The Best Social Media Platforms for Interior Designers

Here's some great news: there is actually only one social media platform you really have to be on - all the others are "nice to haves."

There's so much noise out there about what you should be doing, but the truth is most advice applies to ecommerce, course creators, and influencers. Interior design is special (but you knew that already, right? 😘).

Important note: For most interior designers, social media works as support to your other marketing efforts rather than being the main focus. It shouldn't actually be your top priority. That said, if you have the capacity, the more marketing supports you can add, the better - but only if you can execute them well without detracting from your primary marketing efforts.

Let's dive into each platform in order of priority for interior design marketing.

Priority 1: Instagram - Your Non-Negotiable Primary Platform

Why Instagram is Essential for Interior Designers

Instagram is literally built for visual storytelling, which is exactly what interior design is. Your potential clients are already scrolling Instagram for design inspiration, and if they've found you elsewhere, they'll definitely check you out on "The Gram." Instagram is a crucial touchpoint in your marketing web.

Pros for Interior Designers

• Visual-first platform perfectly showcases your design work

• Stories and Reels let you show behind-the-scenes process work

• Local discovery through location tags, local hashtags, and location names in captions

• Direct client communication through DMs

• Highest engagement rates compared to other platforms

• Multiple content formats: posts, Stories, Reels, IGTV, and Live videos

• Collaboration opportunities with trades and suppliers to grow your reach

Cons to Consider

• Algorithm changes can affect reach unpredictably

• Time-intensive—Instagram can be a time sink if you let it

• Competition is fierce in the interior design space

• Requires regular posting to maintain visibility

Bottom line: If you're only going to be on one platform, make it Instagram. Period.

Priority 2: Facebook - Your Local Community Hub

Facebook's organic reach has plummeted, so you need to leverage this channel differently. On Facebook, it's not so much about what you post but how you interact in groups.

Pros for Interior Designers

• Local business promotion through Facebook Pages and local groups

• Facebook Ads still offer detailed targeting options

• Event promotion for open houses or design workshops

• Client testimonials and reviews build social proof

• Facebook Groups for community building and networking

Cons for Interior Designers

• Declining organic reach 

• Aging user base may not align with target demographics

• Algorithm doesn’t promote business content

• Less visual focus than Instagram or Pinterest

• Time investment required - you need to be constantly active in groups

Best for: Local community engagement and targeted advertising campaigns.

Priority 3, Option 1: Pinterest - The Visual Search Engine

Pinterest functions more like a visual search engine than traditional social media. People come here specifically looking for design inspiration and solutions to their home problems. Your clients are probably already here looking for inspiration.

Pros for Interior Designers

• Long content lifespan - pins can drive traffic for months or years

• SEO benefits as pins often appear in Google image searches

• Evergreen traffic to your website and blog, which also helps with SEO

• Perfect for showcasing before/after transformations

Cons for Interior Designers

• Less direct client interaction compared to other platforms

• Requires consistent pinning strategy to maintain momentum

• Can be time-consuming to create pin graphics and optimise descriptions

• Hard to build personal connections

• Lack of location targeting makes it harder to create area-specific content

• Questionable buyer intent- while users seek inspiration, they may not use Pinterest to actually find designers

Best for: Driving website traffic and potentially reaching clients in the planning phase of their projects.

Priority 3, Option 2: LinkedIn - The B2B Networking Platform

Most interior design clients are professionals, and most professionals are on LinkedIn. Think of LinkedIn as your online networking hub for building networks and authority.

Pros for Interior Designers

• B2B networking opportunities with real estate and business professionals

• Professional credibility building through articles and posts

• Lead generation potential through direct networking and referrals

• Partnership opportunities with complementary service providers

Cons for Interior Designers

• Limited visual focus compared to other platforms

• Smaller audience 

• Less engaging 

• Time investment may not yield direct client results

Best for: Building professional networks and seeking B2B partnerships with real estate agents, architects, suppliers, mortgage brokers, and other professionals.

Priority 4: YouTube - The Long-Term Investment Platform

YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world, and people spend serious time watching home design content - think room makeovers, design tips, and reno reveals.

Pros for Interior Designers

• Longest content lifespan of any social platform- videos can get views for years

• High-value audience willing to invest time in longer content

• SEO powerhouse as videos appear in Google search results

• Authority building through educational content and tutorials

• Multiple revenue streams through ads, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing

• Room transformation videos and time-lapses perform exceptionally well

• YouTube Shorts compete directly with TikTok and Instagram Reels

Cons for Interior Designers

• Extremely time-intensive content creation, filming, and editing

• Steep learning curve for video production and YouTube SEO

• Slow initial growth - it takes time to build subscriber base

• Equipment investment required for quality video and audio

• Consistent upload schedule required for algorithm favour

Best for: Designers who love being on camera, have time for extensive content creation and or a desire to diversify income streams. Perfect for establishing yourself as a design educator and thought leader.

Priority 5: TikTok - The Wild Card for Younger Demographics

If your ideal client skews younger (think millennials buying their first homes), TikTok can be incredibly powerful for brand awareness and showing your personality.

Pros for Interior Designers

• Massive reach potential with viral content possibilities

• Younger demographic (25-40) with disposable income

• Behind-the-scenes content performs exceptionally well

• Quick transformation videos are highly shareable

• Authentic, unpolished content often performs better than perfect posts

• Better organic reach as the platform is still in its growth phase. 

• Early Entry Bonus - establishing a ‘foothold’ in the early growth phase may pay off down the track

Cons for Interior Designers

• Time-intensive video creation and editing

• Inconsistent algorithm makes growth unpredictable

• Younger audience may not have budget for high-end design services

• Trend-dependent content can feel inauthentic to your brand

• Limited link sharing makes driving traffic challenging

Best for: Building brand awareness with younger homeowners and showing your design process in an entertaining way.

Your Social Media Strategy: Start Here

Here's your priority list—and remember, if you don't get past Instagram, that's perfectly okay!

1. Phase 1: Master Instagram

2. Phase 2: Leverage Facebook

3. Phase 3: Add Pinterest or LinkedIn

4. Phase 4: Consider YouTube

5. Phase 5: Try TikTok

The Truth About Platform Overwhelm

Too many talented designers burn themselves out trying to be everywhere at once, posting mediocre content across five platforms instead of creating amazing content for one or two.

Your dream clients don't need to find you on every platform - they just need to find you where you're showing up authentically and consistently. Focus on your core marketing drivers and doing Instagram exceptionally well, and you'll get better traction than someone who's mediocre on five platforms and all their other marketing efforts.

Remember: It's better to be the queen of one platform than invisible on five.

Now stop scrolling through advice about being everywhere and go create some gorgeous Instagram content that shows off your incredible talent! You've got this.

Need help with your social media strategy? I'm always here to be your wing-gal! Drop me a line at hello@designed2bseen.com.au