Good virtual staging is invisible: the room simply looks right. Bad staging draws attention to itself. These are the seven mistakes we see most often, and how to avoid them.

1. Wrong scale

A sofa that is too big or a table that is too small instantly breaks the illusion. Furniture should be proportioned to the room, doors and windows.

2. Ignoring light and shadows

Furniture must be lit from the same direction as the room, with matching shadows and reflections. Floating furniture with no shadow looks fake.

3. Too much furniture

Over-staging makes a room feel smaller and busier. Leave space to move and keep floors visible.

4. A style that doesn't fit the property

An ultra-modern interior in a period building, or a rustic style in a glass loft, looks forced. Match the style to the architecture and to the likely buyer. See six interior styles and who they suit.

5. Blocking doors and circulation

Furniture should never block a door, a window or a natural walkway. Real buyers will mentally walk through the room.

6. Starting from a poor photo

Crooked angles, dark rooms or low resolution limit what can be done. Read how to prepare photos for virtual staging.

7. Not telling buyers

The biggest mistake of all. Label staged images clearly and show the original too. See how to disclose staged photos.

How to spot good staging

Look at the image as a buyer would. Is the scale right? Do the shadows match? Can you walk through the room? Does the style suit the building? If you can answer yes to all four, the staging is doing its job. If something feels slightly off, trust that feeling and ask for a revision.

Ask for revisions early

Small changes, such as a different sofa, a lighter rug or fewer accessories, can make a big difference. Reviewing the first image carefully and asking for adjustments is always cheaper than publishing something you are not fully happy with.