See How a Stager Transformed a “Lifeless” Penthouse into a Dream Space

Effective home staging has the power to transform dingy, outdated rooms into fresh places, but even homes that are stunning on their own benefit tremendously from staging. This was exactly the case with a recent staging job in a penthouse apartment on the 41st floor of a building in the Dallas Arts District. Kyndra Outlaw, owner of Atmospheric Staging, staged the living room, dining room, kitchen, study, and primary bedroom of this 2,266-square-foot space that had been vacant for months without leasing. 

“Empty spaces often raise red flags — questions about layout, scale, or even livability,” Outlaw explains. “Our goal was to add warmth and visual clarity to help potential renters imagine themselves in the space.” To this end, Outlaw transformed the penthouse into the luxury living space of anyone’s dreams. Mindful of the clientele that could afford the $13,000 per month rental price of the unit, Outlaw made sure that the staging style would match the target modern, urban professional renter.  

Here’s what she did: 

Before staging, the living room appeared small. The architectural quirks of the space — such as the unusual ceiling and the uniquely angled corner — felt glaring and tricky to decorate around. Staging solved both these substantial issues, transforming it into a spacious-feeling room. The architectural elements that might have felt awkward before turned into well-integrated features of the space that complement the overall artistic vibe. 

Neutral furniture with pops of green allowed the epic view from the floor-to-ceiling windows to take center stage. The green, while adding vibrancy, didn’t detract from the blue of the sky that would be central to the room’s personality on sunny days. The chairs placed against the windows had clean lines and open backs so that they didn’t compete with the view as well. 

The entire effect is one of working effortlessly with the structure of the penthouse, making the room a space that potential renters would want to enjoy as their own. As Outlaw put it, “The living room felt lifeless and vacant; staging made it open and inviting.”

The office in the loft was a dark, windowless room. Outlaw knew it could easily be a liability in showings — a black hole of a space that would turn away potential buyers due to its seeming uselessness. “The dark office had no natural or overhead light, so we added a desk, seating area, floor lamps, and artwork to bring purpose and brightness to the space,” Outlaw says. 

Despite the lack of light and life, Outlaw managed to create a bright and inviting workspace in the dark office. An artificial monstera plant infused the room with the illusion of life and the subliminal suggestion of natural light. Dark chairs anchored the room, and their contrast with the white walls made the room feel clean and bright. Large artwork also made the space appear larger, and an acrylic desk ensured that the room didn’t appear crowded. Floor lamps suffused the entire room with warm lighting. 

Staging not only sets a backdrop for potential residents’ stories in each room, but it can also weave a theme into the space as a whole. This has the potential to strengthen viewers’ emotional attachment to the place and keep it top of mind — or even causing a decision on the spot. 

Outlaw implemented this whole-space strategy in this penthouse. “Throughout the home, we used curved and textured furniture, bold statement art, and layered accessories to create flow and style. We leaned into bold focal points, neighborhood-savvy style, and strategic use of color. We wanted every space to feel both luxurious and livable,” Outlaw says.

According to Outlaw, “buyers typically spend six minutes touring an empty listing, but they stay up to 40 minutes in a furnished space.” The result of staging this high-end multifamily unit was dramatic, promising a concrete impact on the unit’s time on the market and, therefore, its bottom line. “This unit is now beautifully staged and show-ready, drawing in qualified interest,” Outlaw says.