# Virtual Staging AI - Room Photo Stager (`parseforge/virtual-staging-actor`) Actor

Upload an empty room photo and describe the furniture you want. The AI returns a photorealistic staged render that preserves the original architecture. No manual editing required.

- **URL**: https://apify.com/parseforge/virtual-staging-actor.md
- **Developed by:** [ParseForge](https://apify.com/parseforge) (community)
- **Categories:** AI, Real estate, Automation
- **Features:** Limited permissions
- **Stats:** 19 total users, 2 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 1 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet

## Pricing

from $90.00 / 1,000 results

This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.

Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/actors/running/actors-in-store.md#pay-per-event

## What's an Apify Actor?

An Actor is a serverless cloud program that runs on the Apify platform. It has two run modes.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.

Apify vocabulary and the platform model are defined once, in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md.

## How to integrate an Actor?

If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.

Do not guess an integration path. Every one of them is in the agent quickstart at https://apify.com/agents.md: the Apify MCP server, Agent Skills with the Apify CLI, the JavaScript and Python clients, the REST API, and the account-free path for an agent with no human to sign in. It also carries the rule on stating cost before the first paid run.

For examples already wired to this Actor's own input schema, see the [API](#api) section below.

Each client library has reference documentation the quickstart does not restate: [JavaScript/TypeScript](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md) (`npm install apify-client`) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md) (`pip install apify-client`).

# README

![ParseForge Banner](https://github.com/ParseForge/apify-assets/blob/ad35ccc13ddd068b9d6cba33f323962e39aed5b2/banner.jpg?raw=true)

## 🏠 Virtual Staging Actor

> 🚀 **Stage empty rooms with AI-generated furniture in seconds.** Upload a room photo, describe your vision, and get a staged version. Optional reference images for style matching. No coding, no interior design skills required.

The **Virtual Staging Actor** transforms empty room photos into staged interiors using AI. Upload a room image, provide a staging brief (e.g., "modern minimalist living room"), optionally attach reference images for style matching, and get back a staged version. Adjustable AI temperature controls creativity vs realism.

Built for real estate agents, property managers, home stagers, and photographers who need to stage empty rooms without physical furniture or professional staging services.

| 🎯 Target Audience | 💡 Primary Use Cases |
|---|---|
| Real estate agents, property managers, home stagers, interior designers, real estate photographers | Listing enhancement, open house preparation, design visualization, property marketing, virtual tours |

***

### 📋 What the Virtual Staging Actor does

Photo-to-staged-room with AI:

- 🖼️ **Room image input.** Upload a photo of an empty or unfurnished room.
- 📝 **Staging brief.** Describe the desired style ("modern minimalist", "cozy farmhouse", "luxury penthouse").
- 🎨 **Reference images.** Optional photos to guide the AI's style choices.
- 🌡️ **Temperature control.** Adjust creativity (0.0 = realistic, 1.0 = creative).

Each output includes the staged room image URL, the original photo reference, staging brief, and processing time.

> 💡 **Why it matters:** physical home staging costs $2,000-5,000 per property. Virtual staging produces photorealistic results in seconds for a fraction of the cost, and can be changed instantly to match different buyer preferences.

***

### 🎬 Full Demo

*🚧 Coming soon: a 3-minute walkthrough showing how to virtually stage a room.*

***

### 📊 Output

Each staged image is saved to the Key-Value Store. The dataset contains metadata.

#### 🧾 Schema

| Field | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 🖼️ originalImageUrl | string | `"https://example.com/empty-room.jpg"` |
| 🏠 stagedImageUrl | string | `"https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/..."` |
| 📝 stagingBrief | string | `"Modern minimalist living room..."` |
| 🌡️ temperature | number | `0.5` |
| ⏱️ processingTimeSeconds | number | `18.4` |
| 🕒 createdAt | ISO 8601 | `"2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z"` |

#### 📦 Sample records

<details>
<summary><strong>🛋️ Modern living room staging</strong></summary>

```json
{
    "originalImageUrl": "https://example.com/empty-living-room.jpg",
    "stagedImageUrl": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/abc/records/staged-living.jpg",
    "stagingBrief": "Modern minimalist living room with neutral tones",
    "temperature": 0.5,
    "processingTimeSeconds": 18.4,
    "createdAt": "2026-04-16T00:00:00.000Z"
}
```

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>🛏️ Bedroom staging with reference</strong></summary>

```json
{
    "originalImageUrl": "https://example.com/empty-bedroom.jpg",
    "stagedImageUrl": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/abc/records/staged-bedroom.jpg",
    "stagingBrief": "Cozy master bedroom with king bed and warm lighting",
    "temperature": 0.6,
    "processingTimeSeconds": 22.1,
    "createdAt": "2026-04-16T00:00:05.000Z"
}
```

