How to Use Instagram Reels to Turn One Interior Design Project Into a Month of Content

The Reels Formula: How to Turn One Design Project Into a Month of Content

Feeling like your content well runs dry after one reveal post? You finally finish a project, share the final photos on Instagram, and that’s it. Onto the next.

But here’s the thing—so much more content is baked into every design project than just the after shots. The process, the progress, the behind-the-scenes—the stuff your audience actually loves—is often left on the cutting room floor.

In this post, I will show you a super simple Reels formula to help you turn one design project into 4–6 engaging Reels, giving you content to post for weeks. Whether you’re new to video or already dabbling in Reels, this approach will help you get more mileage out of your projects—without reinventing the wheel every time. Let’s dive in.

Why Reels Work So Well for Designers

If you’ve been hesitant to lean into Reels, here’s a quick reminder of why they’re one of the best tools in your marketing toolbox:

• They’re visual, which is perfect for showing off beautiful spaces.

• They have massive reach potential thanks to Instagram’s push for video content.

• They’re ideal for storytelling, which helps people connect with you and your work.

Reels aren’t just about going viral—they’re about giving your audience a peek behind the scenes. And that behind-the-scenes content? That’s what builds trust. It makes people feel like they know you, understand your process, and could actually picture themselves working with you.

Even better—when you batch Reels around one project, you save time and your content performs better. Instead of posting a random one-off, you’re creating a mini-series that tells a story. It keeps your audience engaged, clicking, and coming back for more.

The 5 Must-Have Reels from Every Interior Design Project

Think of these five Reels as your go-to lineup—your content “capsule wardrobe” for every project. They’re designed to build anticipation, tell the story, and stretch one design project into weeks of engaging content.

1. Behind-the-Scenes Reel (Before the Reveal)

This type of content is where the magic starts coming to life—and it’s one of the most underrated types of content. Think of it as the “in action” moments that lead up to the final look. Whether it’s install day or photoshoot day, these clips are gold for storytelling.

What to capture:

• Moving in and arranging furniture

• Styling shelves or coffee tables

• Steaming window treatments

• Fluffing pillows and making beds

• Prepping floral arrangements or setting a table

These clips feel authentic, show your process, and help your audience appreciate all the intentionality that goes into the finished space. Use trending or upbeat audio to keep it light and engaging—these behind-the-scenes Reels are perfect for building anticipation before the full reveal drops.

2. Full Reveal Reel

Now it is time for the big moment—the polished, styled, camera-ready reveal. The goal is to let the finished space shine and show off your design work in all its glory. This Reel should feel like the grand finale (even if it’s only part of your full content sequence).

While still images can work, video clips take this to the next level. A slow pan across the room, a close-up of layered textures, or a walkthrough of the space adds depth and gives your audience a more immersive feel. Reels are a video-first format, and using actual video footage will always help with reach and engagement.

If you don’t have video clips, don’t worry—you can still create movement using your photos. Tools like Canva and CapCut make it super easy to animate still images with slow zoom-ins, pans, or transitions that feel dynamic without needing to shoot video on-site.

Here’s what to include:

• Wide shots of the full room

• Close-ups of styled details, textures, and finishes

• Your favorite angles that show off key design elements

• Add your logo or a quick text overlay with the project name if you want to brand it

Pro tip: Keep the visuals clean, the editing simple, and let the design speak for itself. This Reel is your showcase piece—and a great opportunity to tag vendors, collaborators, and sources to expand your reach.

3. Before + After Reel

Nothing highlights your creativity quite like a dramatic before-and-after. Timing and planning are everything to make the most impact.

The key to a powerful before-and-after Reel is pairing your visuals with audio that has a strong beat drop or transition moment. Use that moment to switch from the “before” scene to the big “after” moment—this type of content consistently performs well because it’s so satisfying to watch.

But here’s the catch: you can’t go back and capture the before once the transformation is done. That’s why it’s so important to plan your content ahead of time. Think about what areas will be the biggest wow factor. Capture consistent angles of:

• Focal points (like fireplaces, kitchen islands, feature walls)

• Spaces with bold transformations

• Unique design elements or big layout changes

You don’t need to overproduce it—just be intentional. A little planning upfront makes a huge difference when it comes time to edit. When done right, a before-and-after Reel doesn’t just show a space—it shows your vision, execution, and skill as a designer.

4. Process Reel

This Reel is all about your start-to-finish storytelling moment. The Process Reel is all about bringing your audience along for the ride, from the first design presentation to the final styled space. It gives a full picture of the journey, which builds appreciation for your work and shows the transformation in a way that feels immersive and real.

