Introducing The UK’s 50 Best Interior Designers 2025/26
Every corner of the UK is bursting with interior design talent, with unique styles and approaches to creating beautiful and functional living spaces. Whether you have your sights set on a more beautiful home, or your workspace needs a redesign, why not opt for the top-tier UK interior designers known for creating standout spaces? From clean, understated and minimalist to bold colours and look-at-me maximalism, you’ll find your perfect match in our run-down of the 50 best interior designers in the UK right now. Read on to discover which names are lighting up the British design world in 2025/26, as decided by our panel of pioneers from the worlds of eco design and sustainability, fashion, tech and architecture. Words by Emma Love.
CEO and co-founder of vintage-inspired fashion label Rixo."
Celebrated British actor, writer and presenter."
British interior stylist and Instagram sensation behind @ahometomakeyousmile"
Interiors Editor at Country & Town House and host of its popular House Guest podcast"
With roots that lie in designing major hotels and luxury cruise ships, Tolù Adè.kó. is best known for his work in the hospitality sector but takes on a select number of residential commissions too. ‘Storytelling is at the heart of everything: I’m always exploring how space can communicate memory, heritage and identity, whether that’s through an unexpected material pairing or the quiet elegance of a considered detail,’ says the Nigerian-British designer. As part of the studio’s ten-year celebrations, he is creating a ‘dramatic and immersive’ VIP Lounge at Decorex in October.
The quartet behind Albion Nord – Ottalie Stride, Camilla Clarke, Anthony Kooperman and Ben Johnson – describe their most recent commission, The Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train, as feeling ‘rooted in history yet undeniably modern.’ It’s a timeless aesthetic that sums up their ethos of blending classic influences with the contemporary, whether working on a landmark hotel or a home in Holland Park. Creative directors Stride and Clarke are passionate about sourcing rare antiques and objets, many of which are sold through the studio’s online atelier Our Shop, alongside lighting and furniture designed in house.
Although synonymous with renovating country estates and grand listed buildings, Amanda Meade’s Nottinghamshire studio has been delivering projects of all sizes for over three decades – from new-build family homes to single rooms. The team is small, and all schemes are overseen by Meade, who always begins by re-evaluating the floor space and looking at where the layout could be improved. An ongoing collaboration with architecture firm Daykin Marshall Studio ensures a tailored service from concept to completion.
Tactile textures, thoughtful colour stories and tailored details are woven together in Najwa Mroue’s spaces, which often also feature a conversation-starting statement piece: perhaps a bold artwork, jewel-toned upholstery or an intricately printed wallpapered across the ceiling. For one recent client, she lent a ‘more is more’ look to a Victorian mews house, perfectly blending maximalism with historical nods. Her design philosophy – that every home should tell a story – results in meaningful interiors, rich in materiality.
Set up by Sarah Barclay 25 years ago, this studio specialises in listed and heritage properties. The team has extensive experience in large-scale commissions, navigating complex conservation regulations and collaborating with heritage consultants to ensure that a building’s original features are married with modern day functionality. That could mean, for instance, installing a custom lighting scheme to protect timber beams or repurposing old barns into a bar and gym, all of which she is doing as part of a current renovation in Berkshire.
(c) Paul Massey
Led by mother-daughter duo Georgina and Anoushka Cave, this Primrose Hill studio is known for its character-rich interiors that seamlessly integrate old and new. Anoushka’s background is in fine art and her eye for colour, form and composition has driven demand for their growing art consultancy service. The pair always work together and collaborate with architects on end-to-end design for both period restorations and contemporary homes. Their small shop sells antique furniture and vintage furnishings, alongside handmade eiderdowns designed by Anoushka and pieces by emerging craftspeople.
