Turner's Perspective

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Small Rooms: Take Off The Door

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

31 commentsJeff Turner • November 29 2006 02:47PM

Comments

Thank you for the mention, Jeff! 

Oh my I don't think I could ever take a door off by myself :)

Keep those photos coming! We all learn from each other. Showing the jams we get into, and how we got out of them, makes our lives easier at the next house.

Dawn Shaffer

Posted by Dawn Shaffer Life is good! over 3 years ago

Dawn, I loved your post as well. I'm enjoying this site very much.

Thanks!

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
I happened by this blog as I was browsing.  I must say I thought the pictures were a great idea.  Keep them coming.  I would like to see more of your ideas. 
Posted by Meleny Ramos (Working Mortgages) over 3 years ago

I have taken the door off before -- great idea...

 

Posted by Licensed Real Estate Salesperson WNY Real Estate (WNY Star Realty) over 3 years ago

Darn. I thought I was the first to take off doors!

: ) 

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
Thats why pocket doors are so nice. Many old houses used this feature to separate rooms. They are expensive to do so we do not see them as much thses days. 
Posted by Eric Bouler (Prudential Gardner,Licensed in La.) over 3 years ago
I have mixed feelings about including bathroom shots in my property photo galleries -- unless the bath has some incredible unique feature that makes it a strong selling point.  Otherwise its just a flippin' loo for pete's sake.  Anyone else think this way?
Posted by Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA over 3 years ago

I actually only used my downstairs bathroom near my office as an example of a small room, and because it was close to the screwdriver to take off the door! I agree as well. Unless there is something dramatic about the bathroom, I would leave it out!

That said, I see it ALL THE TIME and the shots are usually worse than the bathroom itself. So, if you're going to do it, at least do it well.

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
What a difference!  The magic of the prespective.  Good post
Posted by Blanca Cholewczynski, XCO (U) over 3 years ago
Never thought of taking off the door. It would have to be a really great or important room to merit taking off the door.
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) over 3 years ago

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...  

Posted by Licensed Real Estate Salesperson WNY Real Estate (WNY Star Realty) over 3 years ago
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. 
Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago

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

Posted by Dawn Shaffer Life is good! over 3 years ago
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.... :-)
Posted by Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA over 3 years ago

: )

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

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
You never cease to amaze... Great idea!
Posted by Chichi Ahia (Keller Williams Real Estate) over 3 years ago
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.
Posted by Michael Whitman (Michael Whitman) over 3 years ago

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. 

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago

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.

Posted by John Hruska (Lake Realty) over 3 years ago
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.
Posted by Loreena Yeo - RealtorĀ® Frisco TX Homes (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY) over 3 years ago

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

Posted by Palm Beach County Real Estate - David Abernathy (Ocean 30 Group at Waterfront Properties & Club Communities) over 3 years ago
John, Loreena and David... this is one that came to me in a moment of clarity. I'm so glad I shared it. :)
Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
I know others have said this already, but.... WOW! What a difference. It just makes so much sense.
Posted by Please Delete (Please Delete Me) over 3 years ago

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!

Posted by TACOMA~FEDERAL WAY~AUBURN~KENT~WA 206-679-4768 Julianna Hind, REALTOR(R) (eXp Realty) over 3 years ago

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

Posted by Bryce Mohan (Bryce Mohan Photography) over 3 years ago
I WISH I were getting % of sales... I'd have more time to blog! :)
Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) over 3 years ago
Great idea. Amazing tips you will find here.
Posted by Paul Viau , Exit Realty Citadel,Halifax, N.S. (Exit Realty Citadel - Halifax) over 2 years ago

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

Posted by Don Stern ~ Greater Baton Rouge Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Mackey ) over 2 years ago
Great tip.  I did not know people do that to get better pictures
Posted by Ryan Vivo, NRBA Realtor Solano County Gateway Realty 707-384-5894 (Gateway Realty) over 2 years ago

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

Posted by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows) 9 months ago

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!

Posted by "The Lovely Wife" (Broker Bryant's Wife) The One And Only TLW. (President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.) 5 months ago

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