Page 5 | Critique my photos – selling house

Delara · 2025-09-16T09:19:31+00:00

Hi all, I'm planning on selling soon, and am looking for some feedback on staging. I live in an area where the houses that sell for most are a bit eclectic and 'have character' and colour. The ones that sell for the least are plain (which goes against everything I'd heard about making your house a blank slate!) so I'm thinking of leaning into this and maybe painting the chimney breast wall green and painting the kitchen, which is probably the most bland bit. I'm also wondering if the living room is too busy and if I should just have one chair and fewer accessories. The wardrobe in the second bedroom blocks light from the window so would it be worth swapping it out for a desk? Please do point out anything else – if something looks cluttered etc. Also should I remove all cat equipment? Planning to remove the litter boxes but wondering if it would be ok to leave up the cat tree in the living room if it blends into the room enough. Appreciate any thoughts :)

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:34

SingingSands · 16/09/2025 13:53

I think, instead of painting the chimney green, you could paint the alcoves green and the opposite wall (behind the sofa) green. This is what I did in my living room and I think it makes the chimney less imposing but still incorporates colour.

Oh this sounds lovely, do you have a photo?

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Twittens · 16/09/2025 19:36

Kitchen needs something…. Maybe a plant on top of the unit, trailing down the end unit… even a pretty 0il bottle, or salt and pepper on the side… or perhaps just some neatly folded ten towels on a rail… make it look a little bit used…
i am not sure of the runner in the hall…. Can’t work out why though….
again attic room needs a bit more stuff to sell it as a room that you can use a lot… not a room you are paying for and heating which has very limited use… so cosy lamps.. maybe a small bookshelf with a lamp and plant on against the end wall… or a piece of art… and a few books… or jars of buttons/ ribbons eta… the hampers also sound like a good shout!
i love cats… but agree lose the cat stuff…

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:36

longtompot · 16/09/2025 16:46

I think you have a lovely home @Delara It's very warm and welcoming. I personally don't think you have too many plants, but I love having plants all around my home.
I agree about the loft space, and would set it up as your sewing room.
The cats don't bother me, and surely if you have a pet allergy you'd want to know if a house you are viewing has them so you can factor in a deep clean. Maybe move the cat tree for photos and if you have a standard lamp, put that in the corner on your living room instead.
I have painted the alcoves either side of our fireplace a deep blue which I think looks nice. I feel if you painted the chimney breast it might make it dominate the room a bit too much.
For the fridge panel side, what about using it as a menu board? I've painted a chalk board on one of our kitchen walls and write up what we are having for dinner every evening. I think a bowl of fruit on the worktop furtherest away from the sink would be a nice touch.
Yes to pulling back the shower curtain. Love all the plants in there and they look like they love it too.
Good luck with the sale once you've got it on the market.

Edited

Thank you! Do you have a photo of the chalkboard or remember where you get it? I love the idea of something handwritten on the side of the fridge.

Also yes I agree just the chimney breast painted may be a bit intense!

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Original poster

Delara · 16/09/2025 19:40

Papricat · 16/09/2025 16:52

Is the cat for sale?

He won't be in the official photos! 😂

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:41

MeganM3 · 16/09/2025 16:55

Looks lovely to me.

Thank you :)

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Sharptonguedwoman · 16/09/2025 19:41

Just my taste: landing wall makes it dark, ditto shower curtain. Remove your lovely cat and anything at all cat related (cat owner myself so I don’t hate them). Maybe pictures in the bedrooms, attic needs love? lose the brown chair from the sitting room.
I know I sound brutal, I mean no harm but I’m writing on my phone because the newly back from Cattery cat won’t let me sit at the computer.

Original poster

Delara · 16/09/2025 19:41

janehopper · 16/09/2025 16:58

I love your house. Can you put some more plants in the kitchen, and maybe a runner/rug on the floor?

I'll definitely move the plants, I've never quite been on board with rugs in the kitchen but may do so for staging purposes!