For Clare Gaskin, ‘creating magical moments that speak to the owners’ is as important as ensuring that their practical needs are met. Her small Putney studio predominantly focuses on residences in the capital and the Home Counties, recently refurbishing a Georgian home in Islington so that it’s adaptable for a growing family. Gaskin cites last year’s collaboration with Furnishing Futures (a charity dedicated to transforming spaces for those in need), for which she designed living rooms in a trio of women’s refuges, as a defining project.
Founders Max de Roseé and Claire Sá take a holistic approach to architecture and interior design, creating environments that ‘have a lasting, positive impact’. Based in London and Lisbon, their focus is on luxury residences. Recently, this has involved reconfiguring the layout of an Edwardian property so it better connects to the garden, and adding character to an apartment in Hampstead. The studio is also working on its first hotel in Portugal, and in 2024 launched the Seeker Collection – made-to-order furniture designed for those ‘in-between’ areas of a home.
Hampshire-based Sophie Eadie and Fi Crole established their studio six years ago, pooling decades of experience running their own firms. Their vision stems from the principles of symmetry and balance, creating interiors that ‘prioritise comfort while maintaining a practical edge’. The result is calm, serene spaces, layered with details – from clever panelling that conceals hidden cupboards to contemporary art, antiques and soft lighting – that have the flexibility to evolve alongside the lives of those who inhabit them. They also have a collection of fabrics, wallpaper and furniture.
Curzon Street development in Mayfair to an opulent private penthouse in Dubai’s One Palm complex, architect-trained Charu Gandhi and her 35-strong team are renowned for producing exceptionally crafted, sophisticated interiors for clients around the world. The aim is to imbue spaces with ‘understated wonder’ and the level of attention to detail is always extraordinary: for one home owner, for instance, Gandhi commissioned a custom bamboo-silk carpet inspired by the family’s history.
Eclectic spaces characterise the work of this Edinburgh practice, which was set up over a decade ago as an upholstery studio by Emily Smoor before evolving into commercial and residential interiors. Smoor’s talent for winkling out treasures, an innate love of colour and a tendency to mix pieces from various eras and places all adds up to texturally rich schemes. She has just completed a handful of holiday rentals on the Penicuik Estate in Scotland, including one which combines a Palladian style orangery with a gardener’s cottage above.
Henry Prideaux has a clever knack for offering clients something completely unexpected and extraordinary (a guest room with a tented ceiling, a fun shepherd’s hut hideout for children) in his sophisticated yet practical schemes. He set up his practice over a decade ago and recently relocated to a showroom-studio in Twickenham. His current roll-call of work includes an oast house in Sussex, a converted priory in Oxfordshire and a custom built four-berth racing yacht with an Art Deco theme.
Helmed by Jenny Weiss and Helen Bygraves for over 25 years, this Surrey studio also has a satellite office in Dubai to cater to its global client base. The duo’s design philosophy revolves around balancing function and flair to create ‘luxurious yet effortlessly liveable environments’ that layer sumptuous textiles and custom furnishings. Recent and ongoing work ranges from a villa in Lake Como to a residence in LA, a Middle Eastern superyacht, and a wow-factor entertaining space in a UK home inspired by Annabel’s.
Founded by Janine Stone in 1987 – and run alongside her husband and business partner Gideon – this practice specialises in private residences. Taking on only a handful of homes a year, the team handles every stage of the process, from architecture and interior design to construction. Its portfolio features townhouses in Mayfair and Belgravia, lateral apartments in Kensington, and large-scale country pads, including a new-build on the Wentworth Estate with a subterranean spa, wine cellar, and custom-designed bar. Recent international commissions have extended to Dubai and Hong Kong too.
Celebrating 40 years of her sought-after Belgravia interior design studio, Joanna Wood’s expertise runs the gamut from Provençal châteaux to Soho penthouses. Preserving architectural heritage is a priority and she has collaborated with the likes of The National Trust and Historic Houses on the restoration of prestigious private and public buildings. Her youngest daughter, Hattie Hansard, is part of the 15-strong team and recently led the renovation of a Chelsea apartment in a converted Victorian school, transforming the space into a coherent home for entertaining.
