Interior design continues to attract interest in the UK, with Google Trends data showing a 6% increase in search interest over the past five years.
The trend also shows recurring peaks in interest, with search activity reaching some of its highest levels in 2026.
This growing interest reflects the continued visibility of interior design as a career and creative profession.
In this salary roundup, we explore interior designer salaries in the UK, earning potential by experience and location, high-paying roles, required skills and qualifications, remote work opportunities, and how AI is shaping career opportunities in the field.
Interior Designer Salary in the UK: Key Highlights
- Average interior designer salary: £42,309 per year, with reported salaries ranging from £25,420 to £71,179.
- Average base pay: £32,000 per year, with additional pay averaging £2,000.
- Starter salary: £23,000 per year, rising to £45,000 for experienced interior designers.
- Experience-based pay: Reported London salaries range from £25,000–£29,000 for 1–3 years of experience to £56,000 for 15+ years.
- Highest reported company salary: Maris Interiors LLP reports £78,000 per year, followed by Portico at £70,000.
- City salary variation: Bedford reports an average of £77,448 per year, while London reports £45,206.
- Higher-paying roles: Current listings include interior architect roles at £50,000–£70,000 and senior interior designer roles at £52,000–£63,000.
- Key skills: Employers commonly ask for AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3D modeling, Adobe Creative Suite, technical documentation, project management, and client communication.
- Career entry routes: Interior designers can enter through university, college, apprenticeships or assistant roles.
- AI and careers: AI is being used for visualization, image editing, marketing, project management and administration, while BIID contributors have raised concerns about its effect on junior design opportunities.
What Is the Average Salary of an Interior Designer in the UK?
The average interior designer salary in the UK is £42,309 per year. The annual salary range is £25,420 to £71,179, depending on factors such as experience, location, and employer.
However, Glassdoor reports the average base pay for interior designers in the UK is £32,000 per year, with a base pay range of £25,000 to £41,000. Additional pay averages £2,000 per year, with reported additional pay ranging from £935 to £4,000.
The National Careers Service lists £23,000 as the starter salary and £45,000 as the salary for experienced interior designers.
These figures provide salary benchmarks across different stages of an interior design career, from entry-level to experienced positions. Actual pay can vary by experience, location, employer, and job responsibilities.
| Salary measure | Estimated Annual salary |
| Average salary | £42,309 |
| Average base pay | £32,000 |
| Starter salary | £23,000 |
| Experienced salary | £45,000 |
| Junior interior designer | £29,874 |
| Reported salary range | £25,420–£71,179 |
How Much Do Interior Designers Earn by Experience?
In London, reported interior designer salaries range from £25,000 for professionals with 1 to 3 years of experience to £56,000 for those with 15+ years of experience.
| Experience | Salary range in London |
| 1 to 3 years | £25K–£29K |
| 4 to 6 years | £37K–£43K |
| 7 to 9 years | £42K–£48K |
| 10 to 14 years | £38K–£44K |
| 15+ years | £56K |
Which Companies Pay the Highest Salaries to Interior Designers in the UK?
Our research found several companies with reported interior designer salaries above £60,000 per year. Maris Interiors LLP has a reported salary of £78,000 per year, while Portico offers £70,000.
| Company | Reported annual salary |
| Maris Interiors LLP | £78,000 |
| Portico | £70,000 |
| Mane Contract Services Limited | £67,600 |
| Pinnacle Recruitment | £65,000 |
| Travelodge Hotels (UK) | £62,500 |
| HRGO Recruitment | £62,500 |
Additional Glassdoor data shows reported total pay ranges of £21,000 to £26,000 at IKEA, £32,000 to £41,000 at Gensler, £31,000 to £40,000 at Sheppard Robson, £33,000 to £37,000 at TP Bennett, and £28,000 to £38,000 at Foster + Partners.
How Does Interior Designer Salary Vary by UK City?
Interior designer salaries vary across UK cities, with Bedford reporting the highest average salary at £77,448 per year, followed by East London at £56,679.
| City | Average annual salary |
| Bedford | £77,448 |
| East London | £56,679 |
| South West London | £49,127 |
| London | £45,206 |
| West London | £43,688 |
| Edinburgh | £39,447 |
| Birmingham | £36,782 |
| Bristol | £36,768 |
| Glasgow | £36,072 |
How many Interior Designer Jobs are available in the UK?
LinkedIn currently shows 99+ interior designer job results in the UK, including interior designer and related design positions. The listings include junior, mid-level, senior, interior architect, and specialist design roles, with both on-site and hybrid opportunities.
What Are the Highest Paying Interior Design Job Roles in the UK?
Glassdoor reports different salary levels across interior design roles, with interior design managers having the highest reported average among the listed roles at £49,000 per year.
| Job role | Average annual salary |
| Interior design manager | £49,000 |
| Interior design intern | £33,000 |
| Interior design coordinator | £31,000 |
| Interior design assistant | £24,000 |
Current LinkedIn listings show several higher-paying roles, including senior interior designer positions at £58,000–£62,000, £53,000–£63,000, and £52,000–£58,000 per year.
