For me it depends. I liked some of your photos that have just the glasses and napkins set. Kind of a compromise.

I think it looks great to leave no place settings on the smaller round tables, but I still feel like those larger rectangle tables look better with the settings in place. Just a personal preference though.  

I like to set the tables before the photo shoots, after that it depends on the home.  If it needs a little extra color, I keep the place settings in place, if not, I remove them. 

I have staged homes both with and without placesettings, and I prefer NOT using the placesettings.  My reason is not as good as yours (a place for prospective buyers to sit), my reason is simply that the stemware is too easily broken if someone bumps the table or they try to sit at the table and have to move the placesetting out of the way....   Great pictures!  Thanks for sharing them.

For an eat-in kitchen area, I prefer not to set the table.  I want buyers to see the kitchen, not how the table is set up, since it's such an important room in the house to buyers.  For a separate dining room, I like to set up the table with a formal look.  It's all about selling a lifestyle.  I think it helps buyers see themselves entertaining friends and family in the space.  Also, if the home is open concept and the eat-in kitchen area is right next to the dining area, I don't like to have both tables set up.  To me it starts to take on a bit of a restaurant look - just my opinion.  Your photos are beautiful Thomas. 

I have to agree, we prefer cleaner tables and concentrate on a fabulous centerpiece.  It seems more cohesive and flows better.  A set table just adds that feeling of clutter, and actually stops the buyer to look at the table settings--I'd rather their eye's be looking at the features of the room, not my "cool" place settings :)  On bars in kitchens though, sometimes it can help add some color with the place mats and a simple setting for 2 or 3 people, but that still depends on if I have something I would rather put in the center that pulls it all together.  It's all about keeping it minimal, but with an impact!

Thanks for sharing the pictures!

Thanks, Nancy -

Stemware does get broken. While that's not my reason, its good enough. I've run into debates that stemware, whine glasses in particular, turn off people who don't drink and think its a good idea to be sensitive to that. 

Thanks for the compliment Charlene -

The stagers who set these rooms up did a good job. Good staging is easy to photograph!

I like your idea of color and contrast. I was just at a home we are staging today and it has a great looking black table in the kitchen. Courtney Edwards, our Nashville stager, used some really cool green placemats on the black table to tie into some botanical prints and it looked great. Just placemats, though! 

Julie and Amy, I think you are right on target. Table settings can, and do, steal the limelight from the bones of the home and at the end of the day, the more positive attention a buyer gives a home, the better the chance it will sell...

Hye Thomas, If find that a set table sometimes looks cluttered in photos and a bit distracting. Having said that, I do it myself sometimes. But...I do prefer the simply accessorized table top.

Thomas ~ I actually like all the pictures showing both ways.  I'm still undecided.  I will keep in mind the stemware issue though, as I am currently working on condo models and I could see breakage with people coming through, and you know some people just can't resist touching things too!

Less is more, the last two photos are beautiful, besides there is more room to sit down and write an offer!

I think it just depends on what is happening, is there too much happening already, maybe no, and a large centerpiece will do. I love seeing a dinind room nicely staged with tableware though!

A perfectly set table is a sight to behold, in person, in photo's (of a home for sale) not so much. I think the ideal is somewhere in the middle, you just want to hint at the glamorous soirees'  that can be held, a beautiful runner with candles and or a centerpiece, organic style chargers with beautifully folded napkins and a bowl of "fresh" fruit centerpiece that kind of thing. But no matter, your photo's are timeless and stunning

I never really thought about it much, but I'm glad to read your blog, because now I will think about it.  I think I agree about the smaller tables with no place settings, maybe just a centerpiece, but the larger tables probably need a little more.  I love all your pictures, and I think they all look great.  Thanks for sharing and giving us something to think about.

Chrissie Sutherland, Ready Set Stage

I think it would depend on the room and the furnishings.  If the room was rather plain with nothing to distiguish it then it might need to have more than just a simple arrangement in the center of the table.  You can do so many things besides table settings that have impact but don't overpower the room.  You want to draw people into a room but then allow them to look around at the space.  You definitely want clear space in at least two areas for buyers to sit down and make an offer!

Great Photos!

I tend to look at each property and what the rooms need.  I put placesetting when trying to get the buyers to focus on certain areas of the room.  If I want them to "buy" the view from the window to the large backyard, then I would keep the table very simple.   If the room is dark or no focal point, then I really dress out the table to create the feeling of a wonderful dinner for family, friend or entertaining guests. Carolyn

I love the look of a beautifully set table, but I've never set the table. I like the clean and simple design of a large centerpiece on the table. The photos show clean and uncluttered, and as you said, buyers feel they can sit down and write up the offer there! I guess I'm a minimalist when it comes to staging~ now if I could only practice that in my own home. . . .

HUMMMM..until I read this and then read the comments I was all for the "set table"..now I have to reconsider....I will try both ways...But a great point....thanks for the post

I think it depends on the overall decor of the room.  As a Realtor as well as a stager, I know to leave an area where agents can sit with buyers.  A kitchen counter or a couch with a clear table to work on is fine.  I especially like the pix that is the second from the bottom.  Clearly, the chandelier is overpowering and you wouldn't want a lot of fluff on the table.   Thanks for the post.  Joan

I am almost always AGAINST setting the table!  Glad to hear someone else agrees with me.  I feel it is inappropriate for the reasons you listed.