How to Prepare Your Perth Home for Listing Media
Selling a home in Perth involves more than putting a “For Sale” sign out the front. If you’re considering house staging Perth, it is also important to prepare your property for the professional photos, videos, floor plans and other listing media that buyers will see before they inspect your home.
That first online impression matters.
A clean, organised and well-presented home can photograph better, feel more spacious and help potential buyers understand what makes the property appealing.
The good news is that you don’t necessarily need to completely transform your home. With some preparation, decluttering and thoughtful styling, you can make a noticeable difference before the photographer arrives.
Why Does Listing Media Matter When Selling Your Perth Home?
Most buyers will come across your property online before deciding whether to arrange an inspection.
Your listing media gives them an early impression of the home’s:
- Size and layout
- Condition
- Natural light
- Interior style
- Outdoor areas
- Overall presentation
Professional property photography can highlight your home’s strongest features, but the photographer can only work with what is in front of the camera.
That is why preparing the property beforehand is so important.
When Should You Start Preparing Your Home?
Avoid leaving everything until the morning of the photoshoot.
Ideally, start preparing your property several days before the photographer arrives. This gives you enough time to declutter, clean properly and deal with areas that you may normally overlook.
A Simple Preparation Timeline
A week before:
- Start decluttering each room.
- Remove unnecessary furniture.
- Organise cupboards and wardrobes.
- Tidy gardens and outdoor areas.
- Arrange any professional cleaning or maintenance.
The day before:
- Clean windows and mirrors.
- Clean kitchens and bathrooms.
- Mow the lawn if necessary.
- Remove unnecessary decorations.
- Organise bedrooms and living spaces.
On photography day:
- Make the beds.
- Clear kitchen benches.
- Hide bins and laundry baskets.
- Open curtains and blinds.
- Turn on appropriate lights.
- Remove visible personal items.
- Tidy outdoor areas.
Declutter Every Room
Clutter can quickly become distracting in property photos.
Everyday items that don’t seem noticeable when you live in the home can become much more obvious in professional photography.
Before the photoshoot, consider putting away:
- Excess decorations
- Paperwork
- Shoes
- Toys
- Cables and chargers
- Personal photographs
- Excess furniture
- Items covering tables and shelves
You don’t need to make the home completely empty. The goal is to create a clean and comfortable environment where buyers can focus on the property.
What About Wardrobes?
You don’t necessarily need to empty your wardrobes, but avoid overcrowding them.
Organise clothing and remove anything you no longer need. A more organised wardrobe can also help the storage space appear more practical.
Give Your Home a Thorough Clean
Professional photography can make dirt, fingerprints and marks more noticeable.
Pay particular attention to areas such as:
- Windows
- Mirrors
- Floors
- Kitchen surfaces
- Appliances
- Bathrooms
- Doors
- Light fittings
- Skirting boards
Clean windows are particularly useful because they allow more natural light into the home.
If you’re short on time, consider prioritising the areas that will feature prominently in the listing photos.
How to Prepare Your Living Room
The living room is often one of the main images buyers see when browsing a property listing.
Keep the space comfortable but avoid overcrowding it with furniture.
Before photography:
- Remove unnecessary chairs or tables.
- Keep walkways clear.
- Arrange sofas neatly.
- Straighten cushions and throws.
- Remove excessive decorations.
- Organise bookshelves.
- Keep the TV area tidy.
The aim is to make the room feel spacious, functional and inviting.
How to Prepare Your Kitchen
Kitchens are an important selling feature for many Perth homes, so keeping the space clean and uncluttered can make a significant difference.
Start by clearing the benchtops.
Put away items such as:
- Kettles
- Toasters
- Dish racks
- Cleaning products
- Food packaging
- Excess appliances
You can leave a small number of simple decorative elements, such as a bowl of fresh fruit or flowers, if they complement the space.
The key is moderation. You want the kitchen to look lived-in and welcoming without making it appear cluttered.
7. Keep the Kitchen Clean and Uncluttered
The kitchen should look clean, functional and well maintained.
Before photographs and inspections:
- Clear unnecessary appliances from the benchtops
- Clean the cooktop and oven
- Clean cabinet doors
- Organise visible shelves
- Empty the sink
- Remove excessive decorations
- Keep surfaces mostly clear
You don’t need to remove everything. A small amount of simple styling can make the kitchen feel welcoming while still showing its functionality.
How to Prepare Bedrooms
Bedrooms should feel calm, clean and comfortable.
Start with the bed because it is usually the main visual feature.
Before photography:
- Make the bed neatly.
- Use clean bedding.
- Arrange cushions neatly.
- Clear bedside tables.
