Daily Times

Design is getting a new twist – it is all about what makes a great photo. With photo-sharing apps like Instagram becoming wildly popular, picture-worthy décor is here. From restaurants to hotels to homes, walls are being painted in elaborate murals of tropical wildlife, floors are getting more colourful and new tablescapes are being thought up. Earlier, how a room looked in photographs was a secondary concern. But now, interior designers are being increasingly told to make a space photo-worthy.

CAN YOU POST IT? — Pre-Instagram, interiors were about dark wood, dim lighting and a muted whitish colour palette. Now, it’s about rainbow-colours, and neon pops that translate well in a picture. In fact, there are firms that specialise in turning restaurants into Instagram bait by designing menus, interiors and coasters that are post-worthy.

Interior designer Manjari Sharma says, “Social media has become the new decor influencer. It’s a new platform fast changing the way we value design. We make ‘kitschy’ stuff just to “make it Instagrammable” – it’s a new design sensibility.”

From table tops, to crockery to lighting, everything is mirroring this. Interiors stylist Rimaa Bhushan says that Instagram is a great platform to exhibit interior design work and quality. She creates designs of certain corners to post. “Photographing spaces like these wasn’t a priority till a couple of years ago. Instagram has indeed increased the scope of adding to interior designers’ branding,” she notes.

THE ‘LIKE’-MINDED DÉCOR — it’s a catchy design trend, and with over 800 million Instagram users and counting, this is not going away anytime soon. Architect Nilanjan Bhowal says what people see on sites like Insta and Pinterest is changing preferences. “Things they see on various posts and pins like colours such as fuchsia and teal on furniture, neutral or neon hues for houses and walls is becoming more and more visible in the spaces they occupy,” he notes. He has noticed a rise in ‘selfie walls’ in family lounges, funky wallpapers, neon signs and customised tiles for homes. “People want the designer to design spaces that take on a new look,” he says.

MAKE YOUR DECOR PHOTO FRIENDLY — smart shelving: Open shelving draws the eye and you can change the styling to suit your mood

Add candles: A candle tray with flowers in the corner is instantly instagrammable

Fresh flowers: Try out different arrangements, and vases – posies pose well

Statement walls: A statement wall or two at home is a great background for a picture. Make sure it resonates with your personality and tells a story

Curated corners: Handpick décor pieces on your travels to create spaces that showcase your interests

Light up: A fairy light or two is the simplest way to create photo-worthy pops in your home

Mirror, mirror: When it comes to mirrors, bigger the better. Mirrors are a great way to make any room feel larger and make for good pictures

Plant it: Green spaces, terrariums, big potted plants are all ‘click’ baits for your space.