Interior design isn’t simply about creating beautiful rooms. In the UK, it is a recognised profession that shapes the built environment alongside architecture and construction. Designers today are expected to balance creativity with technical expertise, working hand in hand with contractors, engineers and developers to deliver both safe and sustainable, as well as inspiring and innovative spaces.
This shift has made interior design degrees more important than ever. Employers, clients, and professional bodies increasingly expect degree-level education as the standard. Why? Well, they help to ensure designers can meet complex demands; from regulatory compliance to advanced digital modelling.
In this article, we’ll cover:
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Interior design degrees in the UK
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How important the design industry is for the UK economy
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Interior design industry trends
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Interior design accreditation routes
UK Design Industry
The UK’s design sector is not a niche creative pursuit; rather, it is a powerhouse of economic value. In 2019, the design economy contributed £97.4 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA), nearly one in every £20 generated by the UK economy. It employed 1.97 million people (around 1 in 20 workers), and workers using design skills were found to be 47% more productive than the national average. Design is one of the UK’s most influential and productive creative industries.
Interior Design in Context
Within the wider UK design economy, interior design represents a significant and growing market segment. According to Grand View Research, the UK interior design market was valued at approximately USD 5.1 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 6.1 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2 % over the forecast period. Other forecasts suggest the market could grow to USD 8.17 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of around 4.3 %.
While residential projects remain the dominant segment, research indicates that new construction accounts for the largest revenue share globally, and remodelling is the fastest-growing area, a pattern also observed across the wider European interior design market.
Domestically, the UK interior design services industry generates approximately £1.6 billion annually and comprises over 6,200 active businesses. These figures highlight the sector’s economic importance and its potential for sustained growth within the broader UK creative economy.
Job Creation and Demand
When it comes to interior design in the UK, employment prospects are strong. Actually, they are expected to grow alongside the wider expansion of the design economy generally.
According to IBISWorld, approximately 14,575 people were employed in the UK interior design activities industry in 2023, with employment growing at an average annual rate of 1.6% between 2018 and 2023.
However, these employment figures only capture part of the picture. A substantial proportion of interior designers in the UK work on a freelance or self-employed basis, meaning official employment statistics significantly understate the true size of the workforce. The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) notes that many designers operate as sole practitioners or small consultancies, often working independently for multiple clients.
More broadly, across the UK’s creative industries, around 30% of the workforce is self-employed, more than double the national average of 13%. Interior design follows this trend closely, with thousands of freelancers working on a project basis outside of traditional payroll employment.
Interior Design and the Construction Industry
Interior design and construction are closely interconnected sectors. The UK construction industry generated £132.99 billion in new work in 2022, the highest level on record. The sector directly employed around 1.4 million people as employees in 2022, excluding the large number of self-employed contractors who also work in construction.
In total, construction supported around 2.4 million jobs, or 6.6% of the UK workforce, according to a UK Parliament briefing. The industry also has one of the highest self-employment rates of any UK sector, with over 670,000 self-employed workers in 2022.
As construction projects expand, from commercial office towers and retail hubs to housing developments and healthcare facilities, the demand for interior designers grows in parallel, particularly for practitioners who can integrate aesthetic vision with compliance, sustainability, and technical functionality.
Designers with degree-level qualifications are especially valued for their ability to collaborate effectively with architects, engineers, and contractors, ensuring that creative concepts are matched with technical excellence throughout the build process.
Interior Design Insights from Employers & Industry Trends
The interior design industry is evolving rapidly, shaped by shifting employer expectations, technological innovation, and a growing commitment to sustainability. Global design trend analyses highlight how the sector is moving beyond aesthetics alone, with increasing emphasis on experience, wellness, and social connection in the built environment.
Workplace and Office Design
That emphasis can now be supported as research shows that office design can have measurable impacts on workers’ emotional health and psychosocial environments, while evidence from the World Green Building Council highlights the role of building design in improving health, wellbeing, and productivity in offices.
These shifting expectations are reflected in employee attitudes. A study by Claremont found that 84% of employees now expect their workplace to deliver an “experience” rather than simply being a place to complete tasks. As a result, interior designers are increasingly required to blend aesthetics with strategy; creating spaces that support mental health, accommodate flexible and hybrid working, and foster human connection.
