How to prepare for photos when home staging a home. 📸

GENERAL ▪ Thoroughly clean whole house when home staging a home ▪ Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON ▪ Replace all burned-out light bulbs with bright LED bulbs ▪ Turn all ceiling fans OFF ▪ Turn all TVs OFF ▪ Turn all computer screens OFF ▪ Remove personal photographs ▪ Make all beds, including decorative pillows/shams if available ▪ Remove “small” floor rugs to reveal actual flooring ▪ Place all shoes/jackets in closets  

EXTERIOR FRONT EXTERIOR ▪ Close garage doors ▪ Remove cars from driveway and front of home ▪ Clean up landscaping (mow, trim shrubs, clear leaves) ▪ Remove empty planters ▪ Use broom to remove cobwebs from eaves and door frames ▪ Remove visible water hoses ▪ Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer goals, etc.  
BACKYARD ▪ Clean porch, tidy up outdoor tables/chairs/cushions ▪ Pillows/cushions should be fresh, not faded ▪ Clear out kid’s toys, balls, frisbees, etc. ▪ Clean pool ▪ Remove pool vacuum/cleaner hose ▪ Hide pool cleaning supplies ▪ Turn on pool fountains/water features ▪ Remove visible water hoses ▪ Remove trash cans  

KITCHEN ▪ Clear countertops completely. No knife blocks, baking supplies, mail, etc. ▪ Leave out max of one small appliance (ex. coffee maker) ▪ Clear outside of refrigerator of magnets, papers, photos, etc. ▪ Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet ▪ Remove dishes from sink, place in dishwasher   

DINING ROOM / TABLE ▪ Clear table, dust and polish the table top ▪ Use decorative place setting if available ▪ Feature one center piece such as a bouquet of flowers ▪ Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

LIVING / FAMILY ROOM ▪ Remove stacks of magazines, papers, mail, etc. ▪ De-clutter fireplace mantel/hearth (no more than 5 items, including art) ▪ Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed ▪ Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

BEDROOMS PRIMARY BEDROOM ▪ Make bed, including decorative pillows/shams if available ▪ Press bed linens and bed skirts ▪ Clear nightstands of all personal items ▪ Store away phone/tablet charging cables ▪ Remove all clutter from top of dressers ▪ Remove family photos from walls ▪ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos    KID/GUEST BEDROOM ▪ Remove personalized names from walls ▪ Remove wall stickers/posters ▪ Remove diaper genies ▪ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos  
BATHROOMS ▪ Clear countertops completely. ▪ Put toilet seats down ▪ Close closet doors ▪ Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs ▪ Remove dirty towels – leave out only new, unused towels ▪ Remove floor mats         

PETS ▪ Place food and water bowls in pantry or closet ▪ Place pet beds/toys in pantry or closet ▪ Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair ▪ Contain pets in hidden crate or outside ▪ Clear back yard of pet waste/toys