In today’s hospitality landscape, short-term rental hosts can’t afford to have anything short of spectacular photography. But as good as many professional property photographers are, there’s one thing homeowners can do to make or break their investment in quality images: proper staging. If you’re handling your own photography staging, bookmark these five essentials to making your home shine in photos.
Clear the clutter and tidy up
One of the most effective ways to get great photos is to clear the clutter that distracts from the home’s sparkle. This includes electronic cord tangles, coasters, excess décor, unorganized books and movies, loose magazines – anything that doesn’t add to the home’s polish should be tucked away for photos (or ideally, permanently.) Also, open blinds and tie back curtains, close toilet lids, fluff and arrange pillows, straighten blankets, and fine-tune other such small details as if hosting an open house.
Turn on all lights
Though photographers will shoot during the day, having all interior and exterior lights on will add layers of light to photos and fill in where window light may leave shadows. This practice also highlights where burned-out bulbs may have been missed and where lampshades need some adjustments, usually leveling and turning the seams out of view.
Set the table
Nothing says “feel at home” more than a dining table set for dinner. While a formal dinner setting will surely impress, a basic or casual setting will work great for photos and help less-than-grand tables keep from looking crowded. For a basic table setting, use a placemat or charger, fork, knife, spoon, napkin, dinner plate, and water glass. For a casual setting, use all of the above, plus a wine glass, salad plate, and soup bowl. Here’s a handy RealSimple guide with diagrams. Don’t forget a centerpiece to anchor the table, and if the kitchen has a breakfast bar, set that too with bowls, spoons, and coffee mugs.
Make the beds
Would you book a hotel with bare or sloppily made beds? No. Set the stage for the ultimate night’s rest with a full, plush bedding set properly made. Add cozy blankets and decorative pillows for extra cozy shots. Don’t forget to hide or remove all tags.
Set the scene for a warm welcome
Staging a few welcoming extras that help guests envision themselves in the property can be the cherry on top of a photo sundae that gets them to hit “Book.” A book and cozy blanket on a chair by the fireplace, a wine bottle and cheese plate in the kitchen, icy drinks on an outside dining table, and other vignettes like these help guests feel at home before they even arrive. Fresh or high-quality faux plants add a beautiful welcoming touch as well. Check out the Buyer’s Guide to Low-Maintenance House Plants for more floral and greenery ideas.
For more STR marketing insights, join our private Facebook group for Chapel Hill hosts >