Have you always wondered what makes a home ‘magazine worthy’? Well, you are in luck. Today – I’m sharing my expert tips and tricks on how to get your home into an interiors magazine. Read on – and who knows, it could be your home on the cover of a magazine next month.
And don’t forget I share so many home decor ideas on my instagram. Make sure to follow!
Main Image | Sofas & Stuff
PLEASE NOTE:
> I’m only looking for UK properties
> I can only feature finished projects
> Please read the check list below before contacting me – thank you !
Want To Get Your Home Into An Interiors Magazine? Here’s How…
With over 20 years experience working in magazines, I know what to look for when it selecting houses to appear in magazine features. I’ve held editor roles on House Beautiful magazine & Home Magazine. As a freelancer, I write for titles like Ideal Home, Country Homes & Interiors, The Guardian, Good Homes, Real Homes and Your Home (to name a few).
I’m always on the look out for homes to feature in the pages of interior magazines.
Why do People want to be in an interiors magazines?
Why would you want to get your home into an interiors magazine? Well, there are many reasons. Firstly, it is a lovely reminder of all the hard work you have put into your home – especially if you have done it up on a budget or it is a big renovation project. It’s nice to have a visual reminder of your home.
Or if you own a small business – and it might be a really good way to promote your products. Or if you are an a fan of instagram – we can credit your insta handle. Or if you are an interior designer or architects want the press and pr coverage for their work.
And it’s a fun thing to do – and you get to experience what a shoot it like for a day and chat to a professional stylist too.
There is no payment involved for the homeowner – this is purely a passion project!
What are magazines looking for in a home?
Does your home check this list below:
- Your house needs to be filled with inspirational ideas, clever styling tricks, lots of personality and a strong sense of style.
- I don’t just look for mansion or grand houses (family homes work better) and you can live in a flat to get your home featured.
- Each magazine has specific idea of what it wants – titles like Homes & Gardens and Country Homes & Interior will want cottages and period properties with a story. While Ideal Home and Good Homes look for clever family spaces. And Home Style and Your Home look for homes filled with colour and lots of DIY ideas.
- I only look for UK homes.
- I need homes that 100% finished. No blank walls, lots of accessories, artwork, lovely furniture. I’m looking for a house with personality and ideas that magazine readers can try out in their own homes.
- We look for home that have relaxed, lived-in style.
- I also look for affordable makeovers especially kitchens and bathrooms
Image | Day True Bathroom & Kitchen Designs
How does a house shoot work?
What usually happens on the day is the stylist will turn up along with a photographer and maybe an assistant (depending how much work needs to be done). We’ll have a brief from the magazine about what shots we need to take and we’ll also have some props.
The shoot lasts all day – usually from 9am- 5pm. We start first thing in the morning while the light is good – as we’ll want to get as many shots as we can during the daylight hours. The team will work around your home, shooting the kitchen, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms – plus any ‘linking room’ like a hallway or landing.
Do you shoot every room in the house?
We will always need a finished kitchen, living room, bathroom and at least two bedrooms. We’ll style your space to suit the camera angle. It doesn’t have to be picture perfect which is what a lot of people worry about.
Most magazine would want you as a homeowner to be photographed in your home. I photograph the homeowner in the best room in their house – usually the kitchen or living room.
Can I approach a magazine directly?
Yes you can. But the teams on magazines are very small. There may not be someone checking the emails and you may think they are ignoring you but it could be because the team are flat out. Another way is to approach an interior journalist – like me – and ask them to send photos of your home to them and they can chat to ALL the magazines. I know all the editors personally.
Always check the credentials of a freelance interior journalist – check their website and their work to make sure they are the right person to send your home to.
How does an interiors journalist find houses?
I find houses through instagram, twitter, friends of friends. Lots of my work comes through word of mouth as people know about me. Or an editor may commission me.
How long does it take for a house to appear in a magazine?
It depends on the seasons and how quickly the magazine want to schedule it in. When I worked at House Beautiful, I would have big yearly schedule with all the makeovers and houses on. I would move houses and makeovers month to month, depending lots of factors – like a shoot gets cancelled or we need todo a bathroom special.
Most magazines shoot at least three months in advance. Christmas houses are usually shot in July. We shoot winter in summer and summer in winter so it can be a challenge to know. If you wan to get your home in an interiors magazine you may have to be prepared to put up a Christmas tree in the summer months.
DO YOU BRING PROPS?
As a stylist, I have a selection of props that I can dip into. Under my bed I have a box of tea towels in all different colours to suit any kitchen! As well as lots of plants, coffee table books and vases. Sometimes I might take a duvet and pillows with me.
I’ll always call the home owner and I will check what they have. On a recent shoot, the homeowner said she didn’t have matching mugs, so I brought with me some new china and mugs with me as a back up.
Have you just finished an amazing project – like this bathroom makeover? Then get in touch!
Bathroom | Day True Bathroom & Kitchen Designs
Do you write the articles as well as styling?
Yes, I do. I will interview the homeowner, write up the copy, send it over for copy approval – and then it will be sent to the magazine.
