How to Take Stunning After Photos of Your Bathroom Remodel
You've spent weeks (or months) transforming your bathroom. Now it's time to document that transformation properly. Great after photos do more than capture a pretty room—they tell the story of your renovation, validate your investment, and create lasting memories of what you accomplished.
Quick Summary
Time needed
30-45 minutes
Difficulty
Easy (anyone can do it)
Cost
Free (or $20-50 for styling props)
Why After Photos Are the Most Important Step You'll Forget
Here's what happens to most homeowners: they finish the renovation, exhale with relief, and start using their beautiful new bathroom. Months later, they want to show someone the transformation and realize they never took proper photos. The before shots exist, but the "after" is just a couple of blurry phone pics with toothbrushes visible.
Taking 30-45 minutes to photograph your completed bathroom properly is worth it for several important reasons:
- Transformation documentation: Side-by-side comparisons remind you (and show others) just how dramatic the change was.
- Home value proof: Professional-looking photos demonstrate renovation quality for future buyers or appraisers.
- Insurance records: Document improvements for insurance purposes in case of future claims.
- Portfolio building: If you're a DIYer or contractor, quality photos help showcase your work for future projects.
- Social sharing: Get the likes and comments your hard work deserves with share-worthy images.
What You Need for Great After Photos
Good news: you probably already have everything you need. A modern smartphone takes photos that are more than adequate for most purposes. Here's your complete kit:
Essential Items
- Smartphone or digital camera
- Your original before photos
- Microfiber cloth for cleaning
- Fresh, fluffy towels
Nice to Have
- Tripod or phone holder
- Small plant or eucalyptus
- Matching soap dispensers
- LED light panel for windowless bathrooms
Step-by-Step: Taking Your After Photos
1. Review Your Before Photos First
Before you pick up your camera, pull up your before photos and study them carefully. Your goal is to recreate the exact same angles, camera height, and framing. This is what makes before-and-after comparisons so powerful—when the composition matches, the transformation really pops.
For each before photo, note:
- - Where were you standing? (doorway, corner, etc.)
- - What height was the camera? (eye level, counter height)
- - Was the shot horizontal or vertical?
- - What elements are visible in the frame?
- - What time of day was it taken? (check photo metadata)
2. Deep Clean Everything (Yes, Everything)
Your bathroom needs to be spotless. Camera lenses and smartphone sensors pick up details the human eye often misses—water spots, smudges, dust, and streaks will all show up in your photos.
Cleaning Checklist Before Shooting
3. Stage the Space Thoughtfully
Staging makes the difference between "nice bathroom" and "wow, I want that bathroom." The goal is aspirational but realistic—like a boutique hotel, not a sterile showroom.
Add These
- - 2-3 fresh, fluffy white or neutral towels
- - Small plant (eucalyptus, succulent, orchid)
- - One attractive soap dispenser
- - Rolled hand towel or washcloth
- - Simple decorative tray on vanity
Remove These
- - Toothbrushes and toothpaste
- - Personal care products
- - Toilet brushes and plungers
- - Trash cans (or hide them)
- - Medications and prescriptions
Don't over-stage. A bathroom with candles, flowers, stacked books, and artisanal soaps looks try-hard. Keep it clean and simple—the architecture and fixtures should be the stars.
4. Optimize Your Lighting
Lighting can make or break your photos. Ideally, shoot at the same time of day as your before photos so the light matches. Here are your options:
Option A: Natural Light (Best)
If your bathroom has windows, this is your best bet. Turn off all artificial lights and let natural light do the work.
- - Best times: 8-10 AM or 3-5 PM (avoid harsh midday sun)
- - Overcast days provide soft, even lighting
- - Open blinds/shades completely
Option B: Artificial Light Only
For windowless bathrooms or evening shoots, turn on all bathroom lights. Modern LED vanity lights usually photograph well.
- - Use all bathroom light fixtures
- - Consider adding a portable LED panel
- - Adjust white balance in-camera or during editing
Option C: Mixed Light (Trickiest)
Mixing natural and artificial light can create color cast issues. If you must mix, try to match color temperatures.
- - Natural light is ~5500K (daylight)
- - Most LED bathroom lights are 3000-4000K (warm to neutral)
- - Editing can fix minor color casts
5. Dial In Your Camera Settings
You don't need a DSLR, but you do need to use your phone camera intentionally. Here are the settings that matter:
6. Match Your Before Photo Angles Exactly
This is where the magic happens. For each before photo, recreate the exact same shot. Here's how to nail it:
The Matching Method
- 1Open the before photo on another device or print it out
- 2Position yourself approximately where you took the original
- 3Open your camera and compare the preview to the before photo
- 4Adjust height, angle, and position until the frames align
- 5Take multiple shots, checking alignment between each
Pay special attention to camera height. Holding your phone at different heights dramatically changes perspective. Most bathroom shots work best at about chest height (4-4.5 feet from floor).
7. Capture Detail Shots of Every Upgrade
Beyond the wide shots that match your befores, take close-up photos of each feature you upgraded. These showcase the quality of your renovation and are great for social media.
