Guests decide whether to book your property in seconds — and it starts with the photos. Professional photos of a well-prepared space can meaningfully increase your booking rate and nightly price. This guide gives you a clear 48-hour timeline to get your rental looking its absolute best before the photographer arrives.
Deep Clean Every Surface
A clean property photographs dramatically better than one that looks "good enough." Use these two days to do the thorough clean you might not do between every guest turnover.
- Wash all windows inside and out — clean glass makes spaces look dramatically brighter
- Clean all mirrors and glass surfaces until streak-free
- Wipe down countertops, cabinet fronts, and all appliances
- Scrub bathrooms thoroughly: toilets, sinks, tubs, showers, and tile grout
- Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, window sills, and baseboards
- Vacuum, sweep, and mop all floors
- Wash all throw blankets, pillow covers, and bath linens
- Wipe down outdoor furniture and sweep decks or patios
Address Any Wear & Tear
Small damage stands out in photos. Two days gives you time to fix what a guest might have reported, or things you've been planning to get to.
- Replace all burnt-out light bulbs — use matched warm white (2700–3000K) throughout
- Touch up scuffs, scratches, or nail holes with matching paint
- Repair or replace anything obviously broken — cabinet hardware, switch plates, hinges
- Fix leaky faucets, running toilets, or sticking doors
- Replace worn or stained items that show their age: bath mats, throw rugs, pillow inserts
- Check outdoor areas for debris, broken furniture, or overgrown landscaping
Bulb audit: Mismatched bulbs (some warm, some cool) create uneven color casts in photos that editing can't fully fix. Every fixture — lamps, overheads, and under-cabinet lights — should be the same color temperature. Warm white (2700K) reads best on camera.
Declutter & Depersonalize
Guests want to picture themselves in your space — not see the signs of previous guests or your personal life. A clean, neutral space photographs as more spacious and appealing.
- Remove personal photos, art, or décor that feels overly personal
- Clear kitchen counters to nearly bare — a fruit bowl or small plant is enough
- Store away any personal care items, cleaning supplies, and everyday clutter
- Empty bathroom counters of shampoos, soaps, razors, and toiletries
- Remove any guest information binders, notes, or paperwork for shooting
- Clear entryways of shoes, bags, and coat piles
- Store chargers, remotes, and extra electronics out of sight
- Remove personal items from nightstands and dressers
Less is more: A room that looks slightly sparse in person photographs beautifully. Buyers and guests add their imagination to empty surfaces — clutter just takes that space away from them.
Set Up Your Lighting
Light is the difference between a photo that looks warm and inviting and one that looks dark and unwelcoming. Prepare the day before so you're not scrambling the morning of the shoot.
- Open all blinds and curtains fully to maximize natural light
- Remove heavy window treatments that block light or feel dated
- Turn on every light source in the property — overheads, lamps, under-cabinet, bathroom vanities
- Confirm all new bulbs are in and working
- Test any outdoor or string lights if you plan to include them
- Note which rooms need extra lamps or sources of light to look their best
Timing tip: Tell your PARCEL photographer which direction your property faces. East-facing properties photograph best in the morning; west-facing in the afternoon. Your photographer will plan the session to use the best available light.
Style Each Space for Camera
These final touches are what separate a "clean rental" from a photo shoot that looks like a boutique property listing. Take 30 minutes the morning of the shoot to go room by room.
Living Area
- Fluff and arrange sofa cushions symmetrically
- Drape a throw blanket neatly over one armrest for warmth
- Style the coffee table with 1–2 books and a small plant or candle — nothing more
- Turn on all lamps for warm, layered light
- Remove remote controls, coasters, and everyday items from surfaces
Kitchen
- Clear countertops completely — store the coffee maker, toaster, drying rack, and dish soap
- Leave one simple decorative item: fruit bowl, small plant, or cutting board
- Empty and clean the sink — no dishes, no sponges
- Wipe down the stovetop and make sure burner grates are in place
- Arrange barstools or chairs evenly spaced and pulled in
Bedrooms
- Make every bed with fresh, wrinkle-free linens
- Layer pillows hotel-style: sleeping pillows in cases + decorative shams in front
- Add a folded throw at the foot of the bed
- Clear nightstands to lamp + 1 small item (book, plant, or candle)
- Close all closet doors — or style open closets neatly with matching hangers
- Remove personal items, cords, and anything that reads as clutter
Bathrooms
- Clear all counters completely — remove toiletries, razors, soap dispensers (temporarily)
- Put out fresh white towels, folded or hung uniformly
- Roll a hand towel and place on the edge of the tub or counter
- Close the toilet lid in every bathroom
- Remove bath mats that are worn, stained, or mismatched
- Clear shower shelves of all bottles — the clean lines look much better on camera
Outdoor Spaces
- Arrange outdoor furniture cleanly — chairs pulled in, cushions on
- Remove grill covers, garden tools, hoses, and outdoor clutter
- Sweep or blow debris off decks, patios, and walkways
- Add a potted plant or fresh flowers if the space allows
- Remove any trash cans or recycling bins from view
- Wipe down outdoor table surfaces
Finishing Touches
- Turn on every light in the property before the photographer arrives
- Open all blinds and curtains fully
- Place a fresh flower arrangement in the kitchen or dining area if you have one
- Add a bowl of fruit to the kitchen counter as the only counter décor
- Walk through each room one last time — crouch down to camera level and look for anything out of place
- Be out of the property (or available but out of shot) during the session
Common Mistakes That Hurt Hosts
- Leaving personal toiletries or care items on bathroom counters
- Beds that aren't made with crisp, hotel-quality linens
- Mismatched or burnt-out light bulbs creating uneven color
- Cluttered kitchen counters — even one appliance too many reads as crowded
- Visible cords, chargers, or electronics on surfaces
- Toilet seats left up in any bathroom
- Worn, stained, or mismatched towels and bath mats
- Outdoor furniture dirty or missing cushions
- Trash cans visible inside or outside
- Pet items left out — bowls, beds, toys, crates
Get the condensed host prep checklist you can print before every photography session — or share with your property manager.
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