The art of staging your furniture in photos

The art of showcasing your furniture in photos

I’ve been revaluing furniture for nearly three years now, and I have to admit that I never really thought about the importance of “staging” when taking photos until it was time to take them.

Showcasing your furniture in photos is important to demonstrate the beauty and craftsmanship behind your creation. There are a few rules to follow to ensure that your photo shows all the beauty and hard work behind your creation.

The light

The room you’re shooting in should have plenty of natural light, either near a window or if you work in a workshop like I do, make sure you maximize the brightness by opening the large garage/barn door.

You can also take the photos outside, with the greenery and flowers, it will be magnificent!

You can also invest in a “ring light”, which you can easily buy on the Internet, with several models available at various prices.

The background

It’s vital that your furniture is the star of the show, so you need a light, plain wall or one with textures such as brick, panelling or wood. You can use a wall in your home that’s easy to reach and close to a window.

You need a wall that’s free of all objects except the decorations you’ll be integrating into the decor.

You can also purchase a hardware-store background (8′ x 4′ MDF panel) and move it as required. It’s practical and affordable.

If, like me, you make several and are tired of lugging furniture from the workshop to the living room, you can also create one for yourself at a lower cost by painting an area of your workshop.

Showing off your furniture in photos

Decorative accessories

There are many different styles of furniture, including boho, farmhouse, vintage, rustic and traditional.

In this case, there will be as many deco styles to match your creation.

The important thing is to respect the style.

Sometimes a few items will be needed, without too much fuss, and other times lushness will be the order of the day.

You can also use natural, organic materials that are timeless: flowers, wood, foliage. Now that’s a sure thing!

For me, it’s flowers, flowers, flowers!

In pots, in bunches, in wreaths or on stems.

The rule of three is also a good staging tip. Odd numbers work well in decorating, whether for cushions on the sofa, candles on the dining room table or picture frames on the wall.

Symmetry is also a good choice for the success of your photo: the eye will appreciate well-placed objects. Sometimes insignificant, these little tricks can make all the difference.

Don’t be afraid to take risks, make mistakes and try new things.

“Don’t quit, and don’t give up. The reward is just around the corner. And in times of doubt or times of joy, listen for that still, small voice”

Joanna Gaines, The Magnolia Story

Don’t hesitate to take lots of photos from different angles, from far away, close up, etc.

It’s better to have more than less, and look at the first photos when you take them to make sure you like what you’ve done as a backdrop and readjust it if necessary.

Once you’ve taken your bank of photos, you’re ready to finalize them, either by cropping them or readjusting the brightness.

Personally, I use my iPhone for its accessibility and speed, and the photo tab is equipped with the edit option, so it’s super simple.

There are several platforms and applications for photo optimization too, such as Instagram, Canva, etc.