How to Photograph Your House

How to Photograph Your House

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Design Photography: Hey, Where's the Furniture?

Showing rooms without furniture draws attention to the shapes and materials in a space

John Hill November 14, 2011

Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com

Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor... More

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Houzz is a useful site for interior design and decorating since it illustrates how a multitude of rooms can be finished and furnished. But every so often you'll find a photo of a room devoid of furnishings. Such anomalies capture houses before the owner moves in, allowing the space to be "read" without the added information of furniture and personal embellishments. Even the most minimal houses rarely stay so unadorned as the photos that follow, but discussion of them will reveal some of the qualities of the interior made more apparent from such a presentation.

More: How to Take Beautiful Home Photos

Modern Living Room by User

Beyond the table in the foreground is an empty room, save some firewood next to the fireplace. Without furniture, the shiny floor reflects the wall opposite and at left, the latter of which is also reflected in the glass surface at right. Without furniture, the asymmetrical placement of the windows becomes more apparent.

Contemporary Living Room by James Hill Architect, AIA

James Hill Architect, AIA

This room, with its central fireplace, may not be as slick as the preceding photo, but some qualities still rise to the fore: mainly, the directionality of the floor and ceiling, two parallel planes in wood.

Modern Living Room by Cary Bernstein Architect

Cary Bernstein Architect

Another lonely fireplace. This furniture-free photo illustrates the diagonals of the ceiling and chimney, as well as how the translucent panels on the opposite wall split up that expanse. I'm guessing the fireplace tools in the foreground serve to give the kink a justification, though I'd love to see a triangle of firewood continuing the diagonal to the floor.

Contemporary Living Room by FR James Construction

FR James Construction

This distinctive apartment is photographed so that the striated wood walls get all the attention. Even the view outside is so washed out it is almost pure white.

Contemporary Living Room by FR James Construction

FR James Construction

Another view shows some minimal furniture (a dog bed?), yet it illustrates how the striated wood walls are like three-dimensional objects within the white space.

Modern Living Room Modern Living Room

This space in a house in Australia may look beyond empty, but something is going on between those sliding glass doors at right. Get a closer look, next.

Modern Living Room Modern Living Room

This view reveals what the house abuts: "a 3-storey high sandstone cliff which at one time formed part of the shoreline of Sydney Harbour," according to architect Ian Moore. Needless to say, furniture would distract from this formidable element, but I'm curious to know how the owners actually did furnish the space. It's not often one deals with a boulder in their living room.

Modern Living Room by Ian Moore Architects

Ian Moore Architects

One last look at the boulder. It is quite the wallpaper!

Modern Kitchen Modern Kitchen

In the same house as the boulder is a wall that houses the kitchen. Not as impressive as a rock, this photo nevertheless draws attention to the design, detail, and lighting that shape this work area.

Modern by Amitzi Architects

Amitzi Architects

The lack of furniture in this room (minus the tiny table in the far corner) allows the ribbon-like windows in the distance to be distinguished. The windows run horizontally and then vertically as it turns the corner.

Traditional Entry by Furman + Keil Architects

Furman + Keil Architects

Photographing rooms without furniture also draws attention to the shape of the space. In this barn renovation the ceiling dominates, partly from the point of view but also from the lack of anything on the floor to contend with the trusses and the slope of the ceiling.

Rustic Hall by Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

A similar shape is found in this hallway that culminates in, well, a room without seating. A glance from the other direction...

Rustic Hall by Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

Peter A. Sellar - Architectural Photographer

...reveals more of the same. At least there are people in these photos to give some sense of scale!

Next: Architectural Images: Truth or Fiction?
How to Take Beautiful Home Photos

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Comments (8)

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PRO

PARADISE INTERIOR DESIGN

When you are able to fuse the outdoors with the interior it doesn't get any better. Exposing the boulder was brilliant. It's a celebration of earth and quite humbling.

Like November 16, 2011 at 8:48AM

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PRO

John R Buller

It is nice to see others reconize the beauty of raw space. Most people don't have an opportunity to appreciate the envelope before furnishings and finishes are injected. This is what we as Architecural Designers experience before the Interior Designers or Decorators get their mitts on the space. As a Registered Interior Designer, we try to shepherd clients to really think about their space whilst planning and selecting finishes!

Like November 17, 2011 at 8:34AM

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elviva

Funny, looking at these pics- I just assumed its peaceful and quiet even on the outside.

Like November 20, 2011 at 1:36AM

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