Indoor photos can be tricky. Between low light, mixed lighting, and flat shadows, indoor photography often needs a little extra help to look clean, warm, and intentional.
That’s where indoor Lightroom presets come in.
Whether you’re photographing cozy moments at home, indoor portraits, lifestyle content, or everyday memories, the right indoor photo presets can completely transform your images without over-editing or losing natural skin tones.
Below are the 10 best indoor Lightroom presets, curated for different moods, lighting situations, and editing styles.
What Makes a Good Indoor Lightroom Preset?
Not all presets work well indoors. The best indoor photography presets are designed to:
- Brighten photos without blowing out highlights
- Correct yellow or muddy indoor lighting
- Keep skin tones natural
- Add depth and contrast without harsh shadows
- Work well in low light environments
Each preset below excels in at least one of these areas.
The 10 Best Indoor Lightroom Presets for Indoor Photography
1. Indoor Dream
Soft • Dreamy • Warm
Indoor Dream is perfect for soft, light-filled indoor photos. It features warm tones, medium contrast, and a gentle glow that works beautifully for lifestyle photography, family moments, and cozy indoor scenes.
Best for:
- Natural window light
- Soft indoor portraits
- Warm, airy aesthetics
2. Indoor Film
Moody • Rich • Cinematic
Indoor Film adds depth and richness to indoor photos with deep tones and a subtle film-inspired mood. This preset is ideal for darker indoor spaces where you still want color and emotion.
Best for:
- Low light indoor photography
- Moody indoor portraits
- Film-inspired edits
3. Vanilla Latte
Warm • Airy • Dreamy
Vanilla Latte is one of the most flattering indoor Lightroom presets for bad lighting. It brightens indoor photos while maintaining natural skin tones and includes optional film effects for added texture.
Best for:
- Dark rooms
- Soft indoor portraits
- Warm, neutral edits
4. Muted Gold
Golden • Soft • Cozy
Muted Gold enhances indoor photos with warm, golden tones and soft contrast. It adds warmth without making photos overly yellow and works beautifully in everyday indoor lighting.
Best for:
- Indoor lifestyle photos
- Cozy home photography
- Warm, muted color palettes
5. Dreamy BW
Soft • Airy • Timeless
Dreamy BW is a black and white preset designed specifically for indoor photos. It keeps highlights soft, shadows gentle, and skin tones smooth for a timeless look.
Best for:
- Indoor portraits
- Emotional moments
- Minimal, classic edits
6. Dark Linen
Moody • Cool-Toned • Editorial
Dark Linen is a cooler-toned indoor preset with film-inspired depth. It works especially well in dim indoor spaces where you want a modern, editorial feel.
Best for:
- Low light indoor photography
- Moody interiors
- Minimal, modern aesthetics
7. Colorful Clean
Bright • True Color • Clean
Colorful Clean is one of the best indoor Lightroom presets for bad lighting. It cleans up dull indoor photos, lifts shadows, and keeps colors accurate without looking flat.
Best for:
- Mixed indoor lighting
- Everyday indoor photography
- Clean, vibrant edits
8. Cozy Earthy
Soft • Neutral • Warm
Cozy Earthy enhances indoor photos with soft, earthy tones and gentle warmth. It’s perfect for creating a natural, relaxed indoor look without heavy contrast.
Best for:
- Home photography
- Indoor lifestyle shots
- Warm, organic edits
9. Clean Film
Bright • True Color • Film-Inspired
Clean Film offers a bright, clean look with subtle film tones. It keeps colors accurate while adding a polished finish that works well across many indoor lighting situations.
Best for:
- Indoor portraits
- Product photography
- Clean, elevated edits
10. Dark Academia
Rich • Warm • Dramatic
Dark Academia is a bold indoor preset featuring deep browns, rich warmth, and a slightly moody feel. Perfect for storytelling and dramatic indoor photography.
Best for:
- Moody interiors
- Artistic indoor portraits
- Editorial-style edits
Shop: All Lou & Marks Indoor Lightroom Presets
A Simple Indoor Photo Editing Workflow (Using Presets)
To get the best results from your indoor photography presets, follow this workflow:
- Import your photo into Lightroom
- Apply your chosen indoor preset
- Adjust exposure slightly if needed
- Fine tune white balance to correct indoor lighting
- Use the opacity slider to customize the intensity
- Export and enjoy a polished indoor edit
Presets are meant to be flexible. Small adjustments make a big difference. If a photo still feels uneven after your preset, use Lightroom masking to brighten faces, soften shadows, or correct color casts in specific areas.
FAQ: Indoor Lightroom Presets
1. What are the best indoor Lightroom presets for bad lighting?
Colorful Clean is one of the best indoor Lightroom presets for bad lighting because it brightens indoor photos without washing out skin tones or colors. It helps clean up dull shadows and uneven lighting, making it ideal for indoor photo presets used in homes and everyday indoor spaces.
2. Are indoor Lightroom presets good for portraits?
Yes. Many indoor Lightroom presets are designed for indoor portraits, helping correct warm lighting, smooth skin tones, and add depth without harsh contrast.
3. Do professional photographers use indoor photography presets?
Yes. Professional photographers often use indoor photography presets to speed up editing while maintaining a consistent style across indoor shoots.
4. Can indoor photo presets work in very dark rooms?
They can. Presets like Indoor Film, Dark Linen, and Colorful Clean are designed to handle low light indoor photos, though small exposure adjustments may still be needed.
5. Are there free indoor Lightroom presets?
There are free options available, but premium indoor Lightroom presets are typically more refined, better optimized for skin tones, and more consistent across lighting situations.
6. Do these presets work on Lightroom Mobile?
Yes. These indoor Lightroom presets are compatible with Lightroom Mobile and Desktop, making them easy to use on any device.
The Takeaway
Indoor photography doesn’t have to feel flat or difficult. With the right indoor Lightroom presets, you can transform indoor photos into warm, polished, professional-looking images no matter the lighting.
Whether you prefer bright and clean or dark and moody, there’s an indoor preset here for every style.
