9 Black Interior Designers You Need to Know This Year

Why “This Year” Feels Different in Interior Design

Interior design is having a momentagainbut it’s not just about trends. The big shift is intentionality.
People want spaces that reflect how they live (and how they wish they lived): working from home, hosting more, resting better,
collecting art, and building beauty into the everyday. This is where these designers shine. They’re not decorating; they’re designing
systems for living.

• Color with purpose: not random “pop of teal,” but palette strategies that create mood and movement.
• Modern tradition: classic forms, updated with bold pattern, unexpected materials, and personality.
• Storytelling: rooms that honor identity, travel, heritage, and the real lives happening inside them.
• Livable luxury: beauty that survives pets, kids, dinner parties, and Tuesday.

1) Sheila Bridges

Sheila Bridges is one of the most influential interior designers working todayfull stop. She’s known for richly layered spaces that
feel worldly, witty, and deeply considered. If you’ve ever seen Harlem Toile de Jouy (the pattern that flips classic French toile
into scenes reflecting Black life), you’ve seen how she merges design and cultural commentary without sacrificing joy.

Why her work stands out

Bridges has a talent for balancing “museum-level” taste with real-life warmth. Her rooms often mix refined silhouettes with eclectic objects
and meaningful art, so the space feels collected rather than staged. She proves that timeless doesn’t mean timid.

Signature moves

• Pattern as storytelling (especially Harlem Toile)
• Classic architecture paired with modern edge
• Color used like punctuationnot noise

Steal-this idea

Choose one “legacy” elementan heirloom chair, a vintage rug, a classic lantern pendantand build around it with contemporary pieces.
The mix makes the room feel grown-up and current at the same time.

2) Corey Damen Jenkins

Corey Damen Jenkins is the patron saint of “polished traditionalism… but make it fun.” His interiors deliver drama without chaos:
saturated color, crisp tailoring, and pattern layering that somehow feels both fearless and controlled (like a well-dressed person
who also knows how to dance).

Why his work stands out

Jenkins takes classic room-makingsymmetry, proportion, beautiful millworkand injects it with exuberance. The result is modern elegance
that isn’t sterile. It’s the antidote to copy-paste minimalism.

Signature moves

• Bold color anchored by strong architectural bones
• Layered patterns that share a common “temperature” (warm vs. cool) to stay cohesive
• High-impact details: sculptural lighting, luxe trims, statement art

Steal-this idea

If you’re pattern-shy, start with a “trio rule”: one large-scale pattern (curtains or rug), one medium (pillows), one small (an accent chair).
Keep the palette consistent and you’ll look intentional, not indecisive.

3) Rayman Boozer

Rayman Boozerfounder of Apartment 48 in New Yorkhas long been celebrated for his masterful use of color. His spaces feel optimistic,
personal, and a little bit glamorous in that “I own candles that actually get lit” way. If color is a language, he’s fluent, poetic,
and occasionally hilarious.

Why his work stands out

Boozer’s interiors prove that vibrant doesn’t have to mean frantic. He uses color to create rhythmmoving your eye around a roomand to
highlight what matters (architecture, art, a fabulous vintage find). The mood is joyful, not performative.

Signature moves

• Confident color combinations with sophisticated undertones
• Eclectic layers: global references, modern furnishings, and textured materials
• A sense of easerooms that look styled but feel lived-in

Steal-this idea

Pick a “hero color” and repeat it in three places: one large (wall or rug), one medium (curtains or sofa), one small (art or accessories).
Repetition is the cheat code for cohesion.

4) Mikel Welch

Mikel Welch brings a rare mix of TV-friendly clarity and designer-level polish. His work is often described as sophisticated and accessible:
elevated spaces that don’t feel precious. He’s also known for explaining design in a way that makes you think, “WaitI can do that,”
which is basically the highest compliment a normal human can give an interior designer.

Why his work stands out

Welch is excellent at bridging the gap between aspiration and reality. He designs rooms that photograph beautifully but are built around
functionstorage, flow, durabilitybecause your home is not a museum and you should be allowed to sit down.

Signature moves

• “Affordable luxury” strategies: high/low mixes that still feel intentional
• Clean silhouettes warmed up with texture and vintage character
• Practical upgrades that change everything (lighting, hardware, paint discipline)

Steal-this idea

Audit your lighting like it owes you money. Add at least one new source in each room: a floor lamp, a plug-in sconce, or a shaded table lamp.
Better light is the fastest way to make a space look designed.

