Advice For ‘Instagram-Ready’ Interiors
Interior design enthusiasts are increasingly turning to online platforms like Instagram for inspiration and to document their home styling journeys.
A survey by the Home Builders Federation (HBF) found 38% of Brits will not take photos inside their house if it isn’t ‘photo-ready’, which increases to 51% of those aged 25-34, and one-in-five Brits have also spent time cleaning their house specifically to create a background for ‘the perfect photo” for social media.
The designers at Anwyl Homes’ Alexandra Gardens development in Crewe have some great tips for how to make the most of social media when styling your home.
Gemma Schofield, managing director at Middlewich-based Lifestyle Interiors, said: “We love sharing interior design advice and trends with home buyers, especially in Cheshire where we find that people like to stay one step ahead of the curve.
“For many, Instagram is a great place to seek interior inspiration and document their own home styling journey. As designers, we pull inspiration from so many places. I can be inspired by fashion trends, nature and even visiting places like bars and restaurants. Likewise, social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are able to show us inspirational images from all over the globe and can open our eyes to new trends and ideas we might not have considered.
“It is definitely changing the way people decorate their homes – they are becoming a lot more savvy with their styling.”
So what advice does Gemma have for creating the perfect photo-ready room?
“Lighting is key”, she said. “We use lots of natural light to keep the image bright and airy or, alternatively, you can make your image moodier by using candles and lamps. Always think about what the focal point of the image is and consider hiding anything that you don’t want in the image like wires or plug sockets. But most importantly have fun and take photos of things you love.”
“We have incorporated so many new season trends into the ‘Henley’ and ‘Farndon’ at Alexandra Gardens. The ‘Farndon’ show home has a minimal look with Scandi inspired furniture and accessories, while the ‘Henley’ is a more alluring, boutique scheme, which is a very popular look within the Cheshire area. The ‘Henley’’s lounge looks particularly fabulous on our Instagram feed with its feature nature print wallpaper, statement lighting and marble and dulled gold accessories.”
For those who use social media for design inspiration and to share photos of their own interior style, it’s an opportunity to become part of a new community of likeminded individuals.
Gemma explained: “There is such a huge array of home accounts on Instagram now and lots of people engaging with others who share their passion. Interior design is a creative outlet and I think when people put lots of effort into making their house look good they understandably want to show it off. Cheshire itself, as well as nearby Liverpool and Manchester, are great places for up-and-coming artists and designers so it’s probably one of the best locations in the UK to find inspiration and keep ahead of trends.”
Of course homes are primarily to be enjoyed and lived in and it’s not practical for a real-life home to be styled perfectly for visitors or photographs every day, so Gemma has some advice for keeping your home looking good while also being functional and relaxed.
“Storage is key to keeping your home ‘Insta-worthy’ but also practical”, she added. “Large sideboards and cabinets allow you to have plenty of storage to tidy away the mess and give you a great surface for some fun styling.”
Alexandra Gardens, off Sydney Road, is a development of three- and four-bedroom homes within walking distance of Crewe town centre, with handy access to the M6 motorway and close to more rural areas like Haslington and Sandbach. Prices start at £194,995.
The two luxurious show homes, styled by Lifestyle Interiors, are open to homebuyers by appointment. Find out more at www.anwylhomes.co.uk.
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