Getting ready to sell your home in Sheffield S6? Here’s how to make sure it looks its very best before the photographer arrives!
First impressions count, and when it comes to selling your home, those first impressions usually happen online.
Most buyers will see your property on Rightmove or another property portal before they ever step through the front door. Your photographs are therefore one of the most important parts of your marketing.
You don’t need to spend a fortune or completely redecorate your home to get great results. A little preparation, some clever styling and a good tidy can make a huge difference.
At Hunters Estate Agents Hillsborough, we’ve put together our photo guide to help you get your home ready for its close-up!
1. 🧹 Start With a Good Declutter
One of the easiest ways to make rooms look bigger, brighter and more inviting is to clear away unnecessary clutter.
Buyers want to see the space available, not every item you own! Try to keep surfaces as clear as possible and put away anything that might distract from the room itself.
Focus on:
- Clearing kitchen worktops of appliances and everyday items.
- Putting away shoes, coats and bags in hallways.
- Removing children’s toys and laundry.
- Tidying bedside tables and dressing tables.
- Hiding cables, chargers and remote controls.
- Removing excess ornaments and personal items.
You don’t need to make your home look empty or characterless. The aim is to create a clean, welcoming space where buyers can imagine themselves living.
2. ✨ Give Your Home a Good Clean
A clean home photographs beautifully. Dust, fingerprints and marks can be much more noticeable in professional photographs than they are during everyday life.
Before photography day, try to give your home a thorough clean, paying particular attention to:
- Windows and glass doors.
- Mirrors and shiny surfaces.
- Kitchen cupboard fronts and worktops.
- Bathroom sinks, taps and shower screens.
- Floors, skirting boards and visible surfaces.
- Kitchen appliances and stainless-steel finishes.
Don’t forget those little details, such as fingerprints on the fridge, marks on glass doors or dusty skirting boards.
3. 🍽️ Get Your Kitchen Photo-Ready
The kitchen is often one of the biggest selling points of a property, so it’s worth spending a little extra time getting this room ready.
A busy kitchen can make worktops appear smaller and storage seem limited, even when you have plenty of space.
Our top tips:
- Clear worktops as much as possible.
- Put away washing-up liquid, sponges and tea towels.
- Empty the sink and put away washing-up.
- Remove magnets, notes and clutter from the fridge.
- Hide bins and pet bowls where possible.
- Give cupboard fronts and appliances a quick wipe.
If you have a lovely kitchen island, breakfast bar or open-plan dining space, make sure these features are visible.
A simple vase of flowers or a fruit bowl can add a nice finishing touch without making the room look cluttered.
4. 🛁 Don’t Forget the Bathroom!
Bathrooms can be one of the easiest rooms to prepare, but it’s amazing how much difference a few small changes can make.
Before the photographer arrives:
- Put away shampoo, conditioner and shower products.
- Remove toothbrushes, razors and toiletries.
- Clear the sink and bathroom surfaces.
- Put away laundry baskets and cleaning products.
- Clean mirrors, taps and shower screens.
- Put the toilet seat down.
- Straighten or remove towels and bath mats.
Fresh, neatly folded towels can give the room a lovely finishing touch.
The aim is to show off the bathroom suite, available space and overall condition without everyday products taking centre stage.
5. 🛏️ Make the Bedrooms Look Inviting
Bedrooms should feel calm, comfortable and spacious.
You don’t need to buy new bedding or completely change your décor. Just make sure everything looks neat and tidy.
- Make all beds properly.
- Straighten duvets and plump up pillows.
- Put away clothes and shoes.
- Clear bedside tables.
- Remove washing baskets and drying racks.
- Tidy away excess toys and personal belongings.
- Make sure wardrobes and storage areas look organised.
If you have a spare bedroom that doubles as an office, try to make its purpose clear. Buyers love seeing how a space could work for them, whether that’s an extra bedroom, nursery or home office.
6. 🛋️ Style Your Living Room
Your living room should feel welcoming and show buyers how the space can be enjoyed.
Before photography:
- Plump up cushions and straighten throws.
- Clear coffee tables and side tables.
- Put away remote controls and magazines.
