How to Create a Perfectly Staged Kitchen for Next to Nothing

White kitchen with pendant lighting, herringbone tile backsplash and stylish lighting — This post contains some affiliate links. If you use these links to make a purchase I may earn a small commission at no cost to you.

Selling a home isn’t just about picking a price and having some pictures taken. It's about making potential buyers feel at home the moment they walk through the door. And where does everyone gather? The kitchen. Whether it’s for a quick coffee or a full family dinner, the kitchen is the heart of the home. And if I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, you MUST stage your home if you are selling. Because if you don't, it could literally cost you thousands.

But how, exactly, do you stage a kitchen? Isn't the kitchen just appliances, cabinets and counters? Perhaps a table or some barstools? Well, yes, but there's more to it than that. We want our staged spaces to be SIMPLE but not EMPTY. Make sense? If not, it's okay. I'm here to explain more.

Here are 7 simple and affordable tips for staging your kitchen.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, dining table, wicker chairs, and decorative lighting. Text: "How to Stage Your Kitchen for Next to Nothing."

1. Clear the Counters. Mostly.

Clear, clutter-free counters make a kitchen feel more spacious and organized. I like to remove appliances like toasters, coffee makers, air fryers, etc. only keeping a few items, strategically placed. Keep out a few strategically chosen items like a coffee maker or a bowl of fresh fruit to add some character without it being "too much."

Staged kitchen with a view, navy cabinets — For this kitchen, I found a large bowl and filled it with fresh, red apples, and added greenery and a stone mortar & pestle next to the stove, and greenery and two small votives on the kitchen table. That's it!

Pro tip: Use what you have. I often "go shopping" in other parts of the home for items that can be used in different places when I'm staging. Easy and FREE ;)

COST = $0 or the price of a bag of apples

2. Deep Clean Your Appliances

There is nothing worse than a home with gross appliances. Think: your stove's range hood or exhaust fan, the inside of your oven and microwave, and the inside of your refrigerator. YES, potential buyers will be looking!

These are my go-to's for cleaning the kitchen:

Goo Gone Original Liquid - 8 Ounce - Surface Safe Adhesive Remover Safely Removes Stickers Labels Decals Residue Tape Chewing Gum Grease Tar Crayon Glue — I use this on my stainless steel range hood; you only need a little. Do NOT use inside your oven or microwave.

The Pink Stuff cleaning product, kitchen cleaner — This stuff is awesome!! Super versatile in the kitchen.

Pro tip: Skip messy cooking and especially seafood when you are selling your home... those smells linger!

COST = Less than $10

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3. Set the Scene with Lighting

Good lighting elevates the kitchen’s appeal and highlights its best features. There is nothing worse than old, ugly light fixtures in my opinion. And let's face it - you want your house to look expensive when you sell it! Update old or dim light fixtures with modern, energy-efficient ones. If you have an island, pendant lighting is a MUST.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, and a central island with blue chairs. Warm wood floors and glass doors. — These pendant lights totally elevate the design of this otherwise simple kitchen.

Adding lighting to your kitchen doesn't need to cost a fortune, and to prove it to you, here are FIVE different pendant lighting options for your kitchen for LESS THAN $100.

Two woven pendant lights hang in a bright room. Warm glow contrasts with the light walls. Flowers and a window view add a serene touch. — Two woven pendants for $60

Two brass pendant lights with clear glass shades hang against a white background, showcasing elegant, minimalist design. — Two glass & gold pendants for $75

Two black and wood pendant lights hang from the ceiling against a white background. Modern, minimalistic design with a warm, cozy feel. — Two black and wood pendants for $65

Black lantern pendant with four glowing bulbs hangs in a bright room with large windows and a plant. Minimalist and modern design. — One pendant for $44. Four bulbs = tons of light!

Three white pendant lights with textured wood shades and wooden tops hanging by cords against a plain white background. — Three white hammered wood pendants for $95

Pro Tip: Layer your lighting by incorporating under-cabinet LED strips to brighten prep areas and add a polished touch.

I actually went crazy with these battery operated LED strips when I sold my house. I put them in my pantry and in my closet, and I love the way they looked!

COST = Less than $100

4. Choose Neutral Décor with a Splash of Greenery

Neutral is the name of the game when staging any part of your home. Subtle hues like white, beige, or soft naturals create a clean slate for potential buyers. In the kitchen, add pops of color in the form of greenery—think a vase of fresh flowers or a small herb plant by the window. I always opt for fresh greenery when possible.

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, an island with wicker stools, a wooden dining table, and a large glass bubble chandelier. Cozy and elegant. — This is how I staged the kitchen of my last house (the one I just sold). You'll see an orchid in the window, fresh flowers in a vase next to the sink, and a plant on the top shelf.

