Drive Furniture Sales with Authentic Image Retouching
Online shoppers can’t touch or see a piece in person, so they rely on your visuals to give them a sense of what it looks like in real life.
The rich grain of a wooden table, the subtle creases in a leather couch, or the weaves of an upholstered chair — these textures are what makes a piece of furniture look real and authentic.
Enhancing textures, refining lighting, and keeping materials looking as natural as possible can make all the difference between a sale and a lost opportunity – or worse, a customer return.
Here’s how to retouch your furniture imagery to build confidence in your products and drive sales.
1. Enhance texture with contrast
Subtle contrast adjustments can bring out the natural details of materials like wood grain, leather, or fabric. But remember, enhance it without overdoing it — too much, and it’ll start to look overdone and unnatural.
2. Keep the character
Furniture isn’t meant to look flawless. Knots in wood, creases in leather, and folds in fabric add character and charm – don’t lose it! The goal isn’t to make the piece look perfect, it’s to let its natural imperfections shine through. These ‘flaws’ give it an authentic and one-of-a-kind look.
3. Selective sharpening
Only sharpen the areas where texture really matters — like wood grains, stitching, or woven fabric. Avoid global sharpening, or you’ll end up with an image that looks too harsh.
4. Preserve lighting depth
When retouching, don’t flatten the lighting or remove shadows entirely. Instead, preserve the depth of the piece. Natural, well-balanced lighting will give shoppers a real sense of the furniture’s shape, form, and texture.
5. Keep an eye on reflections
Reflective furniture surfaces, like glass tables or lacquered wood, can sometimes capture distracting reflections. While reducing them is important, avoid completely erasing reflections, as they help maintain the natural look of the material.
6. Color correct with texture in mind
Adjust colors to match the real-life product, but be careful not to wash out textures in the process. Fabrics, wood, and leather all have depth — make sure that comes through in your final visuals.
Online shoppers rely on your visuals, so ensuring colors are consistent across your images and videos are a must. Any inconsistencies can make them doubt if you’re showcasing the product accurately, which will make them hesitant to buy. Learn more about why color consistency matters here.
Great furniture imagery goes beyond flat, lifeless visuals – it brings the product to life. The right visuals capture textures, details, and materials in a way that feels natural and true to the piece.
But balance is key. Enhancing textures and preserving natural elements is important, but over-editing can make images look artificial. Keep it real and your visuals will not only look authentic but also build customer trust and drive sales.
At VMG, we understand that these nuanced details make all the difference. Our expert retouchers specialize in elevating visuals for premium brands, ensuring texture authenticity and consistency across the board. Whether it’s enhancing fabric textures or maintaining the natural look of furniture, our tailored solutions are designed to meet your needs – efficiently and cost-effectively.
Need help getting your visuals true to life? Start using these tips or get in touch to learn more about our retouching services.