- Put clothes away.
- Remove unnecessary personal items.
- Organise visible wardrobes.
Avoid leaving clothes, bags or shoes lying around the room.
A simple and tidy bedroom allows buyers to focus on the size and layout of the space.
How to Prepare Your Bathrooms
Bathrooms can easily look cluttered because they contain so many everyday products.
Before photography, remove or hide:
- Toothbrushes
- Toiletries
- Shower products
- Cleaning products
- Laundry baskets
- Excess towels
Clean the mirrors, vanity, shower screens, floors and other visible surfaces.
You can leave a few neatly folded towels or simple decorative elements to create a clean and welcoming appearance.
Don't Forget Your Outdoor Areas
Outdoor spaces can be an important part of a Perth property, particularly where homes have gardens, pools, patios or entertaining areas.
Before photography:
- Mow the lawn.
- Trim overgrown plants.
- Sweep patios and pathways.
- Clean outdoor furniture.
- Remove garden tools.
- Hide hoses.
- Remove rubbish bins.
- Clean pool areas.
- Arrange outdoor furniture neatly.
Don’t forget the front of the property either.
The entrance and exterior may be among the first images buyers see, so make sure the front garden, driveway and entryway are tidy.
Maximise Natural Light
Good lighting can make rooms feel brighter and more welcoming.
Before the photographer arrives:
- Open curtains.
- Open blinds where appropriate.
- Clean windows.
- Replace faulty light bulbs.
- Turn on suitable lights.
- Remove objects blocking windows.
Your photographer will usually make the final decisions about lighting and camera settings, but preparing the rooms properly gives them a much better starting point.
12. Maximise Natural Light
Lighting can change how spacious and welcoming a room feels.
Before photography and inspections:
- Open curtains and blinds
- Clean windows
- Remove objects blocking windows
- Replace failed light bulbs
- Turn on appropriate lights
- Keep darker areas well lit
Use the home’s natural light wherever possible and avoid blocking windows with unnecessary furniture or decorations.
How to Make Rooms Look Bigger in Photos
You don’t need a large home for it to photograph well.
A few simple changes can help rooms feel more spacious:
- Remove unnecessary furniture.
- Keep walkways clear.
- Reduce visual clutter.
- Avoid overcrowding shelves.
- Maximise natural light.
- Keep furniture appropriately sized for the room.
One of the biggest mistakes is trying to fill every empty space.
Sometimes, less furniture and fewer decorations can make a room feel considerably larger.
What Should You Hide Before Listing Photography?
A useful rule is to remove anything that distracts from the property itself.
Consider hiding:
- Laundry baskets
- Rubbish bins
- Cleaning products
- Pet bowls
- Toys
- Shoes
- Chargers and cables
- Excess toiletries
- Paperwork
- Personal documents
- Fridge magnets
- Excessive family photographs
This doesn’t mean your home needs to look completely sterile.
It simply helps create a cleaner visual presentation.
How to Prepare for Drone Photography
If your property listing includes drone photography, remember that your home will be viewed from angles you don’t normally see.
Look at the property from the street and backyard and consider what might appear in aerial images.
Check:
- Garden areas
- Pool surroundings
- Driveways
- Outdoor furniture
- Sheds
- Patios
- Balconies
- Rubbish bins
- Vehicles
Move or tidy anything that could distract from the property’s exterior.
How to Prepare Your Home for Video
Video walkthroughs can reveal more detail than individual photographs.
Something that looks fine in one photograph may become noticeable when the camera moves through the property.
Before filming:
- Remove visible clutter.
- Keep furniture neatly positioned.
- Open curtains and blinds.
- Turn on appropriate lights.
- Keep bathrooms tidy.
- Organise visible storage.
- Prepare outdoor areas.
- Keep transitions between rooms clear.
One of the most useful home tour staging tips is to think about how the camera will move through the property rather than focusing on individual rooms only.
Consider the complete journey from one room to another. Make sure there are no obvious distractions, awkward furniture arrangements or cluttered areas along the way.
Should You Stage Your Home Before Listing Media?
Not every property needs full professional staging.
Some homeowners can achieve a strong result by decluttering, cleaning and rearranging their existing furniture.
However, staging for photos Perth sellers can consider may be particularly useful when a property needs a more polished and visually appealing presentation before professional photography.
Professional home staging can be useful when:
- The property is vacant.
- Existing furniture doesn’t suit the space.
- Rooms feel empty or awkward.
- The home needs a more cohesive style.
- You want a more polished presentation for photography and inspections.
