GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Interior Design Industry Statistics

Interior design industry grows, hiring, digital tools, sustainability, skills demand increase.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

50% of interior designers report that supply chain disruptions impacted their project timelines in 2023

Statistic 2

72% of interior designers report that client relationships are key to business success

Statistic 3

42% of interior designers use sustainability as a key selling point for clients

Statistic 4

70% of interior designers find client communication to be a critical skill for success

Statistic 5

69% of interior designers feel confident in their ability to handle client budgets effectively

Statistic 6

The average client retention rate for interior designers is approximately 65%

Statistic 7

72% of interior designers agree that client education is critical for project success

Statistic 8

The global interior design industry is valued at approximately $220 billion as of 2023

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85% of interior design firms have increased their digital marketing efforts in the past year

Statistic 10

The top three skills in high demand for interior designers are project management, space planning, and sustainability knowledge

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60% of interior design firms report a growth in residential project work

Statistic 12

58% of interior design firms reported increased client budgets in 2023

Statistic 13

Nearly 80% of interior designers incorporate eco-friendly materials in their projects

Statistic 14

The interior design industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5% over the next 5 years

Statistic 15

47% of interior designers report an increase in demand for wellness-focused spaces

Statistic 16

The average project size for residential interior design projects is $45,000

Statistic 17

50% of firms have experienced a rise in project requests due to remote work trends

Statistic 18

45% of interior designers plan to expand into commercial projects within the next 2 years

Statistic 19

68% of interior design firms report increased hiring needs in the next year

Statistic 20

The average salary for an interior designer in the U.S. is $58,000 annually

Statistic 21

55% of interior designers consider their profession to have a positive work-life balance

Statistic 22

40% of interior design firms use freelance talent for project-specific work

Statistic 23

The most common entry-level position in interior design is Junior Designer, with 45% of firms hiring for this role

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48% of interior designers are self-employed or run their own business

Statistic 25

25% of interior designers globally are women-led businesses

Statistic 26

The average age of interior designers in the industry is 42 years

Statistic 27

50% of interior design firms report challenges in recruiting skilled labor

Statistic 28

The most common certification for interior designers is NCIDQ, held by 60% of licensed professionals

Statistic 29

The annual turnover rate in interior design firms is approximately 15%

Statistic 30

65% of interior design students report that internships significantly impacted their employment prospects

Statistic 31

The majority of interior designers work predominantly on residential projects (approximately 55%)

Statistic 32

29% of interior design firms report a shortage of qualified candidates for senior roles

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38% of interior designers participate in professional development courses annually

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55% of interior design firms report difficulty in finding skilled labor for specialized projects

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The majority of interior designers (about 70%) are women

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33% of interior designers have adopted virtual reality tools for client presentations

Statistic 37

35% of interior design projects are now led by digital-first design processes

Statistic 38

27% of interior designers are employing virtual designs for client presentations

Statistic 39

80% of interior designers use some form of social media marketing

Statistic 40

60% of interior design firms use project management software to streamline workflows

Statistic 41

72% of interior design firms plan to increase their use of data analytics over the next 2 years

Statistic 42

33% of interior designers have adopted AI tools to assist in design processes

Statistic 43

65% of interior design firms are exploring augmented reality for client presentations

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Key Highlights

The global interior design industry is valued at approximately $220 billion as of 2023
68% of interior design firms report increased hiring needs in the next year
The average salary for an interior designer in the U.S. is $58,000 annually
55% of interior designers consider their profession to have a positive work-life balance
40% of interior design firms use freelance talent for project-specific work
The most common entry-level position in interior design is Junior Designer, with 45% of firms hiring for this role
72% of interior designers report that client relationships are key to business success
33% of interior designers have adopted virtual reality tools for client presentations
85% of interior design firms have increased their digital marketing efforts in the past year
The top three skills in high demand for interior designers are project management, space planning, and sustainability knowledge
48% of interior designers are self-employed or run their own business
60% of interior design firms report a growth in residential project work
25% of interior designers globally are women-led businesses

The interior design industry is buzzing with growth, innovation, and evolving talent demands, with statistics revealing a $220 billion global market, increasing hiring needs, and a surge in digital and sustainable practices shaping the future of HR in this vibrant field.