</details>

<details>
<summary><strong>🍽️ Kitchen staging</strong></summary>

```json
{
    "originalImageUrl": "https://example.com/empty-kitchen.jpg",
    "stagedImageUrl": "https://api.apify.com/v2/key-value-stores/abc/records/staged-kitchen.jpg",
    "stagingBrief": "Contemporary kitchen with island seating and pendant lights",
    "temperature": 0.4,
    "processingTimeSeconds": 20.3,
    "createdAt": "2026-04-16T00:00:10.000Z"
}
```

</details>

***

### ✨ Why choose this Actor

| | Capability |
|---|---|
| 🏠 | **AI room staging.** Transform empty rooms into furnished interiors. |
| 📝 | **Custom staging briefs.** Describe the exact style you want. |
| 🖼️ | **Reference images.** Match a specific design aesthetic. |
| 🌡️ | **Temperature control.** Realistic to creative output. |
| ⚡ | **Fast.** Staged images in 15-25 seconds. |
| 💰 | **Cost-effective.** Fraction of physical staging costs. |
| 🚫 | **No design skills.** Describe it in words, the AI handles the rest. |

> 📊 Studies show staged homes sell 73% faster and for 6-25% more than unstaged ones. Virtual staging delivers similar buyer impact at a fraction of the cost.

***

### 📈 How it compares to alternatives

| Approach | Cost | Speed | Style control | Multiple rooms | Setup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| **⭐ Virtual Staging Actor** *(this Actor)* | $5 free credit, then pay-per-use | 15-25 seconds | Brief + reference | Yes | ⚡ 2 min |
| Physical staging | $2,000-5,000 per property | Days | Full control | Yes | 🐢 Weeks |
| Professional virtual staging services | $25-75 per photo | 24-48 hours | Revision-based | Yes | ⏳ Hours |
| DIY staging in Photoshop | Free | Hours per room | Full control | Manual | 🕒 Learning curve |

Pick this Actor when you want AI room staging in seconds, with style control via text prompts and reference images.

***

### 🚀 How to use

1. 📝 **Sign up.** [Create a free account with $5 credit](https://console.apify.com/sign-up?fpr=vmoqkp) (takes 2 minutes).
2. 🌐 **Open the Actor.** Go to the Virtual Staging Actor page on the Apify Store.
3. 🎯 **Set input.** Upload a room photo, write a staging brief, optionally add reference images.
4. 🚀 **Run it.** Click **Start** and let the AI stage your room.
5. 📥 **Download.** Grab your staged image from the **Key-Value Store**.

> ⏱️ Total time from signup to staged room: **2-3 minutes.** No design skills required.

***

### 💼 Business use cases

<table>
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top">

#### 🏠 Real Estate Agents

- Stage listings before open houses
- Create multiple style options per room
- Prepare marketing photos without furniture
- Speed up listing preparation

</td>
<td width="50%" valign="top">

#### 📸 Real Estate Photography

- Add value with staged versions of shoots
- Offer virtual staging as an upsell service
- Process empty room portfolios in batch
- Create before/after comparisons

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="50%" valign="top">

#### 🏢 Property Management

- Stage vacant units for listing photos
- Create seasonal staging variants
- Prepare model unit previews
- Market renovated spaces quickly

</td>
<td width="50%" valign="top">

#### 🎨 Interior Design

- Visualize design concepts for clients
- Present multiple style options quickly
- Create mood boards from reference images
- Prototype room layouts

</td>
</tr>
</table>

***

***

### 🌟 Beyond business use cases

Data like this powers more than commercial workflows. The same structured records support research, education, civic projects, and personal initiatives.

<table>
<tr>
<td width="50%">

#### 🎓 Research and academia

- Empirical datasets for papers, thesis work, and coursework
- Longitudinal studies tracking changes across snapshots
- Reproducible research with cited, versioned data pulls
- Classroom exercises on data analysis and ethical scraping

</td>
<td width="50%">

#### 🎨 Personal and creative

- Side projects, portfolio demos, and indie app launches
- Data visualizations, dashboards, and infographics
- Content research for bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters
- Hobbyist collections and personal trackers

</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="50%">

#### 🤝 Non-profit and civic

- Transparency reporting and accountability projects
- Advocacy campaigns backed by public-interest data
- Community-run databases for local issues
- Investigative journalism on public records

