How can I improve this interior scene?

[SalvaCGI]

Hello everyone!

I've been using keyshot for a long time for product design rendering, getting pretty good results, but this is my first interior scene. I kind of like the result, but I think it could be much better and I really don't know what else could I do to improve it. I'd appreciate if you give me some advice and/or your opinion!

Thanks!!

[mattjgerard]

While the composition looks great, i think the lighting just looks a little flat. Would the wall sconces be turned when its daylight out? I love the reflections in the table from the window, but maybe make it a night scene, or dusk, just to get some contrast  in the lighting. Don't get me wrong, this looks great, and maybe even some photoshop curves and levels tweaks would make it pop more. But the wall sconces is what catches my eye.

[JonWelch]

I agree with what Mattjgerard said above. Usually when I do interiors, I like to have my major light source be from the sun, which requires a lot of bright light coming in through windows. Your scene is mostly lit from interior lighting, which is fine if you want to go that route, but it would most likely be dark outside if the interior lights were on.
If you want to keep it daytime outside, you could dim the lights inside and create more light coming in from the window, that would create a lot more contrast. But overall the setup of the scene looks great, I think you just need to work on some different lighting techniques and you'll have a great render.
Excited to see the next revision!

[Will Gibbons]

One thing I like to do is grab some image references. You've got a very rigid/linear scene. Everything is very perfect and squared off and symmetrical. I'd try to offset that if possible with some more organic props.

Also, look at interior photos and if it's well-exposed in the room, it'll appear much brighter outside (unless it's a night-time scene), so I'd increase exposure of what you see outside the window. Maybe desaturate the image a tad overall.

Great starting point though.

[SalvaCGI]

Hello!

Thank you for all your opinions and recommendations!

I agree with all of you, I also think that the lighting didn't look very realistic, and I wasn't convinced about the background.

I followed your advices and I changed the lighting from the exterior (I've used a dusk environment), and I also changed the curtains to reduce even more the light that comes from outside.

I'm still not 100% happy with the result, and I'll continue working on it, but I like it more than before. What do you think?

[mattjgerard]

Much better! the curtains look fantastic. I would lower the ambient light in the room by about half and let the wall sconces really pop out as the main lighting for the room. Looking great!

[Josh3D]

Yes, nice touch with the curtains.

[Will Gibbons]

I agree with Matt! Another route you could take is to make it more 'cinematic' by colorizing the HDRI to a more blue to contrast the warmth of the room.

Also, I think the brown color choice for the curtains, TV console and other items are making it look a bit old-fashioned? What about working with some other complimentary tones?

Finally, I'd find some more humanistic elements to add... what about a plate with a cookie on it placed on the coffee table, or a magazine or couple of books? Maybe even a child's toy on the floor would be a nice touch.

I think one or two more passes and this will be a strong piece. Good work so far.

[larry80731]

I think the size of TV cabinet is too small or sofa is too big.
and the TV cabinet handle position unreasonable.

[JoshMcCann]

Did you model this? If so, I would go back and mess things up a little. Everything just looks way to perfect to be real. You don't have to do a lot just subtle things. Like deform the couch cushions a little, and the little brown fabric that sits on the arm of the couches. When things are too perfect they jump out at us because things aren't usually perfect. (Just my 2 cents) But your iterations are looking better.

[cjwidd]

I honestly think the materials need some attention before you start reworking the light. This seems like a really solid foundation for a great piece. The coffee table and the wood on the entertainment system, especially, need roughness maps.