8. Create Your Before-and-After Comparisons
Now for the payoff: combining your before and after shots into compelling comparisons. You have several options:
Side-by-Side Layout
The classic approach. Works great for social media posts and print. Use Canva, MOLDIV, or PicCollage.
Tip: Add "Before" and "After" labels so viewers immediately understand the comparison.
Slider/Swipe Comparison
Interactive format where viewers drag a slider between before and after. Very engaging for websites and apps.
Tools: Juxtapose (free), TwentyTwenty, or built-in Instagram features.
Video Transition
Create a video that transitions from before to after. Perfect for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts.
Use CapCut, InShot, or Adobe Premiere Rush for smooth transitions.
Pro Tips for Share-Worthy Photos
Clean your camera lens
Phone lenses get smudgy. One fingerprint creates haze across your entire photo. Wipe it with a microfiber cloth before every session.
Take more than you think you need
Plan for 40+ shots. You'll delete most of them, but having options ensures you get the perfect ones.
Shoot the shower with the door open
Glass shower doors often create reflections. Photograph with the door open, or angle your shot to minimize glare.
Put the toilet lid down
Always. There's no debate here. It looks cleaner and more intentional.
Check for reflections
Mirrors and glass show everything. Check your reflection isn't visible, and look for unwanted items appearing in reflective surfaces.
Level your horizon
Crooked photos look amateur. Use the grid lines and straighten in post if needed.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Waiting too long after finishing the renovation
Why it's a problem: The bathroom will never look this good again. Within days, personal items accumulate and that 'fresh' feeling fades.
What to do instead: Photograph within 24-48 hours of project completion, before moving everything back in.
Using flash photography
Why it's a problem: Flash creates harsh shadows, washes out colors, and reflects off tile and chrome fixtures.
What to do instead: Never use flash. Instead, wait for better natural light or add supplemental LED lighting.
Not matching before-photo angles
Why it's a problem: Different angles make it impossible to create compelling side-by-side comparisons.
What to do instead: Reference your before photos constantly. Take time to position yourself identically.
Over-editing the after photos
Why it's a problem: Heavy filters, extreme contrast, or saturation make photos look fake and undermine credibility.
What to do instead: Keep editing subtle: minor brightness/contrast adjustments and color correction only.
Leaving personal items visible
Why it's a problem: Toothbrushes, razors, and medications distract from the renovation and look unprofessional.
What to do instead: Remove all personal items and stage minimally with towels and simple accessories.
Sharing Your Transformation on Social Media
Great before-and-after photos deserve to be seen. Here's how to maximize engagement on different platforms:
- - Use carousel posts: before first, process shots in middle, after last
- - Square format (1:1) works best for grid consistency
- - Use hashtags: #bathroomremodel #beforeandafter #homerenovation
- - Tag product brands for potential reposts
TikTok / Reels
- - Create a transformation video with trending audio
- - Show the "mess" mid-renovation for relatability
- - Use the before/after transition effect
- - Post at peak hours (typically 7-9 PM local time)
- - Vertical format (2:3 ratio) performs best
- - Create a pin with before on top, after on bottom
- - Add text overlay: "Small Bathroom Remodel: Before & After"
- - Link to a blog post or portfolio page if you have one
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time of day to photograph a bathroom?
The best time depends on your window orientation. For east-facing windows, shoot in the morning (8-10 AM). For west-facing windows, afternoon (3-5 PM) works better. If your bathroom has no windows, turn on all lights and consider supplementing with a portable LED panel for even, flattering illumination. The key is matching the lighting conditions from your before photos.
Should I use a professional photographer for bathroom after photos?
For personal documentation and social media sharing, smartphone photos taken with proper technique are usually sufficient. However, if you're a contractor building a portfolio, planning to sell your home soon, or want publication-quality images, a professional architectural photographer (typically $200-500 for a bathroom) can dramatically improve the results with proper lighting equipment and post-processing expertise.
How should I style my bathroom for after photos?
Style minimally but intentionally: use 2-3 fresh, fluffy towels in coordinating colors, add a small plant or eucalyptus bunch, include one or two attractive soap dispensers or containers, and remove all personal items like toothbrushes, medications, and clutter. The goal is to show the space's potential while keeping it realistic and aspirational rather than lived-in or sterile.
What apps are best for creating before-and-after comparisons?
For mobile, try Canva (free with paid options), MOLDIV, or PicCollage for simple side-by-side layouts. For slider comparisons that let viewers drag between images, Juxtapose (free web tool from Knight Lab) or TwentyTwenty (WordPress plugin) work well. For professional results, Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop offer the most control over matching colors and creating polished presentations.
How many after photos should I take of my bathroom remodel?
Plan for 25-40 photos total: match all your before photo angles (typically 8-12 shots), add detail shots of each upgraded feature (vanity, tile, fixtures, hardware = another 8-12), and capture a few lifestyle-style shots showing the room in use. It's better to overshoot since you can always delete extras, but you can't easily recreate the freshly-finished look later.
Congratulations on Completing Your Bathroom Remodel!
You've reached the final step of your bathroom renovation journey. Taking these after photos closes the loop on your project, giving you documentation you'll treasure for years to come. Your beautiful new bathroom is ready to enjoy!