July is Luxury Month at Inman. We’ll take the temperature of the luxury market, talk to top producers in the ultra-luxury space and dive into the luxe trends of today — all culminating at Luxury Connect in San Diego, where we’ll announce this year’s Golden I Club honorees.
Summer is peak season for staging. Buyers are craving light, energy and a sense of freedom. But most sellers do not have the budget to transform their space into a beachfront dream.
I sat down with Samantha Senia, CEO, and Nicole Senia, sales manager, of Elite Home Staging, the Los Angeles-based firm to uncover seven smart and cost-effective ways to capture summer’s relaxed luxury without breaking the bank.
7 Elite staging secrets
1. Use a neutral, organic color palette
According to Nicole, “Less drama, more dopamine. That’s the move for summer staging.” Elite Home Staging consistently uses soft whites, beiges and warm greys to create a calming foundation that appeals to a wide range of buyers.
Organic textures like linen, rattan and raw wood add visual interest and tactile appeal, giving each room dimension without overcrowding it with accessories. The result is a backdrop that is both elegant and easy to connect with.
2. Introduce trees to highlight indoor-outdoor living
To emphasize the connection between the home and its surroundings, Elite frequently incorporates potted trees near windows and patio doors. Samantha explains, “We want people to literally breathe the summer in.”
Adding an olive tree or a fiddle leaf fig introduces height and movement while reinforcing the seamless flow between inside and out. It is a subtle shift that makes a powerful visual statement.
3. Embrace summer minimalism
Summer naturally invites simplicity. People are traveling, decluttering and spending more time outdoors. Nicole puts it clearly: “Summers are about less. Let that guide your staging.”
Elite leans into this seasonal instinct by removing excess furniture, rolling up heavy rugs and letting rooms breathe. This minimalist style helps buyers imagine themselves relaxing and enjoying the space, free from distractions.
4. Layer fragrance throughout the home
A home’s scent has a direct impact on how people feel inside it. Elite Home Staging incorporates light, refreshing fragrances in key areas. Diffusers with citrus notes are placed near the entry. Herbal scents like basil or rosemary are used in the kitchen, and soft linen sprays go in the bedrooms.
Samantha notes, “Buyers remember more than they realize.” A strategically chosen scent can tap into deep emotional associations, making a property far more memorable.
5. Create a ‘spritz station’ to spark imagination
One of Elite’s favorite features is a summer mocktail station set up on a bar cart. This includes glassware, bottles and fresh herbs such as mint, basil and rosemary. The setup suggests summer entertaining and encourages buyers to envision relaxed evenings at home.
Nicole says, “It sparks imagination and photographs beautifully.” It is both practical and aspirational, making it a powerful tool in the staging playbook.
6. Add faux citrus for a bright, fresh vibe
Ceramic or plastic lemons and limes are a budget-friendly way to energize a space. Samantha explains, “They pop on counters and feel fresh, but do not spoil.” These props bring in a bright visual cue that suggests summer without adding perishable elements that need constant replacement. A bowl of citrus on the kitchen island or dining table adds life to the room in an instant.
7. Incorporate fresh greens and eucalyptus
Fresh cut greenery provides texture, movement and a touch of nature that elevates even the simplest space. Nicole explains, “Greens speak to wellness and ease — exactly what summer buyers want.”
Elite often uses eucalyptus, which adds both scent and visual elegance, along with other fresh greens that can be picked up at local markets for very little cost. Placing them in clear vases creates a clean and organic look.
Bonus tip: Use outdoor rugs to define living zones
Outdoor spaces matter more in summer, and Elite uses layered rugs to define zones and create a sense of order. Even in a sparsely furnished patio, a couple of well-placed jute rugs can signal where a buyer might host friends or relax with a book. These rugs are inexpensive but create a strong visual structure and a feeling of comfort.
Why these strategies work
These methods are simple, scalable and emotionally intelligent. They appeal to the senses, not just the eyes. They allow buyers to imagine their own lives unfolding in the space. And, most importantly, they do it without requiring a massive staging budget.
According to Samantha, “We’re staging emotions, not just furniture. If you sell the feeling of summer, everything else follows.” Nicole adds, “People don’t buy a home. They buy a season in a space. Make that season summer.”
Summery playbook
| Strategy | Why it works | How to apply it |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral palette | Creates calm and broad appeal | Use soft tones and organic textures |
| Potted trees | Enhances indoor-outdoor flow | Place near windows and patio doors |
| Summer minimalism | Encourages mental clarity and emotional space | Remove excess furnishings and decor |
| Scent layering | Reinforces positive emotional memory | Diffusers and light sprays by zone |
| Spritz station | Sparks lifestyle imagination | Use bar carts and fresh herbs |
| Faux citrus | Adds a visual pop of freshness | Bowls of lemons or limes on counters |
| Fresh greens | Introduces movement and scent | Eucalyptus or greens in simple vases |
| Outdoor rugs | Defines zones and adds comfort | Layer neutral-toned rugs on patios |
Samantha and Nicole Senia have refined summer staging into a disciplined art form that leverages both psychology and design. Their work proves that high-impact staging does not require high-end spending. It requires intent, restraint and an understanding of what today’s buyers want: simplicity, possibility and a touch of summer magic.
Chris Pollinger is the founder and managing partner of RE Luxe Leaders.
