No Beach, Just Wet Sand: How Staging Creativity Adds Value in Silicon Valley Homes

One of the things we love most about staging is reimagining what others might overlook. In every market — from Santa Clara bungalows to Los Gatos estates — the way a home feels is often shaped by the details. On this project in Santa Clara, that attention to detail took the shape of… wet sanding.

Our team was on a tight timeline, juggling a prep list of more than 200 items to get the home ready for its MLS debut. In addition to balancing light, space, texture, and flow, I found myself experimenting with an unusual technique that ended up making a surprising difference.

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Why Small Staging Details Matter

During prep, a set of black lacquer furniture was left behind after most of the home was cleared out. Many would have hauled it away. Instead, I saw an opportunity. By restoring it, we could add cohesion and polish to the staging plan while saving something from the discard pile.

I started sanding with an electric sander, but the uneven wear made it tricky to blend. That’s when Gerry, RG2020’s trusted handyman, suggested wet sanding. He showed me how to fold sandpaper into water and gently scrub through the lacquer in smooth strokes. To my amazement, the finish began to cooperate — the water balanced out the dull patches against the polished ones.

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Wet Sanding: An Unexpected Solution

Allison reimagining lacquer furniture with wet sanding for RG2020, May 2019.

If you’ve ever spotted softened pieces of glass on the beach, you’ll understand the effect. Wet sanding gave this furniture a glassy, polished look that elevated the space. Even though I’ve only used the technique a handful of times, it’s become one of my favorite reminders that a small creative adjustment can change the entire presentation.

For buyers walking through, the restored lacquer wasn’t just furniture — it was part of the home’s story. The renewed pieces gave the rooms presence and cohesion, which is exactly what helps buyers connect emotionally.

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The RG2020 Difference

For us, staging isn’t about perfection for perfection’s sake — it’s about creating an environment where buyers can see themselves thriving. Sometimes that means custom staging installations, and sometimes it’s as simple as reimagining what’s already there. Either way, the goal is the same: elevate the impression so buyers fall in love with the space.

If you’d like to see how strategic staging and presentation can transform your home before selling in Santa Clara, Los Altos, Los Gatos, or beyond, let’s connect. Because in real estate, even the smallest details can make the biggest impact.