Here are some tips we had
Gardens
Sweep paths and mow lawns.
Clear away dustbins, garden rubbish and tools out of sight.
Flowers and pots always look lovely, but please rememberto take away old disused plastic pots or tubs, especially if they are broken (greenhouses and shed interiors are not generally shot, but they may appear in view).
Ensure water features are turned on.
Garden furniture sets the scene so have these out and a parasol ready.
Uncover your swimming pool, even if it is winter.
Hallways
Ensure mats are straight and fringes brushed.
Place shoes, dog leads and extra coats/hats or out of sight.
Kitchen
Clear window sills of general clutter - we want to see through into garden spaces.
Place compost bins, kitchen roll holders, tea towels and washing up cloths/brushes out of sight.
Clear work surfaces of bottles, jars and extra utensil holders as well as cereal boxes or Tupperware.
Tidy cookbooks/paperwork on shelving.
Ensure all cupboard doors shut properly and any items in glass cabinets are neat.
Flowers and fruit bowls always help to make the room look fresh and homely.
Remove items from inside the oven if it can be seen through the door.
Bedrooms
Bedding should be neatly placed and smoothed.
Throws and cushions in a matching colour always help.
Try and help your photographer by ensuring you have a suitable number of pillows (just 1 pillow on a double bed usually look odd) and that they are even in height and properly fluffed.
Bathrooms
Ensure shower screens and mirrors are clean (as they help reflect the light, so shouldn’t be dusty or smeared).
Remove toothbrushes and excess shampoo/lotion bottles.
A few nice lotions should be left for effect so the photographer can use if necessary.
Remove cleaning bottles, bins and toilet brushes.
Remove bathroom mats and toilet mats.
Place fresh plain towels.
Bedrooms
Windows Shut all windows to be shut ready for exterior photos, and move handles down in the correct position. Declutter windowsills for anything visible from outside.
Cars, vans, trailers and caravans Arrange for these to be moved at the time of the appointment as they can block the view and can cause delay in moving during the appointment.
Fires Open fires always look nice when lit and with basket of logs full to the brim. Please ask your photographer when they are ready to have the fire lit, but a bit of paper normally does the trick.
Bookcases Remove extra books if they do not sit neatly in the row.
Curtains/blinds Use tie-backs where possible and ensure blinds are at the same height/angle from the outside.
Rugs Ensure fringes are straight.
Wires from lamps and televisions As much as we will try to not get wires in a shot, please tuck away as many as you can.
Hooks on the back of doors The photographer may need to stand in the doorway to take a shot, so where possible in bathrooms and bedrooms, please move any dressing gowns and towels from the back of the doors, so they may be opened fully.
Wardrobes Ensure all doors are closed properly and remove additional items such as suitcases and boxes being stored on top.
Lamps Ensure all lamps, ceiling and wall lights, including spotlights in bathrooms and kitchens, are in working order. We do not carry lightbulbs so please ensure you have a spare for in case. If one light in a set is not working, it will look odd in your photographs and may mean your photographer cannot put your lights on.
Garages and store rooms We do not expect these to be cleared but please remember your photographer may need to gain access for measuring floor plans so do try and leave some space to walk through and get a measurement from the side of one wall for width purposes.
Animals, owners and children
As much as we love to meet your pets and children, we unfortunately can’t have them in the shot. Please try to keep your pets away from the photographer during shooting. Stay away from windows when we’re outside and please remove extra toy clutter and pet beds/bowls for the time we are there.
Note
If you have any items of particular value such as paintings, silverware or ornaments, that you do not wish to be photographed, please either move them or inform your
We know it can be a little disruptive and you’ll wonder where to put everything, but we hope you will be pleased with your photographs and this may help limit the time we are there. It may not look like your home when we take the pictures, but we recommend the above list as a guide so prospective purchasers can see the rooms of your home rather than your personal belongings.
Windows Shut all windows to be shut ready for exterior photos, and move handles down in the correct position. Declutter windowsills for anything visible from outside.
Cars, vans, trailers and caravans Arrange for these to be moved at the time of the appointment as they can block the view and can cause delay in moving during the appointment.
Fires Open fires always look nice when lit and with basket of logs full to the brim. Please ask your photographer when they are ready to have the fire lit, but a bit of paper normally does the trick.
Bookcases Remove extra books if they do not sit neatly in the row.
Curtains/blinds Use tie-backs where possible and ensure blinds are at the same height/angle from the outside.
Rugs Ensure fringes are straight.
Wires from lamps and televisions As much as we will try to not get wires in a shot, please tuck away as many as you can.
Hooks on the back of doors The photographer may need to stand in the doorway to take a shot, so where possible in bathrooms and bedrooms, please move any dressing gowns and towels from the back of the doors, so they may be opened fully.
Wardrobes Ensure all doors are closed properly and remove additional items such as suitcases and boxes being stored on top.
Lamps Ensure all lamps, ceiling and wall lights, including spotlights in bathrooms and kitchens, are in working order. We do not carry lightbulbs so please ensure you have a spare for in case. If one light in a set is not working, it will look odd in your photographs and may mean your photographer cannot put your lights on.
Garages and store rooms We do not expect these to be cleared but please remember your photographer may need to gain access for measuring floor plans so do try and leave some space to walk through and get a measurement from the side of one wall for width purposes.
Animals, owners and children As much as we love to meet your pets and children, we unfortunately can’t have them in the shot. Please try to keep your pets away from the photographer during shooting. Stay away from windows when we’re outside and please remove extra toy clutter and pet beds/bowls for the time we are there.