If you have ever dipped your toe into the murky water of dating apps, you may understand just how deceptive photographs can be. A seemingly stunning leading man or woman on screen can often be a real let-down in person. And thankfully vice versa with often a pleasant surprise from the seemingly average-looking suitor. This truth however does not stop those who look young and beautiful on the surface from getting all the likes, clicks and swipes in the right direction.

The parallels with marketing a property to let are frightening.

Why do some rental listings get all the luck (and leads, in our language) and others receive far fewer clicks and calls? To complicate things further the quality of a property does not always translate to the quality of the photographs and subsequent activity.

“It’s about utilising the space you have and elevating the overall look and feel with subtle clever additions.”

There are rules, that if followed can greatly enhance the marketing of your property. We have enlisted the help and guidance of interior stylist, Anders Olsson, to talk us through the basics of creating beautiful property photography.

The way that a property is presented could be crucial to the first few years’ cycle of letting as after each tenancy the same photographs can be used as a guide to attracting your next set of prospective tenants. Of course, this is only the case if the interior of the property remains the same.

“We will explore some simple tips and tricks of the interior styling world.”

It is no great leap of logic to make a connection between presentation and interest. The way that a property is presented can increase the number of enquiries, viewings and ultimately the level of rent received.

“Unless looking at a Picasso, faces almost always benefit from symmetry.” – Anonymous

We tasked Anders with taking a fireplace and making it stunning for photography, using symmetry and a budget that most professional landlords would be happy with. Take a look at the brief Q&A below for tips and techniques. The before and after photos show just what a difference a little effort and the right technique can make.

As an interior stylist, what does symmetry mean to you?
I immediately think about creating balance. There is a sense of elegance and calm that comes together with the effective use of symmetry in residential interiors.

How can symmetry improve photographing the interiors of a property?
What’s great about the technique when it comes to interiors is that it adds structure, particularly when there’s a lot of clutter in the area. It brings in a formulated sense of order, and by doing so allows the photographs of the space to evoke a sense of elegance.

How do you recommend landlords implement it in their rental properties?
It’s about starting small, and that can mean adding symmetry to one particular area in the room. Think carefully about utilising it across social spaces which often act as the hero image of any property on digital platforms. Whether it’s placing decorations such as candles or lamps or going larger with furnishings, you can approach it in all kinds of ways. A personal style that I gravitate towards is the classic set of side tables resting on either side of a statement sofa.

Did you have a big budget to create this look?
Clever interiors are about finding individual pieces that you can work with within a budget rather than going overboard and getting the most extravagant furnishings and fittings. Some great affordable options I tend to go for are H&M Home and Zara Home. I also always venture out to auction houses, flea markets and antique shops to see if they have some special pieces that don’t break the bank.

What other tips would you give to landlords to create more symmetry in their rental properties?
Enjoy the process of redecorating – it’s a great chance to get creative, try something new and put your own unique twist on the property. And when in doubt, reach out to the expert!