The most important thing in one sentence
Think of the feeling a guest should have when they first walk in: clean, bright, tidy and free of personal items. Anything you wouldn’t want to see in a nice hotel room yourself should go.
Everywhere first
A few things apply to every room – best to run through them before the shoot.
- Clean thoroughly: vacuum, mop, mirrors and glass streak-free
- Open all curtains and blinds, let the daylight in
- Put away personal items – mail, photos, notes, charging cables
- Move bins out of sight
- Check all bulbs so every lamp works
- Radiators and AC units clear and clean
Living area
The heart of the home – this is where the first impression is made.
- Clear the floors: small rugs, cables, toys away
- Plump the cushions, fold blankets neatly
- Stow remotes and small clutter in drawers
- Clear windowsills except for a few nice pieces
- Fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit work wonders
- TV off – a black screen looks calmer
Kitchen
Guests love a kitchen that looks ready to cook in right away.
- Countertops as clear as possible
- Leave out one or two nice appliances at most
- Put away washing-up liquid, cloths, sponges and towels
- Remove fridge magnets, notes and calendars
- Straighten chairs, table clear or nicely set
- Hide cables from the kettle and the like
Bathroom
Small but important – the impression of cleanliness matters most here.
- Freshly cleaned, taps shiny and limescale-free
- Personal toiletries, toothbrushes, shampoos away
- Used towels out, clean ones hung neatly
- Remove toilet brush, bin and bath mat
- Close the toilet lid
- A fresh towel and soap are enough as decoration
Bedroom
Calm and order – the bed is the star.
- Freshly made, ideally neutral, smooth bedding
- Pull the bed taut, prop up the pillows
- Nightstands almost empty – just a lamp, maybe a book
- Nothing lying around under the bed or on chairs
- Clothes, shoes and suitcases in the wardrobe
- Ironing board, laundry basket and vacuum out of the room
Outdoors: terrace, balcony & garden
The outdoor area sells the holiday feeling, too.
- Wipe furniture, add cushions and straighten them
- Clear leaves, garden hose and tools
- Lawn freshly mown, paths swept
- Bins and bicycles out of sight
- Set the table nicely – a detail that evokes summer
- If possible, no cars in the driveway or the frame
Just before the shoot
The last few minutes before I ring the bell.
- Switch on all lamps – even during the day
- Take one more look through every room
- Close windows so reflections don’t interfere
- Pets and food bowls briefly to the side
- Comfortable temperature in case we’re on site longer
- Sort out access: will you be there or is a key ready?
Weather & exterior shots
For interior shots the weather hardly matters – they turn out equally well under any sky, which I take care of with lighting and editing. Outdoors it’s different: façade, terrace, garden and surroundings look far more inviting in the right light.
If the weather on the day matters to you or looks uncertain, just get in touch. We’ll either move the appointment to a better day together – or I’ll take the interior shots as planned and add the exterior images in good weather shortly after, as long as it works for us both.