This year marks 30 years since Jo Hamilton founded her studio to focus on private residences, from listed country houses to contemporary city apartments. A clear design thread runs throughout: these are quietly sophisticated spaces with a refined palette and tactile finishes. A hallmark of her approach is colour drenching across walls, woodwork and architectural detailing. She has recently finished renovating a six-room Georgian estate in Oxfordshire with a ballroom, drawing room, cinema and spa.
With Juliette Byrne at the helm for 37 years, this Chelsea studio has become known for its elegant interiors and full turn-key service. The team is also well versed in more complicated renovations such as listed buildings. Recent and ongoing projects include an apartment in Dresden that combines classical European architecture with contemporary touches; the full refurbishment and interior design of a villa in Saint Tropez; and residences in Westbourne Grove and Pimlico for a younger generation of homeowners.
Having a small team split between London and Petworth enables Kate Bingham to personally oversee every project. The focus is on designing high-end residences and superyachts in a classic-contemporary style. Bingham’s greatest challenge to date in terms of scale and logistics, she says, was the renovation of dilapidated, listed, 28-room Taymouth Castle in Scotland. At the moment, she’s working on a new-build house in Farnham; a superyacht in Malta; and a farming estate near Winchester which will feature a wellness centre, yoga studio and farm shop.
Founded by wife-and-husband Laura and Aaron Hammett (she is the creative director, he manages the interior architecture team), this Fulham studio is renowned for understated yet effortlessly sophisticated interiors (think refined materials, custom-designed furnishing, sumptuous fabrics). Laura describes her aesthetic as ‘blending historic grandeur with contemporary comfort’ and believes the most important aspect of designing is to make a room ‘as useable as it is beautiful’. Residences span from villas in the Middle East and China to a family home in Sussex with a private nightclub.
(c) Martin Morrell
A former design director of Soho House, Budapest-born Linda Boronkay set up her multidisciplinary studio five years ago. Since then, she has cemented her reputation for designing cool, contemporary residences and commercial spaces across the world (these include a Swiss chalet, a beach house in Sydney and a mansion in Notting Hill). Inspiration ranges from cinema to literature and art; the latter was the starting point for a recent Victorian home in Richmond where the existing collection grounded the scheme.
Sameena Singh’s interiors are a masterclass in meaningful storytelling and attention to detail. Take the stand-out Mayfair apartment she designed for one recent client where everything from the colour palette (white for the family’s sugar manufacturing business in Uganda, earthy tones that represent the landscape) to the custom rug hand-tufted in India was a nod to the owner’s dual heritage. She is currently working on a mixed-use development in Abu Dhabi, a penthouse in Mumbai and a Belgravia townhouse.
Shropshire-based Lucinda Martin only branched out on her own in 2022 and has already established herself as a go-to for clients wanting to breathe new life into architecturally challenging buildings. Her largest undertaking has been the renovation of Berwick House near Shrewsbury, which hadn’t been updated for over a century (it involved installing an additional 13 bathrooms); current challenges include a listed Herefordshire mansion and a neo-Georgian house in Cheshire.
Renowned for putting her own spin on the refined English aesthetic, Lucy Cunningham typically takes on sprawling country estates, farm houses and characterful cottages. She is especially skilled at print and pattern, cohesively layering, for instance, ikats and suzanis with antique furniture, or fabric wallcoverings with unexpected bursts of colour. Current projects include redesigning a Georgian mansion in Scotland set in 300 acres, a chalet in Aspen and a property in New York – her first in the US.
‘Inspirational interiors for those who seek the exceptional’ is how this studio describes its high-end luxury spaces. For over a decade, founder Martin Kemp has specialised in super-prime residences, as well as private jets, superyachts, and exclusive private offices, and earnt himself a reputation as being a stickler for rigorous confidentiality. The team is currently splitting their time between projects in London (both a modern Chelsea home and a classical mansion), Monaco, Switzerland and China. There is also a second office in New York.
