
The best keywords for an interior design website are like VIP passes to the front row of Google—without them, your dream clients won’t even know you exist.
You could have the most stunning portfolio, the most jaw-dropping transformations, and a design eye that belongs in magazines, but if no one can find you online, you’re missing out on booked-out projects and bigger opportunities.
The right keywords don’t just boost your ranking; they attract high-end clients who are actually searching for your aesthetic, your services, and your expertise!
Keep reading to learn exactly how to choose the keywords that will get your website in front of homeowners, business owners, and builders who are ready to hire you—so you can spend less time hunting for clients and more time designing dream spaces.
P.S. Check out my done for you SEO setups for interior designers here!
What Are Keywords, and Why Do They Matter for Interior Design Websites?
Keywords are the words and phrases people type into Google when searching for something specific—like luxury interior designer in Dallas or best paint colors for small bedrooms.
For interior designers, the right keywords act as breadcrumbs, leading ideal clients straight to your website. If you’re not using the right ones, your site could be lost in the search results, buried under competitors who are optimizing for what clients are actively searching for.
Short-Tail vs. Long-Tail Keywords: What’s the Difference?
Not all keywords are created equal. Some are broad and ultra-competitive (short-tail keywords), while others are more specific and conversion-friendly (long-tail keywords).
Short-Tail Keywords (High Competition, Broad Search Intent)
Example: interior design
Why It’s Tricky: Millions of searches, but too general to attract your ideal clients.
Long-Tail Keywords (Lower Competition, Higher Conversion Potential)
Example: modern interior design ideas for small apartments
Why It’s Powerful: Fewer searches, but these users know exactly what they want—making them more likely to book your services or engage with your content.
For interior designers, long-tail keywords are gold. They help you attract people searching for your specific style, services, or expertise instead of just random browsers looking at generic interior design ideas.
How Google Uses Keywords to Match Search Intent
Google’s goal is to show the best and most relevant results based on what a user is looking for—this is called search intent. Understanding this is key to ranking well.
Informational Intent: Users want answers. (“What are the 2024 interior design trends?”)
Navigational Intent: Users are looking for a specific brand or website. (“Studio McGee interior design portfolio”)
Transactional/Commercial Intent: Users are ready to hire or buy. (“Luxury interior designer in New York”)
By strategically using keywords that match what your ideal clients are searching for, you position your website as the answer they’re looking for—helping you get found, get clicks, and get hired.
2. How to Find the Best Keywords for Your Interior Design Website
So, how do you actually find the best keywords for your interior design website? It’s not about guessing—it’s about using the right tools, understanding search intent, and leveraging local SEO to attract high-quality leads. Let’s break it down step by step.
Start with Keyword Research Tools
Keyword research tools help you find the exact words and phrases potential clients are typing into Google. Here are the best tools to use:
Google Keyword Planner (Free) – Great for discovering search volume and competition levels.
Ubersuggest (Free & Paid) – User-friendly tool for keyword ideas and SEO difficulty scores.
Ahrefs & SEMrush (Paid) – Advanced tools for competitive research and keyword tracking.
Google Autocomplete & "People Also Ask" (Free) – Type a keyword into Google, and it will suggest related searches, giving you real-time insight into what people are looking for.
✅ Pro Tip: Start by typing “interior designer” into Google and see what autofill suggestions pop up. These are real searches happening right now!
Identify Your Audience’s Search Intent
Not all searches are created equal. Google categorizes searches into three main types, and knowing how your potential clients are searching helps you target the right keywords.
Informational Keywords – Users are looking for advice, tips, or inspiration.
Example: How to decorate a small living room
Best for: Blog content that attracts visitors early in their research phase.
Navigational Keywords – Users are searching for a specific brand or business.
Example: Top interior designers in New York
Best for: Optimizing your website so people searching for your name or niche find you first.
Transactional Keywords – Users are ready to hire an interior designer.
Example: Luxury interior designer near me
Best for: Service pages and Google Business Profile optimization to convert leads.
✅ Pro Tip: If you want to book more clients, focus on transactional and navigational keywords—these bring in the people who are actually looking to hire an interior designer, not just browse Pinterest for ideas.
Analyze Competitor Keywords
Why reinvent the wheel when you can borrow from competitors who are already ranking?
Find top-ranking interior design websites in your niche – Search for interior designers in your city or specialty and see who appears at the top.
