How to Submit Your Home Staging Projects for Industry Awards

If you’re a home stager looking to gain recognition for your hard work, then submitting for the RESA® Home Staging Industry Awards™ should be at the top of your to-do list. These prestigious awards are not just about adding a title to your resume—they are about setting yourself apart, showcasing your expertise, and growing your home staging brand.

We're here to take the headache out of submissions with this step-by-step guide to submitting your home staging projects for industry awards.

What Are the RESA® Home Staging Industry Awards™?

Established in 2008 by the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)®, the Home Staging Industry Awards™ recognize the best of the best in the staging industry.

Over the years, Staging Studio students have been nominated for hundreds of awards, including Jason Saft of Staged To Sell Home (Luxury Vacant Staging United States 2024), Ashley Tapley of House Candy Home (Occupied Staging United States 2022), Heather Good of Attractive Interiors (Luxury Home Staging Team of the Year 2020), and countless others. The awards honor home stagers who demonstrate exceptional talent, professionalism, and innovation.

These awards are peer-voted, meaning they are judged by fellow industry professionals through a blind voting process. This ensures fairness and highlights the credibility of winners and finalists.

Why Should You Submit for Staging and Design Awards?

Differentiate Yourself From Competitors

Whether you're a seasoned pro or a rising star, winning or even being a finalist, can have a huge impact on your business! Our own staging business grew by leaps and bounds when we began winning awards for our staging excellence.

Marketing yourself as a RESA® Award Winner or Finalist sets you apart from the competition. Being able to say something like "I am an award-winning stager" or "the best Airbnb designer in the USA" builds confidence in your work. Clients, real estate agents, and industry peers will see you as a trusted expert, leading to more opportunities and referrals.

Increase Your Visibility & Marketing Power

RESA® actively promotes award finalists and winners throughout the year. Your staging projects could be featured in:

✔ RESA® marketing materials
✔ Online staging guides
✔ RESA®'s website and social media
✔ Staging Studio’s annual announcement of award winners

That kind of exposure helps boost your search engine optimization, leads potential clients to find you, and makes it easier to attract new business.

Get Recognized at RESACON

Winners and nominees will be celebrated at the live award show at RESACON, the home staging industry's largest annual event. Think of it as the Golden Globes of home staging, complete with a glamorous gala event, envelope reveals, award speeches, and professional photos on stage.

We will have a booth at RESACON and will also be speaking on building your staging team. It is the staging event of the year!

Which Categories Can You Enter?

There are multiple award categories tailored to different types of staging and design projects:

For Stagers in the USA

• Luxury Vacant Staging Project
• Vacant Staging Project
• Occupied Staging Project
• Short-Term Rental Staging Project
• Interior Styling Staging Project
• Photo Prep Project of the Year
• Rising Star Occupied Project of the Year*
• Rising Star Vacant Project of the Year*
• Real Estate Agent of the Year

For Stagers in Canada

• Luxury Vacant Staging Project
• Vacant Staging Project
• Occupied Staging Project
• Short-Term Rental Staging Project
• Interior Styling Project
• Photo Prep Project of the Year
• Rising Star Occupied Project of the Year*
• Rising Star Vacant Project of the Year*
• Real Estate Agent of the Year

For International Stagers

• Luxury Vacant Staging Project of the Year
• Vacant Staging Project of the Year
• Occupied Staging Project of the Year
• Short-Term Rental Staging Project of the Year
• Interior Styling Project of the Year
• Photo Prep Staging Project of the Year
• Rising Star Occupied Project of the Year*
• Rising Star Vacant Staging Project of the Year*
• Real Estate Agent of the Year

*Note for New Stagers: If you’ve been in business for less than 2 years, the Rising Star categories are perfect for you!

What Are the Requirements for Submitting Photos?

RESA® has some stringent rules when it comes to submitting projects for staging awards. Click here to review the entire list of rules and guidelines.

Throughout the year, whenever you have a great project that you think could win an award, follow these tips to make submissions easy:

1. Always take quality before and after photos from the same angle.
2. Make sure all "before" pictures are of a vacant room with no furniture, decor, boxes, construction materials, people, or any other objects in the photo. (Pro Tip: You can take the "before" pictures after destaging.)
3. Ensure there are no identifiers in the photos. That means anything visible through the window that could identify a geographic location, your moving truck or a car, people, etc.
4. Keep a dedicated Dropbox folder to organize award-worthy projects throughout the year.

When it's time to submit, return to that Dropbox folder and find your best before and afters for each category. Rename the files something generic – remember, no identifiers like your staging business name, the street address, or the photographer's name.

Just Submit – The Stage is Yours!

Don’t let self-doubt hold you back. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a newcomer to staging, submitting for the RESA® Home Staging Industry Awards™ is a powerful way to elevate your career, showcase your talent, and build your brand.

Ready to take the leap? Submit your project today!

Do you want to submit awards but aren't a RESA® member yet? Sign up using the code SSNewMember for a free submission ($70 value)!