21 Inspiring Black Interior Designers to Follow Today
Have you ever scrolled through design feeds feeling like something’s missing from the inspiration you’re seeing?
While mainstream design media often highlights the same familiar faces, there’s a whole world of brilliant Black interior designers creating spaces that will completely shift how you think about style, color, and cultural expression in the home.
I’ve spent months researching and following the work of Black designers who are not just creating beautiful spaces, but telling stories through design that you won’t find anywhere else.
From Sheila Bridges’ museum-worthy Harlem Toile pattern to Mikel Welch’s luxury-on-a-budget magic, these designers bring fresh perspectives that will inspire your own space and introduce you to styles you never knew existed.
Ready to fill your feed with designers who will challenge your assumptions and spark your creativity? Let me introduce you to Black interior designers whose work deserves a spot on your inspiration board.
21 Notable Black Interior Designers to Know
From museum-featured artists to HGTV stars and social media sensations, these designers are creating spaces that will inspire you to see your home in a completely new way.
Let’s meet the talented individuals who deserve a spot on your radar.
1. Sheila Bridges
Sheila Bridges is a graduate of Brown University and the Parsons School of Design, who moved to Harlem in 1993 and founded Sheila Bridges Design a year later.
Named America’s Best Interior Designer by CNN and Time magazine in 2001, she’s known for her bold use of color and careful blending of classical pieces with contemporary finishes. She created the iconic Harlem Toile de Jouy pattern in 2006, which challenges stereotypes and celebrates African American culture.
Her work is housed in major museums, including the Smithsonian and the Brooklyn Museum, and she has designed for President Bill Clinton and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Website: Sheila Bridges
Notable Project:Created the iconic Harlem Toile de Jouy pattern featured in museums worldwide
2. Corey Damen Jenkins
Detroit-born Corey Damen Jenkins founded his New York-based firm in 2008 after surviving the Great Recession. A self-taught designer who once knocked on doors seeking clients, he’s now celebrated for his “New Traditional” approach that infuses classic design with bold colors and global influences.
His work has earned him spots on Architectural Digest’s AD100 and ELLE Décor’s A-List. Jenkins teaches a MasterClass on interior design and has authored the book “Design Remix: A New Spin on Traditional Rooms.”
He’s known for sophisticated pattern mixing and creating tailored spaces that meet clients’ ever-changing needs.
Website: Corey Damen Jenkins
Notable Project: HGTV Showhouse Showdown winner and AD100 recognition
3. Brigette Romanek
Los Angeles-based Brigette Romanek transitioned from fashion design to interiors, founding Romanek Design Studio in 2018. With no formal training, her natural talent for blending functionality with luxury attracted A-list clients including Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow, Demi Moore, and Christian Bale.
Her “Gap meets Gucci” style creates lived-in sophistication through modern lines, layered textures, and carefully curated eclecticism. Named to Architectural Digest’s AD100 four times since 2019 and elevated to ELLE Décor Titan in 2024, she published “Livable Luxe” in 2023 with a foreword by Gwyneth Paltrow.
Website: Romanek Design Studio
Notable Project: Designed Gwyneth Paltrow’s Montecito home and published “Livable Luxe” book
4. Mikel Welch
Self-taught Detroit native Mikel Welch graduated from Morehouse College and built his career from Craigslist advertisements to celebrity status.
Known for creating luxury looks with affordable pieces, he became famous as Steve Harvey’s design expert after joining “The Steve Harvey Show” as a set designer in 2012. His dual design aesthetic combines primitive natural textures with modern, edgy elements.
A top-four finalist on HGTV Design Star Season 7, he now stars on Netflix’s Emmy-winning “Hack My Home” and serves as design expert on “The Drew Barrymore Show.” His masculine glam style has attracted celebrity clients and national recognition.