This evolution also influences the skills employers look for. Industry reports emphasise the value of digital design tools such as CAD and Revit, alongside strong communication and conceptual skills, for those entering workplace design roles. Additionally, there is growing recognition of the importance of understanding workplace psychology to create spaces that respond to behavioural and organisational needs.
The Rise of Digital Tools
The UK interior design software market is sizeable and growing: one analyst estimates it at USD 367.2 million in 2024, rising to USD 634.5 million by 2030 (9.6% CAGR). Another forecast puts the UK market at USD 269.66 million in 2023, reaching USD 730.75 million by 2032 (11.7% CAGR).
On the practice side, digital and BIM workflows have become mainstream in UK design and construction, with BIM adoption at around 73% across design practices, and 35% of firms using VR/AR tools in their workflows. This reflects a broader industry shift toward real-time 3D modelling and immersive visualisation for client engagement and coordination.
UK job advertisements also frequently list proficiency in CAD and Revit as core requirements for interior design roles.
Growth & Sustainability as Market Drivers
Sustainability is one of the most significant forces shaping the interior design sector. Across Europe, the interior design market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% between 2024 and 2030, driven by rising consumer demand for eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient solutions, and biophilic design approaches. Clients increasingly expect interior designers to deliver spaces that combine aesthetics with environmental responsibility and long-term performance.
Reflecting these industry priorities, degree programmes (including our BA (Hons) Interior Design Level 6 (Top-up) degree validated by the University of Hertfordshire) routinely embed sustainability throughout the curriculum. Students explore material reuse, environmental impact, adaptive reuse, and sustainable design strategies, preparing them to meet the growing demand for climate-conscious and resource-efficient interiors. This integration ensures graduates are equipped to respond to contemporary market expectations and contribute meaningfully to the sector’s sustainable transformation.
Interior Design Accreditation and Professional Recognition
Professional recognition is one of the most powerful ways interior designers can demonstrate credibility, build trust, and progress in their careers. In the UK, accreditation and membership with recognised professional bodies connect academic achievement to industry standards, ensuring that graduates are seen as both capable and credible.
Who Are The British Institute Of Interior Design?
The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), is the UK’s only institute-level professional body for the profession and requires degree-level qualifications for membership. A BA (Hons) counts as three years of the six-year mix of education and experience required. Membership also mandates 20 hours of CPD per year, cementing professionalism and career credibility.
Who are the Society of British & International Interior Design?
The Society of British & International Interior Design (SBID) has influenced the core modules of UK degrees, ensuring higher education programmes reflect industry expectations. SBID’s benchmarks, recognised by Higher Education Statistics Agency, guarantee that degree students graduate with skills aligned directly to employer needs.
Conclusion: Degrees as the Gold Standard
The UK’s interior design industry is dynamic, resilient, and expanding faster than the wider economy. Fuelled by growth in construction, workplace transformation, sustainability priorities, and digital innovation, the sector is creating opportunities at scale. But those opportunities demand more than raw creativity: they require technical fluency, regulatory understanding, and the professional credibility that comes with a degree.
A degree provides the foundation for all of this and the ability to collaborate with architects and contractors to create functional, innovative and inspiring designs. Further, it also aligns with the benchmarks set by the BIID and SBID.
At the British Academy of Interior Design Academy, our Higher National Diploma plus BA (Hons) Level 6 Top Up Degree pathway delivers exactly this depth of knowledge, professional recognition, and career readiness; equipping graduates to thrive in an evolving industry.
FAQ
How to Become an Interior Designer?
To become an interior designer in the UK, you usually need a degree or diploma in interior design, hands-on experience through internships or junior roles, and a strong portfolio that shows your design skills.
Why Degrees Matter in Interior Design?
Degrees matter in interior design because they provide structured training in design principles, technical skills, and industry standards. A formal education also helps meet licensing requirements in many regions and builds credibility with clients and employers.
Which Degree is Best for Interior Designing?
If you want a strong, recognised degree in interior design, the BA (Hons) Degree in Interior Design pathway offered via the British Academy of Interior Design is a top choice.
