Preparing your property for photography is about creating a calm, inviting atmosphere that helps potential buyers or guests imagine themselves living there. Thoughtful staging, careful tidying and a few subtle styling tricks can transform your images from ordinary to irresistible. Here are the top tips to make your home shine on camera.
Clear and declutter
Start by decluttering with intent. Surfaces photograph best when they’re clear, so put away post, chargers, remotes and personal items. Kitchens should look spacious and functional, with only a few attractive essentials on display, such as a kettle, a wooden chopping board or a bowl of fresh fruit. In living areas, keep shelves tidy and selectively styled, removing excess ornaments and thinning out books for a streamlined look. Bedrooms feel more restful when wardrobes are closed, bedside tables are uncluttered and personal photos are tucked away to help viewers focus on the space rather than the occupants.
Keep it clean
Deep cleaning makes a bigger difference on camera than you might expect. Windows should be spotless to maximise natural light and reduce glare. Polish mirrors and chrome fixtures, dust skirting boards and light fittings, and ensure floors are vacuumed or mopped. In bathrooms, pay attention to grout, glass and taps so everything appears fresh. Hide everyday toiletries, sponges and bins, and replace used towels with neatly folded or freshly hung ones in a neutral tone. A clean, crisp environment translates into sharp, inviting images that suggest careful upkeep.
Only those curtains and blinds
Lighting is your best friend, so make the most of it. Schedule the shoot for the time of day when your home gets the most flattering natural light. Open curtains and blinds fully, remove heavy window dressings if possible, and switch on lamps to soften shadows in darker corners. Match bulb temperatures within each room to avoid odd colour casts; warm white often feels welcoming, while daylight bulbs can suit modern kitchens and studios. If you have statement pendant lights, ensure they’re clean and fitted with working bulbs to add a focal glow.
Create a coherent flow by styling with a consistent palette. Neutral backdrops photograph beautifully and allow accent colours to pop without overwhelming the frame. Add texture with cushions, throws and rugs to prevent spaces looking flat. Fresh greenery or a simple vase of seasonal flowers lends life and scale to a scene. Aim for symmetry where it feels natural, such as pairing cushions on a sofa or aligning bedside lamps, but avoid making rooms look staged to the point of stiffness.
Pay attention to proportion and layout. Pull furniture slightly away from walls to create depth and airiness, and ensure there’s a clear walkway through each space. If a room is small, remove bulky or duplicate pieces to open it up. In dining areas, set the table lightly with a centrepiece and a few place settings to suggest lifestyle without clutter.
Don’t neglect the outside
Curb appeal sets the tone before anyone sees the interior. Mow the lawn, weed borders, sweep paths and pressure-wash patios where needed. Hide bins and garden tools, coil hoses neatly and touch up peeling paint on fences or the front door. Dress outdoor seating with clean cushions and place a small plant or lantern on the table to suggest an easy, usable space. If parking is tight, move cars away from the frontage during the shoot to keep the approach uncluttered.
Small fixes go a long way on camera. Tighten loose handles, align cupboard doors and replace missing screws or tired sealant. Swap out limescale-marked or yellowed silicone in bathrooms and kitchens, and ensure all bulbs are working at consistent brightness. Consider inexpensive upgrades like new loo seats, fresh tea towels, or a modern lampshade to lift a dated corner without major spend.
Mind the details that read well in photos. Plump sofa cushions and smooth bedding, tugging corners for hotel-like crispness. Steam curtains to remove creases, fold throws neatly and stack a couple of magazines on a coffee table for scale. In kitchens, rotate labels on jars and bottles so they face the camera, and hide fridge magnets to avoid visual noise. Keep pet beds and litter trays out of sight, and give food bowls a temporary home in a cupboard. If you share your space with pets, give floors a final sweep to catch stray fur that can stand out in high-resolution shots.
Plan for the photographer’s viewpoint. Walk through each room at lens height and look for distractions the eye normally ignores, like dangling pull cords, untidy shoe racks or a tangle of keys on a hook. Check reflections in mirrors and glossy surfaces to ensure you won’t see the photographer, tripod or clutter behind the camera. If a fireplace, bay window or built-in shelving is the hero feature, stage the room so sightlines lead naturally towards it.
Coordinate timing so the home is shoot-ready on arrival. Finish cleaning and styling before the photographer sets up, and keep a small kit to hand with microfibre cloths, spare bulbs, cable ties, a lint roller and a pack of furniture sliders for quick tweaks. Have a plan for children and pets to be out or occupied, minimising interruptions and keeping spaces pristine between shots.
Be prepared to help with the final touches
Finally, collaborate with your photographer. Share your priorities, such as highlighting period features, a newly fitted kitchen or a south-facing garden. Ask for a quick walkthrough together before shooting to agree key angles and decide which rooms to lead with online. Be open to moving items between spaces as needed; a great throw or plant can earn its keep in multiple scenes.
A calm wrap-up helps maintain the standard across the whole set. Do a final sweep after each room is photographed, resetting cushions, straightening artwork and checking for fingerprints on shiny surfaces. Keep doors either fully open or fully closed to avoid awkward slivers in frames, and tuck away step stools or cleaning kit before the next shot. Consistency across images reinforces the impression of a well-cared-for property.
With a little planning, thoughtful styling and attention to light, your home will photograph beautifully. Aim for rooms that feel bright, spacious and approachable, with just enough character to be memorable. Those small, polished details invite viewers to linger on your listing, book a viewing and, ultimately, fall in love with the space.