55 Black Interior Designers You Should Be Following
It's no secret that the interior design industry has long had a diversity problem. For decades, magazines ran issue after issue filled with homes by white designers housing white families (often, ironically, filled with design elements and patterns inspired by or taken directly from Black culture). As the industry continues to attempt to become more inclusive, there's no better time than right now to get to know more Black designers and celebrate their work.
According to the career website Zippa, only 1.5 percent of all interior designers are Black, and Black designers have to work harder and longer to receive the same level of recognition and achievement as their white counterparts. There's a drastic disparity in the industry, one that has nowhere to go but up. Organizations such as the Black Interior Designers Network are helping to elevate Black designers' work. We're committed to doing our part to promote inclusivity too.
Scattered across the United States and around the world, these 55 Black designers bring a strong craft and keen eye to the interior design world. You'll find established and familiar names like Sheila Bridges and Nicole Gibbons alongside emerging ones like Malcolm Simmons Jr., a member of our Next Wave class of 2023. We recommend adding one and all to your social media feeds to broaden your perspective, spark your inspiration, and support their work. So follow them, share their projects, and seek them out if you want to hire a designer. The following creatives have different styles, huge talents, and one thing in common: You need to know their names.
Note: This story initially ran in February 2018. It was updated in July 2023.
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