There you go, a little insight into how you can get your home into a magazine
Would like to get your home in an interiors magazine? If so, why not get in touch with me via my contact page. I’d love to see your space. Please note, I’m only looking for UK homes.
You May Also Like
GIVE YOUR HOME A MAKEOVER WITHOUT DECORATING IN 4 EASY STEPS
5 DECORATING IDEAS FOR A LUXE LOOK FOR LESS
YOU’LL LOVE THESE TOP 5 BATHROOM TRENDS FOR 2020
Greetings , I have competed my refurbishment work at my seafront regency flat at the iconic Royal Crescent Mansions . It’s a hybrid interpretation design aspiration from Kelly Hoppen ancd Sophie Patterson but maintains the regency characters . I would love my flag to be featured in a home magazine to share my design inspirations.
Hi I want you to place two of my homes in magazines you can reach me at 305 331 1056
My name is Inel Callwood
My email address is [email protected]
Thank you so much.
My sister in law lives in Brighton and I thought it should be featured in Interiors Magazine.
During the past 9 months of lockdown we have transformed our terraced cottage, both downstairs and garden. We had planned moving originally as we wanted open plan living but we loved our location. So glad we invested in our home. All our family and friends say we just put ourselves forward to home & garden magazine.
Can I have my living room feature in a magazine?
I would love to share my newly renovated home and the kitchen is just simply a show stopper with the comments from visitors being ‘wow just wow!’ In the heart of Wiltshire our 1930’s style home has been tranformed into a modern home but still boasting the character which it deserves!
I would love you to come to my beach house in the mountains, we.have a 854 sq ft home remodel into my beach home .
I re-loved a 1940’s farmhouse and it’s unbelievably magical.
Hi there,
My friend has the most gorgeous rustic & vintage home in Suffolk full of antiques & a lifetime of finds. The house is circa 1500. She has styled it beautifully. I have tried to contact a couple of magazines directly but haven’t had any luck. Can I send you a few photos of Marilyn’s house and you can let me know if you think it’s worth sending onto some of your contacts in home magazines? Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards
Kelli
Hi,
My only ambition is to have our 1905 end terrace home that has been lovingly restored, featured in an interiors magazine. We have done nearly everything ourselves including a period black kitchen, dark green reception rooms with reinstated cast fireplaces, tall skirtings and picture rails, a vibrant staircase and luxurious bedroom with feature ceiling and sliding double pocket doors. I have plenty of photos that I can send to you. We are proud as it has all been done on a budget and it would be a dream to have it featured in a magazine.
Thank you
Kathy
Hi Dear Maxine
I just come across your article and this is what I been looking for.My life has changed as for everybody in the last 2 years and relaised that If I ‘don’t fallow my calling my passion for interior design I never will .I feel this is the right time to leap on my journey. I had a Time to design our dream home and I would love my work to be shown to others and to help them to achieve this to .I do believe is so important how you feel I’n your owen space specialist now we are spending so much time at home .I have stated my business as interior designer and would love to feature my work in an interior design magazine. It would be one of my dreams. Than you for your time reading my mail all the best Melinda
Hello, I have a 10’ x16’ barn shed I transformed into a She Shed. Everyone says it’s “Absolutely beautiful!” when they step inside or see photos of it. I’ve had several people say it should be featured in a magazine. I must say I’m very proud of the shed because I came up with the inspiration and decorated it myself. I believe once you see it- you’ll feel it’s one of the best She Shed’s you’ve seen in a while.
Hi, ive just finished decorating my living room. Would love it to feature in a magazine, but not sure how to go about it.
Kind regards
Becky x
My name is Cynthia Mitchell-Allan I’ve spent years working on interior art and DIY and I wanted to know how I could show my house in an interior book. I have an Instagram page that has over 5000 followers and it is based around my house and the work I have produced.
Hey there
We are Jonathan and Phil – living in Beccles – close to the Heritage Suffolk coast. We live in a beautiful late Victorian Villa in town which we are continually renovating. When we moved in it had not been touched since the 60′ so whilst some damage had been done lots of things were untouched also. We have before and after shorts of every room, and a very unique 1960 Danish kitchen we refurbished. We have completed all 17 rooms and are on our second route around 🙂 We have a very eclectic style, and some recent feedback through a House Sitting site noted ‘This is a truly priceless sit in a beautifully and uniquely curated home’ We would love to get our home in House and Garden or World of Interiors – but would just love to show case it.
Any advice or inputs appreciated. Thanks – Jonathan
Hello,
We recently undertook the exciting project of purchasing our neighbor’s bungalow and transforming it into a beautiful home. Embracing the challenge, we decided to handle the renovation ourselves, pouring our hearts and skills into every detail. From designing the layout to installing fixtures and finishes, we meticulously converted the bungalow into a stylish and functional living space. The result is a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and cozy charm, reflecting our personal touch and dedication. We are thrilled with the outcome and would be honoured to showcase our renovated home in a magazine, sharing our journey and inspiring others to embark on their own DIY projects