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
1In 2023, women comprised 89% of the interior design workforce in the US, highlighting a significant gender imbalance.
Verified2Only 4.2% of interior designers identified as Black or African American in 2022, compared to 13.6% of the US population.
Verified3Hispanic or Latino interior designers made up 7.8% of the profession in 2021, far below the national average of 18.9%.
Verified4Asian American professionals accounted for 5.1% of interior designers in 2023 surveys.
Directional5Native American or Alaska Native representation in interior design stood at 0.9% in 2022.
Single source6LGBTQ+ individuals represented 11.3% of interior designers in a 2023 ASID survey.
Verified7People with disabilities comprised 6.7% of the interior design workforce in 2021.
Verified8Veterans made up 2.4% of interior designers in 2022 industry data.
Verified9In 2023, 3.2% of interior designers were over 65 years old, indicating an aging workforce.
Directional10Millennials (born 1981-1996) represented 52% of interior designers in 2022.
Single source11Gen Z entrants into interior design were only 8.5% of the workforce in 2023.
Verified12In urban areas, racial diversity among designers was 22% non-white in 2022.
Verified13Rural interior design firms had 1.8% BIPOC representation in 2021.
Verified14Neurodiverse individuals (e.g., autism spectrum) were 4.1% of surveyed designers in 2023.
Directional15Multiracial interior designers increased to 2.9% from 1.7% between 2020-2023.
Single source16Pacific Islander designers were 0.3% of the profession in 2022.
Verified17In Canada, 91% of interior designers were women in 2023 IDC survey.
Verified18UK interior design workforce was 87% female per 2022 BIID data.
Verified19Australian designers showed 6% Indigenous representation in 2023.
Directional20In Europe, 3.5% of designers were from migrant backgrounds in 2022.
Single source21US firm owners who are women: 45% in interior design per 2023.
Verified22Entry-level designers: 92% female in 2022 hiring data.
Verified23Mid-career (10-20 years exp.): 11% BIPOC in 2023.
Verified24Senior designers: 5.8% non-white in 2022.
Directional25Freelance interior designers: 78% women, 9% BIPOC in 2023.
Single source26Corporate interior design roles: 82% female in 2021.
Verified27Educational programs: 88% female enrollment in interior design degrees 2023.
Verified28International students in US programs: 12% from underrepresented regions 2022.
Verified29Non-binary/gender non-conforming: 2.7% in 2023 surveys.
DirectionalDemographic 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
1Average salary gap: Women earned 82% of men's pay in interior design 2022.
Verified2BIPOC designers earned 15% less than white counterparts at mid-level 2023.
Verified3Promotion rates: Women promoted 20% slower than men in firms 2022.
Verified4Access to billable hours: Minorities averaged 12% fewer hours billed 2023.
Directional5Bonus disparities: LGBTQ+ staff received 8% lower bonuses 2022.
Single source6Disabled designers reported 18% lower compensation 2023 surveys.
Verified7Veteran pay parity: 92% of non-veteran rates in 2022.
Verified8Age-based equity: Over-55 earned 10% more, under-30 14% less 2023.
Verified9Gen Z starting salaries 5% below inflation-adjusted norms 2022.
Directional10Urban vs rural pay: Rural designers earned 22% less 2023.
Single source11Neurodiverse pay gap: 11% lower median salary 2022.
Verified12Multiracial designers: 9% pay disparity vs monoracial 2023.
Verified13Pacific Islanders: 20% below average pay in 2022.
Verified14Canadian pay equity: Women at 87% of male salaries 2023.
Directional15UK gender pay gap in design: 14% reported 2022.
Single source16Australian Indigenous pay: 25% gap 2023.
Verified17EU migrant worker pay: 16% lower in design 2022.
Verified18Training access: 65% of diverse staff lacked advanced training 2023.
Verified19Client assignment equity: BIPOC got 18% fewer high-value projects 2022.
Directional20Overtime pay equity: 7% less for women 2023.
Single source21Benefits equity: 9% fewer diverse in full benefits 2022.
Verified22Freelance rates: Minorities charged 13% less per project 2023.
Verified23Corporate perks gap: 15% less for underrepresented 2022.
VerifiedEquity 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
172% of interior designers from underrepresented groups reported feeling included in 2023 ASID survey.
Verified2Only 45% of BIPOC designers felt psychologically safe at work in 2022.
Verified3Women reported 68% inclusion in decision-making processes 2023.
Verified4LGBTQ+ inclusion scores averaged 55/100 in firm audits 2022.
Directional5Disabled staff inclusion: 52% felt valued in 2023.
Single source6Veterans' sense of belonging: 61% positive in 2022 surveys.
Verified7Older workers (>50): 74% felt included 2023.
Verified8Gen Z inclusion: 49% reported microaggressions weekly 2022.
Verified9Urban firm inclusion for minorities: 67% in 2023.
