Why Don’t My Interiors Ever Look Like the Ones in Magazines?

You’re flipping through a glossy interior design magazine, and your eyes sparkle as you take in the flawless interiors…

Then, you look around your home. You even think back to your last renovation that seemed to be the “perfect” project at the time, but your interiors never looked like what you see in the magazines.

Even if you bought that plush couch you see in the magazine and updated your walls to the Pantone Color of the Year, something would still be missing.

Why DO magazine interiors look the way they do? The real secret sauce isn’t high-end selections or photo editing…it’s interior design staging.

YES, staging. The invisible hands of an interior designer who swept in and transformed that space into something magazine-worthy, just for the camera.

Here’s why you’ll want to know how photoshoot staging is done:

• You’ll learn a few tricks to update your own interiors for an event or photoshoot
• You’ll see what effort and resources are behind the interior you dream of
• You’ll also quiet the critical inner voice that says your home is NEVER up to par

Professional Interiors Staging: The Magic Behind the Scenes

Let’s be honest…if your home were truly as immaculate as the interiors you see in magazine spreads, you’d be afraid to sit down!!

READ: The homes you see in interior design magazine photos have been meticulously staged to within an inch of their lives, and they do NOT reflect everyday living.

Still, it’s helpful to understand how the process works. Here’s a step-by-step of how professional designers make it happen…

1. Declutter the chaos. All the little items that make the house your home get stashed away, from the mail on the counter to the book you’re halfway through. What “personal touch” décor you do keep is reduced to around 15% of what you usually have out.
   
   Why’s this matter? Clutter-free spaces feel bigger, brighter, and more inviting in photos. It’s like the visual equivalent of taking a deep breath!!
   
   
2. Reimagine the layout. The furniture in a professional photoshoot isn’t always where it normally lives. It’s rearranged, or at the very least angled and adjusted to create the most aesthetic composition…for every single shot. Sometimes, pieces are even brought in JUST for the shoot.
   
   Why’s this matter? The layout needs to guide the viewer’s eye through the space. What works in real life doesn’t matter…it’s all about the angle the camera captures it from.
   
   
3. Perfect the lighting. Natural light is a photographer’s best friend, but it’s still supplemented with lamps, bounced light, and temporary lighting to ensure every corner is PERFECTLY illuminated for the shoot.
   
   Why’s this matter? Good lighting makes everything look better!! It softens lines, brightens corners, and brings out the brightness and natural shimmer in key colors and textures.
   
   
4. Add a few thoughtful details. Things like fresh flowers, artfully arranged books (usually the ones you’d NEVER read, like encyclopedias) and carefully chosen accessories are placed with surgical precision. The pillows are fluffed, too, and everything is given that perfect final touch.
   
   Why’s this matter? The finished details add personality and warmth, making it look like a home…even if, upon closer look, it lacks anything you’d NORMALLY see in the space!!
   
   
5. One final “lifestyle” detail. After all the thoughtfully placed flowers and bookends, etc., there’s usually one final detail thrown in to make the space look really lived in. For a bathroom photoshoot, it might be a fluffy robe hung by the shower. In a kitchen, it might be a cutting board with a bright yellow lemon recently sliced in half.
   
   Why’s this matter? Even the best staged spaces will look too sterile and unrelatable without this final element.
   

How to Bring Interior Staging Magic to Your Home

Now you know what goes into interior design staging for those stunning magazine photos…

Have you wondered yet what you can take from this process to apply to your ownhome?

There are two cases when these steps come in handy:

1. You’re having people over and want the space to look perfect…making for the most STUNNING backdrop in all the photos you KNOW everyone will be taking!
2. You’re capturing photos and videos of your interiors to put a listing up on a vacation rental site, or to get the house ready to sell.

In both cases, yes, you can DEFINITELY use some of these staging steps. Here are some examples of how that works out in real life:

• Declutter strategically. You don’t have to hide EVERYTHING, but a little decluttering goes a long way. Focus on clearing surfaces, especially those people will use if you’re hosting an event. Try using baskets or stylish boxes to keep necessary items out of site, but within reach.
• Rearrange your floorplan for the best flow. Take a critical look at your furniture. Is there a better way to arrange it to make the space feel more open, or to get people to congregate where you want them? Even small changes can make a BIG difference.
• Play with the lighting. Try adding more light sources to a perpetually dark space, or install dimmers to create ambience for any event. Even candles (electric ones, for safety’s sake) can create a warm glow. And, if you are primping the space for photos, be sure to let ALL the natural light in you can!!
• Final styling tricks. Think about getting fresh flowers or leaving out a well-placed throw blanket. Even a couple of carefully arranged books can add magazine-worthy charm without making it feel overdone.

THE CAVEAT: Remember, it’s one thing if you’re refreshing a space for a photoshoot…but another thing if you’re having people over. If you are hosting an event, functionality still has to be the star of the show.

You’ll see your home with fresh eyes…

Now that you understand the basics behind those breathtaking interior design photos, you can appreciate them for what they are…beautiful, yes, but METICULOUSLY staged. This knowledge allows you to continue enjoying the inspiration they provide…while translating the elements into practical ideas for your home.

Essentially, you’ve taken off the rose colored glasses!!

Next time you find yourself flipping through an interior design magazine or scrolling through interiors on Pinterest, take a moment to admire the artistry. Then, give yourself a little grace when comparing the photos to your own home!!

Join our private design group to keep the conversation going…

About the author

Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for nearly three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.

In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.

In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.