Home Staging for the Rich and Famous: 7 Luxury Makeovers

By Maite Martinez, Luxury Real Estate Specialist

Why Luxury Staging Matters in Winter Park

Let me tell you something I’ve seen firsthand in our Winter Park market: when a multi-million dollar home sits unstaged, it might as well be invisible to buyers. I recently walked through a stunning Mediterranean revival on Lake Osceola that had been sitting for 93 days. Beautiful bones, but buyers couldn’t see past the owner’s eclectic art collection. After proper staging? Under contract in less than a week.

This isn’t just my observation. The Real Estate Staging Association reports that professionally staged homes sell 73% faster than their unstaged counterparts. In Winter Park’s competitive luxury market, where expectations run sky-high, staging isn’t just helpful—it’s essential.

Our unique architectural landscape—from Spanish Mediterranean mansions to stately Colonial estates—presents incredible staging opportunities that can transform a beautiful home into an irresistible sanctuary. Let me walk you through seven luxury makeovers that are capturing the attention of Winter Park’s most discerning buyers.

7 Luxury Makeovers to Captivate High-Net-Worth Buyers

1. Minimalist Elegance with Purpose

When I staged a lakefront property on Lake Maitland last month, we removed 70% of the furniture. What remained? One spectacular hand-carved console in the foyer that perfectly complemented the home’s historic charm. The buyers mentioned it specifically in their offer letter.

Winter Park Application: Our historic homes don’t need clutter—they need breathing room and carefully selected statement pieces that honor architectural details.

Pro Tip: I always start with a neutral base (Sherwin Williams Agreeable Gray is my go-to) then layer in metallic accents and artisanal textures. Last week, we paired Italian linen upholstery with hand-hammered brass side tables in a Park Avenue estate, and the contrast was spectacular.

2. Architectural Spotlighting

Winter Park’s luxury homes have architectural details that builders in other areas can only dream about. Why hide them?

Local Focus: Those vaulted ceilings with oak beams, Venetian plaster walls, and coquina stone fireplaces aren’t just features—they’re selling points waiting to be highlighted.

Strategy: In a recent Baldwin Park staging, we installed uplighting to showcase a spectacular coffered ceiling, while sheer white drapes framed floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Park Avenue. The selling agent told me later that every showing started with “oohs” and “aahs” as buyers entered.

3. Layered Lighting Drama

Lighting is everything in luxury staging, and it’s where I see most sellers missing opportunities.

Trend: Battery-operated picture lights highlight art collections without intrusive wiring, while oversized statement chandeliers anchor grand spaces. When I staged an Isleworth estate last quarter, we installed dimmable LED strips under floating shelves in the wine cellar. That detail alone sparked a bidding war.

I tell my sellers: “If your lighting budget feels uncomfortable, you’re probably getting it right.” The return on investment for strategic lighting is consistently impressive in our luxury market.

4. Spa-Inspired Bathrooms

Winter Park buyers expect bathrooms that rival five-star hotels. After a long day at the office or managing global investments, they want an at-home retreat.

Luxury Must-Haves: Heated limestone floors, freestanding soaking tubs positioned for lake views, and curated trays of premium amenities make a powerful impression. I always bring Aesop products for stagings—their amber bottles add instant sophistication.

Tip: One of my favorite quick transformations is replacing builder-grade mirrors with antiqued brass frames. We did this in a Baldwin Park property last month, and the $600 investment helped secure a full-price offer.

5. Indoor-Outdoor Fusion

Our year-round outdoor living is Central Florida’s secret weapon in luxury real estate.

Central Florida Advantage: I stage loggias and poolsides with the same attention as interior spaces. Weather-resistant sectionals that could pass for indoor furniture, outdoor kitchens with showstopping marble countertops, and statement lighting transform these areas into true extensions of the home.

Proven Impact: For a Lake Virginia estate listed at $6.2M, we created a bougainvillea-lined pergola with conversation areas and a modern fire pit. The property received multiple offers and sold for 15% above asking. The new owners later told me it was the outdoor spaces that sealed the deal.

6. Art as a Storytelling Tool

Nothing says “amateur staging” like generic canvas prints. In Winter Park’s sophisticated market, art needs to tell a story.

Local Flair: I’ve built relationships with Winter Park Art Festival artists and Rollins College alumni to source unique pieces for my stagings. When buyers ask about a striking piece, it creates another connection to the community they’re considering joining.

Case Study: For a Virginia Heights property, we commissioned a canvas-backed triptych from a local artist that complemented the home’s water views. That artwork became the centerpiece of conversation during showings, and the home sold for $4.2M—setting a neighborhood record.

7. Smart Home Theater Magic

Today’s luxury buyers expect technology integration throughout the home, but nowhere is this more important than in entertainment spaces.

Tech Integration: Motorized blackout shades, discreetly installed 4K projectors, and comfortable seating that doesn’t scream “theater room” create sophisticated entertainment areas. In a recent Isleworth staging, we transformed an awkward bonus room into a media space with velvet recliners and acoustic panels disguised as artwork.

Winter Park Buyer Insight: According to a 2024 Coldwell Banker survey, 68% of luxury buyers in our market prioritize integrated technology. But here’s the key: it needs to be intuitive and invisible. Nobody wants to see a tangle of wires or complicated control systems.

Your Winter Park Luxury Advantage

These staging strategies aren’t just about pretty furniture—they’re about understanding the psychology of Winter Park’s luxury buyers. Our market attracts discerning purchasers who recognize quality and craftsmanship. Through strategic staging that honors our architectural heritage while embracing modern luxury, your property can stand out in a competitive marketplace.

Ready to stage your listing like a Kessler Manor showpiece? As your Winter Park staging partner, I’ll ensure your property outshines the competition—and captures the premium price it deserves.

5 Questions Ultra-Luxury Buyers Ask in Winter Park

“Is there adequate wall space for my art collection?” (Consider pre-staging with art lighting systems)
“How does the home handle Florida’s summer humidity?” (Highlight climate control systems)
“What’s the privacy situation with neighboring properties?” (Strategic landscaping during staging can help)
“Can my chef work efficiently in this kitchen?” (Stage with professional-grade accessories)
“Is there space for my wine collection?” (Temperature-controlled storage is a major selling point)

Maite Martinez is a luxury real estate specialist with Coldwell Banker, focusing on Winter Park’s distinctive properties. Connect today to discuss how professional staging can maximize your home’s market potential.