High School

Recommended high school courses include art, computer science, business, mathematics, English, and speech.

Postsecondary Education

No colleges and universities offer degrees in home staging. The International Association of Home Staging Professionals offers training for aspiring home stagers. Contact the association for information on training opportunities. The Academy of Home Staging & Design also offers online and in-person (in New York, Los Angeles, and Tampa, Florida) courses for home stagers. Other educational providers include the Real Estate Staging Association and the Home Staging Institute. Some home stagers learn their skills via on-the-job training with experienced home stagers.

Certification or Licensing

The International Association of Home Staging Professionals offers the accredited staging professional designation and other credentials to those who meet educational and experience requirements. The Real Estate Staging Association also offers certification. Contact these organizations for more information.

Any experience staging homes will be useful for aspiring home stagers.

Home stagers should be personable and tactful, especially when interacting with clients, many of whom may be sensitive to staging suggestions. Being in good physical condition is also helpful since some aspects of this job entail moving heavy furniture, reaching high cabinets, or packing clothes, books, or other memorabilia. Other important traits include strong organizational, analytical, problem-solving, and time-management skills and creativity.