When Facebook executives decided to acquire Instagram in 2012 for a billion dollars, quite a few technology analysts were not quite sure what to make of the investment. These days, there are no doubts in the tech sphere that Facebook has made a very smart investment; after all, Instagram has grown to accommodate 700 million monthly users whose interests go far beyond sharing wedding and baby pictures.

Real estate and architectural firms may not seem like the type of accounts that would wildly resonate among Instagram users, but that is exactly what has been happening in recent years. To understand the visual appeal of architecture and real estate on Instagram, it helps to evaluate the following ongoing trends:

#Minimalism

More than three million Instagram posts are filed under the #minimalism hashtag, which is part of a lifestyle and design trend that many Japanese families practice. Inspired by Zen teachings and the design philosophy of the late Steve Jobs, minimalism is about living with less and making the most out of empty spaces. The pictures that surface here are everything from home interiors and decorations, to nature pictures and clothing.

 

#GlobalRealEstate

Social media is all about making connections with peers and learning new things from around the world. The #GlobalRealEstate Instagram hashtag is very popular among real estate professionals who are curious to see how things are done in other countries. The topics in this hashtag are not limited to showing listings of spectacular seaside villas overseas. In some cases, agents share photos of modern and stylish home security systems or intricate gates and backyards that have helped them close a deal. Often companies pay for their ads to be featured here to help spark global relator’s inspiration. Naturally, some of the posts that elicit more discussion are infographics comparing financial information between various regions of the world; to this effect very popular chart shows that you can buy 850 square feet in Miami with one million dollars while the same amount will only get you a little more than 200 square feet in Hong Kong, and even less in Monaco.

 

#TinyHousing

The #TinyHouseMovement hashtag is very active and widely discussed. This housing trend shares some similarities with minimalism; however, the focus is on transforming very small structures into comfortable living spaces through clever interior design. While this hashtag was originated by American users, it has expanded to include tiny homes from around the world. Tiny homes are a trend that are forecasted to continue through mediums like Instagram that focus on picture and image posts. Seeing the innovative ways people have put comfort in such a small space is a marvel.

 

In the end, it is easy to understand why real estate, interior design, and architectural topics are finding popular niches on Instagram. As long as photographers keep highlighting the aesthetics of living spaces, Instagram users will continue to follow them.