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How Virtual Staging is Eliminating Furniture Visualization Barriers

Furniture World News Desk on 8/17/2016


By: Pieter Aarts, Co-Founder and CEO, roOomy

When searching for a new piece of furniture, shoppers consistently express frustration that they are unable to visualize what a new item will look like in their new or existing home before purchasing. Sure, retailers can offer up the option to let the customer try out the item for a 90-day period, but this can initiate burdening exchanges, refunds, product damages, etc. Not only can this back-and-forth lead to a disgruntled customer, but it can also cause retailers to lose out on prospective sales due to something that was (previously) out of their control.

As technology becomes more integrated into our everyday operations (both in a business and personal setting), all industries are subsequently affected – and the home furnishings market is no exception. In recent years, an innovative new technology known as virtual staging has been bridging the gap between retailers and consumers, working in-part to eliminate the visualization issue that hinders this relationship. Through virtual staging platforms, home furnishings retailers are able to partner with these service providers, thereby providing consumers with the power to drag and drop their virtually-generated furniture, flooring, lighting fixtures, etc., into an empty room to create a photo-realistic space.

One of the most important components of virtual staging technology is that it truly gives consumers the power to personalize their space. For example, retailers are able to upload a couch to a platform and then offer a variety of color, texture, and material options. This provides a broad selection of configuration options for consumers, and can eliminate most post-purchase regrets that can lead to exchange hassles. Adding to the convenience, a few platforms like roOomy let users purchase the items directly through the app and have them delivered right to the home of choice.

Mobile-First
Every business and industry is being forced to adapt to new technologies, and the ones that are open-minded are most likely to succeed. The consumer is unwavering and knows what it wants, and in today’s age that’s convenience and speed. As shoppers move to a more digital-first approach, even for big ticket items like furniture, home furnishing retailers must find ways to integrate a mobile option into their sales strategies. Virtual staging options are generally available on mobile platforms like iPhones and iPads, and check off all the aforementioned boxes – they provide convenience for shoppers, ease of purchase, and offer a quick alternative to driving to the brick-and-mortar store. By offering a mobile shopping platform complete with virtual staging capabilities, retailers are able to constantly stay in front of a consumer – whether they are breaking out their interior designer at home, in-store, on a bus – wherever. For instance, the “on-the-go” shopper could spot a piece they like while walking past a Havertys, whip out their phone, and drag and drop that item virtually into their space (pending it is available on the staging platform). Just a few clicks can lead to a remote, spur-of-the-moment sale.

The Ultimate Trifecta
Not only does virtual staging help consumers and retailers, but it also serves an extremely valuable purpose for real estate agents. Currently, physically staging a home can cost anywhere between $3,500 - $5,000 for the average-sized home, and up to $9,000 for larger houses. Brokers are now able to virtually stage property listings with products from leading furniture brands for less than $100, providing a cost effective way for home shoppers to view available properties. And, this can all be done virtually before they even step foot inside the house. Virtual staging has been able to create the ultimate triangular connection between retailers, real estate agents, and consumers, and allows these home furnishings retailers to drive more product awareness, at a larger scale, outside of the traditional in-store marketing efforts.

The Benefits Speak for Themselves
Home furnishing retailers can benefit from the use of virtual staging platforms in multiple ways including more product page conversions, reduced returns, and lessened spending on product photography. On the consumer side, shoppers will feel more confident that their pre-purchase decisions are accurate and will appreciate the convenience and hassle-free process that can often be lacking from a furniture shopping experience.

Technology is constantly evolving to make our lives easier, more efficient, and more profitable. It’s up to us embrace these changes instead of falling behind the curve.


More about roOomy: Founded in 2010 by CEO Pieter Aarts and COO Jan-Hein Pullens, roOomy is a leading 3D VR/AR technology company and the first-of-its kind iPad/iPhone app that instantly converts any room image into an interactive, photorealistic 3D space. roOomy’s technology generates ‘virtual rooms’ allowing users to experience fully staged interiors and virtual products. Ultimately, roOomy’s mission is to empower consumers with the technology to make better informed and more confident financial decisions about the home furnishings they purchase.