Use a keyword research tool (like Ahrefs or SEMrush) – Enter their website URL to see which keywords they’re ranking for.
Look for gaps – Are there keywords they’re missing that you can target?
✅ Pro Tip: If a competitor is ranking for “modern farmhouse interior design,” you might want to target a variation like “modern rustic interior design” to stand out.
Focus on Local SEO for Interior Designers
If you’re running a service-based business, local SEO is everything. Ranking for “interior designer in [city]” is 10x more valuable than ranking for broad keywords like “home design tips.”
How to Optimize for Local Searches:
Use city-specific keywords on your homepage and service pages (e.g., Interior Designer in Los Angeles).
Optimize your Google Business Profile with keywords, reviews, and service details.
Add location-based terms in blog posts (e.g., “Best home renovation ideas in Austin”).
✅ Pro Tip: If you serve multiple locations, create individual service pages for each city to rank in different areas.
3. Best Keywords for an Interior Design Website
Choosing the right keywords for your interior design website isn’t just about throwing in generic terms like interior designer and calling it a day. You need a mix of broad, service-based, style-specific, and location-based keywords to attract the right audience—homeowners, business owners, and builders who are actively searching for your expertise.
Below is a breakdown of the best keyword categories to help your site rank and bring in actual clients, not just window shoppers.
General Interior Design Keywords
These are broad keywords that help establish your website’s authority and attract visitors looking for inspiration or general interior design services. They are highly competitive, so they work best when paired with long-tail variations.
Examples:
Interior design trends
Modern interior design
Home decor ideas
Best interior design styles
Interior decorating tips
Use these in: Blog content, homepage, service descriptions, and portfolio pages.
Service-Based Keywords
These keywords target people actively looking for professional interior design services. They help convert visitors into paying clients by making it clear what you offer.
Examples:
Interior design consultation
Residential interior design services
Commercial interior decorator
Virtual interior design services
Custom home styling
Interior design for remodels
Use these in: Service pages, homepage, contact page, and testimonials.
Style-Specific Keywords
Your potential clients often search for interior designers based on their preferred aesthetic. These style-based keywords help you attract high-intent clients who are looking for your exact design expertise.
Examples:
Scandinavian interior design
Minimalist home decor
Luxury home interiors
Modern farmhouse design
Industrial loft interiors
Coastal home design ideas
Use these in: Blog posts, service pages, portfolio descriptions, and image alt text.
Location-Based Keywords
Local SEO is critical for interior designers because clients often search for professionals near them. If you’re not using location-based keywords, you’re missing out on highly qualified leads who are ready to hire you.
Examples:
Interior designer in [city] (e.g., Interior designer in Los Angeles)
Best home decorators near me
Top-rated interior designers in [state]
[City] luxury home designer (e.g., Dallas luxury home designer)
Interior decorator for [neighborhood] homes (e.g., Interior decorator for Manhattan brownstones)
Use these in: Service pages, homepage, Google Business Profile, and blog posts targeting local clients.
SEO-Friendly Blog Topic Keywords
Blog content helps boost your SEO while attracting potential clients at different stages of their home design journey. These keywords focus on long-tail searches, which tend to have lower competition and higher conversion rates.
Examples:
Best paint colors for small bedrooms
How to choose furniture for an open-concept space
10 modern kitchen design ideas
Small apartment decorating tips
How to mix patterns in interior design
Budget-friendly home renovation ideas
Use these in: Blog posts, Pinterest descriptions, and content marketing efforts.
4. Where to Use Keywords on Your Interior Design Website
Finding the best keywords for your interior design website is just the first step—now, you need to place them strategically so they actually work to improve your SEO and bring in high-quality leads. Here’s exactly where to use your keywords to maximize visibility and attract dream clients.
Homepage & Service Pages
Your homepage and service pages are the most important places to optimize because they help potential clients understand who you are and what you offer. Google also prioritizes these pages when ranking websites.
Where to Use Keywords:
Headlines (H1 tags) – Example: Luxury Interior Designer in [City] Specializing in Timeless, Elegant Spaces
Subheadings (H2, H3 tags) – Example: Our Residential Interior Design Services
Body Content – Naturally weave in keywords when describing your services and expertise.
Service Listings – Example: Custom Interior Design Consultation for Modern Homes in [City]
✅ Pro Tip: Don’t just list your services—use compelling, keyword-rich descriptions that speak to your ideal client’s needs!