(c) Chris Horwood
An extensive knowledge of historical buildings – as well as textiles and antiques – is at the crux of Max Rollitt’s offering. He has an exceptional eye for colour and texture, creating spaces that combine a sense of theatre with modern practicality, as well as ensuring that every part of the design works in harmony with the architecture. The antiques and upholstery teams are housed in a former grain store in Hampshire, where Rollitt is also growing his line of bespoke furniture, from finely carved four-poster beds to hand-turned lamps.
Since setting up her studio a decade ago while still at university, British-Nigerian Miminat Shodeinde has made her name with refined, modernist- inspired spaces. These typically combine culture, craftsmanship and a distinct design language that often includes her own sculptural one-of-a-kind furniture and objects. A global portfolio spans Antigua, Africa, Kuwait and now India, where she is particularly excited about a commission dreaming up custom furniture and lighting that will be produced locally.
Glamour and comfort go hand in hand in Natalia Miyar’s ‘emotionally resonant interiors’ that range from English country mansions and alpine chalets to an in-progress Cuban-inspired members’ club in Boston. Her architecture training means she has an innate understanding of space, materiality and proportion – all of which are the foundation for a confident use of colour, pattern and texture. She has a capsule collection of furniture, wallcoverings, rugs and newly added Belgian linens. A second studio in Miami is a hub for expanding work across the US, Middle East and Caribbean.
From The Cavendish on the Chatsworth Estate to Penmaenuchaf in Wales, Nicola Harding has long been on speed dial for UK hoteliers wanting to create colour-rich schemes for guests. She and her 15-strong team take on residential commissions too: what unites them is a desire to evoke a sense of belonging through English country-house cosiness. NIX by Nicola Harding is her shoppable collection of furniture, upholstery, lighting and fabrics. Her first book, Nicola Harding: Homing Instinct, which showcases a selection of her projects, is released in September.
(c) Helen Cathcart
A fresh take on English country style that incorporates bold colour, layers of texture and antiques underpins Octavia Dickinson’s joyful, detail-driven schemes. Her art history background means she composes each room decoratively, like a painting – full of fabric trims, ample lighting and mixed furniture styles – yet never forgets the importance of comfort and practicality too. She has her own collection of fabrics and wallpapers, as well as a changing selection of antiques, which are sold online.
Self-labelled colour enthusiast Olivia Outred heads up a team of five at her busy East London studio, where traditional decorating techniques support her elegant, harmonious designs. She is primarily focused on residential interiors, truly leaning into how clients live in their homes, and often incorporating their treasured fabrics or artworks alongside antiques and custom-made furniture. Recently completed projects include a Georgian house in London, which was returned to its former glory by reintroducing original features while making it fit for purpose.
Having set up her Notting Hill studio five years ago, Orla Read leads a team of three and focuses primarily on residential interior design. From bespoke joinery to hand-painted tiles and specialist finishes, craftsmanship is integral to her vision, as is incorporating vintage furniture and fabrics, layering pattern and sustainability (repurposing an old kitchen island worktop into a bathroom vanity, for instance). Exciting projects on the roster include a river house in Marlow that leans into its nautical environment.
(c) Dean Hearne
Founded by Alex Labridis and Vaios Tsigas, this multidisciplinary studio covers architecture, interior design, construction and property development – meaning it can offer a seamless turn-key service across commercial and residential projects, the latest of which are in Rome and Paris. Considered spatial design is always at the core of the elegant layouts, as evidenced in a recently completed five-floor listed Knightsbridge townhouse, where the team retained the historical integrity of the property while reimagining it for family living.
