How To Style An Interior Photoshoot For Magazines
Planning an Interior Photoshoot? Start Here.
Whether you’re an interior designer, a home stylist, or just prepping your home for sale or an Airbnb listing — this guide will help you plan your interior photoshoot like a pro and make shoot day feel effortless (and maybe even fun).
Because yes — your home deserves its glossy moment.
You’ve styled the cushions, fluffed the fern, and lit that $60 candle. But then the photographer shows up… and suddenly the space feels too lived-in, not polished enough, or just… off?
A great interior photoshoot isn’t about faking perfection. It’s about capturing the essence of your space — the lifestyle, the vibe, the details. Whether you’re going for real estate-ready, coffee table cover girl, or showing off your home improvement triumphs, this guide will help you tell the right story — one beautiful frame at a time.
Hi 👋 I’m Jacqueline from The Glade Design. I specialise in residential interiors. Check out my services or email me to chat. New design tips and home inspo every week—subscribe for exclusive content!
Why Interior Styling Matters in a Shoot
We all know the camera adds $$$ — and apparently, ten layers of clutter too.
Even the most beautifully designed home needs tweaking to come across well on camera. That’s because photography flattens depth, blurs nuance, and exaggerates imperfections. What feels cosy in real life can look cramped or chaotic in photos. That’s where styling comes in — to bring back the mood, shape, and clarity your interior deserves.
This is not about deception. It’s about clarity. You’re not changing the design — you’re amplifying it.
Step 1: Define the Story Before You Style
Every standout interior photoshoot starts with one thing: intention.
Before you fluff a pillow or move a single chair, take a moment to define the story you’re telling. This becomes your internal brief — and the one you’ll share with your photographer. Because if you don’t know what mood you’re creating, how can the camera?
Ask yourself:
- What’s the overall feeling of this space?
- Is it a calm family lounge? A minimalist retreat? A bold, high-drama kitchen?
- Who are you trying to reach — a magazine editor, future clients, or Pinterest dreamers?
Pro tip: Magazine-worthy shoots usually follow a “day in the life” vibe. Think Saturday morning coffee in the sunroom, a glass of wine on the balcony at golden hour, or a perfectly undone dinner party in the courtyard. The more specific the story, the stronger your interior photoshoot will feel.
Step 2: Clean First. Declutter Second. Then Style.
It might sound obvious, but cleaning for an interior photoshoot isn’t the same as your usual Saturday tidy-up.
Start with a deep clean:
- Wipe every surface — yes, every surface. Dust loves the spotlight.
- Remove smudges from mirrors, chrome taps, and glass — they photograph worse than they look in real life.
- Clean the windows so that beautiful natural light can bounce around like it’s meant to.
- Do a final mop or vacuum right before the photographer arrives.
Then, declutter like you mean it:
- Hide all personal items: phone chargers, remotes, tissue boxes, vitamins, the rogue water bottle… all of it.
- Strip back the kitchen bench and bathroom vanity.
- Keep side tables, desks, and nightstands clean and intentional.
Remember: Less is more. But less isn’t nothing.
This is where styling begins. Leave out only the beautiful, camera-worthy pieces — that ceramic bowl, the linen-bound book stack, the sculptural lamp. Hide the rest.
Step 3: Bring Your Space to Life (Literally)
No one wants to see a dead room in an interior photoshoot. Adding organic elements — fresh, natural, and a little bit wild — instantly brings warmth and movement to your images.
Here’s what works beautifully on camera:
- Fresh flowers: Go for seasonal blooms in relaxed, unfussy vessels. Think handpicked, not wedding bouquet.
- Plants: A sprig of eucalyptus, a trailing pothos, or a sculptural olive tree can soften corners and add depth.
- Fruit bowls & herbs: Perfect for styling kitchen benches, dining tables, or coffee nooks. Lemons, fresh basil, or a cluster of apples from the fruit bowl are your secret styling MVPs.
- Pet or people presence (optional): A dog lounging on a throw, bare feet walking past a hallway, or hands pouring tea — these subtle touches can make your interior photoshoot feel natural and lived in.
You don’t need to splurge on fancy props. Use what you already have.
Raid your garden for greenery. Style your kitchen scene with fresh produce or pantry items. Natural elements always look better on camera than synthetic ones — they photograph with more texture, depth, and charm.