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:42

Coconutter24 · 16/09/2025 17:00

The cat was the first thing I noticed, whilst it looks a nice photo I’d definitely get rid of that one when trying to sell a house. All the photos look very dark and gloomy so better lighting is needed

Yes they're not the official photos just some ones I took for feedback! I won't let them in the photos 😂

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knitpicker · 16/09/2025 19:43

Starlight1984 · 16/09/2025 10:51

The rooms look lovely and cosy however the photos are very dark. Get lights and lamps on in all rooms (that's what the EA always do anyway though!). Also move the wardrobe in the second bedroom to let more light in. As another poster says, maybe replace with some drawers?

As cute as your cat is, don't have any photos with him / her on it! Definitely remove the cat tree (although I can't even see the litter trays?!)

A lot of people are put off by houses which have had pets in them. We removed all evidence of our dogs and I sent them out on long walks with DH when we had viewings 😆

Agree with everything here. I would also take the framed pictures from the hall and consider putting the over the beds

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:46

B0D · 16/09/2025 17:05

Its really nice OP would swap the cat tree for a standard lamp. Definitely add some colour in the bedrooms, rugs cushions and a mirror on the chimney breast. The bathroom looks lovely can I ask what flooring you have ?

I can't remember as it was from a local store, but I do remember it had a name so I'll search my emails and see if it's on an invoice or something
Thank you :)

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:47

SleepingisanArt · 16/09/2025 17:42

If the house is a ftb property then stage the attic room as a home office but keep your sewing machine there too - multi-use. Buyers will use it for whatever they want but with so many working from home these days they'll be pleased to see they can have an office without sacrificing a bedroom.

Gorgeous cat!

Thank you :)

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LEM0NADEY · 16/09/2025 19:49

Turn the lights on or add some lamps. It looks a little dark. Love your style though

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:51

LimoncelloSpritzplease · 16/09/2025 17:44

I think your home looks nice and cosy.

But agree and also hate cats so any evidence would put me off (smells, accessories, toys, photos etc) and agree with lamp and lights being on to avoid living room looking too dark.

If nit picking I would possibly have one less chair in the living room to make it feel more spacious, possibly a contrasting light coloured rug or a green plant to break up the colour scheme as a lot of similar colours in there, also not keen on the orange hall way, would maybe include more colour maybe a plant for greenery or wooden chopping board or something in the kitchen as it maybe looks too clinical and a mirror or painting in both bedrooms above the beds and replace wardrobe by the window with a chest of draws.

Thank you, please do nit pick! Will definitely remove a chair and include some more colour and art at least and will try out some more of your suggestions.

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:53

TheGoodOnesAreAllGone · 16/09/2025 18:03

I would remove the rugs from the landing and bedroom and swap the wardrobe for a chest of drawers. Also some artwork on the bedroom walls and above the sofa for some colour.
The loft room doesn't look like usable space. I would remove the sewing machine and add a chair so it looks like a suitable workspace

Thank you, I usually use the fabric storage ottoman as a chair but see a lot of value in adding a chair!

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LEM0NADEY · 16/09/2025 19:53

Maybe close the door of bedroom. It will look bigger

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:54

Middleagedspreadisreal · 16/09/2025 18:44

I wouldn't spend too much on 'stuff' that you may not use in your new house. It all looks fine to me for selling. Most people envisage their own belongings in a house when viewing anyway.

Thank you, I'll try to repurpose what I have! As a first time buyer I was definitely swayed by staging though 😂

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Coconutter24 · 16/09/2025 19:55

Delara · 16/09/2025 19:42

Yes they're not the official photos just some ones I took for feedback! I won't let them in the photos 😂

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Oh I thought you meant the estate agent had taken them 🙈😂 They will be able to sort the cats out haha and brighten the photos up. Other than that it is presented nicely

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Delara · 16/09/2025 19:56

lobeydosser · 16/09/2025 18:56

Great house - especially like the bathroom:)

I'd just echo what lots of folk have already said about injecting a wee bit more personality. In the kitchen even just bright tea towels and oven gloves over the handle of a drawer. Plus a couple of the small plants and a bowl of fruit on the worktop. I'd like to see a bit more of the top part of the kitchen when the professional photographer comes round.
In the bedrooms a coordinating throw on the bed and beautifully ironed duvet cover.
As someone else asked, what's the outside like? Is there kerb appeal? Well painted front door? Is it straight out onto a pavement or room for some of the big plants at the door? What's the back like?
Looks good as it is and could look even better still!