</td>
<td width="50%">

#### 🧪 Experimentation

- Prototype AI and machine-learning pipelines with real data
- Validate product-market hypotheses before engineering spend
- Train small domain-specific models on niche corpora
- Test dashboard concepts with live input

</td>
</tr>
</table>

### 🤖 Ask an AI assistant about this scraper

Open a ready-to-send prompt about this ParseForge actor in the AI of your choice:

- 💬 [**ChatGPT**](https://chat.openai.com/?q=How%20do%20I%20use%20the%20Virtual%20Staging%20Actor%20by%20ParseForge%20on%20Apify%3F%20Show%20me%20input%20examples%2C%20output%20fields%2C%20common%20use%20cases%2C%20and%20how%20to%20integrate%20it%20into%20a%20workflow.)
- 🧠 [**Claude**](https://claude.ai/new?q=How%20do%20I%20use%20the%20Virtual%20Staging%20Actor%20by%20ParseForge%20on%20Apify%3F%20Show%20me%20input%20examples%2C%20output%20fields%2C%20common%20use%20cases%2C%20and%20how%20to%20integrate%20it%20into%20a%20workflow.)
- 🔍 [**Perplexity**](https://perplexity.ai/search?q=How%20do%20I%20use%20the%20Virtual%20Staging%20Actor%20by%20ParseForge%20on%20Apify%3F%20Show%20me%20input%20examples%2C%20output%20fields%2C%20common%20use%20cases%2C%20and%20how%20to%20integrate%20it%20into%20a%20workflow.)
- 🅒 [**Copilot**](https://copilot.microsoft.com/?q=How%20do%20I%20use%20the%20Virtual%20Staging%20Actor%20by%20ParseForge%20on%20Apify%3F%20Show%20me%20input%20examples%2C%20output%20fields%2C%20common%20use%20cases%2C%20and%20how%20to%20integrate%20it%20into%20a%20workflow.)

### ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

<details>
<summary><b>💳 Do I need a paid Apify plan to run this actor?</b></summary>

No. You can start right now on the free Apify plan, which includes **$5 in free monthly credit**. That is enough to run this actor several times and explore the output before committing to anything. Paid plans unlock higher limits, more concurrent runs, and larger datasets. [Create a free Apify account here](https://console.apify.com/sign-up?fpr=vmoqkp) to get started.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>🚨 What happens if my run fails or returns no results?</b></summary>

Failed runs are not charged. If the source site changes, proxies get rate-limited, or a specific input matches nothing, re-run the actor or open our [contact form](https://tally.so/r/BzdKgA) and we will investigate. You can also check the run log in the Apify console to see why the run stopped.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>📏 How many items can I scrape per run?</b></summary>

Free users are limited to **10 items per run** so you can preview the output and confirm the actor works for your use case. Paid users can raise maxItems up to **1,000,000** per run. [Upgrade here](https://console.apify.com/sign-up?fpr=vmoqkp) if you need full scale.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>🕒 How fresh is the data?</b></summary>

Every run fetches live data at the moment of execution. There is no cache or delay: the records you get reflect what the source returned at that moment. Schedule the actor to maintain a rolling snapshot of the data you need.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>🧑‍💻 Can I call this actor from my own code?</b></summary>

Yes. Apify exposes every actor as a REST endpoint and ships first-class SDKs for [Node.js](https://docs.apify.com/sdk/js) and [Python](https://docs.apify.com/sdk/python). You can start a run, read the dataset, and handle webhooks from your own app in a few lines. All you need is your Apify API token.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>📤 How do I export the data?</b></summary>

Every Apify dataset can be downloaded in one click from the console as CSV, JSON, JSONL, Excel, HTML, XML, or RSS. You can also pull results programmatically via the [Apify API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2) or stream them into BigQuery, S3, and other destinations through built-in integrations.

</details>

<details>
<summary><b>📅 Can I schedule the actor to run automatically?</b></summary>

Yes. Use the Apify scheduler to run the actor on any cadence, from hourly to monthly. Results are saved to your dataset and can be delivered to webhooks, email, Slack, cloud storage, or automation tools such as Zapier and Make.

***

</details>

### 🔌 Automating Virtual Staging Actor

- 🟢 **Node.js.** Install the apify-client NPM package.
- 🐍 **Python.** Use the apify-client PyPI package.
- 📚 See the [Apify API documentation](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2) for full details.

