Staging for success - Local Matters

Jacinda says the focus is on how a home feels – uncluttered, calm and beautifully styled – as that tends to leave the most lasting impression.

In the competitive world of real estate, first impressions matter — and no one knows this better than the team at Sanctuary Interiors, Mangawhai’s go-to home staging and interior design specialists.

With more than 300 homes staged over the past four years, founder and creative lead Jacinda Pole has built a reputation for transforming ordinary spaces into beautiful, market-ready homes that buyers fall in love with.

“Home staging is really about storytelling,” she says. “It’s the art of preparing a home for sale by presenting it in its best possible light.

“A well-staged home helps people imagine how they could live in it. It can feel bigger, brighter, and more welcoming – and that emotional connection often leads to a faster sale and a better price.”

Each staging project starts with a thoughtful review of the home’s architecture, colour palette, layout and target market. From there, a tailored design is created using Sanctuary Interiors’ extensive inventory of high-quality furniture, art and accessories – all stored locally in Mangawhai.

“Every home is different, so nothing we do is cookie-cutter,” she says. “And if we don’t have the right piece, I’ll find it, or buy it.”

While home staging is their core business, Sanctuary Interiors also stages showhomes, boutique developments, Airbnbs, and even photoshoots. The team also provides full-scale interior design services throughout the North Island, from colour consults to complete home transformations.

“Many of our staging clients become interior design clients after they see the results. We’re currently designing several homes in Mangawhai Central, which is really exciting.”

The business began unexpectedly during the covid lockdowns, when closed borders meant no stagers could travel to Mangawhai. A friend in real estate asked her to help – and the rest is history.

“I already had a background in design and was importing furniture for the retail side of my business. So I thought, why not? That first project really snowballed into what Sanctuary Interiors is today.”

With a small, passionate team behind her, Jacinda continues to find joy in every project.

“Seeing a home come to life and knowing we’ve helped someone move forward, that’s incredibly rewarding. A home is often a person’s greatest asset, and it’s a real privilege to be trusted with it.”