Rising Star Vacant Project of the Year, United States™

Set your work apart by entering the Rising Star Vacant Project of the Year, United States™ award, presented by the Real Estate Staging Association® (RESA®).

This category is designed for home staging professionals who have been in business for less than two years and are building their foundation through vacant staging projects.

It recognizes emerging talent and thoughtful execution in empty spaces, where scale, layout, and buyer flow must be clearly defined without the benefit of a lived in environment.

Submitting your work places your project on a national stage, offering early career professionals the opportunity to gain industry recognition and visibility. Entries are evaluated on how effectively the staging clarifies layout, enhances buyer appeal, and elevates the overall presentation of the property.

If you are newer to the industry and developing your approach to vacant staging, this category was created with you in mind. Submit a recent project that reflects your growth, your decision making, and your potential as a rising professional in the home staging industry.

Every business starts with a first body of work.
This is your opportunity to have it seen.

Entry Fee:

$70.00 each entry

Submissions Guidelines:

• Use of rented, purchased, or stager inventory furniture is required. 
• This category is intended for vacant properties staged by stagers who have been in business for 2 years or less

Before Photo Requirements – 2026 Update

For the 2026 Awards year, the Home Staging Industry Awards will allow before photos that include construction items, debris, or existing contents when they reflect the home’s actual pre-staging condition.

This change ensures entries reflect the realities of the staging profession and allows judges to more fully appreciate the transformation and problem-solving expertise demonstrated in each project.

Submissions Will Be Judged On The Following:

• Focal point or architectural feature highlighted.
• Furniture layout, scale and flow.
• Well balanced color palette.
• Use of accessories in size, scale, color and style.
• Overall cohesiveness of the staging.

Applicants Will Submit: 

• One before and after photo set containing your best work completed during the last twelve months. 
• Company name, location, designations, and website URL.
• Photo of yourself (jpg)
• Company logo (jpg)
• To be eligible for consideration for a possible case study feature story on top ten winners please add the project details. You will not be judged by this information.

Vacant staging is where many staging careers take shape.

Finalists and winners receive ongoing visibility through RESA® marketing, industry education, and media outreach, along with special placement in the RESA® directory.

Submit your project and have your work recognized as part of your professional growth.