Styling guide for interior design photography

Style Guide for Interior Photography

The install is complete, your project is finished and now it’s time for the photoshoot. While professional photography is crucial, the art of styling is equally important to bring a space to life in front of the lens. Correct styling can elevate your final images from good to exceptional. I have put together a brief guide to help you style your property.

General Styling Tips

Before we dive into specific rooms, let's cover some principles that apply to every space you photograph. Think of these as the foundation for creating magazine-worthy images:

Declutter: Depending on your client this can be a quick or time consuming job. You may wish to use some of the clients pictures, crockery or ornaments in a shoot but equally you may want to strip the room back to how it was in your final drawings. The amount you declutter will also be determined by how you want the images to look. Are you going for a more lived in style? I would recommend taking phone shots of each space you declutter so it can be returned to it’s original state after the shoot.

Create Focal Points: Identify the key feature you want to highlight – be it a fireplace, a unique piece of furniture and style around it to draw the eye. I like to shoot vignettes/corners of a room and will often style these shots by layering flowers, lamp shades and cushions.

Cleaning: This goes beyond decluttering, ensure surfaces are spotless, windows are gleaming, and floors are hoovered is obviously important to the images. Dust, smudges, and fingerprints will show up in photographs and although they can be dealt with in the editing it’s always preferable to clean in real life.

Think About the Story: What mood or feeling do you want to convey in your images? Use styling to reinforce that narrative. Is it cozy, minimalist, opulent, or relaxed? Try and continue the same theme throughout the property so the images do not jar.

Balance and Harmony: Arrange elements to create visual balance. This doesn't always mean perfect symmetry; sometimes an asymmetrical arrangement can be more dynamic, as long as it feels balanced. The fine tuning always happens when the camera is on the tripod but it’s useful to have furniture roughly positioned before composing in shot.

Layer with Purpose: Add layers through textiles (throws, cushions, rugs), artwork, and accessories. Each layer should contribute to the overall aesthetic without overwhelming the space.

Room-by-Room Guide

Styling individual rooms requires a nuanced approach. Here's a breakdown for common spaces:

Bathroom

Bathrooms often present challenges due to their smaller size and reflective surfaces.

Key Styling Elements: Often, more minimal styling suits a bathroom rather than layering. White towels and bath mats are useful, any high end toiletries and sometimes a small vase of fresh flowers.

Common Challenges: Small spaces can feel cramped. Be wary of reflections in mirrors and shower screens. A small space may limit the angles we can shoot from.

How to Overcome: Keep countertops clear. Remove toothbrushes, razors, and everyday clutter. Try and use the reflections to your advantage, so for instance a mirror may show the wallpaper on the opposite side of the room or the view out of a window. You may want to position the camera outside of the room; sometimes a half open door can add to an image and maybe hide a toilet.

Props & Accessories: Luxurious hand soap, a small vase with flowers, a decorative tray with jewellery, a small candle, a stool, and white towels/bath mat.

Bedroom

Bedrooms should feel luxurious and restful.

Key Styling Elements: A beautifully made bed is paramount. Layers of bedding, plump pillows, and a throw or blanket.

Common Challenges: Personal items on bedside tables and wrinkled bedding.

How to Overcome: Allow time to make the bed properly and you may wish to steam sheets. Limit bedside table clutter to a lamp, a book, flowers and sometimes a glass of water.

Props & Accessories: Cushions, fresh flowers, a stack of interesting books and for the bed a throw draped artfully.

Kitchen

The heart of the home needs to look functional yet stylish.

Key Styling Elements: Clean countertops, fresh produce, and subtle touches of warmth.

Common Challenges: Everyday appliances and too much clutter.

How to Overcome: Clear all unnecessary items from countertops. Store small appliances out of sight. Remove fridge magnets and notes. Allow time for the kitchen, they can often take the longest to clear and put back after the shot has been taken.

Props & Accessories: Depending on your intended style, a bowl of fresh fruit or a trug of vegetables, bread on a breadboard, cooking books and large vases of flowers.

Dining Room

This space is about gathering and elegance.

Key Styling Elements: A well-set table, or a more casually un-set table that still feels inviting.

Common Challenges: Overly formal settings, empty feeling, or too many chairs.

How to Overcome: Consider styling for an intimate dinner or a relaxed brunch. If not setting the table, use a simple centerpiece like flowers or a bowl.

Props & Accessories: A beautiful centerpiece (flowers, candles, bowls), placemats, elegant crockery, glassware, linen napkins. A bowl of fruit or a decanter. Think how the crockery if used will look in the space.

Office

A functional yet inspiring workspace.

Key Styling Elements: Organisation, personal touches without clutter.

Common Challenges: Too much paperwork, messy cables, personal objects/photos everywhere.

How to Overcome: Tidy all paperwork and cables. Limit personal items to a few curated pieces. Remember to take images of the space so you can return it to how it was after the shoot.

Props & Accessories: A stylish lamp, a few interesting books, a house plant, quality stationery, a clean notebook and pen.

Sitting Room

The ultimate space for comfort and relaxation.

Key Styling Elements: Positioning of sofas. Plumped cushions, throws, interesting coffee table arrangements, and well-placed artwork.

Common Challenges: TV too prominent, cluttered styling, positioning cushions.

How to Overcome: Plump cushions (everyone has their own preference, to chop or not to chop) and arrange throws artfully. Curate the coffee table with books, flowers, maybe a plant and objects.

Props & Accessories: Textured throws, decorative cushions, coffee table books, candles, a tray, fresh flowers, a plant and decorative objects.

Working with a Professional Stylist

There's an art to styling a space specifically for photography. This is where a professional stylist can really help on a photoshoot.

Benefits of Hiring a Stylist:

Expert Eye for the Camera: Stylists understand how rooms can translate differently on camera, often seeing angles and arrangements you might miss.

Efficiency on Shoot Day: They are used to the fast-paced nature of a shoot, helping to set up shots quickly and efficiently, and making the most of the available time.

Prop Sourcing: Stylists often have a collection of props or can source specific items to enhance your design. They are also usually very good at arranging flowers and plants.

Attention to Detail: Letting a stylist concentrate on the detail allows you to focus on the design aspect and overall shoot, rather than the minute details of styling.

How to Collaborate Effectively:

Share Your Ideas: Provide your stylist with your design brief, and any specific goals for the shoot.

Communicate Clearly: Discuss key areas, hero pieces, and any particular shots you want to achieve.

Trust Their Expertise: While your input is invaluable, allow the stylist to use their creative judgment. They know what works best for photography.

Conclusion

Styling is an indispensable part of creating compelling interior photography. By meticulously preparing each space, considering the specific needs of each room, and understanding how elements translate on camera, you can significantly enhance the impact of your final images. Whether you choose to style your projects yourself or collaborate with a professional, applying these tips will ensure your interior designs are photographed at their best.