Room by Room
🏡 Front of the Property
- Move cars off the driveway and hide any bins.
- Mow the lawn and remove obvious weeds, dead leaves and dead plants.
- Sweep the driveway and paths. Pressure wash them if they're looking particularly dirty.
- Tidy the entrance by removing shoes and clutter, and straightening plant pots.
- Close all windows and doors and make sure any gates are neatly positioned.
🚁 Having drone photography? If you have a flat roof, conservatory or extension, check for leaves and debris and clear them where safely accessible. These areas may be more visible in aerial shots.
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🛋️ Living Room
- Open curtains and blinds to let in as much natural light as possible.
- Straighten cushions and throws and fold any blankets neatly.
- Clear coffee tables and surfaces of clutter, paperwork and everyday bits.
- Put away remotes, chargers, toys and pet items.
- Turn off the TV and close cupboard doors.
- Hide cables where you can, especially if they're hanging down or crossing the floor.
- Light the fire if it's safe to do so and appropriate for the property.
✨ Finishing touches: A neatly folded throw or a couple of well-placed cushions can help make the sofa look inviting. No need to buy anything new!
🍽️ Kitchen
- Clear the worktops of paperwork, bags, cleaning products and anything you don't need on display.
- Empty the sink and put away washing-up liquid, sponges and tea towels.
- Put away appliances such as toasters and large air fryers if you can easily move them.
- Clear the fridge door of magnets, notes and photos.
- Hide bins and pet bowls if they're in view.
- Wipe down surfaces and make sure the hob, sink and oven glass are looking clean.
- Close cupboard doors and straighten any bar stools.
🍋 A little extra: A simple vase of flowers, a bowl of fresh fruit or a neat wooden chopping board can add a little character.
🪑 Dining Room
- Clear the dining table of paperwork, keys, devices and everyday clutter.
- Straighten the chairs and tuck them neatly under the table.
- Clear sideboards and other surfaces of unnecessary items.
- Put away children's toys, high chairs, and pet items if they're in view.
- Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
- Wipe down the table and remove any obvious marks.
🍽️ Set the scene: Add simple place settings and napkins, with a small vase of flowers or centrepiece to show how the table could look when entertaining guests.
🪜 Hallways & Landings
- Clear floors and stairs of shoes, bags, coats and other clutter.
- Put away coats and keep coat hooks looking neat.
- Clear hallway tables and surfaces of keys, post and everyday items.
- Straighten rugs and doormats and make sure they're lying flat.
- Hide cleaning equipment such as hoovers, mops and laundry baskets.
🚪 Create a welcoming entrance: Make the most of any natural light by opening curtains or blinds, and keep hallway mirrors clean to help the space feel bright and open.
🛏️ Bedrooms
- Make the bed neatly and straighten pillows and bedding.
- Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light.
- Clear bedside tables and dressing tables of clutter and everyday items.
- Put away clothes, shoes and laundry, including anything hanging over doors or draped across furniture.
- Clear the floor and remove anything stored under the bed if it's visible.
- Put away chargers, cables and personal items that distract from the room.
- Close wardrobes and cupboard doors and straighten any bedroom furniture.
🌙 For a finishing touch: Smooth out any creases in the bedding and arrange the pillows neatly. Fresh, neutral bedding can help create a bright, hotel-style feel.
🧸 Children’s Bedrooms
There's no need to remove all their toys or make the room look unlived-in! Put toys into baskets or storage boxes, clear the floor and tidy shelves where possible. Making the bed, straightening bedding and putting away clothes can make a big difference, helping the room look tidy while still feeling like a child's bedroom. The aim is to show off the space without taking away its personality.
🔒 Privacy & safeguarding: Remove name plaques, personalised items and anything showing your child's name, school or personal details before your photographs are taken.
🛁 Bathrooms
- Clear the worktops and sink of toiletries, toothbrushes and everyday products.
- Put away cleaning products, sponges and toilet brushes if they can be stored out of sight.
- Put the toilet seat down and make sure the toilet and sink are clean.
- Remove bath mats if they make the floor look cluttered or hide the flooring.
- Pull back shower curtains and straighten shower screens.
- Remove used towels from radiators and rails, and put away bathrobes.
🧴Spa-like touches: Use matching, neatly folded towels and add a simple finishing touch, such as a small plant or a neatly arranged bath tray.
🌿 Gardens
- Mow the lawn and remove obvious weeds and dead leaves.
- Put away children's toys, bikes and scooters. Temporarily remove larger items such as trampolines and paddling pools if you can.
- Tidy garden furniture by straightening chairs and tables, and adding cushions if you have them.
- Sweep patios and decking and pressure wash particularly dirty areas if needed.
- Put away garden tools, hoses and other equipment.
- Take down washing lines if they're removable.
- Hide bins and clear away anything else that distracts from the garden.
🌳 Set the scene: Style your garden as an outdoor entertaining space. Set the table with glasses, plates and a simple centrepiece to make the space feel inviting.
🖥️ Home Office
- Clear your desk of paperwork, notebooks and everyday clutter.
- Hide cables and chargers where possible.
- Remove personal or confidential information from view, including paperwork, calendars and whiteboards.
- Straighten your chair and close drawers and cupboards.
- Tidy shelves and put away anything that makes the space look cluttered.
📚 Ready for work: Keep a few neatly arranged books, a simple plant or a notebook on your desk to create a professional but welcoming workspace.
🧺 Utility Room
Utility rooms can quickly become a dumping ground for laundry and cleaning supplies. Before your appointment, put away washing, laundry baskets, mops and hoovers, and clear worktops of cleaning products and everyday clutter. Put away pet food and supplies if they're on display, and close cupboard doors to keep everything looking neat.
🎨 Playroom
Playrooms don't need to be toy-free, but clearing the floor and organising toys can help show how much space the room offers. Put smaller toys into baskets or storage boxes, tidy shelves, and put away anything broken or no longer used. Straighten rugs and cushions, and make sure the room's main features aren't hidden behind toys or furniture.