You probably don't need reminding to balance the benefit from this work against the cost of your time spent. Start with the solutions that require the least time but have the highest payback in terms of improved photographs.

Advance Preparation

If you know you're facing a problem room, you may be able to prepare by bringing some items you'd like to see in a nice room: flowers, decorations, art, and even small articles of furniture. I have brought nice lamps and throw rugs when I knew they'd be needed.

General Suggestions

	Remove clutter, straight furniture

Improve a room by removing clutter. No matter how interesting knickknacks may be, they can look messy and confusing on photos. Uncluttered space looks larger in pictures, and this is an important fact to keep in mind before you make your first exposure. Remove clutter to another room, then replace things after you're finished. Real estate customers prefer to see some blank areas where they can imagine their own things.

Next, straighten up: crooked window shades and curtains, lamp shades, picture frames, throw rugs, sofa pillows, all can show up glaringly in a photograph. Remove excess furniture so the room isn't crowded, and look for worn, damaged, or mismatched furniture. You may be able to bring in furniture from another room to substitute for essential pieces that exhibit problems. Otherwise hide them by placement, or move the camera position. Remove unneeded throw rugs, but add throw rugs to hide floor defects.

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