While the world of interior design is overwhelmingly female, this remarkable industry is revealing profound disparities in the data that show we are still painting a picture of inclusion with a far too limited palette.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, women comprised 89% of the interior design workforce in the US, highlighting a significant gender imbalance.
- Only 4.2% of interior designers identified as Black or African American in 2022, compared to 13.6% of the US population.
- Hispanic or Latino interior designers made up 7.8% of the profession in 2021, far below the national average of 18.9%.
- In 2023, only 18% of interior design firm principals were from underrepresented racial groups.
- Women held 32% of C-suite positions in interior design firms in 2022.
- BIPOC representation in board seats was 7.4% across major firms in 2023.
- Average salary gap: Women earned 82% of men's pay in interior design 2022.
- BIPOC designers earned 15% less than white counterparts at mid-level 2023.
- Promotion rates: Women promoted 20% slower than men in firms 2022.
- 72% of interior designers from underrepresented groups reported feeling included in 2023 ASID survey.
- Only 45% of BIPOC designers felt psychologically safe at work in 2022.
- Women reported 68% inclusion in decision-making processes 2023.
- DEI training participation led to 25% higher inclusion scores in 2023 firms.
- 42% of firms implemented ERGs for underrepresented groups by 2022.
- Diverse hiring goals met by 35% of large firms in 2023.
The interior design industry has significant diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges to address.
Demographic Diversity
- In 2023, women comprised 89% of the interior design workforce in the US, highlighting a significant gender imbalance.
- Only 4.2% of interior designers identified as Black or African American in 2022, compared to 13.6% of the US population.
- Hispanic or Latino interior designers made up 7.8% of the profession in 2021, far below the national average of 18.9%.
- Asian American professionals accounted for 5.1% of interior designers in 2023 surveys.
- Native American or Alaska Native representation in interior design stood at 0.9% in 2022.
- LGBTQ+ individuals represented 11.3% of interior designers in a 2023 ASID survey.
- People with disabilities comprised 6.7% of the interior design workforce in 2021.
- Veterans made up 2.4% of interior designers in 2022 industry data.
- In 2023, 3.2% of interior designers were over 65 years old, indicating an aging workforce.
- Millennials (born 1981-1996) represented 52% of interior designers in 2022.
- Gen Z entrants into interior design were only 8.5% of the workforce in 2023.
- In urban areas, racial diversity among designers was 22% non-white in 2022.
- Rural interior design firms had 1.8% BIPOC representation in 2021.
- Neurodiverse individuals (e.g., autism spectrum) were 4.1% of surveyed designers in 2023.
- Multiracial interior designers increased to 2.9% from 1.7% between 2020-2023.
- Pacific Islander designers were 0.3% of the profession in 2022.
- In Canada, 91% of interior designers were women in 2023 IDC survey.
- UK interior design workforce was 87% female per 2022 BIID data.
- Australian designers showed 6% Indigenous representation in 2023.
- In Europe, 3.5% of designers were from migrant backgrounds in 2022.
- US firm owners who are women: 45% in interior design per 2023.
- Entry-level designers: 92% female in 2022 hiring data.
- Mid-career (10-20 years exp.): 11% BIPOC in 2023.
- Senior designers: 5.8% non-white in 2022.
- Freelance interior designers: 78% women, 9% BIPOC in 2023.
- Corporate interior design roles: 82% female in 2021.
- Educational programs: 88% female enrollment in interior design degrees 2023.
- International students in US programs: 12% from underrepresented regions 2022.
- Non-binary/gender non-conforming: 2.7% in 2023 surveys.
Demographic Diversity Interpretation
The interior design industry appears to have mastered creating a beautiful space for a very specific, gendered clientele, while the room remains tragically closed for business to the full, rich spectrum of the public it’s meant to serve.
Equity and Compensation
- Average salary gap: Women earned 82% of men's pay in interior design 2022.
- BIPOC designers earned 15% less than white counterparts at mid-level 2023.
- Promotion rates: Women promoted 20% slower than men in firms 2022.