Website: Mikel Welch
Notable Project: Set designer and design expert for Emmy-winning “The Steve Harvey Show”
5. Justina Blakeney
UCLA graduate Justina Blakeney discovered design while studying in Italy and built a multimillion-dollar lifestyle empire through her Jungalow brand.
Her New York Times bestselling book “The New Bohemians” established her as the go-to expert for boho-chic style. Known for vibrant, botanical interiors that celebrate creativity, color, and plants, she champions diversity in design while making style accessible through partnerships with Target, Anthropologie, and Pottery Barn Kids.
Her maximalist approach blends cultural heritage with California living, inspiring millions through social media and advocating for inclusive design representation.
Website: Justina Blakeney
Notable Project: Founded the Jungalow lifestyle brand and authored a New York Times bestseller
6. Nicole White
South Florida luxury interior designer Nicole White, known as the “Renovation Queen,” specializes in sophisticated coastal style with Caribbean influences.
Her work has been featured in House Beautiful and Luxe Magazine, establishing her as a prominent voice in luxury residential design. White combines vibrant tropical elements with high-end finishes, creating spaces that feel both opulent and livable.
She builds strong connections with her audience through social media while maintaining her focus on upscale projects throughout South Florida. Her approach reflects the coastal lifestyle while incorporating luxury elements that appeal to discerning clients.
Website: Nicole White Designs
Notable Project: Featured in House Beautiful and Luxe Magazine as “Renovation Queen”
7. Beth Diana Smith
Former finance executive Beth Diana Smith transitioned to interior design, becoming known for her bold use of color, global décor influences, and emphasis on functionality.
Her maximalist approach celebrates pattern mixing and vibrant palettes, creating spaces that feel both sophisticated and lived-in. Smith’s background in finance brings a unique business perspective to her design practice, helping her create beautiful yet practical solutions for her clients.
Her work demonstrates how traditional business skills can enhance creative careers, and she advocates for design that prioritizes both aesthetics and real-world functionality in modern living spaces.
Website: Beth Diana Smith
Notable Project: Transitioned from finance executive to successful interior designer
8. Andre Jordan Hilton
Andre Jordan Hilton serves as principal of Jordan Hilton Interiors, specializing in luxurious, layered spaces rooted in storytelling and narrative design.
His approach focuses on creating interiors that tell personal stories through carefully curated collections of art, furniture, and accessories. Known for his sophisticated aesthetic and attention to detail, Hilton creates spaces that feel both opulent and deeply personal to his clients.
His storytelling approach to design helps clients express their personalities and histories through their living spaces, making each project a unique reflection of the inhabitants’ lives and experiences.
Website: Jordan Hilton Interiors
Notable Project: Curated luxurious, narrative-rich interiors for high-end residential clients
9. Keia McSwain
Keia McSwain serves as President of the Black Interior Designers Network (BIDN), working to elevate and support Black designers in the industry.
Her personal design style fuses modern glam with Southern charm, creating sophisticated spaces that honor traditional elements while feeling fresh and contemporary.
Beyond her design work, McSwain’s leadership role positions her as an advocate for diversity and inclusion in the design industry. She works to create opportunities for emerging Black designers and helps establish networks that support professional growth and development within the interior design community.
Website: nekeia+co.
Notable Project: Serves as President of Black Interior Designers Network
10. Tavia Forbes & Monet Masters (Forbes + Masters)
Atlanta-based design duo Tavia Forbes and Monet Masters founded Forbes+Masters after meeting on an overlapping project and discovering their shared aesthetic vision.
Their collaborative approach creates chic, high-end interiors that are culturally resonant and sophisticated. Known for their eclectic style that blends modern and traditional elements, they bring both individual expertise and collaborative energy to their projects.
Their work has garnered recognition from major design publications, and they represent the power of creative partnerships in producing innovative, memorable interiors that reflect both contemporary trends and timeless appeal.
Website: Forbes Masters
Notable Project: Atlanta-based design duo creating culturally resonant, high-end interiors
11. Danielle Colding
Winner of HGTV’s Design Star Season 7, Danielle Colding brings a sophisticated, eclectic style with global influences to her interior design projects.