I've got to do a lot of work on the garden, have let the yard become very overgrown! I can't share what the outside is like as these houses were externally regenerated – quite distinctive and Google search-able. But I have put some plants out front on the pavement and painted my door!

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herbalteabag · 16/09/2025 19:57

I like the cat, and the house! It looks cosy and I like the colours and the flooring. I noticed that you don't have big rooms except for a massive bathroom.

Ineffable23 · 16/09/2025 19:58

On the lighting front, I would consider buying some 1500 lumen bright white LED bulbs, or at least one, and see if you find that makes a difference to how your photos look - you can always buy more if it makes a big difference. That's what I use in the back of my house, which is very dark, during the day, and it helps a lot.

longtompot · 16/09/2025 19:58

@Delara I just bought some chalkboard paint and painted several coats on the wall. I'm sure it would work as well on the side of your fridge. Or you could get a piece of board, or maybe one of those cheap cork boards, and paint that and attach it with stick on Velcro strips.

Original poster

Delara · 16/09/2025 19:58

ColdLittleHeart · 16/09/2025 19:29

Stunning house OP! Love your style.

Would the wardrobe fit in the alcove in the other bedroom? If so you could maybe do a swap with the desk.

The kitchen does look a little bare compared to the other rooms. Maybe some pretty storage containers using the same colour palette as the other rooms and adding a rug might make it feel as cosy.

Is there space to add a clothing rail in the loft. We did this in our last house to show extra storage options.

Also agree about putting on the lights for the official pics..maybe a couple of lamps would help.

I'll shift furniture around and see what looks best! Wardrobes in the alcoves of the bigger room does seem like a better use of space. Could definitely fit a clothes rail in the loft. Never thought of a rug for the kitchen but in a nice bright colour could add some more style!

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Original poster

Delara · 16/09/2025 20:00

WhereAreMyAirpods · 16/09/2025 19:32

They always say to depersonalise but you have nothing on the walls. It is very bland and boring.

Also get that cat off the table as it puts me RIGHT off knowing there have been pets in the house, ditto the litter trays and climbing thing. Yuk.

Yeah I'm unconvinced by the advice to depersonalised, I don't want it to look like a rental!
And don't worry, cat won't be in any of the official pics and I'm planning to remove cat objects as I know cats aren't for everyone and don't want to put people off! Helpful to know it would put people off

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Original poster

Delara · 16/09/2025 20:02

Twittens · 16/09/2025 19:36

Kitchen needs something…. Maybe a plant on top of the unit, trailing down the end unit… even a pretty 0il bottle, or salt and pepper on the side… or perhaps just some neatly folded ten towels on a rail… make it look a little bit used…
i am not sure of the runner in the hall…. Can’t work out why though….
again attic room needs a bit more stuff to sell it as a room that you can use a lot… not a room you are paying for and heating which has very limited use… so cosy lamps.. maybe a small bookshelf with a lamp and plant on against the end wall… or a piece of art… and a few books… or jars of buttons/ ribbons eta… the hampers also sound like a good shout!
i love cats… but agree lose the cat stuff…

Small bookshelf with some books is a nice idea and I think I have one I can repurpose for the loft room!

Will definitely plop some things back in the kitchen, I've got a lot of little accessories and there may be a middle ground between nothing and all my favourite kitchen things 😂

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Delara · 16/09/2025 20:03

herbalteabag · 16/09/2025 19:57

I like the cat, and the house! It looks cosy and I like the colours and the flooring. I noticed that you don't have big rooms except for a massive bathroom.

Yes it's an enormous bathroom, but not quite big enough to split into a bathroom and bedroom as a lot of the other houses around here have done. Feels like so much wasted space when I could have done with more in the bedrooms!

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