Airbnb & Holiday Property Preparation Guide.

A styling guide is to assist you to prepare your property to look it best on the shoot day.

Getting Your Property Ready for Your Photography Session

Great photos start with a great-looking property. The good news? You don't need to hire a stylist or spend a fortune — a few hours of focused prep makes an enormous difference in the final images, and this guide walks you through exactly what to do.

Why Preparation Really Matters

The camera sees everything - clutter, smudges, and stray electrical cords included. The time you spend styling before we arrive is what separates a "nice listing" from a "luxe listing”. Properties that are guest-ready and photo-ready get noticeably better results, so it's well worth the effort.

General Cleaning Checklist

  • Every room required a thorough clean - floors, surfaces, mirrors, and windows (streak-free glass is very important photos)

  • Wipe down light switches, door handles, and skirting boards

  • Vacuum or mop all floors immediately before the shoot

  • Remove cobwebs from ceilings and corners

  • Clean all glass surfaces (shower screens, windows, glass tables) - smudges show up clearly on camera

  • Empty all bins and remove any rubbish from view

Decluttering

  • Clear kitchen and bathroom benchtops of everyday items (toothbrushes, dish soap, chargers, mail)

  • Put away remote controls, tissue boxes, and personal toiletries

  • Tuck away cords, chargers, and power boards wherever possible

  • Remove any personal photos

  • Clear kids' toys, pet items

  • Tidy wardrobes and cupboards if any shots will include open storage

Styling Tips, Room by Room

Entry pieces to consider

  • Door mat

  • Plant

  • Art

  • Lamp

  • Stool

  • Mirror

Bedrooms

  • Make beds hotel-style: pulled tight, pillows fluffed and arranged neatly

  • Use fresh, unwrinkled linen in neutral or brand-matching tones

  • Add a throw or extra cushions for texture if available

  • Open curtains/blinds fully to let in natural light

Bathrooms

  • Fold and hang fresh towels neatly (a simple fold looks best)

  • Close the toilet lid and remove any visible toiletries

  • Add a small styling touch such as a candle, plant, or neat stack of towels

Kitchen

  • Clear benchtops completely, aside from one or two styled items (fruit bowl, coffee machine, cookbook, linen tea towel)

  • Put all dishes away

  • Wipe down all appliances, especially stainless steel (fingerprints are very visible in photos)

  • Remove magnets, notes, and clutter from the fridge

Living Areas

  • Plump and arrange cushions and throws

  • Straighten rugs and furniture so everything is squared up

  • Clear coffee tables of remotes, mail, or any day-to-day clutter

Outdoor Areas

  • Sweep patios, decks, and outdoor furniture

  • Tidy garden beds and mow lawns if applicable

  • Arrange outdoor furniture as if ready for guests (cushions fluffed, table set if styling a dining scene)

  • Clean the pool and remove pool toys/equipment unless they're part of the shot

  • Coil up hoses and tuck away bins, tools, and maintenance equipment

The Night Before / Morning Of

  • Do a final walk-through room by room

  • Turn offall lights and lamps

Styling Props to Have Ready on the Day

The right props add warmth, lifestyle appeal, and a "you can picture yourself here" feeling to your photos. You don't need everything on this list - just gather what suits your property and its style, and have it ready before we arrive. We'll style each space together on the day.

Why Props Matter

Empty rooms photograph as clean, but styled rooms photograph as inviting. A few well-placed items — fresh flowers, a stack of books, a linen throw — help guests imagine themselves relaxing in the space, and that emotional pull is what turns a browse into a booking.

General Styling Items

  • Fresh flowers or greenery (a simple bunch from the supermarket works beautifully — avoid anything overly fragrant or with heavy pollen)

  • A small plant

  • A couple of coffee table books, ideally with interesting covers or spines (travel, design, or photography books work well)

  • Candles (unlit for photos, but nice to have a few different heights and finishes)

  • Throws or blankets in natural tones (linen, wool, or knit textures photograph better than synthetic fabrics)

  • Extra cushions in complementary tones and textures for beds and sofas

  • A woven basket or tray for casual, styling items.

  • A book and a pair of reading glasses.

  • A cutting board with a loaf of bread, some herbs, or a wheel of cheese for a styled "in-use" shot

  • Nice glassware or a bottle of wine for a set dining table

  • Fresh coffee beans or a coffee pot for a styled coffee station

  • Nice soap or amenities if you supply branded toiletries for guests

Outdoor & Poolside

  • Beach towels (rolled or laid out) if there's a pool, beach access, or outdoor lounging area

  • Sun hats and sunglasses for a styled lounge chair or daybed scene

  • A picnic rug or cushions for outdoor seating

  • A jug of water with lemon/mint, or a couple of drinks glasses for a styled table setting

  • An open book or magazine on a sun lounger

  • A basket with a few beach essentials (thongs/flip-flops, a towel, sunscreen) for a "ready to go" feel

A Few Styling Tips

  • Stick to a simple, neutral colour palette (whites, natural tones, greens) so props don't clash with the space or your brand

  • Avoid strong patterns or bright colours that might date the photos or clash with décor

  • Natural materials (linen, timber, woven textures, greenery) are a safe bet across almost any property style

We look forward to speaking with you to sort out all final details. Any additional question you may have we can answer in person during our phone or zoom call.

Kind regards,

Amani & Andromeda.