The living room is often the heart of the home. It’s where buyers picture themselves lounging after work, hosting friends, or spending quality time with family. In real estate photography, the living room has to feel warm, inviting, and—above all—clutter-free. Let’s face it: no one wants to imagine themselves in a messy space.
Today, we’ll walk through the essential steps to getting that perfect living room shot. Spoiler alert: it involves a lot of fluffing, straightening, and removing those everyday items that make a room look, well, lived in.
The Living Room Prep Checklist
- Straighten the Furniture You might think that furniture already looks fine, but remember: photos exaggerate every little detail. A slightly crooked couch or uneven armchair arrangement will stand out more than you think. Make sure all the furniture is aligned just right. If you need to shift pieces to make the space look more open, go for it! The living room should feel spacious and functional in photos.
- Fluff Pillows & Fold Blankets Think of pillows and throws like the accessories of your living room—they add style and personality, but only when used thoughtfully. Pillows should be fluffed and arranged symmetrically (or with just enough asymmetry to look deliberate). Blankets should be neatly folded or, better yet, stashed away. You want your seating areas to look inviting, not like a blanket fort gone wrong.
- Free of Pet Hair & Personal Items We love our furry friends, but potential buyers don’t want to see evidence of pets when they’re browsing photos. Use a lint roller on upholstered furniture to remove pet hair, and make sure toys, food dishes, or scratching posts are out of sight. The same goes for personal items: TV remotes, half-read books, and family photos need to disappear, at least for the shoot. The goal is to make the space feel universal so that anyone can picture themselves living there.
- Clear & Clean Surfaces Coffee tables, end tables, and shelves should be free of clutter. If you’ve got magazines, knick-knacks, or random décor pieces taking up space, they need to go. Less is more in real estate photography. A clean, open table or surface gives the illusion of more space and keeps the viewer’s attention on the room’s best features.
- Clean & Tidy Floors Whether it’s hardwood, carpet, or tile, your living room floor needs to be spotless. Sweep, mop, vacuum, or do whatever it takes to remove dust, pet hair, and debris. If you’ve got area rugs, give them a good shake or vacuum and make sure they’re perfectly positioned.
- Light Fixtures in Working Order Good lighting is the key to great photos, so make sure all bulbs are working and at their brightest. Dust off lamps, ceiling fixtures, and fan blades to avoid distracting smudges or cobwebs in the background of your shot.
Real-World Example: When Decluttering Saved the Day
We once had a client who was prepping their living room for a shoot but couldn’t bear to part with all their personal items. The coffee table was stacked with magazines, remotes, and even a bowl of half-eaten cereal (yikes!). We gently explained that clutter not only distracts but also makes a room feel smaller and messier than it actually is. After a quick decluttering session, the room looked twice as big, and the photos practically sold the house by themselves.
Activity: Stage Your Living Room Like a Pro
Take 10 minutes and stand in your living room. Pretend you’re a buyer walking into the space for the first time. What catches your eye? Is there too much stuff on the coffee table? Does the couch look slouched? Write down three small changes you could make to create a cleaner, more inviting space. Then, put those changes into action and see how it transforms the room!
Discussion Question: Why Does Clutter Make a Room Feel Smaller?
Clutter has a way of making even the largest rooms feel cramped. Why do you think that is? Discuss the psychological effect of clutter on buyers and how it impacts their ability to imagine the space as their own.