Challenges and Future Outlook

50% of interior designers report that supply chain disruptions impacted their project timelines in 2023

Challenges and Future Outlook Interpretation

With half of interior designers citing supply chain disruptions as a project timeline obstacle in 2023, it's clear that even the most stylish spaces are not immune to the chaos behind the scenes.

Client Relationships and Business Development

72% of interior designers report that client relationships are key to business success
42% of interior designers use sustainability as a key selling point for clients
70% of interior designers find client communication to be a critical skill for success
69% of interior designers feel confident in their ability to handle client budgets effectively
The average client retention rate for interior designers is approximately 65%
72% of interior designers agree that client education is critical for project success

Client Relationships and Business Development Interpretation

In the interior design industry, where 72% emphasize client relationships and education as vital for success, the winning formula clearly combines sustainable innovation, effective communication, and budget mastery to turn clients into lifelong fans.

Industry Growth and Market Trends

The global interior design industry is valued at approximately $220 billion as of 2023
85% of interior design firms have increased their digital marketing efforts in the past year
The top three skills in high demand for interior designers are project management, space planning, and sustainability knowledge
60% of interior design firms report a growth in residential project work
58% of interior design firms reported increased client budgets in 2023
Nearly 80% of interior designers incorporate eco-friendly materials in their projects
The interior design industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of 5% over the next 5 years
47% of interior designers report an increase in demand for wellness-focused spaces
The average project size for residential interior design projects is $45,000
50% of firms have experienced a rise in project requests due to remote work trends

Industry Growth and Market Trends Interpretation

As the $220 billion interior design industry capitalizes on digital savvy and eco-conscious trends, it’s clear that today’s designers must master project management, sustainability, and remote collaboration to craft spaces that are not only stylish but also aligned with the well-being and budgets of an increasingly virtual clientele.

Market Trends

45% of interior designers plan to expand into commercial projects within the next 2 years

Market Trends Interpretation

With nearly half of interior designers eyeing commercial ventures, the industry is clearly gearing up for a stylish upgrade from cozy homes to bustling business environments.

Professional Workforce and Demographics

68% of interior design firms report increased hiring needs in the next year
The average salary for an interior designer in the U.S. is $58,000 annually
55% of interior designers consider their profession to have a positive work-life balance
40% of interior design firms use freelance talent for project-specific work
The most common entry-level position in interior design is Junior Designer, with 45% of firms hiring for this role
48% of interior designers are self-employed or run their own business
25% of interior designers globally are women-led businesses
The average age of interior designers in the industry is 42 years
50% of interior design firms report challenges in recruiting skilled labor
The most common certification for interior designers is NCIDQ, held by 60% of licensed professionals
The annual turnover rate in interior design firms is approximately 15%
65% of interior design students report that internships significantly impacted their employment prospects
The majority of interior designers work predominantly on residential projects (approximately 55%)
29% of interior design firms report a shortage of qualified candidates for senior roles
38% of interior designers participate in professional development courses annually
55% of interior design firms report difficulty in finding skilled labor for specialized projects
The majority of interior designers (about 70%) are women

Professional Workforce and Demographics Interpretation

With 68% of interior design firms eyeing expanded hiring, a predominantly female industry with an average age of 42 that values certifications like NCIDQ and invests in internships, the sector’s balance of creative flair and labor challenges underscores both growth ambitions and the pressing need for more qualified talent to transform spaces—and careers.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

33% of interior designers have adopted virtual reality tools for client presentations
35% of interior design projects are now led by digital-first design processes
27% of interior designers are employing virtual designs for client presentations
80% of interior designers use some form of social media marketing
60% of interior design firms use project management software to streamline workflows
72% of interior design firms plan to increase their use of data analytics over the next 2 years
33% of interior designers have adopted AI tools to assist in design processes
65% of interior design firms are exploring augmented reality for client presentations

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

The interior design industry is rapidly transforming into a digital playground—embracing virtual and augmented reality, AI, and data analytics—proving that even in a field rooted in aesthetics, smart tech is becoming the real designer's secret weapon.