Instagrammable Design Ideas that Bring in more Foot Traffic

Want more eyes on your business? Make it photo-worthy. In a world where everyone carries a camera in their pocket, the design of your space can do more than just please customers—it can promote your business for you.

The term "Instagrammable" isn’t about chasing trends or creating gimmicks. It’s about designing a space so beautiful, surprising, or delightful that people want to snap a photo and share it. That share becomes marketing you didn’t have to pay for. It will quite literally bring in more foot traffic.

According to a 2023 study by Retail Visual Trends, 68% of consumers said they were more likely to visit a business if they saw an interesting photo of its interior online. Among Millennials and Gen Z, that number jumps to 81%.

Here are the top design ideas that help your business get noticed—and photographed.

1. Create a Selfie-Worthy Wall: A mural, neon sign, or wallpapered feature wall makes a perfect backdrop for selfies, group shots, or flat lays. Want to take it up a notch? Add your brand name or hashtag in the design so it gets into every post.

Pro Tip: Commission me for something one-of-a-kind. It supports the local creative economy and makes your space stand out.

Selfie Wall mural by BrillyDesignCo

2. Use Color Intentionally: Colors spark emotion—and memory. Vibrant, unexpected color combinations grab attention, while cohesive palettes feel polished and professional. Whether it's a monochrome restroom or a rainbow seating area, bold unexpected color makes people reach for their cameras.

3. Think in Vignettes: Design little moments throughout your space that are visually interesting from a phone-sized perspective. A curated corner, a well-dressed shelf, or a unique light fixture can become a mini stage for photos. These smaller zones invite customers to explore—and photograph—as they move through your business. Guess what else this enforces? Memory. They are making memories and sharing them as they go.

4. Make Signage Shareable: Every sign is an opportunity to be clever, poetic, funny, or beautiful. Think punchy quotes in neon, hand-lettered chalkboards, or laser-cut wood shapes. These are tiny moments that encourage sharing.

5. Layer in Texture and Contrast: Texture adds richness and depth to a space—and that richness translates on camera. Combine sleek with rustic, soft with hard, matte with glossy. Think velvet chairs against exposed brick or matte black shelves with glossy green plants.

6. Use Plants (Generously): Nothing softens a space like greenery. Plants add life,

Although Alocasia plants thrive with bright, indirect light, consistent moisture, and high humidity, this beauty has done well without a humidifier.

energy, and a sense of care to your design. They're universally photogenic and can act as natural framing in photos. Depending on the plant, they can add drama too. Look at the size of these leaves! One leaf is as big as my torso.

7. Light It Right: Lighting might be the most important—and overlooked—element of an Instagrammable space. Use warm, flattering light and avoid harsh fluorescents screaming down from the ceiling. Layer pendants, sconces, lamps, and string lights for glow and dimension. As I say in my podcast... lighting, lighting, lighting, baby.

Stat Check: Studies show that businesses with “Instagrammable” elements report a 23% increase in foot traffic on average, especially from younger demographics.* Meanwhile, 54% of small businesses that invested in visual upgrades reported improved online engagement within 3 months.* Hello. Let's connect and make this happen.

Final Thought: Don’t Just Design for the Camera—A truly shareable space feels authentic. It should be your brand to the core—uniquely you. I can help you express that. When we design with intention and style, the camera love will follow.

Need help making your space photo-worthy and people-friendly? I specialize in helping Pacific Northwest businesses create beautiful, memorable interiors that people talk about—and come back to.

Let’s turn your space into the place everyone wants to be. [Book a free consultation below.]

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*Sources: Small Business Visual Marketing Survey, 2023; Retail Visual Trends Report, 2023