Step 4: Layer With Intention
Now it’s time to bring in your styling props — but only after you’ve used what you already have. Start with the natural elements (plants, food, textiles), then layer in your décor items. You’ll quickly realise… you really don’t need much.
A successful interior photoshoot should have depth, texture, and warmth — but never feel overstyled or messy.
Think of styling like dressing your space in layers:
- Base: This is your furniture and layout. Everything should feel balanced and intentional — not just shoved against a wall.
- Mid-layer: Now add softness and function — think throws, cushions, rugs, trays. These bring in texture and help anchor the room.
- Top-layer: Time for the finishing touches — ceramics, coffee table books, candles, vases, or flowers. Just a few well-placed pieces will do the job.
Step 5: Edit Ruthlessly
What looks amazing in real life can fall completely flat in a photo.
That antique cabinet you adore? It might overwhelm the frame.
Your favourite patterned rug? It could clash with everything else and steal attention from your hero shot.
That’s why you need to edit with a camera’s eye — not just your own.
Grab your phone and start snapping as you go. Because photography flattens your 3D space into a 2D image, things don’t always show up how you expect. Angles shift. Objects merge. Colours clash.
Once you’ve done your first round of styling, take a few test shots and then:
- Remove or shift anything that looks distracting or bulky
- Tone down bold colours that dominate the image
- Re-centre key items to improve composition and balance
This is your chance to be objective. Pretend you’re walking into someone else’s home for the first time. What feels off? What’s not reading well?
Your interior photoshoot will look 10x stronger when you’re willing to let go of what doesn’t work on camera — even if it works in person.
Step 6: Work With Light, Not Against It
Lighting can make or break an interior photoshoot. It’s the difference between a space that looks dull and flat… and one that glows.
Natural light is your best friend — but she can be a bit of a diva.
Ideal timing:
- Late morning to early afternoon, when the light is soft and flattering
- Avoid direct midday sun (unless you’re intentionally going for high contrast shadows)
A few golden rules:
- Open all curtains and blinds. Even if it’s overcast, more light = more depth and dimension.
- Turn off overhead lights. They often add yellow or clashing tones that don’t photograph well.
- Bounce light around. Use reflectors, white foam boards, or even a simple white sheet to soften shadows and brighten darker corners.
If you’re working with a professional photographer, they’ll help shape the light beautifully. But prepping the space with lighting in mind will make a huge difference — and save valuable time on shoot day.
Step 7: Style With Purpose — Not Just Pretty Things
This is where many people trip up. When you’re in the thick of styling, it’s easy to get distracted by things that look nice — but don’t actually make sense in the space.
Here’s the golden rule: Place the right thing in the right place.
If you’re styling a bar or a drinks cabinet, bring in wine glasses, bottles, maybe a shaker or two. Not a stack of coffee mugs and a tea canister.
If you’re styling a bathroom, think towels, soap, candles, or skincare — not a stack of novels or a bowl of lemons (yes, it happens).
Of course, if you’re doing something creatively intentional (like styling for a niche magazine feature), you can play outside the rules. But for most interior photoshoots, grounding the styling in reality helps tell a stronger, more believable story.
It ties right back to Step 1: know the story you’re telling. And make sure everything in frame supports that story — not distracts from it.
Step 8: Hero the Design Details
If your interior photoshoot is capturing a renovation or home improvement project, don’t just shoot the wide angles — zoom in on the magic.
This is your chance to show off the craftsmanship, the textures, the little design decisions that brought the space to life.
Think about:
- Custom joinery or built-ins — highlight their lines, handles, or finishes
- Beautiful tilework or natural stone — get close enough to see the texture
- Material moments — boucle upholstery, timber grain, handmade ceramics, raw linen
- Feature lighting — let that sculptural pendant or wall sconce have its own frame
Detail shots don’t just fill space — they add soul.
Magazines love them. They tell a richer, more tactile story and are often what end up in sidebars, “Editor’s Picks”, or even as the opening shot in a feature. They also translate beautifully for Pinterest or Instagram reels, giving your interior photoshoot that scroll-stopping moment.
Step 9: Step 9: Curate, Don’t Overload
An interior photoshoot isn’t a full home tour. It’s a highlight reel.
Instead of trying to capture every corner, focus on the strongest 5–10 moments — the scenes that truly tell the story of your space. These are your vignettes, your hero shots, your editorial darlings.
