Home Staging Course Comparison: Staging Studio vs. HSR vs. CSP vs. ASP vs. Home Staging Institute

There has never been a better time to become a certified home stager. When we got started in the industry, we had to figure everything out on our own. Now, there are more options than ever for getting your home staging education!

Choosing the best staging training program can be difficult. We’ve made it easy with our side-by-side comparison tool.

What Does Each Home Staging Certification Teach?

When you complete your certification, you should feel confident and prepared to launch and grow a profitable staging business.

We created the chart below so you can compare some of the most popular programs. These are by no means all of the home staging programs available to you, but they are among the most widely recognized in the industry:

• Staging Studio: Staging Design Professional®
• Home Staging Resource: Certified Professional Home Stager and Redesigner
• Staging Diva: Home Staging Business Training Program
• Home Staging Institute: Certified Staging Expert™ (CSE™)
• StagedHomes: Accredited Staging Professional® (ASP®)

*Chart created with readily available information from program websites. Staging Studio cannot guarantee the accuracy of other companies' websites and information is subject to change. 

Is the Training Accredited?

The Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), International Association of Home Staging Professionals (IAHSP), and Home Staging Association UK/Ireland (HSA) all provide accreditation to the best home stager training programs that meet their rigorous standards.

Earning an accredited certification is one way to prove your professionalism and expertise, differentiating you from other stagers. For example, our Staging Design Professional® program is a training program accredited by all three organizations: RESA, IAHSP, and HSA.

When researching other training programs, check their websites to see if they are accredited by reputable organizations before making the investment. These are some of the accreditation seals you should look for:

Are the Instructors Qualified?

Spend time reading about the people who teach the class. Even better, watch some videos to learn their instruction style (click here to get a free sample of home stager training).

Just like everyone learns in different ways, different instructors teach in different ways. You need to find someone who is the right fit for you.

Check to see if the course instructors have experience staging. Do they run a successful home staging business themselves? Do they create beautiful stages that have been recognized for industry awards? If so, you know that you will be learning from the pros who really know their stuff.

What Resources Are Included in the Training?

Most online home staging courses include some downloadable documents, like a student manual. The best courses include a library of templates that you can customize and use in your own staging business.

Visit each company's website to find a complete list of included resources. Staging Studio's certification course features over 50 valuable documents, including contracts, a vacant staging proposal, an occupied consultation report, and so much more.

Which Home Staging Course Has the Best Reviews?

Make sure to read some reviews for the training program you're interested in.

Many training programs list positive reviews on their website, but we recommend doing a quick search to see their Google reviews as well. The more Google reviews they have – and the higher the rating – the better!

"I have taken two other staging training courses and I think that Staging Studio's training is the best so far." -Michelle Lazur, Staging Design Professional®

"I am glad I chose Staging Studio's training over many others I considered. The course had the perfect balance of design and business. I feel more confident than ever, and can't wait to stage my next house!" -Angie Harrison Staging Design Professional®

"I had taken another course prior and it seemed so basic. I was let down in terms of value and information. I felt unfulfilled. I am THRILLED that I discovered this course! It is jam-packed with tips, tricks, tools and in-depth info. It has given me the knowledge and confidence to go forward in the world of staging." -Karen Ann Mathieu, Staging Design Professional®

Are There Continuing Education Opportunities?

Once you complete your course, where do you go from there? Some training providers offer numerous opportunities to further your education and career.

Staging Studio offers specialist certifications, such as Short-Term Rental Stylist® and Master Color Consultant®, and the Master Stager designation. We also provide a coaching program for serious staging entrepreneurs and mini-courses on topics like profitability and wholesale buying.

In addition to your listing on the Find a Stager map and membership in the Staging Studio Society Facebook Group, we include a 1-hour live group coaching call in your SDP® course.

Choosing your staging certification provider is an important decision. Whether you decide to go with Staging Studio's training program or another accredited program, know that Staging Studio is here to support you. With free resources for home stagers, an informative blog, and more, we will be your one-stop shop for stager training and resources throughout your business journey.