Lively colour palettes, interesting furniture, and an exacting eye for detail all typify Pandora Taylor’s playful yet considered style – honed since setting up her studio in 2018 (prior to which she did a stint at Kitesgrove). Last year, for instance, she worked with Susi Bellamy, transforming the fabric designer’s Notting Hill pied-à-terre into a jewel box-like apartment that combines the atmosphere of an ageing Italian palazzo with English chintz and a riot of more-is-more fabrics and wallpapers.
Refined, understated interiors are the hallmark of Portia Fox, who set up her studio in 2017 after a spell as an associate director at Katharine Pooley. Since then, she has built up a global portfolio with projects dotted across the US, Middle East and Asia. Right now, commissions such as a luxury private home in Switzerland and a series of branded residences for the Dorchester Collection are keeping the team of 16 interior designers and architects busy.
Part of the Allect Design Group, this multi-disciplinary practice specialises in super-prime residences, from listed buildings and heritage properties to new developments. Bespoke craftsmanship and sustainability are both key, with schemes often incorporating cutting-edge materials and energy-efficient solutions, such as in the UK’s first wellness-accredited and carbon-neutral private dwelling near Hyde Park. The team works with exceptional external architects (Kengo Kuma, Olson Kundig) and last year launched a Small Works Division dedicated to kitchens, cabinetry, lighting and decoration.
Nicole Salvesen and Mary Graham describe their take on quintessential English country house style as ‘future heritage’. In other words: classically beautiful spaces full of texture and colour, that are based on design principles such as preserving architectural detailing and juxtaposing antiques with contemporary pieces. One of the most interesting commissions the pair has completed was a Georgian family home featuring at least three aesthetically different phases of construction, which they brought together to create a sense of harmony.
A relaxed yet vibrant informality – with flashes of wit and modern glamour – characterise Samantha Todhunter’s interiors, whether she’s working on a simple decorative refresh or a full interior overhaul. Projects range from Parisian pied-à-terres to villas in the South of France, a trullo in Puglia to beach houses in Tulum and, recently, the refurbishment of an historic penthouse in San Francisco. Todhunter’s vision for laidback living is also reflected in The Warborough Collection, her capsule of go-to furniture staples.
Irish designer Sara Cosgrove, who has studios in Dublin and London, labels her look ‘quiet luxury’. Refined materials (natural stone, aged brass accents, and handwoven textiles) are a signature thread that runs from period properties to modern penthouses. Having previously worked for Allegra Hicks, Helen Green and Harrods (where she was head of design), Cosgrove branched out on her own over a decade ago. Sister company Grove & Co specialises in large-scale residential and hospitality projects.
Super-prime residences and hospitality properties form the backbone of projects at this multidisciplinary practice, which is overseen by founding partner and managing director Graham Harris. The mission here is cohesive and holistic design which translates, most recently, to restoring 19th century Athlone House in Hampstead and a low-slung new-build summer pavilion that makes sense visually within its surrounding landscape. Although primarily focused on the UK, commissions also span China, Switzerland, the US and Azerbaijan.
Whether designing a grand villa in the Middle East; meticulously restoring an apartment in west London with palatial proportions; or turning her hand to a contemporary new-build in Ireland, Sophie Paterson’s signature style is a blend of classic and contemporary. Her Surrey studio specialises in residential projects, often applying a predominantly restrained neutral palette as a backdrop and weaving in natural materials such as oak, marble and brass for warmth. She has just launched an online interior design academy, and her ever-expanding product collection encompasses fabrics, mirrors and handles.
This talented Mexican designer has had her own London studio for five years (before that she spent a decade at Martin Brudnizki Design Studio) and in that time, has become synonymous with maximalist spaces that celebrate bold colour and pattern. The practice is growing slowly, organically, focusing on international projects that capture Mendoza’s imagination, from homes in Antwerp and Miami to hospitality ventures in Lisbon and Amsterdam. Expect a high-low mix, contemporary pieces peppered with antiques, and elements that surprise.