An interior architect role is listed at £50,000–£70,000, while an interior designer role in Birmingham is listed at £60,000.
What are the career opportunities and job types in Interior Designing?
Interior design careers in the UK include interior designer, senior interior designer, interior architect, exhibition designer, furniture designer, and visual merchandising roles. Current job postings in our research show salaries ranging from £30,000 to £70,000 for roles with disclosed pay.
1. Interior architect
As an interior architect, you will develop interior spaces while combining design, planning, and technical skills.
Skills required:
- Interior architecture and spatial design
- Concept development
- Technical design and documentation
- Material and FF&E knowledge
- Client and team communication
Salary: £50,000–£70,000 per year
Experience required: The job post does not specify a minimum number of years of experience.
Roles & responsibilities:
- Develop interior concepts and design solutions for projects.
- Take design work from the initial concept through project completion.
- Coordinate design requirements with clients and project teams.
- Develop technical design information and documentation.
- Support the delivery of complete interior spaces.
2. Senior interior designer
Senior interior designers lead design projects, develop concepts, and work with clients and project teams.
Skills required:
- Advanced interior design and concept development
- Technical design and documentation
- Client and consultant communication
- Team leadership
- Project coordination
- FF&E and material knowledge
Salary: £52,000–£63,000 per year
Experience required: Senior-level experience is required for these positions, although specific requirements vary by employer.
Roles & responsibilities:
- Lead interior design teams and coordinate design development.
- Prepare and present mood boards, 3D models, renderings, and design concepts.
- Coordinate technical drawings, FF&E specifications, material schedules, and budgets.
- Work with clients, consultants, vendors, and project teams.
- Review design documents for technical accuracy and alignment with design intent.
- Support construction administration and resolve project issues.
- Supervise, develop, and mentor interior designers.
. Senior FF&E designer
Senior FF&E designers manage furniture, fixtures, and equipment across large interior projects.
Skills required:
- Interior architecture and FF&E knowledge
- Creative direction
- Technical coordination and documentation
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Specwriter
- Client, consultant, and team communication
Salary: £50,000–£55,000 per year
Experience required: 6+ years of design and project management experience, including experience with large-scale hotel, food and beverage, or spa projects.
Roles & responsibilities:
- Lead FF&E delivery across projects from concept through completion.
- Provide creative direction and technical coordination.
- Prepare project documentation and FF&E specifications.
- Coordinate with clients, consultants, and internal teams.
- Support project delivery across high-end hospitality and F&B spaces.
- Lead design activities and manage project requirements.
4. Exhibition designer
Exhibition designers create 3D spaces for exhibitions and events, combining creative design with project management.
Skills required:
- 3D visualization and CAD
- 3DS Max and V-Ray
- Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
- Project management
- Client and supplier communication
Salary: £30,000–£40,000 per year
Experience required: Experience in an exhibition or design agency.
Roles & responsibilities:
- Develop exhibition designs from concept through delivery.
- Create 3D visualizations and CAD designs.
- Manage projects and coordinate with clients, contractors, and suppliers.
- Support on-site project management.
- Work across projects that may require international travel.
5. Furniture designer
Furniture designers create products by combining aesthetics, functionality, materials and technical design. A current Next Home furniture designer posting focuses on bedroom furniture such as cabinetry, storage, upholstered beds, wardrobes and dressing tables.
Skills required:
- Furniture design and product development
- Joinery and cabinetry
- Upholstery and fabric knowledge
- Ergonomics and flat-pack assembly
- Adobe Creative Suite and 2D/3D software
- CAD and technical specification
Salary: Not disclosed in the posting
Experience required: Demonstrable furniture design experience covering hard cabinet and soft upholstery.
Roles & responsibilities:
- Research interior and lifestyle trends and translate them into furniture designs.
- Develop furniture concepts from sketches to final samples.
- Create technical specifications and CAD designs.
- Work with buying, merchandising, technology, and manufacturing teams.
- Develop and build furniture ranges for the Next Home bedroom collection.
- Balance aesthetics, proportion, finish, and commercial requirements.
What Skills Help Interior Designers Earn Higher Salaries?
Interior designers need a mix of technical, creative, and project management skills to qualify for higher-paying roles. Our research found that employers repeatedly mention these skills across interior designer, interior architect, senior interior designer, and FF&E designer job postings.
Essential skills:
- Design software and 3D visualization: Use AutoCAD, CAD, SketchUp, 3D modeling, and Adobe Creative Suite to create technical drawings, models, renderings, and presentations.
- Conceptual and spatial design: Develop creative concepts and plan spaces that meet functional and design requirements.
- FF&E and material knowledge: Select and specify furniture, fixtures, equipment, materials, and finishes for interior projects.
- Technical documentation: Prepare technical drawings, specifications, material schedules, budgets, and other project documents.
- Project management: Manage design work across different stages, from concept development to project completion.
- Client communication and presentation: Present design concepts and work effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
- Team leadership: Lead design teams, coordinate project work and mentor junior designers in senior positions.
- Commercial awareness: Balance design quality with client requirements, budgets and commercial goals.
What Qualifications Do You Need to Become an Interior Designer in the UK?
