Photographing Living Rooms

Room-by-Room Guide | 7 min read

Living rooms are where buyers imagine themselves relaxing, entertaining, and spending time with family. Your photographs need to convey warmth, space, and comfort.

Set your camera at approximately 80-90cm, just above the back of the sofa. This creates a natural, inviting perspective as if you're about to sit down.

Position yourself in a corner or doorway, applying the two-wall rule. If the room has a fireplace, consider a symmetrical shot centred on it, fireplaces are natural focal points.

For a typical living room, aim for 2-3 images:

1. Wide shot: The full room from the best corner, showing the main seating area, fireplace (if present), and windows

2. Alternative angle: A different perspective showing the room's depth or a feature you couldn't include in the first shot

3. Detail shot: A styled coffee table, a fireplace close-up, or a window view

Turn on all lamps and overhead lights. Table lamps add warmth and create pools of light that make the room feel cosy. If the room has a dimmer switch, set it to about 75%, full brightness can look harsh.

Key Takeaways

  • Set camera at sofa-back height (80-90cm) for a natural perspective
  • Fireplaces are natural focal points, consider a symmetrical shot
  • Plump cushions, fold throws, and clear surfaces for a styled look
  • Turn on all lamps to create warmth and fill dark corners
  • Aim for 2-3 shots: wide, alternative angle, and detail