Apartment vs house: why staging a house costs more
Houses cost more to style than apartments with the same number of bedrooms because they have more spaces to furnish and a higher room rate. At Sparkle Space, a 2-bedroom house is from $3,100 + GST against $2,573 + GST for a 2-bedroom apartment in most of Sydney.
Last updated: 22 October 2026
The prices side by side
| Bedrooms | Area | Apartment (from) | House, 1 living area (from) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Most of Sydney | $2,573 | $3,100 | $527 |
| 2 | North Shore, Eastern Suburbs and harbour areas (+20%) | $3,063 | $3,720 | $657 |
| 3 | Most of Sydney | $2,940 | $3,600 | $660 |
| 3 | North Shore, Eastern Suburbs and harbour areas (+20%) | $3,500 | $4,320 | $820 |
Packages: 2-bedroom apartment (2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living, dining, kitchen and balcony); 3-bedroom apartment (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living, dining, kitchen and balcony). Houses: 2-bedroom house with 1 living area (2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 living area, dining, kitchen and alfresco); 3-bedroom house with 1 living area (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 1 living area, dining, kitchen and alfresco). Full price list on the cost guide.
Why houses cost more
More rooms to furnish
We price by room. A house often has a second living area, a larger outdoor space such as an alfresco, and sometimes a study, hallway or laundry that buyers will see. A living area is $800 in a house. A large outdoor area (alfresco, deck or patio) is $600, where an apartment balcony is $175.
A slightly higher rate per room
Our room rate is a little higher for houses than for apartments in every area, which follows the larger pieces and wider mix of rooms a house tends to have.
Bigger houses have more options
Premium styling, with a higher room rate, is available for apartments and houses. Luxury styling, higher again, is for houses only.
Where apartments can cost more per room
Access is the usual reason. A lift, long carry or no nearby parking adds to delivery time, so our online estimate assumes tricky access for an apartment until we have seen the building. Access is confirmed at the inspection, and a ground-floor apartment with easy parking will price accordingly.
Which is better value?
Cost per room is not the right question. Style the spaces that sell the property. In an apartment that is usually the living area, main bedroom and balcony; in a house, the main living area, the main bedroom and the outdoor space buyers will see first. Get a price for your layout with the instant estimate, or see prices for your region.
Frequently asked questions
Why does staging a house cost more than an apartment?
A house usually has more rooms to furnish (extra living areas, a larger outdoor area, sometimes a study or hallway) and a slightly higher room rate. In most of Sydney, Sparkle Space charges $400 per bedroom for a house against $350 for an apartment.
How much more does a 3-bedroom house cost to style than a 3-bedroom apartment?
In most of Sydney our published from price is $3,600 + GST for a 3-bedroom house with one living area and $2,940 + GST for a 3-bedroom apartment, a difference of $660. In the North Shore, Eastern Suburbs and harbour areas (+20%) the figures are $4,320 and $3,500 + GST.
Is a small apartment cheaper to style than a large one?
Yes. Sparkle Space prices an apartment room by room, so a 1-bedroom apartment costs less than a 3-bedroom one. Prices are confirmed after a free inspection.
Do townhouses and duplexes count as houses?
Yes. For pricing, houses include townhouses, duplexes and villas.
Get an instant estimate or see prices for your area. We inspect for free and send a written quote within 24 hours of the inspection.