There are several routes into interior design in the UK, including university, college, apprenticeships and progressing from an assistant role.
| Route | Typical qualification or requirement |
| University | A degree or foundation degree in interior design, art and design, interior architecture or spatial design. |
| College | Interior design, art and design or a T Level in Craft and Design. |
| Apprenticeship | A Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship, such as Furniture Design Technician. |
| Work experience | Start as an interior design assistant and develop your skills through training and qualifications. |
For a foundation degree or HND, you typically need 1 or 2 A levels. A full degree usually requires 2 or 3 A levels. For a T Level in Craft and Design, you typically need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English and maths.
Professional bodies such as the British Institute of Interior Design and the Society of British and International Interior Design can also support professional development and career progression.
Can Interior Designers Work Remotely in the UK?
Yes, interior designers can find remote and hybrid work opportunities in the UK, although the type of work that can be done remotely depends on the role and project requirements. A LinkedIn search for “Interior designer jobs United Kingdom remote” showed 99+ results, including interior design and related design positions.
Remote work suits tasks such as concept development, 3D modeling, design presentations, technical drawings, material research, and client communication. Projects that require site visits, installation supervision, measurements, or contractor coordination may still require in-person work.
How Is AI Changing Interior Design Careers in the UK?
AI is taking on some repetitive tasks in interior design, including visualization, image editing, marketing, project management, and administration. This can give designers more time for creative work and client-focused tasks. The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) reports these uses in current design practices.
The effect on job roles is more significant for entry-level designers. BIID contributors have raised concerns that automation could reduce junior design and development opportunities, while also creating a need for designers to learn new AI-related skills.
The career outlook therefore includes both opportunities and challenges. Designers who understand AI tools can use them to support their workflow, while strong design knowledge, critical thinking, and the ability to assess AI-generated work remain important.
How to Increase Your Salary as an Interior Designerin the UK?
Build advanced technical skills, gain project experience, and take on greater responsibility to progress into higher-paying interior design roles.
A practical salary-growth plan:
- Build core technical skills: Become proficient in AutoCAD, SketchUp, 3D modeling, and Adobe Creative Suite.
- Milestone: Complete 3–5 portfolio projects using these tools.
- Build a strong portfolio: Show concept development, technical drawings, 3D visualizations, material selections, and completed projects.
- Milestone: Create a portfolio with at least 5–8 well-documented projects.
- Gain end-to-end project experience: Work across concept development, documentation, procurement, and project completion.
- Milestone: Take responsibility for at least 2 projects from concept to completion.
- Choose a specialization: Develop expertise in hospitality, high-end residential, FF&E, or interior architecture.
- Milestone: Complete 2–3 relevant projects in your chosen specialization.
- Move into higher-responsibility roles: Progress from junior or assistant positions into interior designer and senior roles.
- Milestone: Take ownership of larger projects, budgets, deadlines, or client accounts.
- Build leadership and client skills: Lead design teams, present concepts, and coordinate consultants, contractors, and suppliers.
- Milestone: Lead at least one project team or take primary responsibility for client presentations.
- Add AI to your workflow: Use AI for visualization and repetitive tasks while developing the judgment needed to review its output.
- Milestone: Integrate AI into at least 2–3 regular design or presentation workflows.
Build Your Interior Design Career With ASDAV
Building a successful interior design career requires practical skills, technical software knowledge, and a portfolio that demonstrates your ability. ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course covers residential and commercial design, AutoCAD, SketchUp, material selection, lighting, technical drawings, and 3D visualization through live sessions, real-world case studies, and guided projects.
The 24-week program includes 40+ live sessions, 3+ capstone projects based on real client briefs, and 10+ guided career sessions. Learners also graduate with two documented projects covering residential and commercial design, from concepts and AutoCAD drawings to photorealistic renders.
If you want to build practical interior design skills and create a portfolio for your next career step, explore ASDAV’s Professional Interior Design Certification Course.
Contact ASDAV:
- Address: 2014, Beverly Hills, Geeta Colony, Delhi, 110031
- Phone: +91-9217141316
- Email: hello@asdav.com
Data Sources
- https://uk.indeed.com/career/interior-designer/salaries
- https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/interior-designer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
- https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/interior-designer
Jasmine Ahluwalia is a Licensed Architect, Interior designer, Global Vastu consultant and the founder of ASDAV.
She is a graduate of Scuola Master F.lli Pesenti, Politecnico di Milano, and brings strong global exposure through academic learning and professional design projects. Her background combines architecture, interior design, and applied design education.
Before founding ASDAV, Jasmine worked as an assistant professor at Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Noida. Her research covers sustainable architecture, urban heat island reduction, and circular economy practices in construction. Her work has been published in Scopus indexed and peer reviewed journals as well. She also has strong international on-site experience from countries like Canada, Mauritius, UK, and many more.
Through ASDAV, she has trained more than 500 students across 25 cities. The ASDAV platform has 12+ instructors from IIT, SPA, CEPT and NID, and has delivered over 200 live learning sessions. Her mission is to bridge the gap between design education and real industry expectations, to deliver real growth for her students.
She designs spaces for a living, but her favourite project is designing careers.