5) Alvin Wayne

Alvin Wayne’s work is modern, timeless, and quietly confidentuntil he decides it shouldn’t be quiet, and then it’s very confident
(in the best way). His interiors often blend clean lines with organic touches, creating spaces that feel elevated but human.

Why his work stands out

Wayne is skilled at designing around real lifecollectors, small spaces, busy scheduleswhile still making the finished room feel editorial.
His approach is especially relevant right now, as more people want “grown-up” design without sacrificing comfort.

Signature moves

• Modern foundations softened by texture, greenery, and tactile materials
• Thoughtful styling that highlights personal collections
• Space-smart planning for city living

Steal-this idea

Treat your bookshelf like a gallery wall. Mix upright books, horizontal stacks, one sculptural object, and one “breathing space” shelf.
The goal is rhythm, not perfect symmetry.

6) Tiffany Brooks

Tiffany Brooks is known for interiors that feel classic with a twistpolished, confident, and a little surprising. She’s also a familiar
face to HGTV viewers, which means she understands both the drama of a reveal and the practicality of what it takes to make a home work.

Why her work stands out

Brooks has a strong point of view: she’s not afraid of pattern, bold contrast, or glamorous details, but she keeps it grounded so it doesn’t
tip into “hotel lobby.” Her rooms are designed to be memorable and usable.

Signature moves

• Bold accents paired with classic shapes
• Graphic pattern and texture used as structure
• Confident stylingrooms that look finished, not halfway there

Steal-this idea

Add one “unexpected classic”: a traditional mirror over a modern console, or a sleek sofa under a vintage chandelier. That tension creates
instant sophistication.

7) David Quarles IV

David Quarles IV designs in technicolorwith intention. His work celebrates individuality, cultural influence, and emotional resonance.
He’s also known for a synesthetic approach to creativity (yes, the “I see sound” kind), which might explain why his spaces often feel like
music: layered, rhythmic, and impossible to ignore.

Why his work stands out

Quarles doesn’t chase trends; he builds worlds. His interiors often feature bold hues, expressive art, and unexpected combinations that still
feel cohesive because they’re anchored in story. The result is a home that looks like a personalitynot a catalog.

Signature moves

• Fearless color with emotional logic (not random “statement wall” energy)
• Art-forward spaces that treat everyday living like a creative practice
• Personal rituals built into design (music, gathering, mood)

Steal-this idea

Build a palette from something you already love: an album cover, a favorite painting, a vintage textile. Pull 3–5 colors and repeat them
across the room. It’s personal, and it works.

8) Breegan Jane

Breegan Jane brings California ease with a dash of sparkle and a serious respect for how families live. Her design philosophy leans into
color, texture, and joywithout sacrificing function. If you’ve ever wanted a home that feels elevated and forgiving, she’s a name
to know.

Why her work stands out

Jane makes luxury feel approachable, partly because she’s candid about the real process: the decisions, the compromises, the “why does this
contractor keep saying ‘two more weeks’?” moments. Her work encourages people to create homes that support their lives rather than impress
strangers on the internet.

Signature moves

• Layered texture that keeps neutral schemes from feeling flat
• Playful, personal details that make a home feel alive
• Practical renovation habits: planning, visualization, and budgeting with intention

Steal-this idea

Before you buy furniture, tape it out on the floor. Walk the paths you’ll actually use. If you can’t move like a normal person with a cup of
coffee, that gorgeous chair is not your soulmate.

9) Keia McSwain

Keia McSwain (of Kimberly + Cameron Interiors) is known for richly textured, layered spaces that feel curated and personaloften with an
adventurous use of color and materials. She’s also a prominent leader in the industry through her work elevating Black designers and
expanding what “the design world” looks like.

Why her work stands out

McSwain’s interiors strike a balance between sophistication and creativity. She leans into texturethink tactile fabrics, dimensional surfaces,
and finishes that invite you to touch. It’s design that engages more than your eyes.

Signature moves

• Textural layering: fabrics, wall treatments, sculptural pieces
• Color used strategically, often as a mood-setter rather than a gimmick
• Client-centered storytelling: spaces that reflect the people who live there

Steal-this idea

Upgrade one surface in a room. Not the whole roomjust one. Add grasscloth, limewash, a bold wallpaper panel, or even a painted ceiling.
One intentional surface can make the entire space feel “designed.”

