Instagram is an incredible tool for interior designers, but if you’re not getting clients from it, something isn’t working. Maybe you’re posting consistently but not seeing engagement, or your profile looks great, but inquiries just aren’t coming in.
The truth is, there is not one big secret when it comes to attracting and converting potential clients on Instagram. But depending on the issue you are grappling with, the fix might be fairly easy and doable even without a marketing team or a large budget.
In this post, we’re breaking down the ten most common reasons you could be struggling to get interior design clients on Instagram—plus, exactly how to fix them.
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Your Instagram Profile Isn’t Optimized for Attracting Home Decor Clients
Your Instagram bio is the first thing potential clients see when they land on your page, and if it’s not clear, professional, and inviting, they’re likely to move on. A profile that doesn’t instantly communicate what you do and who you help won’t convert visitors into followers—or, more importantly, into clients. Think of your Instagram profile as your digital business card. If it’s not optimized, potential clients might scroll past without taking a second look.
To make the best first impression, make sure that:
- Your profile picture is clear and professional – either a clean headshot or a logo that represents your brand.
- Your username is recognizable and easy to remember.
- Your bio clearly states who you help and what you offer. Instead of something vague like “Interior Designer | Love beautiful spaces,” make it client-focused: “Helping busy families create timeless, elegant homes with ease.”
- Your link in bio directs users to valuable resources, such as your portfolio, a booking page, or a well-structured Linktree with key resources.
For more details on how to audit and optimize your Instagram profile you can check out our post on the topic.
You Don’t Post Consistently
Instagram rewards consistency, and if your posting schedule is all over the place, the algorithm won’t favor your content. Posting five times one week and then disappearing for a month isn’t going to work. The platform thrives on regular engagement, so if you’re inconsistent, your audience will lose interest, and your reach will drop.
To fix this, set a manageable posting schedule and stick to it. You don’t need to post every single day but aim for at least three times per week. A structured content plan can help—try assigning different types of posts to different days, like Transformation Tuesdays for before-and-after photos or Friday Favorites where you share inspiration.
Planning ahead with a content calendar ensures you never run out of things to post, keeping your brand visible and top-of-mind for potential clients.
You Haven’t Defined Your Niche or Ideal Client
If your Instagram feed is all over the place, potential clients won’t see a clear reason to follow you. Trying to appeal to everyone means you end up resonating with no one. If one day you’re posting about luxury interiors and the next you’re sharing budget-friendly DIYs, you’re sending mixed signals about what kind of clients you serve.
To fix this, define your niche and stick to it. Are you an expert in high-end residential interiors? Do you specialize in small-space design? Are you the go-to person for modern farmhouse style? Your content, bio, and captions should all reinforce your specialty. When potential clients see a clear, consistent aesthetic and message, they’re much more likely to follow and eventually reach out for your services.
And if you ever decide to focus on a new style or type of client, be sure to update both your bio and your content to align with this new direction.
You’re Ignoring Hashtags
Hashtags work like keywords on Instagram, helping new people discover your content. If you’re not using them strategically, you’re limiting your reach to just your current followers. But the wrong hashtags—like overly broad ones such as #interiordesign—won’t help much either.
Instead, use a mix of broad and niche-specific hashtags that align with what your ideal clients would search for. Instead of #homedecor, go for #ModernFarmhouseDecor or #NYCInteriorDesigner.
Local hashtags can also help if you work with clients in specific areas—think #ChicagoLuxuryHomes or #LAInteriorStylist. Hashtags should be intentional, not an afterthought. Always make sure your hashtags are relevant to your post and reflect what your ideal clients are thinking. In other words, use the phrases or keywords they would search for on Instagram, not other designers.
If you need a bit of help choosing hashtags that would fit your content and attract new followers, grab our Hashtag guide for interior designers.
Your Photos & Videos Aren’t High Quality
Instagram is a visual platform, and if your content doesn’t look professional, potential clients might just scroll past you. Blurry images, poor lighting, or inconsistent editing can make your feed look unpolished, which might give people the wrong impression of your work.
