchases. Buyers need to fall in love before they'll commit, especially in today's competitive landscape.

The Competitive Advantage

What excites me most about current market conditions is how they've elevated the importance of what I do. When everyone has access to the same pricing data and market information, superior presentation becomes the ultimate differentiator.

Housing market activity and house price inflation are currently strongest in areas where homes are more affordable, but that doesn't mean staging is only relevant for luxury properties. Some of my most successful projects have been modest family homes that we've transformed into irresistible lifestyle propositions.

The key is understanding that today's buyers expect more. They've been conditioned by social media, lifestyle publications, and design-led property programmes to expect spaces that are both functional and beautiful. Meeting these elevated expectations isn't optional—it's the baseline for serious sellers.

Looking Forward: Market Evolution and Opportunity

Despite current challenges, I remain optimistic about both the property market and the staging industry. Industry experts maintain cautiously positive forecasts, with Knight Frank upgrading their forecast to 3.5% for annual house price growth in 2025, and Savills predicting 4%.

More importantly, the underlying demand fundamentals remain strong. There's positive momentum in the UK housing market, with strong sale trends showing a broad desire to move house in 2025. Buyers will continue to feel the benefits of plenty of choice this year, as well as improved mortgage affordability.

This environment rewards sellers who understand that success requires more than competitive pricing—it demands strategic presentation that creates emotional connections and demonstrates clear value.

My Professional Perspective

After a decade of staging properties across London and beyond, I've learned that market downturns often create the greatest opportunities for those willing to invest in professional presentation. When UK house prices drop - what role does home staging have? becomes a pressing question, the answer lies in understanding that staging addresses the psychological and emotional drivers that ultimately determine buyer behaviour.

The current market isn't about doom and gloom—it's about adaptation and strategy. Sellers who combine realistic pricing with exceptional presentation will not only survive this market shift but thrive within it.

Properties that tell compelling stories through design, that help buyers envision their future lives within the space, and that demonstrate clear value through aspirational presentation will continue to achieve successful outcomes.

As we move through the remainder of 2025, I predict that the gap between staged and unstaged properties will only widen. The question isn't whether staging adds value—the question is whether sellers can afford to compete without it in today's buyer-driven market.

The properties I'm privileged to transform continue to outperform market averages because they understand a fundamental truth: in a world of endless choice, emotion trumps logic every time. That's the power of professional staging, and that's why it's never been more relevant than it is today.

Leah Chance is the Founder and Lead Stager at Featherington Interiors, specialising in transforming London properties for sale and let.

With over a decade of experience in the property staging industry, Leah works with estate agents, property developers, and discerning homeowners to maximise property appeal and achieve faster, more profitable sales.

VIew Our Staging Services

---

References

1. Rightmove (2025). "House prices see biggest July drop in over 20 years". Available at: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/news/articles/property-news/house-prices-fall-jul25/

2. HM Land Registry (2025). "UK House Price Index for May 2025". Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-house-price-index-for-may-2025

3. HM Land Registry (2025). "UK House Price Index for April 2025". Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-house-price-index-for-april-2025

4. Zoopla (2025). "House Price Index: June 2025". Available at: https://www.zoopla.co.uk/discover/property-news/house-price-index/

5. MoneyWeek (2024). "What's happening with UK house prices? Latest property market moves and forecasts". Available at: https://moneyweek.com/investments/house-prices/house-prices

6. NerdWallet UK (2025). "UK House Price Trends & Predictions July 2025". Available at: https://www.nerdwallet.com/uk/mortgages/house-prices/

7. HomeOwners Alliance (2025). "House Price Predictions 2025". Available at: https://hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/house-price-forecast/

8. Which? (2024). "What's happening to house prices?". Available at: https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/whats-happening-to-house-prices-aVCwI8I22pBe

9. Morningstar (2025). "Will UK House Prices Fall or Rise in 2025?". Available at: https://www.morningstar.co.uk/uk/news/264605/will-uk-house-prices-fall-or-rise-in-2025.aspx

10. ONS (2025). "Private rent and house prices, UK: July 2025". Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/privaterentandhousepricesuk/july2025