How to Prepare Your Property for a 360° Virtual Tour Shoot
A well prepared property photographs dramatically better. Here is the exact checklist we share with clients before every shoot, room by room.
Updated 8 July 2026
TL;DR
- A 360° camera captures everything in every direction at once, so clutter that a normal photo could crop out will be visible in the tour.
- The big four before any shoot: declutter every surface, deep clean, turn on every light, and remove personal or sensitive items.
- Stage each room for its purpose: beds made, dining table set simply, and curtains open for natural light.
- Plan for the shoot to take a few hours and keep the property empty of people and pets while each room is captured.
Why preparation matters more for 360° than for photos
A regular photographer chooses angles and can crop out a messy corner. A 360° camera cannot. It captures the entire room in every direction from a single point, which means everything in the room appears in the final tour: the cables behind the TV, the pile of paper on the desk, the laundry on the balcony. Buyers will look around freely, so the whole space needs to be ready, not just the angle facing the door.
The big four: declutter, clean, light, personal items
First, declutter every visible surface: kitchen counters, dining tables, desks, bathroom shelves and bedside tables should hold at most one or two decorative items. Second, deep clean, especially floors, mirrors and windows, because 360° panoramas are viewed at high resolution and smudges show. Third, turn on every light in the property and replace any dead bulbs before the shoot; consistent warm lighting makes rooms feel inviting. Fourth, remove personal and sensitive items: family photos, documents, valuables, prescriptions and anything with your name or address visible.
Room by room checklist
Living room: straighten cushions, hide remotes and cables, clear the coffee table. Kitchen: clear the counters, hide the dish rack and bin, wipe appliance fronts. Bedrooms: make beds with neutral covers, clear nightstands, close wardrobe doors. Bathrooms: remove toiletries and towels in use, put out one fresh folded towel, close the toilet lid. Balconies and outdoor areas: remove drying laundry, tidy plants, sweep the floor. Entrance: clear shoes and umbrellas, because the entryway is the first panorama most buyers see.
What to expect on the day of the shoot
Our operator arrives with professional 360° equipment and works through the property one room at a time. Each panorama needs the room to be empty of people and pets for a few moments, so plan for family members to wait in a room that has already been captured. A typical apartment takes a couple of hours; larger properties take longer. If your package includes day and night mode, we schedule a second brief session in the evening to capture key rooms in their night lighting. Properties that are ready on arrival get the best results, and our engagement terms ask for the property to be staged, cleaned and decluttered before the operator arrives.