Focus on high-quality, well-lit photos that showcase your designs in the best way possible. If you are taking photos yourself, natural light is your best friend, and editing tools like Lightroom or Snapseed can help create a cohesive look.
Think of your feed as a curated portfolio—every image should inspire, tell a story, or convey a message. Mix in close-up shots of design details or custom features alongside wider room shots to give potential clients a full picture of your work.
And don’t forget captions! Sharing the story behind a design, explaining your thought process, or highlighting a client’s reaction makes your posts more engaging and personal.
Bonus tip: Use different types of content to showcase your work in creative ways. High-quality Reels (even simple slideshows of your best photos) can help you reach new followers, while carousels are perfect for sharing more details—like different angles of a space, close-ups of key features, or even a step-by-step look at your design process, all in one post.
You Are Not Using Strong Calls-to-Action (CTAs)
Your photos might be stunning, and your captions might be entertaining, but if you’re not telling your audience what to do next, it will be less likely that they’ll take action. Simply posting a gorgeous kitchen remodel and expecting people to reach out on their own isn’t enough.
That’s why a strong call-to-action (CTA) is essential—it helps turn followers into clients by making the next step crystal clear. If you want people to visit your website, inquire about your services, or sign up for your newsletter, you have to guide them.
A call-to-action (CTA) is what encourages your audience to take a specific action, whether it’s engaging with your post or reaching out to work with you. And the easier you make it for them, the more likely they are to follow through.
Different types of CTAs work for different goals. If you want to boost engagement, try something like, “Tag a friend who needs a home makeover!” or “Comment below with your dream design project.” But if you’re looking to generate leads, your CTA should reflect that—like, “Sign up for our newsletter for weekly design tips” or “Download our free eBook on decorating small spaces.”
A good CTA is direct and highlights what’s in it for your audience. Instead of something generic like “Contact Us,” try “Book a Free Discovery Call Today” so they know exactly what they’ll get.
Also, make sure your CTA stands out. Place it at the end of your caption, highlight it in a Story, or feature it in your bio. And keep it simple—one clear CTA per caption or Story is plenty. Too many choices can overwhelm people and lead to inaction.
You’re Not Using Instagram Stories & Highlights to Your Advantage
Instagram content falls into four main types: static posts, carousels, Reels, and Stories.
Unlike regular posts or carousels, Stories appear at the top of your followers’ feeds, making them perfect for sharing real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content. Story Highlights, on the other hand, act as permanent Stories that stay on your profile, allowing visitors to see this content even after the 24-hour window has passed.
If you’re not using Stories regularly, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to keep your audience engaged. They’re one of the best ways to stay top of mind with your followers and build a stronger connection with potential clients.
The best thing you can do is to get into the habit of using Stories daily, even if it’s just quick updates about your projects, material sourcing, or design tips. Engagement features like polls, Q&A stickers, and countdowns encourage interaction, boosting your visibility. You can use these to engage your audience and get their input on design choices, trends, or preferences. For example, you could run a poll asking followers to pick their favorite between two design options.
Not sure what to share? Think of anything that gives your audience a behind-the-scenes look at your work. Show snippets of your design process, how you source materials, sneak peeks of current projects, or even a tour of your workspace.
Use our Interior Design Story bundle with over 100 Stories as an easy leg-up to get started.
And don’t forget to organize your best Stories into Highlights—sections like Portfolio, Client Reviews, and Behind the Scenes make it easy for potential clients to get to know you.
You’re Not Posting Reels / Video Content
Instagram is prioritizing video more than ever, and Reels often get way more exposure than regular posts or carousels.
If you’re not using Reels, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity to reach new audiences who don’t know your brand yet.
Reels are short, engaging clips where you can showcase your design skills, share quick tips, or give a tour of your latest project. And while creating video content takes some extra time, it’s worth the effort—it helps you attract more followers and present your brand in an engaging way to potential clients.
