Staging Tips for Sellers: Preparing Homes for Photography and Virtual Tours

In today’s competitive real estate market, a picture (or virtual tour) is worth more than a thousand words — it could be worth thousands of dollars. High-quality real estate photography and virtual tours play a critical role in attracting potential buyers, and proper staging ensures your property makes a stellar first impression.

Here are expert staging tips to prepare your home for a real estate photo shoot and 3D virtual tours, with an emphasis on decluttering and highlighting key features to captivate your audience and attract buyers.

Note that our clients, the real estate agents, often ask owners to keep their homes as decluttered and organized for showings as they were for the photoshoot. So you’re catching two birds with one stone!

1. Declutter to Make Spaces Shine

Clutter can distract potential buyers and make spaces feel smaller than they are. To create an inviting, open atmosphere:

• Pack away personal items: Remove family photos, knick-knacks, and personal collections to allow buyers envision their own lives in the space.

• Minimize furniture: Too much furniture can make a room feel cramped. Opt for a minimalist approach to highlight the room’s size and functionality.

• Clear countertops: In kitchens and bathrooms, keep counters clean and free of unnecessary items. A bowl of fresh fruit or a single vase can add a touch of elegance without overwhelming.

Pro Tip: Rent a storage unit if needed to temporarily house excess items, ensuring your home remains tidy and as show-ready.

2. Highlight Key Features

Every home has standout features — make sure they shine:

• Living room: Arrange furniture to emphasize the flow of the space and highlight focal points like fireplaces or large windows.

• Kitchen: Showcase updated appliances, unique backsplashes, or spacious countertops by keeping the area spotless and well-lit.

• Bedrooms: Use neutral, high-quality bedding and simple décor to create a serene atmosphere.

• Outdoor spaces: Clean up patios, mow the lawn, and add potted plants or flowers to make outdoor areas feel welcoming.

3. Maximize Natural Light

Lighting can make or break a photograph. Bright, airy spaces are universally appealing:

• Open curtains and blinds: Let in as much natural light as possible to make rooms feel larger and more inviting.

• Clean windows: Crystal-clear windows allow maximum sunlight to pour in.

• Strategic lighting: At RARE we mostly shoot with ambient light, but will turn on certain lamps if they create a special atmosphere. Make sure the bulbs are all the same in one room. There’s only little more frustrating than having one beside table lamp with a greenish tint and the other one with a pinkish tint.

4. Stage Each Room with Purpose

Buyers want to see how each space can be used. Help them imagine:

• Define spaces: Turn a nook into a reading corner or a spare room into a home office.

• Keep it simple: Don’t over-accessorize. Clean lines and minimal décor allow the space to speak for itself.

• Add warmth: A throw blanket, a few books, or a plant can make a space feel lived-in without feeling cluttered.

5. For the House Owners: Focus on Curb Appeal

The exterior of your home is the first thing buyers see, even in a virtual tour:

• Tidy up: Trim bushes, sweep walkways, and ensure the entryway looks inviting.

• Add color: A fresh coat of paint on the front door or seasonal flowers can make a big impact.

• Check the details: Clean light fixtures, polish door hardware, and ensure house numbers are visible and modern.

6. Test the View Through the Camera’s Lens

Before the photographer or videographer arrives, take a few test shots with your phone (it’s fun too):

• Adjust as needed: Look for distracting elements, crooked furniture, or items that don’t align with the home’s aesthetic.

• Seek balance: Ensure each shot feels balanced and highlights the room’s best features.

Final Thoughts

Proper staging is an investment in your home’s sale price. A well-staged home not only photographs better but also connects emotionally with buyers, making them more likely to schedule a showing or make an offer.

By decluttering, emphasizing key features, and showcasing your home in its best light, you’re setting yourself up for success in today’s digital-first real estate market. Ready to capture your home’s best angles? Contact RARE Photography to ensure your home stands out with professional real estate photography and 3D virtual tours. We help you with the prep work as well once we are onsite, so don’t fret. And if you think a certain room can’t be photographed, you’d be surprised what we can do with the help of our virtual staging magic!

In addition, a lot of improvements are done in the editing process.

Uncluttered spaces leave most room for a buyers imagination while still showing how a space can be used and how much furniture ‘fits’.

Plants always add a touch of color and can draw the eye deeper into the room.

Staging helps to create a story. Other than just ‘showing’ a home room by room, little corners staged to create a vibe help the viewers seeing themselves in the home.

Let RARE Photography guide you every step of the way.