Pro tip: A low-maintenance plant like basil or rosemary is both decorative and functional, giving the kitchen a fresh, natural vibe buyers love - and it smells good, too!

COST = $0 if you can pick flowers from your yard or clip branches.

5. Organize Your Cabinets, Drawers, and Pantry

Yes, buyers will open them! Make sure cabinets and drawers are neatly organized to showcase how much storage your kitchen offers. Uniformity is key here—think matching containers for pantry items and neatly stacked dishes.

Organized pantry with wicker baskets labeled for different items. Bright, natural light through a window. Neat rows of spices and snacks visible. — My pantry ONLY looked like this when I was selling my house ;)

Pro Tip: Invest in drawer dividers for utensils or storage bins for your pantry. Organization not only looks good, but it also shows effort and care.

Here's a quick summary of my all-time favorites:

Bamboo kitchen drawer dividers for utensils, organization for drawers, kitchen organization — These are the BEST! Just be sure to measure.

Hyacinth Baskets, Rustic Set Of 5 Multipurpose Collapsible Storage Organizer, Handwoven Laundry Totes for Bedroom, Living Room, Shelves w/Inserts - Natural — These baskets fold completely flat when you're not using them - genius!

Clear bins for organization, pantry organization, storage bins, organizing solutions — I have so many of these clear bins - so multi-purpose!

COST = Varies, but you could spend less than $50 and organize your entire kitchen. If you have a super tight budget, hit up the Dollar Store.

6. Add Thoughtful Details

Small finishing touches can make your kitchen feel more inviting without feeling artificially staged. A small stack of cookbooks, a tray of artisanal oils, or a folded tea towel by the sink can create a warm, “lived-in” but still polished look.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, pendant lights, and wood floor. Dining table with white chairs. Serene and bright atmosphere. — When I was staging this kitchen, I looked for items that were already in the kitchen, like bowls and place mats that matched our navy and natural color scheme, and used those in my design.

Pro tip: Opt for fewer, large items, like a large bowl or tray on the kitchen table or counter, rather than a bunch of small items, which could end up looking too cluttered.

COST = $0

7. Ditch the Little Rug

You know the one you have in front of your kitchen sink? It's totally functional, I know, but it just doesn't look that good, especially in photos. So at minimum, remove it when taking your listing photos and then you can put it back later. An exception to this rule would be a larger area rug in your kitchen or a runner that spans the length of your island, as those tend to look and photograph better than the tiny rugs.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel stove, and sink. Granite countertops, sunflower in a vase, and bright natural light.

Pro tip: This rule goes for all areas of your home. Truth is, the "little rugs" just don't look great in photos, so consider losing them altogether when selling your home.

COST = $0

But What if My Kitchen isn't Picture Perfect?

If you have a more dated kitchen and don't have the budget to make any improvements before you sell, not to worry! Below is a kitchen that I staged for a client's rental property. The kitchen photographs pretty well, but it is, in fact, dated. The appliances aren't matching, the counters are laminate, and the backsplash is peel & stick. But sometimes we have to make do with what we have, so I opted for a little extra staging here: two place settings at the breakfast bar, a coffee station, and because the microwave had to stay, I worked it into the design by placing it in the corner.

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black stove, and tiled countertop. Two chairs and dishware on the island. Minimalist decor and a wall clock.

The tile floor isn't totally attractive in this house, so I did something I don't usually do: I added a rug. In this case, I felt it was the right choice to add some color and distract from the floor a bit.

Bright kitchen with white cabinets, gas stove, and gray counters. Vibrant rug on tiled floor. Dining area with wooden table visible.

Compare the photos above to this current listing:

Wooden kitchen with cabinets, a white fridge covered in magnets, a dishwasher, and a large window. Ceiling fan and cozy lighting. — I would have removed all the fridge magnets, removed the mat in front of the sink, cleared the counters, removed the paper towel roll, and added some greenery on the rounded red counter and maybe some jars or a candle next to the sink. Bonus points for painting the cabinets white!

Painting your cabinets white is totally do-able as long as you have patience. I've done it twice in two different houses: one kitchen, and one bathroom. See photos below:

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, tile backsplash, and pendant lights. Neutral tones and decorative accents. — These cabinets were olive green before I painted them - yuck! I wish I could find the BEFORE photo.

BEFORE

AFTER

Spacious bathroom with white cabinets, black countertops, a jacuzzi TUB, and glass shower. Lit sconces and soft lighting create a serene mood. — I also swapped out the cabinet hardware before selling this home.

So the moral of the story is that you don't have to spend a fortune, OR ANY MONEY AT ALL, to stage your kitchen when you are selling your home. Remember: keep it simple, "shop" in other parts of your home, and a little DIY can go a long way!

Reach out for more tips & tricks on staging and don't forget to subscribe to the blog so you don't miss a thing ;)

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