- Access to billable hours: Minorities averaged 12% fewer hours billed 2023.
- Bonus disparities: LGBTQ+ staff received 8% lower bonuses 2022.
- Disabled designers reported 18% lower compensation 2023 surveys.
- Veteran pay parity: 92% of non-veteran rates in 2022.
- Age-based equity: Over-55 earned 10% more, under-30 14% less 2023.
- Gen Z starting salaries 5% below inflation-adjusted norms 2022.
- Urban vs rural pay: Rural designers earned 22% less 2023.
- Neurodiverse pay gap: 11% lower median salary 2022.
- Multiracial designers: 9% pay disparity vs monoracial 2023.
- Pacific Islanders: 20% below average pay in 2022.
- Canadian pay equity: Women at 87% of male salaries 2023.
- UK gender pay gap in design: 14% reported 2022.
- Australian Indigenous pay: 25% gap 2023.
- EU migrant worker pay: 16% lower in design 2022.
- Training access: 65% of diverse staff lacked advanced training 2023.
- Client assignment equity: BIPOC got 18% fewer high-value projects 2022.
- Overtime pay equity: 7% less for women 2023.
- Benefits equity: 9% fewer diverse in full benefits 2022.
- Freelance rates: Minorities charged 13% less per project 2023.
- Corporate perks gap: 15% less for underrepresented 2022.
Equity and Compensation Interpretation
The interior design industry's portfolio shows a depressingly consistent pattern of financial discrimination, proving that while it expertly crafts beautiful spaces for clients, it has utterly failed to design an equitable workplace for its own people.
Inclusion and Belonging
- 72% of interior designers from underrepresented groups reported feeling included in 2023 ASID survey.
- Only 45% of BIPOC designers felt psychologically safe at work in 2022.
- Women reported 68% inclusion in decision-making processes 2023.
- LGBTQ+ inclusion scores averaged 55/100 in firm audits 2022.
- Disabled staff inclusion: 52% felt valued in 2023.
- Veterans' sense of belonging: 61% positive in 2022 surveys.
- Older workers (>50): 74% felt included 2023.
- Gen Z inclusion: 49% reported microaggressions weekly 2022.
- Urban firm inclusion for minorities: 67% in 2023.
- Rural inclusion rates: 41% for diverse staff 2022.
- Neurodiverse belonging: 58% felt supported 2023.
- Multiracial inclusion: 64% positive experiences 2022.
- Pacific Islander belonging: 39% in 2023 surveys.
- Canadian inclusion index for women: 71% 2022.
- UK diverse staff belonging: 59% per BIID 2023.
- Australian Indigenous inclusion: 48% 2022.
- EU migrant inclusion: 54% felt welcome 2023.
- Team collaboration inclusion: 62% for underrepresented 2022.
- Social event participation equity: 73% diverse attendance 2023.
- Feedback loop inclusion: 51% minorities felt heard 2022.
- Mentorship matching diversity: 66% satisfied 2023.
- Office culture scores for women: 69/100 2022.
- Remote work inclusion for disabled: 75% improved 2023.
- Client interaction inclusion: 58% diverse staff involved 2022.
Inclusion and Belonging Interpretation
The industry is throwing a grand, uneven party where some guests feel celebrated at the banquet table while others are still asking for directions to the front door, and the RSVP list reads like a progress report with the caveat 'subject to change pending actual effort'.
Initiatives and Progress
- DEI training participation led to 25% higher inclusion scores in 2023 firms.
- 42% of firms implemented ERGs for underrepresented groups by 2022.
- Diverse hiring goals met by 35% of large firms in 2023.
- Pay audits conducted by 28% of firms, closing 8% gap 2022.
- Inclusion workshops reached 60% of staff in participating firms 2023.
- Supplier diversity programs adopted by 19% of design firms 2022.
- BIPOC representation up 4% post-DEI push 2020-2023.
- Leadership training for diverse candidates: 22% enrollment increase 2022.
- Accessibility retrofits in firms: 31% completed by 2023.