Think about:
- The kitchen island styled with breakfast prep — coffee, croissants, linen napkins
- A lounge room bathed in morning light, with a soft throw draped just so
- A bedroom with perfectly rumpled linen and plump, welcoming pillows
- A reading nook complete with armchair, warm lighting, and a cup of tea
- The entryway styled with a bag, coat, and a subtle “welcome home” feel
Too many wide-angle shots can make everything look generic and disconnected. It’s the close-ups and curated styling moments that linger — and leave an impression.
Less, but better. Always.
Step 10: Collaborate Like a Pro
If you’re working with a photographer, magazine editor, or creative team, treat it as a true collaboration — but remember, they’re not the stylist. That’s your job.
Their role is to capture the space. Your role is to make sure what they’re capturing is styled to tell the right story.
Bring along:
- Props you may or may not use (throws, candles, flowers, fruit, ceramics)
- Backup options in case something doesn’t look right on camera
- A calm mindset — things always take longer than planned
Before shoot day:
- Share visual references — Pinterest boards, editorial spreads, previous projects
- Clarify the aesthetic or mood you’re aiming for (light and airy? moody and sculptural?)
- Ask what gear they’ll be using — some wide-angle lenses can distort furniture or stretch proportions. Good to know in advance so you can plan angles accordingly.
And most importantly — give yourself time.
An interior photoshoot that looks effortless on screen often takes hours of styling, shifting, tweaking, and testing. So don’t rush. Build in buffers. And let the space shine at its own pace.
Styling Tips from the Pros
If you’re still building your confidence with styling, don’t worry — we’ve all been there, second-guessing the height of a vase or wondering if you’ve got “too many” cushions (spoiler: you probably do). The truth is, a polished interior photoshoot doesn’t come from stuffing the space with props — it comes from curating with intention.
Start with these tried-and-true styling tips:
- Lean or layer frames instead of hanging — great for renters or short-term setups
- Odd numbers win: groups of 3 or 5 create visual rhythm and balance
- Play with height: tall, medium, small — never do a flat lineup
- Stack with style: books + an object + a tiny vase or tea light = instant vignette
- Stick to a story: Are you trying to highlight the styling, or is it the kitchen cabinetry you want to shine? Let one lead and the other support
- If something feels off, remove before you add. Trust me — clutter is not camera-friendly
- Muted tones = subtle elegance. Vibrant pops are okay, but use with purpose
- Plain colour scheme? Lean into texture — linen, boucle, stone, timber, ceramics. Texture photographs beautifully.
- Going bold with colour? Choose a palette and stick to it — too many random hues and you’re back in messy territory.
Behind Every Effortless Shot Is… a Lot of Effort
Interior photoshoots are a bit like that “no makeup” makeup look. Sure, it feels effortless when you’re scrolling through the pages of Real Living or Inside Out — but behind the scenes? There were probably ten different versions of that throw rug, three people moving a chair half a metre back and forth, and a desperate last-minute run to the florist.
I once brought over a bunch of plants for a shoot, thinking they’d nail the vibe. Spoiler: they didn’t. After ages trying to make them work, I asked my client if I could snip a tiny tree from their garden — with full permission, of course! Turns out, the perfect styling piece was right there in the backyard all along.
The process is completely normal.
Styling for a camera is different from styling for real life. It’s not about tricking people — it’s about translating your space through the lens.
Because a photo doesn’t have scent, sound, or movement. Your job is to create all that feeling through the stillness.
Want Your Space to Feel Like You — But With That Magazine Polish?
Whether you’re an interior designer preparing your latest project, a homeowner ready to sell, or an Airbnb host hoping for more clicks, an interior photoshoot is your moment to show your space at its best.
But here’s the best part: you don’t have to do it alone.
At The Glade Design, we help clients not only style their spaces beautifully — but style them specifically for the camera. That means:
- Choosing the right colour palette and styling pieces to support your existing design
- Editing the space to suit the frame, not just the eye
- Helping you tell the story of your home — whether it’s dreamy and coastal, earthy and moody, or crisp and architectural
We’ll help you highlight the design details, layer with intention, and create images that feel real, but elevated.
Remember This:
An interior photoshoot isn’t about faking perfection.
It’s about capturing your home’s soul — the light, the warmth, the stories hidden in the corners — and giving it a moment to shine.
✨ You don’t need more. You just need the right things, in the right place, with the right light. ✨
And if you ever get stuck… you know where to find us.
Book a 90-minute design consultation to get fresh ideas and expert advice for your project!
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