A Dandy Day: 7 Styling Tips for Interior Shoots

Styling tips:

It is often required in the Interior Design Industry to style photo-shoots. A styled shoots brings an ordinarily flat, two dimensional interior scene alive. With the proper use of props and design principles you will be able to make a clinical space feel inviting and ultimately inspire someone with ideas that they can more freely translate into their own home.

1. De-clutter:

Clear out all unnecessary items that do not add to the Interior. Keep fashionable/décor items out and showcase them. Examples include to keep your La Crueset pots in the kitchen or the designer coffee table books in a lounge, but lose all excessive clutter.

2. Use props to compliment a theme:
Whether it is citrus fruit or perfectly aligned bottles in a kitchen or antique books in a study, make sure you stick to one central THEME.
As a Stylist you can bring along your own props, some must have items include: · pillows and throws in many different colour options
· books, lots and lots of books!
· stacking boxes, trays and baskets to help organise clutter
· unique décor items e.g. ceramic vases, globes etc
· fresh flowers
· various vases (clear options match everything), you’ll need short , tall, large and small containers and vases
· white towels for bathroom shoots · white dishes, fruit (citrus fruit adds nice interest to kitchen shoots), food props like Italian bread

3. Balance:Use symmetry; draw a mental line through the centre and mirror-image items. Keep enough different elements to keep the image interesting.

I would advise to sharpen up on the classic design principles just to have some background knowledge. Click here for a quick recap on Balance, Emphasis, Rhythm, Scale and more.

4. Arrangements:
Create interesting focus areas. Use a tray to help streamline grouped items. Play around with colours, textures and themes.

5. Tell a story:
An interior shot should represent a lifestyle. Add reading glasses on an open book; light the fire in the lounge. It is advised to keep the dining table simple (don’t OVER tell a story just to create a model home). Use shoes, sweaters and throws to create a homey, relaxed atmosphere.

6. Use people, animals and furniture to your advantage:
Pull out a chair, show mom and daughter working together in the kitchen. A successful interior feels natural and welcoming.