- Straighten rugs and furniture.
- Open curtains and blinds.
- Make sure fireplaces or other character features are visible.
If you have a lovely bay window, feature fireplace or garden outlook, try to arrange furniture so these features aren’t hidden.
Remember, less is often more when it comes to styling.
7. 🌿 Don’t Forget the Garden!
Your outside space is just as important as the inside, particularly if you have a family garden, patio or outdoor entertaining area.
A tidy garden can help buyers appreciate the space and imagine enjoying it themselves.
Before photography day:
- Mow the lawn if needed.
- Sweep patios and pathways.
- Put away garden tools and toys.
- Remove weeds and dead leaves.
- Tidy garden furniture.
- Hide bins where possible.
- Move cars off the driveway if practical.
If you have a lovely seating area, decking or a sunny spot in the garden, make sure it’s looking its best.
Even a small courtyard or low-maintenance garden can be a great selling point.
8. 🚪 Make a Great First Impression
The front of your property is often the first photograph buyers see, so don’t overlook the entrance!
A few simple jobs can make a real difference:
- Sweep the front path.
- Tidy the front garden.
- Remove bins and unwanted items.
- Clean the front door.
- Put away shoes and coats in the hallway.
- Make sure the entrance feels bright and welcoming.
If your property has attractive original features, such as a traditional front door, stonework or a lovely entrance hallway, make sure they’re given the attention they deserve.
9. ☀️ Let There Be Light!
Natural light can make a huge difference to property photographs.
Before the photographer arrives:
- Open all curtains and blinds.
- Clean windows where possible.
- Make sure light bulbs are working.
- Switch on lamps if your photographer recommends it.
- Remove anything blocking windows unnecessarily.
If you have a particularly bright room or lovely views, let your estate agent know. These details can help when deciding how best to showcase your home.
10. 🐾 Hide the Everyday Essentials!
We all have things around the house that we don’t necessarily want featured in our property photographs!
Before the photographer arrives, try to put away:
- Pet beds, food bowls and toys.
- Washing baskets and drying racks.
- Toilet brushes and cleaning products.
- Kitchen bins and recycling.
- Children’s toys.
- Laundry and ironing boards.
- Personal paperwork and post.
It’s all part of helping buyers focus on the property rather than the everyday things that come with living there.
📋 The Hunters S6 Photography Checklist
Short on time? Here’s a quick checklist to work through before your photography appointment.
Inside the property
- Kitchen worktops cleared.
- Washing-up put away.
- Bathroom toiletries removed.
- Beds made and cushions straightened.
- Floors and surfaces cleaned.
- Laundry and drying racks put away.
- Toys and personal clutter tidied.
- Curtains and blinds opened.
- Light bulbs checked.
- Pet accessories put away.
Outside the property
- Front garden tidied.
- Lawn mowed if needed.
- Patio and paths swept.
- Garden furniture arranged.
- Bins moved out of sight.
- Cars moved from the driveway where possible.
📸 What Happens on Photography Day?
Once your home is ready, our professional photographer will visit to capture the rooms, layout and features that make your property special.
At Hunters Hillsborough, we want to make sure your home is presented in the best possible way, from the main room photographs to those extra details that help it stand out.
We’ll also work with you to identify the features worth highlighting, whether that’s an open-plan kitchen-diner, a recently renovated bathroom, a beautiful garden, original features or useful home-working space.
Your photographs will work alongside your floorplan and property description to give potential buyers a clear picture of what your home has to offer.
❤️ Ready to Sell Your Home in Sheffield S6?
At Hunters Estate Agents Hillsborough, we understand how important it is to get your property looking its best before it goes on the market.
We’ll guide you through the marketing process, offer advice on preparing your home and help showcase its best features to attract potential buyers.
Whether you’re selling in Hillsborough, Walkley, Stannington, Wadsley, Wisewood or the surrounding S6 areas, our team is here to help.
Thinking of selling? Book your free, no-obligation valuation with Hunters Hillsborough today.
📍 Hunters Estate Agents Hillsborough
1 Middlewood Road, Hillsborough, Sheffield, S6 4GU
📞 0114 242 4260
Let’s get your home market-ready!