Blog Posts
Blogs are SEO gold because they give you more opportunities to rank for a variety of search terms and attract potential clients at different stages of their design journey.
Where to Use Keywords:
Blog Titles – Example: 10 Timeless Interior Design Trends for 2024
Subheadings – Example: How to Choose the Best Interior Paint Colors for a Small Living Room
First 100 Words – Google prioritizes content at the top of the page, so include your main keyword early.
Throughout the Content – Use naturally in sentences, avoiding keyword stuffing.
Anchor Text Links – Example: Check out our luxury home interior design services for a full transformation!
✅ Pro Tip: Write blog content for search intent—what your ideal clients are actually Googling before hiring an interior designer.
Image SEO
Interior design websites rely heavily on visuals, but if your images aren’t optimized, you’re missing out on a major SEO boost. Google can’t “see” images, so it relies on text descriptions to understand what they’re about.
Where to Use Keywords:
File Names – Instead of IMG_1234.jpg, rename to modern-living-room-interior-design.jpg.
Alt Text (Alternative Text Descriptions) – Example: Modern farmhouse living room with neutral color palette designed by top interior designer in Los Angeles.
Image Captions – If applicable, add context using keywords naturally.
✅ Pro Tip: Optimizing your images not only improves your SEO but also helps your designs rank in Google Images, driving even more traffic to your site!
Meta Titles & Descriptions
Meta titles and descriptions are what appear in Google search results—this is your first chance to grab attention and increase clicks.
Where to Use Keywords:
Meta Title (SEO Title Tag) – Example: Luxury Interior Designer in Dallas | Modern & Timeless Spaces
Meta Description – Example: Looking for a top-rated interior designer in Dallas? We specialize in luxury, modern, and timeless interiors. Book a consultation today!
✅ Pro Tip: Keep your meta title under 60 characters and your meta description under 160 characters for the best results.
URL Slugs
Your page URLs should be clean, readable, and keyword-rich. Avoid long, cluttered URLs like:
🚫 Bad URL: www.yourwebsite.com/p=1234
✓ Good URL: www.yourwebsite.com/interior-design-services
Examples of SEO-Friendly URLs:
✅ Pro Tip: Use hyphens (-) instead of underscores (_) in URLs—Google reads hyphens as spaces, making them more search-friendly.
5. Common Keyword Mistakes to Avoid
Even the best interior design websites can struggle to rank if keywords aren’t used correctly. SEO isn’t just about stuffing words onto a page—it’s about strategically placing the right keywords where they actually make an impact. Below are some of the most common keyword mistakes interior designers make and how to fix them.
Keyword Stuffing (AKA: Trying Too Hard to Rank)
Keyword stuffing is when you overload your content with keywords in an unnatural, spammy way—Google hates this, and so do your readers.
❌ Example of Keyword Stuffing:"If you're looking for the best interior designer in Los Angeles, our Los Angeles interior design services are perfect for you. Contact our Los Angeles interior design team for the best Los Angeles interiors today!"
How to Fix It:Write naturally and focus on quality over quantity. If a keyword fits naturally, use it. If not, find a way to phrase it better or use a variation.
✔ Better Version:"Looking for a fresh, modern space? Our Los Angeles-based interior design team specializes in timeless, functional designs tailored to your lifestyle."
✅ Pro Tip: If your sentence sounds awkward when you read it out loud, you’re probably overusing keywords.
Ignoring Long-Tail Keywords (Focusing Only on Broad Terms)
Short, generic keywords like “interior design” may seem great, but they’re highly competitive and don’t always bring in the right clients. Long-tail keywords—more specific, detailed phrases—help attract people who are actively searching for your exact services.
❌ Example of a Broad Keyword:
Interior design (too vague—are they looking for inspiration, services, or DIY tips?)
Better Long-Tail Keywords:
Luxury interior designer for high-end homes in Miami
Scandinavian apartment design ideas for small spaces
Modern farmhouse kitchen renovation tips
✅ Pro Tip: Think like your ideal client. What would they actually type into Google when looking for your services?
Forgetting Local SEO (Missing Out on Clients in Your Area)
If you’re an interior designer serving a specific location, local SEO is everything. If your website doesn’t mention your city or service area, you’re losing out on local clients searching for a designer near them.
❌ Example of Poor Local SEO:
We offer interior design services for all types of homes. (Too vague—Google doesn’t know where you’re located!)
Better Local SEO:
We provide high-end interior design services in Miami, specializing in luxury homes and modern renovations.
