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Introduction
Instagram is always evolving, and 2025 is no different. Recently, Instagram announced that hashtags no longer have a direct impact on reach and even removed the ability for users to follow hashtags. Naturally, this has left many interior designers wondering—are hashtags still worth using?
Here’s the truth: while hashtags might not hold the same power they once did, they’re far from useless. Instagram has shifted its focus toward keywords to improve search functionality, but hashtags still act as important signals. They help Instagram understand what your content is about and can still make your posts more discoverable in specific searches. On top of that, people continue to search for hashtags to find inspiration, design ideas, and services.
In this post, I’ll explain how hashtags work on Instagram in 2025, why they still matter despite the changes, and how you can use them strategically without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, I’ll share our go-to hashtag strategy designed specifically for interior designers to help you get found and stay visible. Let’s dive in!
1. Instagram’s Shift from Hashtags to Keywords
Instagram has made it clear that keywords are now a bigger priority when it comes to search functionality. Instead of relying on hashtags alone, Instagram uses the words in your captions, profile, and even alt text to help users discover relevant content. This shift reflects how people are searching on the platform—they’re typing in phrases like “modern kitchen design” or “luxury interiors” instead of browsing through hashtag pages.
With this change, optimizing your captions with robust, relevant keywords is more important than ever. For example, instead of a simple caption like "New project reveal," make sure to include descriptive keywords about the project. Words and phrases like "modern kitchen," "custom cabinetry," or "natural light" provide context that helps Instagram categorize your content and makes it easier for potential clients to find you.
While Instagram’s focus has shifted to keywords, hashtags still play a role in content discovery. In the next section, we’ll discuss why they’re still worth including in your posts.
2. Hashtags Aren’t Useless: Why They Still Matter
Even though Instagram has deprioritized hashtags in terms of reach and removed the ability to follow them, they still serve important functions. Hashtags help Instagram categorize your content and can boost its visibility in search results. Additionally, people still search for specific hashtags to find inspiration and resources—especially within niche communities like interior design.
Here’s why hashtags are still valuable for your content strategy:
1. People Still Search for Hashtags
Many users continue to search hashtags when looking for specific content. For example, someone might search for hashtags like #BathroomGoals, #ModernKitchenDesign, or #DallasInteriors to find inspiration or design professionals in their area. By including relevant hashtags, your content can appear in these searches, helping potential clients discover your work.
2. Hashtags Help Instagram Understand Your Content
Think of hashtags as keywords for Instagram’s algorithm. While captions and alt text are increasingly important, hashtags still act as signals that tell Instagram what your content is about. If you’re posting a living room project, hashtags like #LivingRoomDesign or #HomeStyling reinforce the context of your post and make it more searchable.
3. Community Engagement and Visibility
Even though users can’t follow hashtags anymore, hashtags remain popular within specific design communities. By using hashtags related to interior design topics, trends, and publications (e.g., #mysmphome, #bhgstylemaker, #archdigest), you can increase your visibility and engage with people who are already interested in your content.
While hashtags may no longer guarantee a huge reach boost, they’re still essential for improving your content's discoverability and relevance. Up next, we’ll talk about simplifying your hashtag strategy so you don’t have to stress over finding the “perfect” combination.
3. Don’t Stress Over Finding the “Perfect” Hashtag Combo
It’s easy to get caught up in trying to crack the code of the “perfect” hashtag combination, but here’s the truth: you don’t need to overthink it. With Instagram’s shift to prioritizing keywords, hashtags are no longer the make-or-break factor for reach and engagement. Instead of spending hours searching for the ideal mix, focus on using hashtags that are relevant to your brand, location, and content.
The key is to be intentional with your hashtags while keeping things manageable. You want them to work alongside your keywords to give Instagram (and your audience) a clear understanding of what your post is about.
In the next section, I’ll share our go-to hashtag strategy. It’s designed to simplify the process and help interior designers create reusable sets of hashtags that make sense for their business and content. With this approach, you can stop stressing about hashtags and start focusing on what really matters—creating amazing content!
4. Our Hashtag Strategy for Interior Designers in 2025
To make hashtags work for you without the overwhelm, we recommend a simple, repeatable strategy: create three base sets of hashtags that you can easily customize for each post. These base sets cover brand-focused hashtags, location-specific hashtags, and community hashtags. Once you have these in place, you can add a few post-specific hashtags based on the content you're sharing. Let’s break it down step-by-step.
1) Brand-Focused Hashtags
These hashtags describe your business, services, and design style. Think of them as an extension of your brand identity—they help reinforce who you are and what you do.