Directional10Rural inclusion rates: 41% for diverse staff 2022.
Single source11Neurodiverse belonging: 58% felt supported 2023.
Verified12Multiracial inclusion: 64% positive experiences 2022.
Verified13Pacific Islander belonging: 39% in 2023 surveys.
Verified14Canadian inclusion index for women: 71% 2022.
Directional15UK diverse staff belonging: 59% per BIID 2023.
Single source16Australian Indigenous inclusion: 48% 2022.
Verified17EU migrant inclusion: 54% felt welcome 2023.
Verified18Team collaboration inclusion: 62% for underrepresented 2022.
Verified19Social event participation equity: 73% diverse attendance 2023.
Directional20Feedback loop inclusion: 51% minorities felt heard 2022.
Single source21Mentorship matching diversity: 66% satisfied 2023.
Verified22Office culture scores for women: 69/100 2022.
Verified23Remote work inclusion for disabled: 75% improved 2023.
Verified24Client interaction inclusion: 58% diverse staff involved 2022.
DirectionalInclusion 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
1DEI training participation led to 25% higher inclusion scores in 2023 firms.
Verified242% of firms implemented ERGs for underrepresented groups by 2022.
Verified3Diverse hiring goals met by 35% of large firms in 2023.
Verified4Pay audits conducted by 28% of firms, closing 8% gap 2022.
Directional5Inclusion workshops reached 60% of staff in participating firms 2023.
Single source6Supplier diversity programs adopted by 19% of design firms 2022.
Verified7BIPOC representation up 4% post-DEI push 2020-2023.
Verified8Leadership training for diverse candidates: 22% enrollment increase 2022.
Verified9Accessibility retrofits in firms: 31% completed by 2023.
Directional10LGBTQ+ ally training: 48% firm participation 2022.
Single source11Veteran recruitment drives: 15% more hires 2023.
Verified12Age-inclusive policies: 26% firms updated HR 2022.
Verified13Gen Z mentorship cohorts: Doubled to 18% coverage 2023.
Verified14Regional DEI chapters: 37% firms involved 2022.
Directional15Neurodiversity hiring pilots: 12 firms succeeded in 2023.
Single source16Multiracial outreach: 11% response rate increase 2022.
Verified17Pacific Islander scholarships: 5 awarded annually since 2021.
Verified18Canadian DEI certification: 24% firms achieved 2023.
Verified19UK mandatory reporting led to 17% diversity gain 2022.
Directional20Australian reconciliation action plans: 29% adoption 2023.
Single source21EU diversity quotas voluntary in 41% firms 2022.
Verified22Retention rates for diverse hires up 19% post-training 2023.
Verified23Innovation metrics: Diverse teams 22% more creative outputs 2022.
Verified24Client diversity reflection: 33% firms tracking 2023.
Directional25Benchmarking tools used by 27% for progress 2022.
Single source26Annual DEI reports published by 36% of firms 2023.
Verified27Funding for DEI: Averaged $45k per firm in 2022.
VerifiedInitiatives 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
1In 2023, only 18% of interior design firm principals were from underrepresented racial groups.
Verified2Women held 32% of C-suite positions in interior design firms in 2022.
Verified3BIPOC representation in board seats was 7.4% across major firms in 2023.
Verified4Only 11% of firm owners were men of color in 2022 surveys.
Directional5LGBTQ+ leaders comprised 4.9% of principals in 2023.
Single source6Disabled individuals in executive roles: 2.1% in 2022.
Verified7Veteran-owned interior design firms: 1.2% of total in 2023.
Verified8Over-50 executives: 28% in firms per 2022 data.
Verified9Gen Z in leadership pipelines: 3.4% promoted to senior roles 2023.
Directional10Regional variation: NYC firms had 25% diverse leadership in 2022.
Single source11Midwest firms: 9% BIPOC principals in 2023.
Verified12Neurodiverse leaders: 1.8% self-identified in 2022 surveys.
Verified13Multiracial executives rose to 1.5% from 0.8% 2020-2023.
Verified14Pacific Islander principals: 0.2% in US firms 2022.
Directional15Canadian firm principals: 22% women in top roles 2023.
Single source16UK BIID presidents: 40% female over last decade.
Verified17Australian Indigenous leaders: 2.1% in 2023.
Verified18EU design firm CEOs: 15% diverse ethnicity 2022.
Verified19Mentorship programs led to 14% increase in diverse promotions 2023.
Directional20Partner-track roles: 19% held by women of color 2022.
Single source21Department heads: 6.3% BIPOC in large firms 2023.
Verified22Creative directors: 35% female, 8% non-white 2022.
Verified23Project managers elevated to principals: 12% diverse 2023.
Verified24Advisory board diversity: 21% underrepresented in 2022.
Directional25Franchise owners diverse: 10% in 2023.
Single source26Interior design women in equity partnerships grew 5% YoY to 28% in 2023.
VerifiedLeadership 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
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