The founder of this Notting Hill studio, Tiffany Duggan, describes her design philosophy as wanting to create ‘liveable yet dramatic spaces’ that emphasise form and colour, and unite different eras and styles. She leads a deliberately small team of seven, overseeing the design of each project personally, and is also behind homeware brand TROVE by Studio Duggan. Until now, the focus has been on residential only – so news of the practice’s first foray into the restaurant and bar scene, with a launch slated for autumn, is particularly exciting.
Having trained under Beata Heuman for many years where, she says, she ‘learnt a lot about creating layered homes which feel unexpected but also balanced’, Phoebe Hollond launched her own west London studio in 2023. The team of three only takes on a trio of projects at once, often in locations such as London, Sussex, Dorset and Somerset. She cites her design hero as the late French art dealer Madeleine Castaing; likes putting bespoke and unusual pieces of furniture together; and is inspired by the past to curate contemporary spaces.
Husband-and-wife Richard and Angelica Squire are behind this five-year-old practice: he has a background in construction so concentrates on the architecture and flow of a space; she cut her teeth working for Fran Hickman and spearheads the design. Pairing historical elements with contemporary functionality are key to the pair’s thoughtfully crafted spaces (such as an apartment in Chelsea Barracks or the renovation of a 19th-century railway cottage in the South Downs) that reflect their surroundings. They also enjoy mixing pieces from different eras and sourcing antiques.
‘Our approach is about more than aesthetics; it’s about creating spaces that tell a story,’ says Venetia Rudebeck, who co-founded this studio over a decade ago with her childhood friend, Romanos Brihi. Unexpected material pairings, an assured use of colour, and juxtaposing art and antiques are all integral to their wonderfully vibrant, in-depth schemes. The pair are currently working on a sustainably-built family home in west London alongside residences in Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Devon, Europe and the US.
Self-labelling her schemes as ‘a kind of alchemy’ feels entirely apt for Suzy Hoodless, who celebrates 25 years of her west London studio in 2025. Her approach, which seamlessly mixes styles and eras, colour and texture, to wonderful effect, has won the former magazine interiors editor plenty of fans. ‘Nearly every client we work for – whatever their brief is – says they want a comfortable family home, so that informs a lot of what we do,’ Hoodless says.
This is a milestone year for founders Gail Taylor and Sheila El-Hadery, who are celebrating two decades of Th2 Designs. Their philosophy is ‘relaxed luxury’ – which translates to ‘beautifully designed interiors that maximise both space and light’ and can be adapted as home owners’ lives evolve. It’s an approach that spans a diverse portfolio of projects and appeals to their many repeat clients, who value comfort alongside practical elements like space planning and storage. The duo also has a collection of furniture, Th2 Studio.
Founded by Philippa Thorp 40 years ago, this multi-disciplinary design studio has a reputation for longevity among its HNWI clients (one even revealed that in the two decades since the completion of their home, the only item that they have replaced is a rug). The highly capable team of architects and interior designers take a holistic view and typically take care of every aspect of a project, including art curation and landscaping, to ensure harmonious, soulful spaces.
(c) Paul Massey
With a background in antiques and decorative arts, creative director Henriette von Stockhausen has always prioritised craftsmanship, artisan-made bespoke furnishings and integrating historical elements into interiors. One of her standout projects over the past year was a home in Montecito that blends Renaissance grandeur with breezy Californian living and the client’s passion for Italian influences (think antique Murano glass lanterns, a dramatic canopy bed, signature evocative tapestries and layered textiles).
Although directors Tino Zervudachi, Jason Roberts and Laurence Macadam have been leading this studio’s roster of international projects for a while, it’s only recently, in its 60th anniversary year, that its name has been changed to reflect that (it was founded by David Mlinaric, and formerly called Mlinaric, Henry and Zervudachi). Private houses, yachts, commercial developments, retail and hospitality – this team does it all. The overall aesthetic is eclectic, modern and smart with an emphasis on colour and pattern.