Her television success launched a broader design career focused on creating spaces that blend international elements with livable luxury. Colding’s approach emphasizes sophisticated color palettes and carefully curated furnishings that reflect her clients’ travels and experiences.
Her global perspective brings unique elements to American interiors, creating spaces that feel both worldly and welcoming. Her Design Star victory established her as a television personality while building her reputation for thoughtful, culturally-influenced design.
Website: Danielle Colding Design
Notable Project: Winner of HGTV Design Star Season 7
12. Rayman Boozer
Owner of Apartment 48 in NYC, Rayman Boozer has earned recognition as the “go-to designer for color lovers” through his bold, vibrant approach to interior design.
His work celebrates the transformative power of color in creating mood and atmosphere within living spaces. Boozer’s expertise in color theory and application helps clients overcome their fears about using bold hues in their homes.
His New York-based practice focuses on helping clients express their personalities through fearless color choices, proving that vibrant palettes can be both sophisticated and livable when applied with expert knowledge and confidence.
Website: Apartment 48
Notable Project: Known as NYC’s “go-to designer for color lovers”
13. Lisa Turner
Lisa Turner serves as principal of Interior Obsession, specializing in sophisticated, upscale residential and commercial design projects. Her work focuses on creating spaces that balance luxury with livability, incorporating high-end materials and finishes while maintaining functionality for daily life.
Turner’s approach emphasizes clean lines, sophisticated color palettes, and careful attention to proportion and scale. Her commercial and residential portfolio demonstrates versatility in creating appropriate atmospheres for different types of spaces, from intimate homes to professional environments. Her design philosophy centers on creating interiors that feel both polished and comfortable.
Website: Interior Obsession
Notable Project: Principal of Interior Obsession specializing in upscale residential and commercial design
14. Arianne Bellizaire
Baton Rouge-based designer and blogger Arianne Bellizaire has built a reputation for creating practical yet luxurious spaces that work for real family life.
Her approach balances high-end aesthetics with the demands of daily living, proving that luxury doesn’t have to be precious or untouchable. Through her blog and design practice, Bellizaire shares insights about creating beautiful homes that function well for busy families.
Her Southern location influences her design aesthetic, incorporating regional elements while maintaining a sophisticated, contemporary feel. She advocates for accessible luxury that enhances rather than complicates everyday living experiences.
Website: Arianne Bellizaire
Notable Project: Baton Rouge designer known for practical luxury family spaces
15. DuVäl Reynolds
DuVäl Reynolds specializes in creating personal, reflective interiors that tell stories through thoughtful space design and careful material selection. His approach to interior design emphasizes the emotional connection between people and their environments, creating spaces that support both practical needs and psychological well-being.
Reynolds focuses on understanding his clients’ personal narratives and translating those stories into physical environments through color, texture, furniture selection, and spatial arrangement.
His work demonstrates how interior design can be deeply personal and meaningful, going beyond aesthetics to create spaces that truly reflect inhabitants’ identities and aspirations.
Website: DuVäl Reynolds
Notable Project: Specializes in storytelling through personal, reflective interior design
16. Elaine Griffin
Former contributing editor at ELLE Decor, Elaine Griffin brings her editorial expertise to interior design, creating spaces that blend Southern hospitality with cosmopolitan sophistication.
Her magazine background gives her a unique understanding of how spaces photograph and the importance of creating visually compelling interiors. Griffin’s design approach balances traditional Southern elements with urban sophistication, creating interiors that feel both rooted in place and internationally influenced.
Her editorial experience helps her create rooms that are not only beautiful to live in but also photograph well, understanding the importance of visual storytelling in contemporary design.
