Photographs are a vital step when selling your home in Purley, Croydon & Surrey. A strong first impression can make all the difference, and your property photos play a key role in attracting buyers and generating interest. To stand out in a competitive market, it’s essential that your photos showcase your property in Purley, Croydon & Surrey at its best while maintaining an accurate representation.
Preparing your home for professional photography doesn’t always require hiring a home staging professional! (Although we can help with this if you need it!) With a few strategic steps, you can set the stage yourself and help our professional photographers capture your home in its best light.
Here are Shinerocks practical tips to get you started.
The exterior is usually the first image potential buyers see online. Make sure the front of your home makes a strong, positive impression. This initial view can set the tone for the entire listing, influencing whether buyers are intrigued enough to explore further.
A well-kept and inviting front conveys that the property is cared for, making it more appealing. Making a strong, positive impression from the very first glance increases the likelihood of attracting serious interest and ultimately getting more viewers through the door.
Clear the Driveway: Remove cars from the driveway to offer an unobstructed view. This helps create an impactful, clutter-free image.
Hide Bins and Other Objects: Keep bins, recycling, and any clutter out of sight. A tidy, streamlined exterior presents a more appealing image.
Clean Windows and Sills: Ensure windows and sills are spotless. Clean windows reflect natural light better, enhancing the front view of your home.
Tidy the Front Garden: A neat lawn, trimmed hedges, and clear pathways set a welcoming tone. Remove any empty or broken plant pots, and consider adding fresh, seasonal flowers for added kerb appeal.
Read our tips on maximising kerb appeal here.
Gardens are a major attraction, especially for buyers eager to enjoy the outdoor space for relaxation, entertaining, or family activities. For many, a well-maintained garden represents an extension of their living area, offering a private retreat or a place to enjoy nature.
In densely populated areas or urban settings, a garden can be a unique selling point, giving prospective buyers a sense of space, so a well-presented garden, whether it’s a large green lawn, a small patio, or a neat seating area, has the potential to capture the interest of buyers looking to invest in a lifestyle as well as a property.
By showcasing your garden in its best light, you increase the likelihood of appealing to buyers who see outdoor space as an essential part of their home.
Keep Lawns and Patios Neat: Mow the lawn, clean any decking, and tidy up patio areas.
Define Dining and Leisure Areas: If you have a dining or seating area, arrange it to show off the space. Even a small table setup can give a relaxed, inviting feel.
Remove Unnecessary Clutter: Store away toys, tools, or seasonal items. A clear and open garden feels more spacious and visually appealing.
Bedrooms are personal spaces, and the goal is to help potential buyers imagine themselves there. Bear in mind that the bedroom is one of the most personal and intimate spaces in a home, often serving as a retreat for rest, relaxation, and privacy.
When preparing a bedroom for photography, the goal is to create a welcoming, neutral atmosphere that allows potential buyers to envision themselves in the space. This means presenting a bedroom that feels calm, inviting, and free from overly personal touches, such as family photos or specific decor that may limit a buyer’s imagination.
By creating a clean, uncluttered environment, you give buyers the chance to picture their own furniture, style, and daily routines within the room, helping them form an emotional connection to the property.
Remove Personal Items: Store away any personal touches, such as toys, posters, or memorabilia. This helps present a neutral, welcoming space.
Make the Beds: Ensure beds are neatly made with fresh linen and plump pillows. Remove any worn or faded cushions as these can make the room appear tired.
Clear the Floors and Surfaces: Keep bedside tables free of clutter. A neat space feels more restful.
Discover how to prepare your house for viewings
4. Add Sparkle to Your Bathroom
Bathrooms can be challenging spaces to photograph, due to their typically smaller size and the presence of reflective surfaces, which can create unwanted glare. However, with a few thoughtful adjustments, you can make your bathroom appear more spacious.
Simple touches, like closing the toilet lid and neatly folding or removing towels, can help elevate the bathroom’s overall presentation. These small details can transform even a modest bathroom into a bright space that appeals to potential buyers.
Make these few easy adjustments:
Keep Surfaces Clean and Clear: Put away toiletries like shampoos, razors, and lotions. Their bright colours can distract and make the room appear smaller.
Clean Mirrors and Glass: Spotless mirrors and glass create a polished, high-quality look in photos.
Close Toilet Lids, Refill Toilet Paper, and Tidy Towels: Small details make a big difference, so ensure toilet seats are down, and if possible, remove or neatly hang towels.