What These Designers Teach Us About Great Rooms

Different aesthetics, different cities, different clientsbut you’ll notice consistent principles across their work. If you’re trying to level
up your home (without leveling your bank account), start here:

1) A room needs a point of view

The fastest way to make a space feel expensive is to make it feel specific. “Nice” is not a concept. “Modern collector with a love of jazz and
warm wood” is a concept. Pick a story and design around it.

2) Color works best when it has a job

Color can calm, energize, highlight architecture, or connect separate areas. When you assign color a purpose, it stops feeling risky and starts
feeling smart.

3) Texture is the secret weapon

If you want a neutral room to feel rich, you need texture: linen, bouclé, wood grain, plaster, woven shades, stone, vintage brass. Texture is
what makes a space feel “finished” in real lifenot just on camera.

4) High/low isn’t about budgetit’s about balance

A single great piece can elevate an entire room. Splurge on what you touch daily (sofa, mattress, rug) and save on what you can upgrade later
(side tables, decor, even art frames).

5) Lighting is interior design’s version of good sleep

You don’t notice it until it’s bad, and then it ruins everything. Layer your lighting: overhead + task + ambient. Bonus points for dimmers.

How to Follow Their Work Without Feeling Overwhelmed

Inspiration is great. Doom-scrolling other people’s gorgeous homes at 1:00 a.m. is not. If you want to learn from these designers in a way that
actually improves your space, try this:

• Save with categories: color palettes, lighting, living rooms, kitchens, “tiny apartment miracles.”
• Study one room at a time: pick your most-used space first (usually living room or bedroom).
• Translate, don’t copy: ask “what’s the principle here?” not “where do I buy that exact chair?”
• Give yourself a design brief: three adjectives (e.g., calm, bright, collected) and stick to them.

Real-Life Design Experiences: What It’s Like to Live With These Ideas (500+ Words)

Here’s the part nobody tells you when you fall in love with a beautiful room online: the real win isn’t the reveal photoit’s how the space
behaves on an average Wednesday. The best “designer” homes feel better over time, because they’re built on habits and comfort, not just visual
drama. When you apply the principles you see in the work of designers like Sheila Bridges, Corey Damen Jenkins, Rayman Boozer, and the rest of
this list, the experience tends to unfold in surprisingly practical ways.

First, you start noticing how mood changes with intentional color. People often think color is purely aesthetic, but living with a
purposeful palette can shift the whole energy of a home. A warmer white can make mornings feel softer. A deep, saturated hue in a dining room can
make dinner feel like an occasioneven if dinner is takeout and you’re eating it out of the container like a proud minimalist raccoon. When you
repeat a “hero color” across a room (a Boozer-style trick), you get this calm sense of order: your eye doesn’t bounce around; it lands.

Then there’s the experience of texture, which is basically comfort you can see. People who update a space by adding tactile layers
woven shades, linen curtains, a rug with dimension, a matte plaster-like wall finishoften describe the room as feeling quieter, even when nothing
is literally quieter. It’s a visual softness that reads as rest. That’s why “neutral” rooms fail when they’re only beige paint and a gray sofa:
there’s no material story. Designers like Keia McSwain build that story through layers, and the day-to-day experience is a home that feels
welcoming instead of flat.

Another common real-life moment: you realize lighting is not optional. When you live with layered lightingoverhead for function,
lamps for warmth, a sconce for glowyou stop feeling like your living room is a dentist’s office after sunset. People often report that they
entertain more once lighting improves, because guests linger. Food looks better. Photos look better. Your face looks better. It’s basically a
confidence boost for your house.

You also experience how powerful a point of view is. When you design around a storycollector vibes, beachy ease, modern
traditional glamouryou buy less random stuff. The urge to impulse-purchase a trendy object fades because you have a filter: “Does this belong in
my story?” That’s how Corey Damen Jenkins-level layering stays cohesive: the room knows what it is. Even if you’re doing it slowly over months,
you can feel the space becoming more “you” and less “internet.”

Finally, there’s the most underrated experience of all: a home that supports your life makes you more generous with your time. If your bedroom
feels calm, you rest better. If your kitchen works, you cook more. If your living room invites conversation, you host more. And if your design
choices reflect your identity and joylike the cultural storytelling embedded in Sheila Bridges’s work or the color-forward individuality David
Quarles IV championsyou don’t just live in a nicer space. You live in a space that feels like it’s on your side.

That’s the real magic behind this list. These designers aren’t just creating beautiful roomsthey’re creating better daily experiences. The photos
are the proof. The way you feel in the space is the point.