What NOT to Have in Your Listing Photos or Showings - Trust Me on This One.
When it comes to preparing your home for listing photos or an in-person showing, presentation is everything. Buyers aren’t just looking at square footage or updates - they’re subconsciously picturing their future lifestyle in your space.
And while your home may be spotless and beautifully maintained, certain everyday items can totally disrupt that mental image. I’ve seen it time and time again: a gorgeous room... totally upstaged by a toilet brush or a giant teddy bear.
So let’s walk through the ultimate list of things to keep OUT of your listing photos (and showings) to create that clean, elevated, “I-could-totally-live-here” vibe buyers are looking for.
🔌 1. Cords and Chargers
Tangled cables and trailing cords can instantly make even the neatest space feel chaotic. Whether it's a phone charger on the nightstand or a power strip in the living room, tuck it away before the photographer shows up.
🖼️ 2. Personal Photos
Your family is beautiful — but buyers need to imagine their family here. Remove framed photos, kids’ art, and anything that says “this is OUR house.” Think model home: neutral, stylish, and impersonal.
🧻 3. Toilet Brushes, Plungers & Cleaning Supplies
Buyers aren’t imagining themselves scrubbing grout on moving day. Cleaning tools, no matter how necessary, need to stay out of sight. Always.
🧴 4. Half-Used Toiletries
Shampoo bottles, toothpaste, razors- they all make a bathroom feel cramped and overly personal. Clear the counters and keep everything neatly stored away.
🧺 5. Laundry Baskets
Even empty baskets say “unfinished chores.” Whether it's clean or dirty, laundry doesn’t belong in the story we're telling.
🚪 6. Shoes and Jackets by the Door
This one’s easy to miss, but piles of jackets or shoes can scream “tight on storage.” Keep your entryway clear and minimal to make it feel spacious and functional.
🚫 7. Towels (Yes, Even the “Good” Ones)
Unless you just clipped the tags off and folded them like a spa display, towels should be out of sight. They read as too personal and distract from the clean canvas you’re trying to create.
Pro tip: If you must stage with towels, go with crisp white — one or two max, folded perfectly.
🐻 8. Stuffed Animals and Toys
Look, I love stuffed animals, but not in a real estate listing. Kids' items -especially oversized stuffed animals or cluttered toy bins- pulls focus from the room’s size and function.
Instead, stage with a simple, stylish book or a neatly folded throw to say "kid-friendly" without shouting "playroom explosion."
🐶 9. Pet Items
My family loves our Portuguese water dogs, but their bowls, beds, crates, and litter boxes don’t photograph well- that's just how it is. Even if the buyer is a pet person, you want your home to feel clean and allergen-free.
🛋️ 10. Bath Mats
This one might surprise you, but bath mats can make bathrooms feel smaller, darker, and a little too “lived in.”
Photo Day Rule: Remove them entirely. Bare floors look bigger, brighter, and more spa-like.
Showing Tip: If you’re worried about slippery tiles, you can always lay them out just before a showing (but stash them before pictures).
🍞 11. Countertop Clutter
In kitchens, less is definitely more. Limit visible appliances to one or two (maybe a sleek coffee maker or a pretty fruit bowl), and clear the rest. Showcase that precious counter space.
🗑️ 12. Trash Cans
They’re practical, but not pretty. If possible, tuck them into a cabinet or pantry- especially for photos.
🎃 13. Over-the-Top Seasonal Décor
A touch of fall or holiday charm? Sure. But a full front yard Halloween graveyard or a Santa in every corner? That’s a no. Keep it light and neutral to appeal to all buyers, any time of year.
Let’s Keep the Focus Where It Belongs
At the end of the day, buyers aren’t buying your life - they’re imagining theirs. The cleaner, fresher, and more neutral your home feels, the easier it is for them to fall in love with it.
Let’s keep the focus on square footage and natural light - not Mr. Snuggles and a soggy bath mat.
If you're ever unsure about how your home is showing (in person or online), I’m here to help. After walking through hundreds of homes and working with buyers who notice everything, trust me: these little details can make a big difference.
Need a second set of eyes before photos or showings? Let’s connect.
I’m always happy to do a walk-through and offer honest, strategic advice to help your home stand out.
