5 Steps to Refresh Your Portfolio for 2025—Plus Expert Tips from Melissa Grove

High Point is just a few months away, and there’s nothing more important before heading to market than ensuring your portfolio is up to snuff. Don’t forget: your portfolio isn’t just a photo album of past projects. Moreso, it should be a living, breathing history of your creativity, your vision, your evolution as a designer, and your enduring commitment to incredible clients. As we move deeper into 2025, it’s time to shed the outdated and make room for the extraordinary. Let’s dust off the cobwebs, polish the highlights, and make sure your portfolio captures the best of what you’ve done while hinting at all the amazing things you can do.

Refresh Your Interior Design Firm’s Portfolio with These 5 Simple Steps

Step 1: Remove Outdated Projects

Think of your portfolio as a capsule wardrobe for your design work. Just as you wouldn’t walk into an important meeting wearing a jacket from a decade ago (even if it was trendy back then), your portfolio shouldn’t include projects that no longer reflect your style, skills, or aspirations. Outdated projects can weigh down your portfolio—making it feel more “attic storage” than “high-end gallery.”

Here’s your mission (should you choose to accept it): ruthlessly declutter. Archive any work that no longer aligns with your goals or speaks to your ideal client. These pieces had their moment, but now it’s time to make space for what’s next. The projects that remain should feel sleek, polished, and 100% you.

Melissa’s Tip: “Focus on your absolute best work. Even if you’re just starting out, spotlight one incredible project and make it the centerpiece. Quality always trumps quantity when you’re trying to attract the right clients.”

What’s that one showstopper you’d hang in the spotlight if your portfolio were a gallery? Start there. It’s your calling card, your mic drop moment—the kind of work you’d be thrilled to repeat again and again.

Step 2: Add New (High-Quality) Photos from the Same Reliable Photographer

Each project deserves its moment in the spotlight, but only the best should take center stage. This step is all about celebrating your recent work—the designs that capture your growth, creativity, and the kind of projects you dream of taking on next.

But here’s the absolute most important element: professional, high-quality images. Grainy or poorly lit photos simply won’t cut it. You’re telling a story with these photos, so be interesting, but also be precise. Add variety—yes, show your versatility—but keep the focus sharp. Highlight the kind of work you want to attract—whether it’s sleek modern interiors, cozy retreats, or bold hospitality projects.

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Melissa’s Tip: “If your projects are diverse, your portfolio may appear clashing. Working with the same photographer for every photoshoot will bring consistency and cohesion to your portfolio, despite the varying styles. We prefer to show all that we can do, so you’ll see a wide array of different styles on our portfolio. It works because we use the same photographer each time. [To find your photographer,] look at local interiors publications and regional magazines, like Luxe or Modern Luxury. The published interiors will always note the photographer. Established interiors photographers will know exactly what magazines (and clients) are looking for, and that makes this investment more than worth it.”

Imagine flipping through your portfolio like a coffee table book: every image thoughtfully chosen, every detail purposeful. The result? Clients are directed through your portfolio as you intend. They are delighted by your work and are eager to see what you’ll create next (which might be the interior of their homes!).

Step 3: Update Descriptions with Metrics, Testimonials, and Storytelling

Your portfolio isn’t just about what clients see—it’s about what they feel. The best portfolios go beyond pretty pictures. They weave stories that draw potential clients into your process and show them what working with you is like.

Highlight measurable outcomes—did your design increase functionality, boost efficiency, or create an experience clients can’t stop raving about? Don’t include precise numbers in your portfolio, but add a few quotes from your design team or from your clients about how you succeeded in capturing their vision or solving their problems. These quotes add credibility and make your work feel tangible.

But the real magic? Storytelling. Ask yourself:

• What was the client’s vision? Did they dream of a serene retreat or a lively family hub?
• What challenges did you overcome? Perhaps a tricky layout or a tight deadline turned into a triumph.
• How did your work exceed expectations? Paint the picture of how your creativity brought their vision to life.

Melissa’s Tip: “On our portfolio, we try to tell the story of the design. What was the client’s vision? How did we execute it? What challenges did we face? Detailing the narrative behind the photography with video and text descriptions adds to the full picture of the design, beyond what a static photograph can express. At the end of the day, potential clients are seeking an emotional connection to their homes. If you can show that through your portfolio, you build an expectation that your firm can deliver on what they want.”

Think of this step as adding subtitles to a silent film. Alongside stunning photos, your descriptions (and your clients’ testimonials) provide context, emotion, and proof that you’re the right choice—someone who doesn’t just design spaces but creates stories that resonate.

Step 4: Be Organized and Consistent

When someone clicks on your portfolio, they should feel like they’re walking into a perfectly designed space—everything in its place, easy to navigate, and a joy to explore. Organization is key to achieving this.

After all, when potential clients browse your portfolio, they’re not just looking at what you’ve done. They’re also forming an impression of your professionalism and attention to detail. A well-organized portfolio shows that you bring clarity and structure to everything you touch.

Start by grouping projects into clear categories, such as residential, hospitality, or commercial. This helps clients find what they’re looking for quickly and highlights your range. If you specialize in one type of work, consider categorizing by style (e.g., modern, traditional) or scope (e.g., full renovations, single-room makeovers). Whatever system you choose, the goal is the same: make it easy for your audience to see how your expertise aligns with their needs.

Consistency in layout is just as important as organization. Each section of your portfolio should follow a similar structure—think uniform image sizes, clear titles, and concise project descriptions. A consistent layout makes the experience seamless, so clients can focus on your work without distractions.

Lastly, don’t forget to test your portfolio’s flow. Ask a colleague or trusted friend to browse through it and give feedback. Are they able to find what they’re looking for? Do they feel engaged and inspired, or do they get lost or confused? Their perspective can help you fine-tune the experience.

Step 5: Prioritize Mobile and Tablet Responsiveness

With most clients browsing on mobile devices, your portfolio’s responsiveness isn’t just important—it’s essential. A portfolio that looks stunning on a desktop but stumbles on a smartphone risks losing its impact.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Test how your portfolio looks across multiple devices.
• Ensure images resize cleanly without distortion.
• Verify that text remains legible and navigation is intuitive, no matter the screen size.

Melissa’s Tip: “Our website is built on WordPress, so we use a plugin that seamlessly integrates with the look of our site.”

Ready to Overhaul Your Portfolio Before High Point?

Refreshing your portfolio doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—just start small. Take an hour this week to dive into step one, like removing outdated projects or adding a recent favorite. Bit by bit, these updates will ensure that your portfolio highlights your absolute best work, aligns with your ideal clients, and sets you up for success in 2025.

If you’re looking for a supportive, non-judgmental space to grow your design business and connect with like-minded professionals, we’d love to have you join our DesignDash Community. Sign up for the waitlist today and be part of a network that encourages collaboration, not competition. Let’s build a future for your business that’s as inspiring as your designs.