Top Trends for Creating Impressive Photos of Your Home
Top Trends for Creating Impressive Photos of Your Home
When potential buyers embark on the journey of finding a new home, the photographs are going to be a deciding factor on whether they’ll visit a property in person. This is why taking photos that present your house in a natural and purposeful way is essential in attracting viewers.
Thoughtful staging and photography can go a long way in providing prospective buyers with an image of what life in their new home will look like. Keep reading to explore these top trends for creating captivating photos that infuse new life into your home and encourage buyers to schedule a tour.
The Power of First Impressions
A buyer’s first impression of your home can make or break their decision to visit. When taking photos, put yourself in the buyer’s shoes and consider what might matter most to them.
For example, many homeowners are interested in privacy and knowing what the surrounding area looks like. Showcasing how many windows the house has, where they’re located, and what views they offer can highlight these features. Make sure the windows are clean and unobstructed before taking photos.
If one window offers an incredible view of surrounding scenery, try accentuating it and eliminating any distractions. You can accomplish this by correctly orienting furniture during staging, so it doesn’t block the view. Think a short-backed sofa like the squatty sofa from All Modern and low-profile chairs like these boucle arm chairs at SOHO Home.
Artful Staging Goes a Long Way
The goal of staging is to showcase the home’s amenities and unique features. Sometimes a stagers’ styling and placement of furniture and accessories will differ from how it might be set up for living.
For instance, rug placement in the bedroom will likely differ when you’re staging it for a photo rather than decorating it as a living space. A rug is typically placed underneath the bed to prevent feet from hitting the cold floor in the morning. For a photo, you may pull the rug out to cover a larger portion of the floor, making the room more visually appealing.
That said, make sure the photo accurately represents what the home looks like in-person, so buyers don’t feel misled. Furniture should be proportionate to the room and wall art should be aligned and appropriately displayed.
Set the Stage With Atmospheric Lighting and Neutral Tones
Lighting plays a crucial role in photography and interior design, significantly impacting the ambiance of a space. In some cases, older homes may lack sufficient overhead lighting, affecting the perception of their features and dimensions.
Adding controlled light, like this floor lamp from National Business Furniture, can enhance a room’s atmosphere and mood. A small table lamp, like the petit lamp from Pottery Barn, is also useful for eliminating shadows in the corner of a room.
However, be mindful that a room’s color scheme and lighting isn’t distracting to viewers. Neutral tones serve as a canvas, allowing prospective buyers to visualize the space with their preferred colors. Don’t be afraid to add subtle pops of color like a blue ceramic table lamp from William Sonoma Home. This helps the eyes move smoothly across the room and creates cohesion within the house.
Create a Natural Look With Tasteful Accessories
Being subtle is also key when staging your home with accessories for a photo. They should feel natural in their placement and be used appropriately, so the viewer isn’t distracted. A neutral color palette also applies here. This wheat-colored love seat from All Modern or soft blue chair by Bernhardt are great examples of tasteful furnishings for staging a living room
That doesn’t mean you can’t add eye-catching art, sculptures, or accessories, like this sculptural lamp from West Elm, to your stagings. Just make sure they’re beneficial to the overall expression and design of the house.
Clean Up the Image
When every item is meticulously staged and the visual is complete, conduct one last walk-through to ensure your home is in pristine photo-taking condition. Toilet seats should be down, floors clear of trash or debris, textures like velvet should be smooth and wrinkle-free, and bed linens should be tucked in tight. You can even plump the pillows for good measure to capture the home’s irresistible comfort.
NurtureSource Is Here to Help
Follow us @nurturesource on Instagram and sign up for our newsletter to check out our latest projects, or schedule an introductory call to see how we can help you with your home or listing.