### 🔌 Integrate with any app

- [**Make**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/make) - Automate workflows
- [**Zapier**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/zapier) - Connect 5,000+ apps
- [**Slack**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/slack) - Get notifications
- [**Airbyte**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/airbyte) - Data pipelines
- [**GitHub**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/github) - Trigger from commits
- [**Google Drive**](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/drive) - Export to Drive

***

### 🔗 Recommended Actors

- [**🏠 Zillow Scraper**](https://apify.com/parseforge/zillow-scraper) - Property listings
- [**🏠 Auction.com Property Scraper**](https://apify.com/parseforge/auction-com-property-scraper) - Auction listings
- [**📸 360 Image Widget Generator**](https://apify.com/parseforge/360-image-widget-generator) - Multi-angle product views
- [**🖼️ Watermark Images**](https://apify.com/parseforge/watermark-image-api) - Batch watermarking
- [**📸 Restaurant Photo Enhancer**](https://apify.com/parseforge/restaurant-photo-enhancer) - Food photo enhancement

> 💡 **Pro Tip:** browse the complete [ParseForge collection](https://apify.com/parseforge) for more real estate and image tools.

***

**🆘 Need Help?** [**Open our contact form**](https://tally.so/r/BzdKgA) to request a new tool, propose a custom project, or report an issue.

***

> **⚠️ Disclaimer:** this Actor is an independent virtual staging tool. AI-staged images are computer-generated and should be disclosed as virtually staged in real estate listings per local regulations. All trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

# Actor input Schema

## `roomImage` (type: `string`):

Upload the room photo or paste a direct HTTPS link here. Supports PNG, JPG, and WebP up to 15 MB.

## `stagingBrief` (type: `string`):

Describe exactly what you want to add (e.g., "Add a Scandinavian sectional, round coffee table, textured rug, and greenery near the window"). Minimum 10 characters.

## `referenceImages` (type: `array`):

Optional inspiration photos for the pieces you want to add (e.g., sofa style, decor references). Supports PNG, JPG, and WebP.

## `aiTemperature` (type: `number`):

Control how closely the render follows your original photo. 0 = stays true to the base photo, 1 = allows more creative interpretation. Leave blank to use the balanced default (0.55).

## Actor input object example

```json
{
  "roomImage": "https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/cc/22/31/cc22314cd8d1858fed04591907b2c754.jpg",
  "stagingBrief": "Add a light-toned sectional facing the window, a round wood coffee table, a slim media console with framed TV, a floor lamp, and a textured rug with greenery.",
  "aiTemperature": 0.55
}
```

# Actor output Schema

## `results` (type: `string`):

Complete dataset with all staged room results including staged images, original images, focal points, and timestamps

## `overview` (type: `string`):

Overview view of staged rooms with key fields displayed in a table format

# API

You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.

## JavaScript example

```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';

// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
    token: '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>',
});

// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
    "roomImage": "https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/cc/22/31/cc22314cd8d1858fed04591907b2c754.jpg",
    "stagingBrief": "Add a light-toned sectional facing the window, a round wood coffee table, a slim media console with framed TV, a floor lamp, and a textured rug with greenery.",
    "aiTemperature": 0.55
};

// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("parseforge/virtual-staging-actor").call(input);

// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
    console.dir(item);
});

// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs

```

## Python example

```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient

# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '<YOUR_API_TOKEN>' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_API_TOKEN>")

# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = {
    "roomImage": "https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/cc/22/31/cc22314cd8d1858fed04591907b2c754.jpg",
    "stagingBrief": "Add a light-toned sectional facing the window, a round wood coffee table, a slim media console with framed TV, a floor lamp, and a textured rug with greenery.",
    "aiTemperature": 0.55,
}

# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("parseforge/virtual-staging-actor").call(run_input=run_input)

# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print(f"💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/{run.default_dataset_id}")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start

```

## CLI example

```bash
echo '{
  "roomImage": "https://i.pinimg.com/1200x/cc/22/31/cc22314cd8d1858fed04591907b2c754.jpg",
  "stagingBrief": "Add a light-toned sectional facing the window, a round wood coffee table, a slim media console with framed TV, a floor lamp, and a textured rug with greenery.",
  "aiTemperature": 0.55
}' |
apify call parseforge/virtual-staging-actor --silent --output-dataset

```

## MCP server setup

```json
{
    "mcpServers": {
        "apify": {
            "type": "http",
            "url": "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=fetch-actor-details,parseforge/virtual-staging-actor"
        }
    }
}
```

The hosted server signs you in with OAuth on first connect, so no API token belongs in this config. Clients without OAuth support can send an `Authorization: Bearer <APIFY_API_TOKEN>` header instead, using a token from API & Integrations in Apify Console (https://console.apify.com/settings/integrations).

## OpenAPI specification

Download the OpenAPI definition: https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/BMJjBwUUUcgPs3uaB/builds/OrSHtFLpx5INqBuiD/openapi.json