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Preparing the Property


We can/will do a little ‘straightening’ ourselves in order to get the best photographs – however the better presented the property is when we arrive, the easier it is for us to take great photographs that show off the home.

 

There are two steps to preparing a house for photographs. Firstly there is the tidying and de-cluttering, which is the biggest and most important job (we recommend getting a box for each room, and going around each room placing excess items in the box). The second step is optional but sometimes it is helpful to have some items on-hand for extra appeal, such as cushions, throws, candles, and flowers.
 

Here is a handy checklist to help prepare the home for photographing:
 

Interior
 

Think big, not small. A piece of dirt on the floor is easier to remove in Photoshop than a table covered in trinkets, piles of magazines, a shower tray cluttered with toiletries etc. It’s more important to hide bits and bobs in a box than to vacuum meticulously.

 

Room by Room

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Kitchen

1. Tidying and de-cluttering

  • Place sponges, washing up liquid, etc, in the sink

  • Hide draining rack

  • Place bins out of view or in pantry/laundry

  • Remove all personal items (magnets, shopping lists, correspondence etc) from the outside of the fridge

  • Remove clutter from worktops such as crockery, tissues etc

  • If your worktop space is limited, remove small appliances such as toasters, kettles, blenders (if possible) unless they are ‘statement’ items

  • Organize open shelves or cabinets that are visible when closed

  • Check that under-counter lights and oven hood lights work and replace bulbs if possible

Overview of kitchen

2. Styling / adding extra appeal (optional)

  • If you have a cafetière or teapot, and some nice cups, you might like to put these out 

  • You may wish to buy some croissants / scones / cake

  • A bowl of fresh fruit adds colour and interest

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Dining Room

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1. Tidying and de-cluttering

  • Straighten dining room chairs

  • Choose only a few photoframes to have on display and remove the others if applicable

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2. Styling / Adding extra appeal (optional)

  • Add centrepiece such as candles or small flowers

  • You may wish to set the table with matching crockery, napkins, silverware
     

Living room
 

1. Tidying and de-cluttering

  • Hide remote controls and knick-knacks

  • Choose only a few photoframes to have on display and remove the others if applicable

  • Tidy away newspapers, tissues, firelighters, and other distractions
     

2. Styling / Adding extra appeal (optional)

  • Add cushions to the sofas (Homesense / TK Maxx and Dunelm have a good selection)

  • Add some candles to side/coffee tables

  • Have a small selection of magazines or books on-hand

 

Bedrooms
 

1. Tidying and de-cluttering

  • Make sure nothing is visible under the bed

  • Put away clothing, shoes, etc

  • Clear surfaces of clutter as much as possible

  • Remove dressing gowns etc that are hung behind doors

  • Make the beds
     

2. Styling / Adding extra appeal (optional)

  • Arrange decorative cushions (Homesense / TK Maxx and Dunelm have a good selection)

  • Add a throw or quilt to the end of the bed

Bathrooms
 

1. Tidying and de-cluttering

  • Clear counters of toiletries

  • Remove shampoo and bath products

  • Remove floor scales, rubbish bins, laundry baskets

  • Clean surfaces and mirrors

  • Hang fresh towels neatly

  • Either remove bathmats or match with towels
     

2. Styling / Adding extra appeal (optional)

  • Candles, neatly rolled up towels, and a few choice boutique-looking toiletries make good additions to bathrooms

Entering a bathroom

Exterior
 

  • Mow the lawn

  • Remove all vehicles from driveway and do not park directly in front of the house

  • Remove all toys and equipment from driveway and garden

  • Move wheelie bins out of sight

  • Sweep driveways and patios

  • Straighten garden furniture and cushions, open or remove umbrellas, clear other items

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Pool (if applicable)

  • Remove pool cleaners, filters, chlorine floats

  • Turn on pool lights and all water features

  • Remove all toys and floating devices

  • Blow/sweep all leaves and debris

  • Place cushions on chairs

  • Straighten deck chairs

Swimming pool to house at twilight
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