A 3D virtual tour can make your NYC listing stand out — but the camera captures everything, including the clutter you stopped noticing months ago. Unlike traditional photography, where the photographer frames each shot, a Matterport-style 3D scan documents every angle of every room. That means preparation matters more, not less.
The good news: getting your apartment scan-ready doesn’t require a full renovation. It takes a focused hour or two and an eye for what the camera sees. Here’s how to prepare each space.
Start With a Deep Declutter
Before anything else, remove what doesn’t need to be there. 3D tours let buyers “walk” through your home virtually, and clutter makes rooms feel smaller than they are.
- Clear countertops in the kitchen and bathroom — leave one or two intentional items at most.
- Remove magnets, photos, and papers from the refrigerator.
- Take down personal photos from walls and shelves (buyers should picture themselves there, not you).
- Stash laundry baskets, cleaning supplies, and trash cans out of sight.
- Minimize small decorative objects on shelves — a few is fine, a crowd is not.
You don’t need a minimalist showroom. You need a space that feels lived-in but spacious.
Maximize Light in Every Room
NYC apartments are notorious for tricky lighting. 3D cameras handle mixed lighting better than you’d expect, but you can help the scan look its best.
- Open all blinds and curtains to let in natural light.
- Turn on every overhead light, lamp, and under-cabinet light — even in the daytime.
- Replace any burnt-out bulbs before the shoot.
- If a room has no windows, make sure it’s well-lit artificially; dark rooms scan poorly.
Consistent, bright lighting across rooms makes the virtual walkthrough feel seamless.
Kitchens: Clear, Clean, and Staged
The kitchen gets heavy attention in virtual tours because buyers linger there.
- Empty the sink and put dishes in the dishwasher.
- Clear the counters except for one styled vignette (a cutting board with fruit, a cookbook stand).
- Wipe down stainless steel appliances — the camera picks up smudges.
- Remove dish towels, sponges, and soap bottles from the sink area.
- If you have open shelving, pare it down to matching sets.
Bathrooms: Hotel-Clean
Bathrooms are small, and the 3D camera will be close to every surface.
- Put toiletries in a cabinet or drawer — clear the vanity completely.
- Hang fresh, matching towels.
- Close the toilet lid (always).
- Remove bath mats for the scan if they’re worn; a clean floor looks bigger.
- Squeegee mirrors and glass shower doors.
Bedrooms: Made Beds and Clear Floors
- Make every bed with clean, neutral bedding — white or light colors photograph best.
- Clear nightstands to one lamp and one small item each.
- Pick up everything from the floor, including shoes and charging cables.
- Open closet doors halfway if the closets are tidy and worth showing; otherwise keep them closed.
Living Areas: Define the Space
- Arrange furniture to show the room’s purpose — a reading chair with a lamp, a desk as a workspace.
- Fluff pillows and fold throws neatly.
- Hide remote controls, gaming consoles, and cable clutter.
- If you have a balcony or terrace, tidy it — outdoor space is gold in NYC listings.
The Details Most People Forget
- Mirrors: The 3D camera operator will position the camera to avoid reflections, but large mirrors can still cause issues. Mention them in advance.
- Pets: Arrange for pets to be elsewhere during the scan. The camera captures movement as ghosting.
- People: No one should be in the apartment during the scan — the camera sees 360 degrees.
- Ceiling fans: Turn them off. Motion blur ruins the capture.
- TVs and screens: Turn them off to avoid glare and reflections.
What About Staging?
You don’t need professional staging for a great 3D tour, but a few intentional touches go a long way. Fresh flowers in the living room, a bowl of fruit in the kitchen, and folded towels in the bathroom signal care without looking staged.
If your apartment is vacant, consider virtual staging for the 3D tour — it helps buyers understand scale and layout in empty rooms.
On the Day of the Shoot
- Do a final walkthrough 30 minutes before the operator arrives.
- Make sure all lights are on and blinds are open.
- Leave the apartment (or stay in one room the operator has finished).
- Plan for the scan to take 1–2 hours depending on the size of the space.
A well-prepared apartment doesn’t just look better — it scans faster, which means less disruption to your day.
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