How staging works in Lumo

  1. Shoot or import the empty room. Use Lumo's camera, or import photos already taken, up to 20 at a time.
  2. Choose staging. Staging is opt-in.
  3. Pick a style. Modern, Traditional or Minimalist.
  4. Review. Compare the room itself with the property: walls, windows, doors and floors.
  5. Export. Staged photos export with a "Virtually Staged" label by default; the app warns before you turn the label off.

For what enhancement changes and what it is designed to keep the same, see the AI real estate photo editor page.

Three styles

Staging adds furniture to empty rooms in Modern, Traditional or Minimalist style. The vacant living room below was staged in the Modern style. Drag across the photo to compare, or select it and use the arrow keys.

Original photo of an empty living room with yellow walls, beige carpet, a ceiling fan and a row of five windows The same living room virtually staged in the Modern style with a sofa, two armchairs, a rug and a round coffee table, labeled Virtually Staged Original Staged

Virtually staged · Modern

Vacant living room

What changed
Furniture added to an empty room.
Label
Labeled "Virtually Staged".
Keep in mind
The furniture is virtual. The room is empty, as the original shows.

Some originals are licensed sample photos. Results show the small "Enhanced by Lumo" badge that free accounts export with. See all four examples on the examples page.

The "Virtually Staged" label

Staged photos (and exteriors) export with a "Virtually Staged" label by default; the app warns before you turn the label off.

Because exteriors get a replaced sky, exterior exports carry the "Virtually Staged" label too. Exteriors get a new sky: Bright Day (blue sky), Golden Hour or Twilight.

Disclosure rules

Rules vary by MLS and state. For example:

  • California AB 723 (Bus. & Prof. Code §10140.8), in effect January 1, 2026: licensees must clearly disclose images digitally altered in a way that changes the appearance of the property (including AI) and make the original, unaltered image available. Source: California DRE advisory on AI in real estate.
  • CRMLS digitally altered image rules: a label such as "digitally altered" or "virtually staged", and the original shown immediately before or after. Source: CRMLS digitally altered images FAQs.
  • NorthstarMLS guidelines for virtual staging and AI-enhanced listing photos. Source: NorthstarMLS guidelines.
  • NAR Code of Ethics (2026): Article 12 and Standard of Practice 12-10 (no misleading images). Source: NAR 2026 Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.

These are examples, not a full list. Check your MLS's and state's current rules before you publish a staged photo.

Before you publish a staged photo

  • Keep the label. Leave the "Virtually Staged" label on.
  • Keep the original. Save the original, unaltered photo of the empty room. Rules such as California AB 723 and CRMLS's (above) say what to do with the original.
  • Check the room. Compare walls, windows, doors and floors with the property.
  • Check your rules. Follow your MLS's rules on edited and staged photos. The MLS photo editor page has more on MLS rules and export crops.

Deciding between virtual and physical staging? Read Virtual staging vs real staging.