Stage Your Home for Photo Success: A Step-by-Step Guide

At White & Sons, we know the importance of great photos when marketing a home.  This is why we only work with the very best in their field.  We have been working with a talented freelance photographer, Thomas Gilder, for many years.  Thomas takes great pride in his work and is exceptionally good at dressing a home ready to be photographed.  He has very kindly provided some of his key suggestions for preparing your home to be photographed.

“Whilst some might paint, decorate or plaster, others may simply want to ensure that their home is looking at its very best by using all the beautiful things that they’ve surrounded themselves with over the years.”  His room-by-room practical advice will help maximise the photographers’ time and increase visibility. Below are a few carefully selected suggestions:

 Living Rooms

• Cushions should be plumped up.
• Mantelpieces and window ledges look best with a few carefully selected items, such as flowers or glassware.

Dining Rooms

• Although not entirely necessary, a dining table laid very simply will often be more appealing.
• Candlesticks with (new) candles always look good.

Kitchens

• Apart from everyday items, e.g. toasters, kettles and knife blocks, surfaces should be completely clear.
• It’s best to remove any items that are resting on the very top of your kitchen units nearest the ceiling.

Bedrooms

• Although great for storage, items placed underneath a bed will almost always be visible in photographs and should be removed.
• As with many other rooms, vases of flowers always look beautiful.

Bathrooms

• Towels are fine if they’re nicely folded.
• Toilet rolls can remain on show but only if they’re new.

Personal Items

• Many of us have photographs on walls and surfaces throughout our home. We also display mementoes which often carry the names and sometimes dates of the people and/or occasions that they celebrate. It may be that you’re comfortable with these things being visible, but for others, it might not be something that they’ve considered.

Children

• If you have a space dedicated to your child/children, it’s more about making sure that it’s as neat as is humanly possible.

Gardens

• Depending on the time of year, it’s worth ensuring that the grass is kept mown, flower beds maintained and paths/driveways etc. kept clear of leaves and other detritus.

If you would like any further suggestions, we have tips on staging your home or for more bespoke advice, please do not hesitate to contact us.  Thomas Gilder is a freelance photographer living and working in and around the Reigate area, for further details visit his Instagram page