Think of this Reel as a mini-project documentary. Some clips might be raw and unpolished—that’s okay (and even better). It adds authenticity and shows just how much goes into each project.

What to include:

• Design presentation day: Snap a clip of you sharing mood boards, material samples, or digital plans with the client.

• Renderings or floor plans: Give a peek at your vision before construction begins.

• In-progress clips: Think demo day, framing, painting, tile going in, cabinetry install, and lighting being hung.

• Final touches: Styling accessories, fluffing pillows, and floral arrangements.

• Finished space: End the Reel with a beautiful pan of the completed project.

Bonus: Set it to a more cinematic or emotional audio track to emphasize the “story arc” feel.

This type of Reel helps potential clients understand the full scope of what you do—not just making things look good in the end but leading an entire transformation from concept to completion.

5. Zone-Specific Reels

If your project includes multiple rooms, you can break them out and give each space its own moment in the spotlight. Instead of squeezing everything into one Reel, individually highlight the kitchen, primary suite, mudroom, or living area. This lets you go deeper, showcase unique design details, and stretch your content further.

But even if the project is just one room, you still have options! Focus on specific zones or features within the space, like a cozy reading nook, a statement fireplace, a custom vanity, or styled shelving. Each of these little moments can become its own Reel, especially when paired with close-ups or thoughtful captions that explain your design decisions.

This approach not only maximizes the content you can create from a single shoot, but it also invites your audience to slow down and appreciate the thought and detail you put into every corner. It’s the perfect way to round out your Reels sequence and keep the engagement going long after the big reveal.

Bonus Reels (Optional but Great Additions)

Once you’ve shared your core project Reels, these bonus ideas are perfect for adding variety, providing value, and extending the life of your content. They’re a great mix of inspiration, education, and detail—all the things that keep your audience coming back for more.

Mini Process Reels (Value-Focused Content)

These short, satisfying Reels are all about showing how you do what you do—and they double as value-driven content. Think of them as bite-sized design tutorials that showcase your expertise while highlighting the project.

Great ideas include:

• Styling a bookshelf from start to finish (hello, timelapse!)

• Arranging florals for a coffee table or console

• Creating a layered bed with textiles and throw pillows

• Setting a table with a focus on texture, color, and layout

These Reels work beautifully to mix in with your project story, but they also have standalone value that your audience can learn from and save.

Design Plan to Reality Reel

Pair moodboards, renderings, or material selections with clips of the finished space. These Reels tell a strong visual story and help your audience understand how you bring a vision to life. They’re also a great reminder that what they see at the end started with intentional planning and design expertise.

“Things You Might Have Missed” Reel

After you’ve posted the big moments, this is your second pass. Highlight the details—clever storage, custom features, thoughtful layouts, unique finishes. Use text overlays or voiceover to guide viewers through the subtle, smart decisions that make the space special.

It’s a great way to reinforce your attention to detail and get more mileage from one project.

These bonus Reels aren’t about reinventing the wheel—they’re about squeezing every last drop of value from the work you’ve already done.

How to Stay Organized & Batch Like a Pro

Creating Reels consistently doesn’t mean you have to be filming, editing, and posting every single day. The secret? Stay organized and batch your content like a pro.

Start by Organizing Footage by Project

Create a digital folder system (Google Drive, Dropbox, or your phone’s album) for each project. Inside, organize clips by type:

• Before footage

• In-progress shots

• Styling/setup clips

• Final video/photo content

• Bonus moments like floral arranging, shelf styling, or design boards

This makes it so much easier to see what you have, spot any content gaps, and plan out your Reels sequence without digging through your camera roll every time.

Create a Simple Reels Content Bank

You don’t need a complicated system—just a shared doc or spreadsheet with a running list of Reel ideas for each project. Include:

• Working titles

• Reel type (reveal, BTS, mini tutorial, etc.)

• Audio ideas

• Status (filmed, edited, scheduled)

This keeps everything visible at a glance and makes planning your content calendar a whole lot smoother.

Batch 1–2 Times a Month

Instead of scrambling week to week, set aside time once or twice a month to film or edit a few Reels in one go. When you’re already in the zone, you’ll work faster, stay more focused, and build a solid queue of content that gives you breathing room when things get busy.

A little bit of upfront organization goes a long way. With a good system in place, creating consistent, engaging Reels becomes something you can actually keep up with—and maybe even enjoy.

Conclusion

Here’s the best part: you already have the content. Every project you complete is packed with storytelling potential—you just need the plan to bring it to life.

With this simple Reels formula, you can turn one design project into weeks of scroll-stopping content without starting from scratch every time. The next time you’re wrapping up a project, use this framework to guide what you capture, how you share it, and how you keep your audience engaged long after the reveal.

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