Bonus Local SEO Tips:
Add your city and neighborhood to your homepage, service pages, and meta descriptions.
Optimize your Google Business Profile with your location, services, and keywords.
Use location-based blog content, like “Best Interior Design Trends in Los Angeles.”
✅ Pro Tip: If you serve multiple areas, create separate location pages for each city to rank in different local searches.
Neglecting User Intent (Choosing the Wrong Keywords for Your Ideal Clients)
Not all searches mean someone is ready to hire you. If you’re targeting the wrong type of keywords, you’ll get traffic—but not the right kind.
❌ Example of Mismatched User Intent:
Targeting “DIY home decorating tips” if you’re trying to attract high-end clients who want a full-service designer.
Better Keywords for High-Intent Clients:
Luxury interior designer in [city]
High-end home styling services near me
Modern interior design consultation for custom homes
✅ Pro Tip: If your goal is to book more design projects, focus on transactional and service-based keywords over general inspiration searches.
Tracking & Optimizing Your Keyword Strategy
SEO isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it game—ranking on Google takes consistent monitoring, testing, and adjusting. Once you’ve implemented your keywords, you need to track how they’re performing and tweak your strategy based on real data. Here’s how to stay on top of your SEO game and ensure your interior design website keeps attracting high-quality leads.
How to Track Keyword Rankings with Google Search Console
Google Search Console (GSC) is a must-have tool for tracking how well your website ranks for specific keywords. It shows you:
Which keywords your website is ranking for
Your average position in search results
How many clicks and impressions your pages are getting
Opportunities to improve rankings
How to Check Your Keyword Performance in GSC:
Go to Google Search Console → Click on Performance
Filter by “Queries” → This shows the search terms people are using to find your site
Look at Position & Clicks → If a keyword is ranking in positions 5-15, it’s a great opportunity to optimize further
Check Click-Through Rate (CTR) → If people see your page but aren’t clicking, your meta title and description may need a rewrite
✅ Pro Tip: If a page ranks on page 2 of Google (positions 11-20), optimizing it with better keyword placement, stronger CTAs, and updated content can help push it to page 1!
Related: How to Use the Google Search Console
Measuring Website Traffic & Performance with Google Analytics
Google Analytics (GA4) gives you deeper insights into how well your keywords are working by showing:
✔ Where your traffic is coming from (organic search, social media, referrals)
✔ Which pages get the most visitors
✔ How long people stay on your site (engagement rate)
✔ Conversion tracking (how many visitors turn into inquiries or clients)
How to Analyze Keyword Traffic in Google Analytics:
Go to GA4 → Click on Reports → Acquisition → Traffic Acquisition
Look at Organic Search Traffic → This tells you how many visitors found you through Google
Check Landing Pages → See which blog posts and service pages are bringing in search traffic
Track Conversions → If your goal is to get inquiries, check how many visitors submit a contact form or book a call
✅ Pro Tip: If a page is getting high traffic but low engagement (bounce rate is high), you may need to improve content clarity, calls to action, or user experience.
Adjusting Your Keyword Strategy Based on Results
SEO isn’t static—Google’s algorithm updates, search trends shift, and your strategy needs ongoing refinement to stay competitive.
How to Optimize Based on Data:
If a keyword is ranking well but not converting → Adjust your content to better match user intent
If a blog post isn’t ranking → Add more long-tail keywords and update the content for freshness
If a service page isn’t getting traffic → Improve on-page SEO with stronger headlines, better keyword placement, and more internal links
If a competitor outranks you → Look at their page and see what they’re doing differently (longer content, better visuals, FAQs, etc.)
✅ Pro Tip: Refresh older content every 6-12 months by adding updated trends, new case studies, and stronger keywords to keep rankings high.
Get Found, Get Clients, Get Designing

Choosing the best keywords for your interior design website isn’t just about ranking higher on Google—it’s about getting found by the right clients who are actively searching for your expertise. The right keyword strategy helps you attract homeowners, business owners, and developers who are ready to invest in your design services.
By focusing on long-tail keywords, local SEO, and user intent, you’ll create an optimized website that works for you—so you can spend less time chasing leads and more time designing beautiful spaces.
If you want a website that actually brings in clients (without relying on Instagram 24/7), I can help.
Book a consultation today, and let’s create an SEO and website strategy that turns your site into a client-magnet—so you can stay booked out doing what you love!
Comments