To get you started, here are some simple content ideas for Reels that tend to work well for interior designers:
Before-and-After Transformations
People love a great makeover, and Reels are the perfect way to showcase before-and-after shots or videos of your projects. You can add trending audio and creative transitions to make the video more engaging.
Design Tips or Tutorials
Sharing quick design tips or tricks is a great way to position yourself as an interior design expert. You could create Reels on how to style a coffee table, choose the right color palette, or make a small space feel bigger. These bite-sized tips are easy to digest and super shareable, helping you boost your reach.
Behind-the-Scenes
Inviting your audience into your world by giving them a peek behind the scenes is a great way to give potential clients a sense of your process and personality. You can create Reels that show how you plan a project, select materials, or work with contractors.
Project Tours
With these, you can take your followers on a virtual tour of one of your completed projects. Use Reels or IGTV to walk viewers through the space, point out key design elements, talk about the challenges you overcame, and how everything came together. This can be a great way to make potential clients feel included and inspire them.
Time-Lapse Videos
Time-lapse videos can be a fun way to show the progress of your design projects. You could record the installation process or the entire makeover, and then just speed it up to fit into a 30 or 60 second Reel using Instagram or a third-party app like InShot.
No matter what type of Reel you create, don’t stress about making it too polished. Sometimes, content that feels overly produced can come off as less relatable. Instead, aim for a balance between professional and authentic—show your personality, and give people a real look at what goes into your work.
And don’t forget to check your insights! Keep an eye on views, shares, and comments to see what resonates with your audience. If a certain type of Reel performs well, double down on it and create more content in the same style.
You’re Not Engaging with Your Audience
If you’re only posting but never interacting, you’re treating Instagram like a one-way street. Engagement goes both ways, and if you’re not responding to comments, answering DMs, or commenting on other people’s posts, your reach will suffer.
Your audience needs to feel like there’s a real person behind your account. Regular engagement helps build trust and creates a sense of community around your brand.
Make it a habit to engage daily—even just 10 minutes of replying to comments, keeping conversations going in DMs, and answering questions can make a difference in your visibility and credibility.
Take advantage of Instagram’s interactive features, too. Host a Q&A in Stories and invite your followers to ask you anything about interior design. Show appreciation for your audience by giving shoutouts to loyal followers, reposting user-generated content, or simply thanking them for being part of your community.
And don’t just wait for people to engage with you—go out and engage with them! Like, comment on, and share posts from other designers, influencers, or potential clients. The more you interact, the more visible you become, and the more likely others are to engage with you in return.
Need more inspo for engaging content? Check out our Instagram template pack that is designed to boost engagement.
You’re Not Using DMs for Nurturing Client Leads
Don’t underestimate the power of direct messages. While likes, comments, and Story interactions help with engagement, DMs are where real conversations happen—and where potential clients are more likely to ask about your interior design services.
Many designers miss out on potential clients simply because they don’t make it easy for people to reach out. If someone takes the time to message you, they’re already interested in what you do—so don’t let the conversation fizzle out.
Encourage potential clients to DM you by mentioning it in your captions and Stories. You can even offer a freebie or a quick consultation to get them into your inbox. The more conversations you have, the more likely you are to turn followers into paying clients.
If managing DMs feels overwhelming, consider using automation tools like ManyChat or SendPulse to handle common inquiries and keep the conversation flowing, even when you’re busy.
Final Thoughts on Getting Interior Design Clients on Instagram
If Instagram isn’t bringing you clients, it’s likely because one or more of these factors is holding you back. But the good news? Small tweaks can make a big difference. By optimizing your profile, posting consistently, engaging with your audience, and leveraging Instagram’s full range of features, you can start attracting the right clients and growing your business.
Want to dive deeper? Check out our Instagram course designed specifically for interior designers—it covers all the fundamentals you need to build a solid Instagram presence, and more!
