Where to Start if You're an Interior Designer Looking to Use Public Relations in 2025
As is the case for most service providers, public relations is a hot topic in 2025, especially for professionals in interior design. With growing competition in the industry, you can no longer rely on a beautifully curated portfolio to stand out. You also need to build your visibility, credibility, and authority as a service provider, and PR can help you do just that.
As a top personal branding expert with extensive experience in the real estate and construction industries, I want to make it as easy as possible for talented interior designers to leverage PR strategies that elevate their brand and grow their business. Because let’s be real—that famous feeling you crave every time you complete a stunning home renovation, transform a space, or provide a seamless client experience? It’s a valid and well-deserved desire! But the key to earning that recognition isn’t just through your work alone; it’s about ensuring that the right people see it, talk about it, and share it with a broader audience.
That’s where public relations comes in.
And here’s the best part. You don’t need to hire an expensive PR agency or publicist to make it happen. You already have everything you need to start making waves in the media and positioning yourself as an industry leader (and if you want to learn more, we offer incredible Publicity Coaching programs to show you the ropes).
Define Your Unique Positioning in Interior Design
Before you start leveraging public relations, the first step is understanding what you want to be known for. If your immediate answer is simply “interior design,” we’ve got some work to do.
When it comes to building a press-worthy personal brand as an interior designer, specificity is key.
Journalists, podcast hosts, and event coordinators don’t want generalists—they want specialists who can go deep into a subject and provide insights that a simple Google search or AI tool cannot.
Here are some questions to help you define your unique position:
What type of project excites me the most? (Luxury homes, boutique hotels, sustainable renovations, etc.)
Who is my ideal client? (High-end residential, budget-conscious homeowners, corporate offices, hospitality spaces?)
What part of the interior design process do I love the most? (Color psychology, space planning, sustainable materials, historical restorations?)
What do I do differently than others in my industry? (A proprietary design method, an education-first approach, a niche specialization?)
Once you have clarity on what makes your brand unique, use this as the foundation for your public relations efforts. The more specific you are, the easier it is to successfully pitch yourself to the media.
Take our client, Rebecca Foster, for example. She’s the founder of Align Interior Design and has found her unique position in educating homeowners about the interior design process. Instead of gatekeeping knowledge, she empowers clients with resources to make informed decisions—even guiding some to take a DIY approach to certain aspects of their projects.
This positioning has enabled her to secure media features early in her career, positioning her as an educator and thought leader in the field. The more she leans into her unique angle, the more recognition she gains.
Understand Your Target Audience
As a personal branding expert, one of the most common mistakes I see is business owners trying to appeal to everyone.
I get it—it feels safer to cast a wide net. But in reality, being everything to everyone makes it much harder to stand out.
For interior designers, narrowing your focus is essential, especially if you’re using public relations to build brand awareness. Before you start pitching to the media, ask yourself:
Do I want to attract residential or commercial clients?
What kind of interior design projects do I want to be known for?
What kind of media outlets do my ideal clients follow? (Luxury home magazines? Business publications? Sustainable living blogs?)
What kind of press opportunities align with my expertise? (TV segments, podcasts, speaking engagements, guest articles?)
Once you identify your target audience, it becomes much easier to craft PR pitches that resonate with the right media outlets. Not every press opportunity is meant for you—and that’s a good thing! The goal of PR isn’t to be featured everywhere; it’s to be featured in the right places that align with your expertise and ideal clients.
Practice Accessible Public Relations Pitching
Once you have your press-ready personal brand, it’s time to start pitching your expertise to publications, podcasts, and industry events. But before you aim for the cover of Architectural Digest, let’s set some realistic expectations.
Think of PR like climbing a ladder. You wouldn’t expect to jump straight to the top, you need to work your way up there. Start by securing smaller media features before setting your sights on major outlets.
How to Know if a Media Target is Right for You:
✅ The publication, podcast, or event has an audience size similar to yours. (If you have 5,000 followers, start with media outlets in the same range.)
✅ You have previous media features or industry credibility that supports your pitch.
✅ Your online presence (website, social media, portfolio) is professional, engaging, and clearly showcases your unique expertise.
If you don’t have all three of these in place yet, that’s okay! Build momentum with local media features, guest blogs, and industry panels before aiming for major magazines or national TV.
Create a Sustainable PR Strategy
Public relations isn’t a one-and-done effort—it’s an ongoing strategy. If you want to become a household name in interior design, you need to commit to consistent PR outreach and visibility efforts.
Here’s how you can incorporate public relations into your business regularly:
Pitch to One Media Outlet Per Week: Whether it’s a guest article, a podcast interview, or a TV segment, staying consistent will build momentum.
Leverage Your Social Media Presence: Share your media features, insights, and expertise regularly to stay top-of-mind.
Network with Journalists & Editors: Build relationships with people who cover interior design so that you become a go-to source for expert insights.
Attend & Speak at Industry Events: Conferences, trade shows, and local networking events can lead to valuable media exposure.
Repurpose Your PR Wins: Turn your media features into blog posts, social media content, and email newsletters to amplify their impact.
Final Thoughts: You Can Get Featured in Major Media—With the Right Strategy
Landing features in top-tier publications and media outlets like Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, or Business of Home isn’t impossible. It just requires the right strategy.
And that’s where working with a top personal branding experts like me, Katrina Owens of Knockout Directive, can help.
Whether you’re just starting to build your PR strategy or looking to land major media features, we can help you position your brand for success.
Ready to take action? Book a free Discovery Call today, and let’s create a PR strategy that puts your interior design business in the spotlight where it belongs.