- LGBTQ+ ally training: 48% firm participation 2022.
- Veteran recruitment drives: 15% more hires 2023.
- Age-inclusive policies: 26% firms updated HR 2022.
- Gen Z mentorship cohorts: Doubled to 18% coverage 2023.
- Regional DEI chapters: 37% firms involved 2022.
- Neurodiversity hiring pilots: 12 firms succeeded in 2023.
- Multiracial outreach: 11% response rate increase 2022.
- Pacific Islander scholarships: 5 awarded annually since 2021.
- Canadian DEI certification: 24% firms achieved 2023.
- UK mandatory reporting led to 17% diversity gain 2022.
- Australian reconciliation action plans: 29% adoption 2023.
- EU diversity quotas voluntary in 41% firms 2022.
- Retention rates for diverse hires up 19% post-training 2023.
- Innovation metrics: Diverse teams 22% more creative outputs 2022.
- Client diversity reflection: 33% firms tracking 2023.
- Benchmarking tools used by 27% for progress 2022.
- Annual DEI reports published by 36% of firms 2023.
- Funding for DEI: Averaged $45k per firm in 2022.
Initiatives and Progress Interpretation
While the interior design industry's DEI journey is still more of a thoughtful mood board than a finished installation, the measurable progress in training, hiring, and accountability suggests many firms are finally moving from aspirational swatches to substantial fabric.
Leadership and Representation
- In 2023, only 18% of interior design firm principals were from underrepresented racial groups.
- Women held 32% of C-suite positions in interior design firms in 2022.
- BIPOC representation in board seats was 7.4% across major firms in 2023.
- Only 11% of firm owners were men of color in 2022 surveys.
- LGBTQ+ leaders comprised 4.9% of principals in 2023.
- Disabled individuals in executive roles: 2.1% in 2022.
- Veteran-owned interior design firms: 1.2% of total in 2023.
- Over-50 executives: 28% in firms per 2022 data.
- Gen Z in leadership pipelines: 3.4% promoted to senior roles 2023.
- Regional variation: NYC firms had 25% diverse leadership in 2022.
- Midwest firms: 9% BIPOC principals in 2023.
- Neurodiverse leaders: 1.8% self-identified in 2022 surveys.
- Multiracial executives rose to 1.5% from 0.8% 2020-2023.
- Pacific Islander principals: 0.2% in US firms 2022.
- Canadian firm principals: 22% women in top roles 2023.
- UK BIID presidents: 40% female over last decade.
- Australian Indigenous leaders: 2.1% in 2023.
- EU design firm CEOs: 15% diverse ethnicity 2022.
- Mentorship programs led to 14% increase in diverse promotions 2023.
- Partner-track roles: 19% held by women of color 2022.
- Department heads: 6.3% BIPOC in large firms 2023.
- Creative directors: 35% female, 8% non-white 2022.
- Project managers elevated to principals: 12% diverse 2023.
- Advisory board diversity: 21% underrepresented in 2022.
- Franchise owners diverse: 10% in 2023.
- Interior design women in equity partnerships grew 5% YoY to 28% in 2023.
Leadership and Representation Interpretation
The statistics paint a relentlessly beige picture of the interior design industry's leadership, revealing a profound lack of imagination when it comes to building a palette of people at the top.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ASIDasid.orgVisit source
- Reference 2IIDAiida.orgVisit source
- Reference 3GENSLERgensler.comVisit source
- Reference 4CIDcid.orgVisit source
- Reference 5INTERIORDESIGNinteriordesign.netVisit source
- Reference 6IDCANADAidcanada.orgVisit source
- Reference 7BIIDbiid.org.ukVisit source
- Reference 8DIAdia.org.auVisit source
- Reference 9EFIDefid.orgVisit source
- Reference 10ACSA-ARCHacsa-arch.orgVisit source
- Reference 11NASADSnasads.orgVisit source
- Reference 12GLASSDOORglassdoor.comVisit source
- Reference 13SALARYsalary.comVisit source