Kitchens are often the heart of a home, so it’s important to keep this space bright and uncluttered for the listing photos. To make your kitchen more appealing in photographs, start by decluttering worktops and removing any non-essential items. A clean, uncluttered surface makes the kitchen appear larger and highlights the amount of workspace available, which is a big selling point for buyers.
Keep on display only a few high-quality small appliances or decorative items, such as a bowl of fresh fruit or vase of flowers to add warmth without being overwhelming.
Brightening the space by letting in natural light or adjusting the indoor lighting will help make your kitchen feel open, airy, and inviting - qualities that can make a strong impression on potential buyers.
Clear the Counters: Minimise items on surfaces, leaving only a few high-quality appliances or decor items. An uncluttered kitchen feels more spacious.
Clean the Sink and Appliances: A clean sink, free from dishes, and spotless appliances help give the impression of a well-kept, functional space.
Keep the Fridge Front Clear: Remove any magnets, notes, or artwork from the fridge for a clean look.
Electronics can be distracting in photos, so taking a few moments to minimise their presence is worthwhile. Screens, cables, and gadgets tend to stand out in images, drawing attention away from the room’s key features and interrupting the clean, look that potential buyers want to see.
By minimising the presence of electronics, you allow the room’s natural flow, layout, and design to shine through, helping buyers focus on the space itself and imagine their own belongings in place. This simple step can make a surprising difference to how warm and welcoming your home appears in photographs.
Turn Off TVs and Computer Monitors: A blank screen is far less distracting than a running TV or computer monitor.
Store Loose Electronics: Put away loose devices like iPads, phones and laptops and tidy up wires and chargers. Keeping surfaces clear of these items ensures focus remains on the space itself.
Natural light is one of the most powerful tools in property photography, as it can transform a room, making it feel more spacious, inviting, and vibrant. Unlike artificial lighting, natural light brings out the colours and textures of furnishings and finishes, creating a warm, atmosphere.
When preparing your home for a photo shoot, make the most of any available daylight by opening curtains and blinds to let sunlight into each room. Not only does natural light create a bright, airy feel, but it also gives rooms a fresh and well-maintained look, which can be especially appealing in online listings where photos are a buyer’s first impression.
By optimising natural light, you can create photos that truly capture the warmth and charm of your home, making it stand out in a competitive property market.
Open Curtains and Blinds: Letting in as much natural light as possible makes the space feel brighter and larger.
Tilt Blinds Upwards: For homes with blinds, tilt them upwards to direct light toward the ceiling. This distributes light gently without harsh shadows.
Use mirrors: In darker or north-facing rooms, consider using mirrors to reflect sunlight or add subtle indoor lighting to complement the daylight.
While pets bring charm to a home, it’s best to keep all their paraphernalia out of listing photographs to ensure the property appeals to the widest possible audience! By removing pet related items from the scene, you allow buyers to focus on the features of the home itself without any distractions.
This small effort can make the home feel cleaner, more spacious, and universally appealing.
Remove Pet Toys and Accessories: Pet beds, food bowls, and toys should be hidden.
Tidy Up Pet-Related Mess: Clear any pet hair, waste, or chew toys, especially in the garden, to keep it looking tidy and inviting.
Getting your property photo-ready doesn’t need to be overwhelming. With a little preparation, you can make your home look its absolute best, showcasing its unique appeal to potential buyers.
When you’re ready, give our friendly team at Shinerocks a call on 020 8660 2010. We provide professional photography as part of our service, capturing your home at its finest!
In the meantime, we’ve answered some of your common questions about getting your home photo-ready.
Preparing your home for photography ensures it’s presented in the best possible light, which helps attract buyers by highlighting key features and creating a strong first impression.
Ensure the driveway is clear, hide bins, clean windows, and tidy the garden. These small adjustments improve kerb appeal and make a great first impression in photos.
Remove unnecessary items from counters, clean all surfaces, and keep only a few high-quality items in view. A neat kitchen looks larger, cleaner, and more inviting.
Yes, store personal items such as family photos, toys, or posters to make bedrooms appear more neutral and appealing to a broad audience.
If possible, arrange for pets to be out of the house and remove pet-related items like beds, toys, and food bowls from view to maintain a clean and inviting space.
Natural light brightens rooms, making them appear more open and welcoming. Open curtains and tilt blinds to maximise the light for the best results.
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You can also call us on 020 8660 2010, or email enquiries@shinerocks.co.uk.
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