Website: Elaine Griffin at Home
Notable Project: Former ELLE Decor contributing editor blending Southern hospitality with cosmopolitan style
17. Linda Allen
Linda Allen pioneered wireless lighting design, bringing innovative technology solutions to interior design projects. Her expertise in lighting design stems from understanding how illumination affects mood, functionality, and the overall atmosphere of interior spaces.
Allen’s technical knowledge, combined with design sensibility, allows her to create lighting schemes that are both beautiful and practical. Her work focuses on creating soulful, experiential design that enhances how people feel in their environments.
She advocates for thoughtful lighting design as a crucial element of successful interiors, demonstrating how proper illumination can change any space.
Website: Linda Allen Design
Notable Project: Pioneer in wireless lighting design with soulful, experiential approach
18. Don Ricardo Massenburg
North Carolina-based designer Don Ricardo Massenburg specializes in affordable luxury design with bold textures and sophisticated color palettes.
His approach makes high-end design accessible to a broader range of clients by focusing on impactful elements that create luxury experiences without excessive budgets. Massenburg’s work emphasizes texture as a key design element, using tactile materials to create visual interest and depth.
His regional practice allows him to understand local preferences while bringing national design trends to his North Carolina market. He proves that luxury design principles can be adapted to various budget levels.
Website: Design Inkredible
Notable Project: North Carolina designer specializing in affordable luxury with bold textures
19. Carmeon Hamilton
Winner of HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen, Memphis-based Carmeon Hamilton focuses on “elevated everyday living” with modern boho elements that reflect African culture and textiles.
Her signature style blends contemporary functionality with cultural heritage, creating spaces that feel both current and rooted in tradition. Hamilton’s television success has expanded her platform for promoting accessible design and rental-friendly solutions.
Her approach emphasizes making beautiful design available to everyone, regardless of homeownership status or budget constraints. She advocates for spaces that reflect personal stories and cultural identity while remaining practical for modern living.
Website: Carmeon Hamilton
Notable Project: Winner of HGTV’s Design Star: Next Gen with modern boho style
20. David Quarles IV
Memphis-based designer, metal artist, and content creator David Quarles IV is known for vibrant color palettes and Afro-Caribbean design influences.
His artistic background in metalwork brings a unique sculptural perspective to his interior design projects, incorporating custom artistic elements and bold color choices. Quarles’ content creation helps democratize design knowledge while showcasing how cultural heritage can inform contemporary interior design.
His Afro-Caribbean influences bring international flair to his projects, creating spaces that celebrate cultural diversity. His multidisciplinary approach combines fine art, craft, and interior design to create distinctive, culturally rich environments.
Website: David Quarles IV
Notable Project: Memphis designer combining metal artistry with Afro-Caribbean influenced interiors
21. Rashida Banks
Designer and DIY influencer Rashida Banks specializes in bringing cozy sophistication and attainable luxury to everyday spaces through accessible design solutions.
Her approach emphasizes creating beautiful homes without requiring professional designer budgets, making style accessible to broader audiences. Banks combines design expertise with DIY instruction, teaching others how to achieve high-end looks through creative solutions and budget-friendly approaches.
Her influence extends through social media and content creation, where she shares practical tips for creating beautiful interiors. She represents the democratization of design knowledge, proving that style and sophistication are achievable for everyone.
Website: Rashida Banks
Notable Project: DIY influencer making cozy sophistication and attainable luxury accessible to all
Conclusion
These Black interior designers represent just the beginning of the incredible talent reshaping how we think about home design.
From Sheila Bridges’ museum-worthy patterns to Rashida Banks’ accessible DIY magic, each designer brings something unique to the table that you won’t find in mainstream design magazines.
So what does this mean for your own design journey? Supporting and following Black interior designers isn’t just about diversifying your feed, it’s about expanding your creative horizons and discovering approaches to color, texture, and cultural storytelling that could completely alter your space.
Ready to take action? Start by following just three designers from this list whose work speaks to you. Check out their websites, engage with their content, and consider hiring them for your next project. Your home and your perspective on design will be richer for it.
