What Should Interior Designers Post on Instagram? A Format-by-Format Guide

Introduction: Not Sure What to Post on Instagram as a Designer? Let's Fix That

If you've ever opened Instagram, stared at the "create" button, and felt unsure about what to post, you're not the only one in that boat.

Instagram for interior designers has evolved. It's no longer just a place to share finished project photos. With Reels, carousels, Stories, Lives, and Channels all playing different roles, it's essential to understand how each one supports your content goals.

This blog post will guide you through using every content format on Instagram with intention. Whether you're trying to reach new people, stay top of mind with your current audience, or build deeper connections, these tips will help you create an Instagram strategy designed for interior designers.

Reels: Reach New Audiences

If your goal is to reach new audiences, Reels are your best bet. Instagram continues to prioritize video content, and Reels get shown to users who don't follow you yet. This makes them ideal for expanding your reach and growing your visibility as an interior designer.

Reels are perfect for showing off your design process and personality in quick, visually appealing snippets. Think of them as little trailers for your work.

Some great ways to use Reels as a designer:

• Before and after transitions to highlight transformations

• Styling clips that show how you pull together a room

• Voiceover walkthroughs where you explain your design choices

  
  

Need help coming up with more Reel ideas? This blog post has even more creative prompts specifically for interior designers.

Posting Reels consistently can help you reach people who haven't discovered you yet but are already looking for the kind of design work you do.

Carousels: Get Discovered and Keep Followers Engaged

Carousels are one of the most effective content formats for interior designers on Instagram. They not only encourage your current followers to engage, but they can also help new people discover your account. Instagram's algorithm often resurfaces carousels in the feed, and recently, carousels that include audio have started showing up in the Reels tab, giving them even more reach potential.

That's why adding trending music or audio to your carousel post can be a smart move. It signals to the platform that your content is relevant and engaging, increasing the chances of being featured more broadly.

Carousels are ideal for:

• Walking your audience through a project, from mood board to final reveal

• Sharing actionable design tips or answering FAQs

• Highlighting different details or angles from one space

  
  

The format keeps people swiping, which boosts engagement, and gives you more room to share your expertise without overwhelming your audience in a single image or video.

Single Photos: Simple, Strong, and Shareable

Single-image posts might feel a little old-school in today's video-first world, but they still have their place, especially when you have a standout photo that can speak for itself. A well-composed image of a finished project or a unique design detail can grab attention quickly and deliver immediate visual impact.

But here's the key to getting more out of single photo posts: don't make them a solo act. Tagging vendors, makers, and brands featured in the project not only gives credit where it's due but also increases the chances that those accounts will reshare your post or engage with it. That added visibility can help expand your reach beyond your current audience.

Some innovative ways to use single images as an interior designer:

• Share your favorite corner of a recently completed room

• Post a detail shot of something like hardware, lighting, or textiles

• Use the caption to tell a quick story, share a client win, or drop a mini tip

  
  

If you're short on time or want to stay visible without overthinking it, a single, scroll-stopping photo paired with a thoughtful caption still does the job.

Stories: Build Connection With Daily Content

Stories are where the day-to-day connection happens. While they don't live on your feed permanently, they play a significant role in keeping you top of mind with your audience, especially your most engaged followers.

Stories are perfect for showing the real-time, in-progress parts of your design work. Consider sharing updates on styling day, sneak peeks from a photoshoot, or even sharing your favorite local coffee shop during a project break. This kind of content builds familiarity and trust, which are both key to turning followers into future clients.

Because Stories show up at the top of the app and disappear after 24 hours, they're low-pressure and casual by nature. But when used consistently, they're incredibly effective.

A few ways to make your Stories even more engaging:

• Use polls or sliders to invite interaction

• Add links to blog posts, email opt-ins, or recent Reels

• Share project progress updates or materials you're excited about

  
  

The more consistently you show up in Stories, the more likely your account is to stay front and center for people who already care about what you do.

Lives: Build Trust Through Real-Time Connection

Instagram Lives give you a unique opportunity to connect with your audience in real time. Whether you're answering questions, walking through a recent project, or chatting with a vendor or collaborator, Lives create space for more personal, unscripted conversation.

They're especially helpful for building trust. When people see your face, hear your voice, and watch you talk about your work, it adds a level of depth that can't always be conveyed through static posts or even Reels.

Lives don't have to be long or overly polished. Quick sessions, like a 10-minute Q&A or a walkthrough of a design board, can be just as impactful.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

• Go live after a project reveal to share what made it special

• Host a "behind the design" chat with a contractor, photographer, or trade partner

• Do a live Q&A on a popular design topic (like choosing paint colors or kitchen layouts)

  
  

If the idea of going live feels intimidating, start small. Treat it like a casual conversation and remember: the people tuning in already care about what you do.

Channels: Stay Connected With Your Most Loyal Followers

Instagram Channels are a newer feature designed for broadcast-style messaging. Think of them as a way to speak directly to your biggest fans, the people who want more than what you're posting on your main feed.

While not everyone uses Channels yet, they can be an excellent tool for building a sense of exclusivity and community. Because followers have to opt in, the people inside your Channel are already highly engaged and interested in what you're sharing.

For interior designers, Channels are great for:

• Sharing early previews of upcoming projects

• Posting links to blog content, email signups, or new Reels

• Giving your audience a peek at what's inspiring you or what's happening behind the scenes

  
  

It's less about being polished and more about staying connected in a consistent, low-pressure way. Think of it like texting your most engaged audience with quick updates, ideas, or inspiration.

Conclusion

Instagram has come a long way from being just a place to post pretty photos. Now, it's a complete toolkit, and each content format serves a unique purpose in helping interior designers build visibility, connect with future clients, and showcase their expertise.

You don't need to use every format every day. But knowing how each one works gives you the power to use Instagram more strategically and with less stress.

Start with what feels manageable, and build from there. With a little structure, Instagram can be a smart part of your marketing, not just another task you dread.

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