To me, staging is about emotion. The emotion you create when someone sees
themselves in the home. When I get a listing I go out and buy up to $100
worth of items to help the property show well. I re-use items from one home
to another. I store the items in my garage. If it's a vacant property I may
only put a wreath on the door, some kitchen towels and maybe a rooster lamp
or something along the lines that would look good in that particular
kitchen. People then can refer to the "rooster lamp house".

If it's vacant they may not have much to differentiate it. I sometimes set patio tables as
if there is a pool party coming up (even with no pool). It stands out and
another thing I've done is to set a bed tray with a cup and saucer, a vase
with a rose, a napkin, a box of tea, and maybe a folded newspaper. It won't
appeal to everyone but it will appeal to most and make them think about
relaxation associated with the house. Also the homeowners that still live in
the home reported feeling more happy and relaxed while they had their house
on the market. It made them keep their house picked up more too. Sellers can
do this but when they have their home on the market they have emotionally
already moved out and have their minds on where they are going. So it is my
job to help them with this.

On the upper end properties, less is more. I will also print out little cards (5x7)with notes on special amenities the house might have since the buyer's agent might not be aware of it and I
won't be there to point it out. I might not do anything in an upper end home
except the notes. Anyway it's just my two cents.