GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Interior Design Industry Statistics

Interior design industry improves with increased diversity, inclusion, and equity initiatives.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

55% of clients are actively seeking diversity-conscious design solutions

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29% of clients prioritize diversity and inclusion when selecting an interior designer

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The percentage of clients requesting culturally sensitive design solutions has grown by 20% in the last three years

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Consumer demand for diverse and inclusive spaces has increased by 33% since 2020

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There has been a 21% increase in firms that publicly commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives since 2020

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Only 12% of interior design awards recognize minority or diverse-led projects

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67% of interior design students believe that industry diversity needs significant improvement

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35% of recent design graduates acknowledge a lack of diversity representation in their education

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The number of multicultural design firms has increased by 27% over the last decade

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72% of interior design professionals agree that workplace DEI initiatives improve overall team performance

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35% of minority designers feel that their cultural background is underappreciated in project work

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Over 60% of interior designers believe that increasing diversity will lead to more innovative design solutions

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65% of industry professionals agree that inclusive design can improve accessibility for all users

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The number of scholarships and grants aimed at minority students pursuing interior design has increased by 50% over the past five years

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46% of interior design firms recognize the importance of integrating DEI into their core business strategies

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77% of young interior designers prioritize working in inclusive and diverse environments

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34% of interior designers believe that industry-wide diversity initiatives are still insufficient

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50% of industry surveys indicate that implementing DEI strategies improves team collaboration and morale

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24% of surveyed firms have implemented DEI training programs for their staff

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80% of design educators believe that curriculum diversity can increase student engagement

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40% of design firms now include DEI training as part of onboarding processes

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Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially

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60% of minority interior designers report that the lack of mentorship is a barrier to career advancement

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Leadership diversity in the interior design industry is projected to reach 30% by 2030, up from 12% in 2020

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Only 20% of interior designers identify as minorities

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Women make up approximately 70% of the interior design workforce

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Less than 10% of licensed interior designers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups

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A survey found that 63% of interior design firms are actively working to improve diversity within their teams

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45% of minority interior designers report experiencing discrimination in the workplace

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The percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the interior design industry is estimated at 10-15%

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The average age of interior designers is 42 years old, with a significant gender imbalance favoring women

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52% of new entrants into the interior design industry are women of color

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Only 18% of leadership roles in interior design firms are held by minorities

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The representation of Black professionals in the interior design industry is around 4%

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30% of interior design students identify as belonging to racial or ethnic minorities

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The turnover rate for minority interior designers is 15% higher than their non-minority counterparts

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48% of LGBTQ+ interior designers experience workplace microaggressions

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The percentage of firms with formal DEI policies has grown from 25% to 50% in the last five years

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42% of firms have increased hiring efforts targeting underrepresented groups in the past two years

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40% of minority designers report feeling alienated or excluded from networking opportunities

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Intersectional identities are often underrepresented, with only 10% of design industry initiatives addressing these issues directly

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The percentage of firms that have partnered with community organizations to promote DEI has increased to 33%

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The average salary gap between minority and non-minority interior designers is estimated at 12%

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28% of interior design firms have established diversity committees or resource groups

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Only 23% of data collected by firms include demographic breakdowns necessary for DEI analysis

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Minority women make up approximately 11% of the interior design workforce

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58% of industry mentors identify as non-minority, indicating potential gaps in mentorship diversity

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The representation of Indigenous designers in the interior design industry is approximately 2%

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Key Highlights

Only 20% of interior designers identify as minorities
Women make up approximately 70% of the interior design workforce
Less than 10% of licensed interior designers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially
A survey found that 63% of interior design firms are actively working to improve diversity within their teams
45% of minority interior designers report experiencing discrimination in the workplace
The percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the interior design industry is estimated at 10-15%
The average age of interior designers is 42 years old, with a significant gender imbalance favoring women
There has been a 21% increase in firms that publicly commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives since 2020
52% of new entrants into the interior design industry are women of color
Only 18% of leadership roles in interior design firms are held by minorities
60% of minority interior designers report that the lack of mentorship is a barrier to career advancement
The representation of Black professionals in the interior design industry is around 4%

Despite women comprising nearly 70% of the interior design workforce, underrepresentation of minorities and marginalized groups highlights a pressing need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the industry—a challenge that is increasingly recognized and addressed through evolving policies, education, and client demand.

Client Preferences and Market Demand

55% of clients are actively seeking diversity-conscious design solutions
29% of clients prioritize diversity and inclusion when selecting an interior designer
The percentage of clients requesting culturally sensitive design solutions has grown by 20% in the last three years
Consumer demand for diverse and inclusive spaces has increased by 33% since 2020

Client Preferences and Market Demand Interpretation

As the interior design industry sees a 33% surge in consumer demand for diverse and inclusive spaces, with over half of clients actively seeking such solutions, it’s clear that embracing diversity isn’t just ethical—it’s now an essential business strategy for designers aiming to stay relevant and resonate in a multicultural world.

