These days, most people look at home photos online before they decide to visit. If your home looks nice in pictures, people feel excited to come and see it. But if it looks messy or dark, they may skip it. That’s why styling for photography is very important when you’re putting your house up for sale.
The good news is, you don’t need to spend a lot of money. You just need to follow a few smart and simple steps to help your home look clean, bright and welcoming in photos.
10 Easy Ways to Style Your Home for Real Estate Photography
1. Start with a Deep Clean
Before anything else, clean your whole home. Make sure every room looks fresh. Wipe the shelves, clean the mirrors and sweep the floors. Also:
- Hide wires, chargers and cables
- Take away personal items like brushes, bottles and bags
- Remove old newspapers, shoes or extra chairs
- Make all beds neat and smooth
Photos show everything, even small messes. So a clean home always looks better in pictures. Styling for photography always starts with cleaning.
2. Let in Natural Light
Open all your curtains and blinds. Let sunlight come in. Natural light makes rooms feel bigger and fresher. It also helps the photos look soft and warm.
You should also turn on all lights before the photos are taken, even during the day. This removes dark corners and shadows. Make sure you use warm white bulbs. Avoid coloured lights because they can make rooms look strange in photos.
In fact, homes with bright, clear photos get 118% more views online than homes with dull pictures. So yes, lighting really does matter.
3. Remove Extra Items
Too many things in a room make it look crowded. In real life, it may feel fine. But in photos, clutter looks bad. So, take time to remove anything that’s not needed.
Clear the coffee tables, counters and shelves. Keep just one or two nice items like:
- A vase with flowers
- A clean candle
- A small plant
This helps the room look open and peaceful. In photo-ready styling, less stuff always looks better.
4. Choose Soft Colours
Stick to light and soft colours like white, light grey, beige or soft blue. These colours bounce the light and make the space look open.
Avoid using strong colours like red or green. They can look too loud in photos. If your sofa or bed has a busy print, cover it with a plain throw. Shoot styling works best when things look soft and simple.
5. Show Each Room’s Purpose
Every room should show what it’s used for. People should be able to look at a photo and know, “This is the bedroom,” or “This is the dining area.”
To make this clear:
- Place clean plates and napkins on the dining table
- Put two pillows and a lamp on each side of the bed
- Set the sofa and chairs so they face each other in the living room
This helps buyers imagine how they can use the space. It’s a big part of styling for listings.
6. Make Kitchens and Bathrooms Look Fresh
These two rooms are very important. A clean kitchen and bathroom can make someone love the home. Here’s how to style them:
Kitchen:
- Remove all things from the counter except maybe one clean bowl
- Wipe down appliances and cupboards
- Put away trash bins
Bathroom:
- Hide all personal things like shampoo and toothbrushes
- Add clean, folded towels
- Place a small candle or soap dish
This type of visual presentation makes the space feel calm and ready to use.
7. Fix the Bed Nicely
In photos, a neat bed looks very inviting. Use clean bedsheets in soft colours like white or beige. Fluff the pillows and fold a blanket neatly at the end of the bed.
Do not leave clothes, bags or items lying around. A clean bedroom helps people imagine themselves sleeping there. Good styling for photography always includes a well made bed.
8. Don’t Forget Outdoor Spaces
If you have a balcony, garden or patio, give it some love too. Many people enjoy outdoor areas even small ones.
- Sweep the floor
- Wipe tables and chairs
- Add a cushion or a plant
Even a tiny outdoor space looks better when it is clean and styled. It gives the listing more charm and makes your home stand out with good shoot styling.
9. Check Everything Before the Photoshoot
Before the photographer comes, walk around your home. Pretend you’re a buyer seeing it for the first time.
Ask yourself these questions before a photoshoot:
- Is the space clean?
- Are the lights working?
- Is anything in the way?
- Can I remove one more item to make it simpler?
Take a few photos on your phone to test how the rooms look. This helps you fix anything that might not look good in the final pictures.
And remember, 83% of buyers say that listing photos are the most important thing when they look for homes online.
Good Styling Means Better Results
When your home looks clean, bright and beautiful in photos, more people will be interested. And that means you’ll get more calls, more visits and a better chance to sell faster.
Small changes like cleaning, letting in light and keeping things simple can make a big difference. You don’t have to spend much. You just need to know what to show and what to hide.
And if you need help, Stage2Sell offers expert styling for photography. Their team knows how to make every room look its best, so you get the best results when it matters most.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is property styling for real estate photos?
Property styling means setting up your home to look its best in photos. It includes cleaning, decluttering, adding soft touches and arranging furniture to make the home feel fresh and welcoming.
2. Do I need to hire a professional stylist for listing photos?
You don’t have to but it helps. A stylist knows how to make your home look bigger, brighter and more attractive in photos. If you want the best results, hiring a stylist is a good idea.
3. What should I remove before a property photoshoot?
Take away personal items like family photos, laundry, pet bowls and clutter. Clear benches, tidy the bathroom and hide cables. A clean, simple space always looks better in pictures.
4. Can I style my home myself for real estate photos?
Yes, you can! Clean every room, use soft colours, open the windows and keep only a few nice things on display. DIY styling works well if you follow simple steps and pay attention to small details.
5. When is the best time of day to take real estate photos?
Late morning or early afternoon is best. Natural sunlight is soft and bright during this time, which makes your home look bigger and more inviting in pictures.