Examples:
Branded hashtags: #YourBusinessName, #YourTagline
Design style hashtags: #ResidentialDesign, #HomeDesigner, #ModernInteriors, #LuxuryInteriors
These hashtags make your content recognizable and help build a strong brand presence.
2) Location-Specific Hashtags
If you want to attract local clients, using location-specific hashtags is essential. These hashtags help people in your area find you when searching for a designer or design inspiration near them. Think about what someone might type into Instagram’s search bar when looking for a designer in your city.
Examples:
#DallasInteriorDesign, #DallasInteriors, #LAInteriorDesigner, #ChicagoInteriors
Include variations for suburbs or regions if applicable (e.g., #NorthTexasDesign)
These hashtags help you connect with local audiences, making it easier for potential clients to discover and reach out to you.
3) Community Hashtags
Community hashtags are widely used by interior design enthusiasts and professionals. These hashtags are often associated with popular publications, design networks, and style trends. By using them, you can increase visibility and get your work featured in design conversations.
Examples:
These hashtags allow you to engage with established design communities, boosting your content's discoverability within those circles.
Customizing Hashtags for Specific Content
Once you have your three base sets of 10-15 hashtags, you can easily customize your hashtags for each post by adding 5-10 content-specific hashtags.
For example, if you’re posting about a bathroom project, you might add:
Or, for a kitchen design post, you might include:
This mix of base and content-specific hashtags gives you a balance of brand consistency and flexibility, helping Instagram categorize your content while also making it relevant to your audience’s interests.
5. Putting It All Together
Now that you have your three base hashtag sets—brand-focused, location-specific, and community hashtags—you can streamline your workflow by creating and saving these sets for easy access. This approach saves time and keeps your hashtag strategy consistent while still allowing flexibility for content-specific additions.
Here’s how to make it work for your content:
Step 1: Save Your Base Hashtag Sets
Create separate lists for each of your base sets and store them somewhere convenient, like a notes app or social media scheduling tool. For example, have a set for general posts about your brand, another for location-focused content, and one for design community engagement.
Step 2: Add Content-Specific Hashtags
Whenever you create a post, copy your base hashtags and then add 5-10 content-specific hashtags related to the topic. This keeps your hashtags relevant to the post without the need to start from scratch every time.
Example:
For a kitchen project post, add hashtags like #DreamKitchen, #LuxuryKitchens, or #ModernKitchenDesign to your base set.
For a seasonal decor post, you might include #HolidayHomeDecor or #FestiveSpaces.
Step 3: Stay Consistent and Adjust as Needed
Over time, you’ll notice which hashtags are performing well. You can make adjustments to your base sets based on analytics or trending hashtags, but the key is to stay consistent. Instagram’s algorithm favors regular posting and clear signals about your content, so sticking with a solid strategy will help your visibility over time.
By following this system, you’ll simplify your hashtag process while still maximizing your content’s discoverability. No more stressing about finding the perfect combination for every post—you’ll already have a plan in place!
6. Take Your Hashtag Strategy to the Next Level
Ready to simplify your hashtag strategy even more? I’ve put together a free resource designed specifically for interior designers: the Interior Design Hashtag Bank. This comprehensive guide includes over 300 researched hashtags organized by room type, design style, and more.
With this hashtag bank, you’ll be able to:
Save time by quickly finding relevant hashtags for your projects.
Customize your posts with content-specific hashtags that align with your designs.
Stay connected with key design communities and boost your post visibility.
Whether you’re posting about a bathroom renovation, a kitchen remodel, or seasonal decor, this resource has you covered with hashtags that are both strategic and effective.
Download the Interior Design Hashtag Bank today and start enhancing your Instagram strategy with ease. Your next post is already one step closer to success!
With this strategy and resource, you'll be ready to tackle Instagram hashtags in 2025 and beyond!
Conclusion
While Instagram may have changed how hashtags affect reach, they still play an important role in helping your content get discovered. By acting as searchable keywords and signaling the context of your posts, hashtags remain a valuable tool for visibility and engagement—especially for interior designers looking to connect with local clients and design communities.
The key is to keep it simple. With a solid strategy that includes brand-focused, location-specific, and community hashtags, you can streamline your process and stop stressing over finding the “perfect” combo. Add in a few content-specific hashtags to customize each post, and you’re set!
Ready to take your hashtag strategy to the next level? Don’t forget to download my Interior Design Hashtag Bank with over 300 researched hashtags. It’s a time-saving resource designed to help you post with confidence and grow your presence on Instagram in 2025.
Start using hashtags strategically, stay consistent, and let your content shine!
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