Diversity and Inclusion in the Interior Design Industry

There has been a 21% increase in firms that publicly commit to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives since 2020
Only 12% of interior design awards recognize minority or diverse-led projects
67% of interior design students believe that industry diversity needs significant improvement
35% of recent design graduates acknowledge a lack of diversity representation in their education
The number of multicultural design firms has increased by 27% over the last decade
72% of interior design professionals agree that workplace DEI initiatives improve overall team performance
35% of minority designers feel that their cultural background is underappreciated in project work
Over 60% of interior designers believe that increasing diversity will lead to more innovative design solutions
65% of industry professionals agree that inclusive design can improve accessibility for all users
The number of scholarships and grants aimed at minority students pursuing interior design has increased by 50% over the past five years
46% of interior design firms recognize the importance of integrating DEI into their core business strategies
77% of young interior designers prioritize working in inclusive and diverse environments
34% of interior designers believe that industry-wide diversity initiatives are still insufficient
50% of industry surveys indicate that implementing DEI strategies improves team collaboration and morale

Diversity and Inclusion in the Interior Design Industry Interpretation

Despite a promising 21% rise in firms committing to DEI initiatives and increased support for minority designers, the interior design industry still struggles with underrepresentation and recognition, revealing that true inclusivity requires more than just numbers—it demands a fundamental cultural shift towards valuing diversity as a cornerstone for innovation, accessibility, and equitable success.

Educational Trends and Training

24% of surveyed firms have implemented DEI training programs for their staff
80% of design educators believe that curriculum diversity can increase student engagement
40% of design firms now include DEI training as part of onboarding processes

Educational Trends and Training Interpretation

While only a quarter of firms have embraced DEI training and less than half incorporate it into onboarding, the overwhelming majority of educators recognize that diversifying design curricula could be the secret to truly engaging the next generation of interior innovators—highlighting a crucial gap between intention and action in the industry’s pursuit of inclusivity.

Leadership and Career Advancement

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their peers financially
60% of minority interior designers report that the lack of mentorship is a barrier to career advancement
Leadership diversity in the interior design industry is projected to reach 30% by 2030, up from 12% in 2020

Leadership and Career Advancement Interpretation

While progress in leadership diversity within the interior design industry is undeniably charting upward—projected to reach 30% by 2030—it's clear that without addressing mentorship barriers affecting minority designers, the sector risks designing a future that’s less inclusive and less prosperous for all.

Workforce Demographics and Representation

Only 20% of interior designers identify as minorities
Women make up approximately 70% of the interior design workforce
Less than 10% of licensed interior designers are from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups
A survey found that 63% of interior design firms are actively working to improve diversity within their teams
45% of minority interior designers report experiencing discrimination in the workplace
The percentage of LGBTQ+ individuals in the interior design industry is estimated at 10-15%
The average age of interior designers is 42 years old, with a significant gender imbalance favoring women
52% of new entrants into the interior design industry are women of color
Only 18% of leadership roles in interior design firms are held by minorities
The representation of Black professionals in the interior design industry is around 4%
30% of interior design students identify as belonging to racial or ethnic minorities
The turnover rate for minority interior designers is 15% higher than their non-minority counterparts
48% of LGBTQ+ interior designers experience workplace microaggressions
The percentage of firms with formal DEI policies has grown from 25% to 50% in the last five years
42% of firms have increased hiring efforts targeting underrepresented groups in the past two years
40% of minority designers report feeling alienated or excluded from networking opportunities
Intersectional identities are often underrepresented, with only 10% of design industry initiatives addressing these issues directly
The percentage of firms that have partnered with community organizations to promote DEI has increased to 33%
The average salary gap between minority and non-minority interior designers is estimated at 12%
28% of interior design firms have established diversity committees or resource groups
Only 23% of data collected by firms include demographic breakdowns necessary for DEI analysis
Minority women make up approximately 11% of the interior design workforce
58% of industry mentors identify as non-minority, indicating potential gaps in mentorship diversity
The representation of Indigenous designers in the interior design industry is approximately 2%

Workforce Demographics and Representation Interpretation

Despite half of interior design firms claiming to prioritize diversity, the industry’s portrait remains skewed—with only 20% minority representation, a mere 4% Black professionals, and persistent microaggressions for LGBTQ+ designers—revealing that inclusion often lags behind rhetoric, and true equity still requires more than just a seat at the table.