How to photograph a room for a color preview

A clear room photo makes it easier to compare different color moods. You can use a phone: look for even light, keep the camera level, and include the part of the room you want to see.

Before you take the photo

1. Choose a useful view

   Stand near the doorway or in a corner and include the floor, main furnishings and some wall space. Leave a little room at the edges. If an ultra-wide lens stretches furniture near the frame, step back or use the regular lens instead.

2. Use soft, even light

   Try daylight when the room is evenly lit. If a bright window makes the room look very dark, turn slightly away from it or tap the room on your phone screen to adjust exposure. Avoid blown-out highlights and deep shadows where color is hard to see.

3. Keep the camera level

   Hold your phone steady around chest height and use its grid if available. Align a door frame or wall edge with a vertical grid line; tilting the phone can make the room appear to lean.

4. Remove distractions, not character

   Move small clutter that obscures the areas you want to compare. Check mirrors and screens for personal information or reflections before using or sharing a photo.

5. Take two or three options

   Try a straight-on view and a view from a corner. Pick the photo where the important surfaces are visible and the colors look closest to the room. Avoid heavy filters before you begin: they make the new preview harder to judge.

Prepare your file

Roomnu accepts one JPG, PNG or WebP image up to 10 MB, with a maximum of 8,192 pixels per side and 20 megapixels. If your phone saves a different format such as HEIC, export a JPG copy first. Keep the original if you want to return to it later.

Compare the color preview

Open the studio, choose your photo and select a color mood. Create the preview, then move the comparison slider to look at the original and filtered image. Try another mood and create a new preview to compare a different direction. The downloaded file is the filtered image without the comparison divider.

Each preset changes the whole image, including furniture, shadows and windows. Screen settings and the original lighting also affect what you see. Use the result for inspiration rather than selecting an exact paint color or judging materials.

If the photo does not look right

• The room looks too dark: try a brighter time of day or adjust the phone exposure toward the room.
• Colors look unusually warm or cool: compare a daylight shot with one taken under room lights; mixed lighting can change the photo’s color.
• The room looks distorted: level the camera and try the regular lens from farther back.
• The file will not open: export a supported format and check the file-size and dimension limits above.

Does Roomnu upload my room photo?

No. This color-preview tool processes the photo in your browser on your device. If you choose to download the result, your browser saves it to your device.

For another practical reference on framing and straight lines, see IKEA’s room photography guide.