DIY Preparation vs Professional Staging
DIY preparation can include:
- Cleaning
- Decluttering
- Rearranging furniture
- Organising belongings
- Basic styling
Professional staging can include:
- Furniture selection
- Furniture placement
- Decorative styling
- Room-by-room presentation
- Creating a consistent visual style
For sellers considering house staging Perth, the decision will depend on the property, existing furnishings, target buyers and the level of presentation required.
What About Pets?
Pets are part of many Perth households, but they can create additional preparation work before photography.
Before the photographer arrives:
- Put away pet bowls.
- Hide pet beds.
- Remove toys.
- Clean up pet hair.
- Remove litter trays where possible.
- Keep pets safely away during the photoshoot.
This helps keep the property looking clean and ensures pets don’t unexpectedly appear in important listing images.
Don't Forget the Garage and Driveway
Garages and driveways can easily be overlooked when preparing a home.
If they are going to feature in the listing, make sure they are presentable.
Consider:
- Moving unnecessary boxes.
- Organising storage.
- Sweeping the floor.
- Removing rubbish.
- Moving vehicles where appropriate.
- Keeping the driveway clear.
You don’t need to completely empty the garage. Just make sure buyers can clearly understand the available space.
Final 30-Minute Listing Media Checklist
Just before the photographer arrives, walk through the home one final time.
Inside
- Make all beds.
- Clear kitchen benches.
- Hide toiletries.
- Put away laundry.
- Remove toys.
- Hide cables.
- Straighten cushions.
- Open curtains and blinds.
- Turn on appropriate lights.
- Clean visible mirrors.
Outside
- Remove bins.
- Move vehicles where appropriate.
- Tidy outdoor furniture.
- Put away garden tools.
- Hide hoses.
- Sweep patios and pathways.
- Check the front entrance.
This final walkthrough can catch small details that are easy to miss during a larger cleaning session.
Common Listing Media Preparation Mistakes
Some of the most common mistakes include:
Leaving Too Much Furniture
Too much furniture can make rooms appear smaller and restrict the photographer’s ability to capture the space.
Over-Styling
Adding too many decorative items can create visual clutter.
Ignoring Outdoor Areas
A beautifully presented interior can lose some of its impact if the backyard, patio or entrance is untidy.
Leaving Everyday Items Visible
Laundry baskets, bins, cleaning products and personal belongings can distract from the property.
Forgetting Windows
Dirty windows can reduce the amount of natural light entering a room and become noticeable in photographs.
Leaving Everything Until Photography Day
Trying to clean, declutter and style the entire home in a few hours can be stressful.
Starting early makes the process much easier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with decluttering and cleaning, then focus on furniture placement, natural lighting, room styling and outdoor presentation.
Remove unnecessary personal belongings, excessive decorations, paperwork, toys, toiletries, bins, laundry and other visually distracting items.
Yes. Clean windows can improve the appearance of the home and allow more natural light into the rooms.
Usually, appropriately sized furniture helps buyers understand the purpose and scale of each room. However, unnecessary or oversized furniture can make rooms feel cramped.
Declutter, remove unnecessary furniture, keep walkways clear and maximise natural light.
DIY staging can work well when the property is already in good condition and you have suitable furniture. Professional staging may be more useful when the property is vacant, difficult to furnish or needs a more polished presentation.
Use less furniture, keep walkways clear, maximise natural light and avoid overcrowding rooms with decorations. Neutral colours and appropriately sized furniture can also help maintain a more open feeling.
Start with items that create visual clutter:
- Excess furniture
- Personal documents
- Too many ornaments
- Excess clothing
- Unnecessary kitchen appliances
- Personal photographs
- Pet items where practical
- Items blocking walkways
Store items safely rather than throwing away things you may need later.
In many cases, open curtains and blinds can help maximise natural light. Your photographer can determine the best approach based on the room and lighting conditions.
It depends on the property. Some homes may only require careful preparation, while vacant or poorly furnished properties may benefit from professional staging.
It depends on the size and condition of the property. Starting several days ahead gives you time to properly clean, declutter and style each area.
Complete a final walkthrough, make the beds, clear surfaces, hide everyday clutter, open curtains and blinds, turn on appropriate lights and tidy outdoor areas.
Conclusion
Preparing your Perth home for listing media doesn’t have to mean completely changing the property.
The biggest improvements often come from simple things: decluttering, cleaning, creating space, improving presentation and making the most of natural light.
Remember that your listing photos and videos are often the first opportunity to show potential buyers what your property has to offer.
Taking the time to prepare properly can help your home look its best across your online listing and create a more polished first impression.
If you want a more professionally styled presentation before putting your property on the market, professional house staging Perth services can help prepare your home for photography, inspections and the wider selling process.
