Home > Blogs > Jeff Turner > Turner's Perspective

Small Rooms: Take Off The Door

By Jeff Turner

Services for Real Estate Pros with RealSatisfied

November 29, 2006 06:47 AM

When shooting a very small room, there are several things to remember.

First, take the photos at an angle as commented on by Dawn Shaffer.

Second, if you don't have a wide angle lens, get one. I like the Panasonic Lumix FX35.

And here is a tip I like personally: Take off the door. This is especially helpful in small bathrooms. The first photo below is taken with a wide angle lens with the door on. The second, with the door off. You can see the subtle, but important difference it makes. The room feels larger, less cramped. It takes only a few seconds to remove most doors and the sellers will be very impressed with the results.

Photo With Door On

Photo With Door Off

Re-Blog

Comments(30)

Comment

Show All Comments

Sort:

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

Never thought of taking off the door. It would have to be a really great or important room to merit taking off the door.

Nov 29, 2006 07:45 PM

Colleen Irwin

Retired - Irondequoit, NY

Creative Real Estate Solutions...

Or if you can't take the door off -- I have gotten into the room shut the door and contorted my body in just the right angle to get the same basic effect...

Nov 29, 2006 11:36 PM

Jeff Turner

RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA

General comment - in small house, where you can't get a lot of great photos, sometimes every room is important. For me, the act of taking the door off is a symbol of how far you'll go to service the client.

Nov 30, 2006 12:38 AM

Dawn Shaffer Life is good!

Battle Ground, WA

The seller will appreciate the time you took. To the right buyer, that small room may be "the half bath they could never afford."

You're seeing things through the eyes of the buyer. Don't ever lose that fresh approach.

Dawn Shaffer

Nov 30, 2006 06:06 AM

Cheryl Johnson

Highland Park, CA

Playing the role of "devil's advocate" here .... please think twice about removing someone else's doors .... the door could very possibly get scratched or damaged in the process ... and once you remove it, and set it to the side, it could accidentally fall over and hit someone, or break a valuable vase ...... And guess who would get to pay to replace that vase.... :-)

Nov 30, 2006 07:09 AM

: )

You could always "slip", fall, complain of back pain and then sue the seller to cover the cost of the vase... just a thought.

Nov 30, 2006 07:44 AM

Michael Whitman

Michael Whitman - Santa Clarita, CA

Great tip. I just took a look at the photos of the model of the home we bought three years ago. Most of the interior doors had not been installed. Makes sense. A model doesn't need to have doors getting in the way and it makes the rooms look bigger too.

Dec 05, 2006 05:08 PM

Chici, thanks.

Mike, you're right. I just looked at some of the model photos I took. I'd never noticed it before. I've taken photos of lots of models and in reviewing the photos, there are no doors.

Dec 10, 2006 02:15 PM

John Hruska

Homes Charlotte, LLC - Charlotte, NC

I have a wide angle lens and it seems to work most of the time. When it doesn't looks like I'll be popping off the door.

Jan 17, 2007 02:36 AM

Loreena and Michael Yeo

3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX

Real Estate Agents

Thanks Jeff.... I'm on the roll with your photography tips this morning... I dont know how I missed this good information...... Thanks again for sharing. I'm still learning.

Jan 22, 2007 11:24 PM

David Abernathy

Waterfront Properties & Club Communities - Jupiter, FL

Palm Beach County Real Estate

Wow - what a difference. I look forward to trying this idea out

Jan 22, 2007 11:38 PM

John, Loreena and David... this is one that came to me in a moment of clarity. I'm so glad I shared it. :)

Jan 23, 2007 05:17 AM

Julianna Hind

eXp Realty - Tacoma, WA

REALTOR, 206-679-4768, Tacoma Federal Way, Auburn, Kent, WA

Great idea, and I think it is important to show the bathrooms, it is a proof of a well manicured home. How many of us go to a nice restaraunt and make a trip to the bathroom "just to check it out" ;-)

I wish I could take down walls just as easy!

Apr 02, 2007 03:31 AM

Bryce Mohan

Bryce Mohan Photography - Bellevue, WA

First off, I think Jeff's idea is a very creative solution to a common problem. He's definitely thinking outside the box (the bathroom) on this one? ;)

Secondly, wow - that guy manages to sneak the kodak into every post, lol. Seriously Jeff - tell me they are giving you a percentage of sales. They should be. :)

Cheers, -b

Apr 02, 2007 05:43 AM

I WISH I were getting % of sales... I'd have more time to blog! :)

Apr 02, 2007 05:46 AM

Paul Viau

Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS

Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services

Great idea. Amazing tips you will find here.

Mar 06, 2008 08:44 AM

Don Stern

Realty Executives South Louisiana - Baton Rouge, LA

Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate

Good tip, Jeff. Hmmm, Bathroom photography... whether to... how to... might make for a good discussion.

Mar 06, 2008 09:30 AM

Ryan Vivo

Gateway Realty - Fairfield, CA

NRBA Realtor Solano County, Gateway Realty 707-384-5894

Great tip. I did not know people do that to get better pictures

Mar 06, 2008 04:35 PM

Pretty amazed. This is my most viewed post of all time.

Oct 26, 2009 09:52 AM

"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.

President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

Hubba...

No response needed. I don't feel like playing in the rain but I do need my quota for the day.

Expect to see me on your blog 10 times :)

TLW...ROAR!

Feb 02, 2010 09:26 AM

Small Rooms: Take Off The Door

Comments(30)

Jeff Turner

Real Estate Resources

Recent Posts