Picture Perfect Checklist for Great Photos

Homeowners! Here's a handy checklist to make your home picture perfect on photo day.

5-7 DAYS BEFORE PHOTO DAY

☐ Thoroughly clean the whole house

☐ Vacuum carpets, mop floors, clean countertops, clean windows

☐ Replace all burned out lightbulbs

Front Yard

☐ Mow the grass, trim the shrubs, clear the leaves

☐ Remove empty planters

☐ Remove visible water hoses

☐ Remove toys, sports balls, basketball goals, soccer nets, etc.

Back Yard

☐ Clean porch and tidy up outdoor tables, chairs and cushions

☐ Pillows and cushions should look new, not faded

☐ Remove kid's toys, balls, frisbees, etc.

☐ Clean the pool

☐ Remove the pool vacuum and cleaner hose and hide pool cleaning supplies

☐ Remove any visible water hoses

☐ Hide garbage cans

Dining Room

☐ Take everything off the dining room table, then dust and polish it

☐ Set the table with decorative place settings, if possible

☐ Put a nice centerpiece, such as a bouquet of flowers

☐ Straighten all chairs and space them evenly

☐ Remove children’s booster seats

Living Room

☐ Clean interior of fireplace and re-paint if needed

☐ De-clutter fireplace mantel

Master Bedroom

☐ Remove family photos from walls

☐ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

☐ Press the bed skirt, if necessary

Kids Bedrooms

☐ Remove personalized names from walls

☐ Remove posters

☐ Remove diaper genies

☐ Clean under bed, removing items that may show in the photos

1-2 DAYS BEFORE THE PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES ☐ Remove rugs to reveal actual flooring

☐ Place all shoes and jackets in closets

☐ Remove all personal photos

☐ Clear off the kitchen countertops completely. No knife blocks, dishes, mail, etc.

☐ Leave out a maximum of one small appliance (ex. fancy coffee maker)

☐ Take everything off the fridge - magnets, papers, photos, etc.

☐ Hide garbage cans in pantry or closet

☐ Remove the dishes from sink

☐ Remove everything from bathroom countertops

☐ Clean all surfaces, mirrors and floor until everything sparkles.

☐ Remove soap, toothbrushes, medications, deodorant, etc.

☐ Put toilet seats down

☐ Close closet doors

☐ Remove shampoo, soap, loofahs, etc. from showers and tubs

☐ Remove dirty towels. Put out new, unused towels

☐ Remove floor mats

☐ Remove stacks of books, magazines, papers, etc. from living room

☐ Fluff and arrange furniture pillows

☐ Remove kid's toys

☐ Make the bed in the master bedroom, add decorative pillows and shams if available

☐ Take all personal items off the night tables

☐ Remove all phone and tablet charging cables

☐ Remove all clutter from top of dressers

☐ Straighten up and de-clutter the kid's bedrooms

☐ Make the beds, remove the toys, and take all personal items off the night tables

THE DAY THE PHOTOGRAPHER ARRIVES

☐ Remove the cars from driveway, and also the front of home

☐ Close garage doors

☐ Turn on fountains and water features

☐ Place pet food and water bowls in pantry or closet

☐ Place pet beds and toys in a closet

☐ Use lint roller on furniture to remove pet hair

☐ Put pets in a crate or outside

☐ Turn all overhead lights and lamps ON

☐ Turn all ceiling fans OFF

☐ Turn all TVs OFF

☐ Turn all computer screens OFF

☐ Open curtains and blinds to let the light in