Interior design is more than just aesthetics—it’s about creating meaningful spaces that inspire and elevate everyday life. From bold color palettes to innovative material combinations, the world of female interior designers brings unique perspectives, continuously redefining modern elegance.
Join us as we explore seven visionary female interior designers whose groundbreaking work has left a lasting imprint on contemporary interiors, setting trends and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Female Interior Designers
1. India Mahdavi
The Designer
India Mahdavi is a name that doesn’t go unnoticed when we talk about female interior designers. She has mastered the art of blending influences into a signature aesthetic that is instantly recognisable.
Shaped by her Iranian roots, American upbringing, and Parisian career, her work merges timeless elegance with playful modernity. Since opening her design studio in 2000, Mahdavi has built a reputation for transforming spaces into experiences that blend sophistication, inviting warmth, and a hint of whimsical charm.
From luxurious hotels to her own furniture collections, Mahdavi’s creations are more than spaces—they are expressions of joy, crafted to be remembered.
The Project: Gallery at Sketch London
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2. Kelly Wearstler
The Designer
Kelly Wearstler has grown a defining voice in the world of female interior designers, known for her fearless and expressive approach to aesthetics.
Her background in visual arts and architecture informs a design language that is layered, sculptural, and emotionally charged. Celebrated for blending bold contrasts, unexpected materials, and striking forms, her interiors carry a distinctive energy that is both refined and daring.
From private residences to hospitality landmarks, Wearstler’s work transcends decoration—it creates atmospheres of tension and harmony, where design becomes a sensory and deeply personal experience.
The Project:Santa Monica Proper Hotel
Designed by Kelly Wearstler, the hotel is a true reflection of her fearless approach to interior design, where every element feels curated yet spontaneous. From raw stone walls to artisan-crafted fabrics and sculptural furnishings, Wearstler’s mastery lies in her ability to turn materials into moments of discovery.
3. Patricia Urquiola
The Designer
Patricia Urquiola is celebrated as one of the most influential female interior designers of our time, known for her ability to redefine spaces through emotion, experimentation, and an intimate understanding of form and function. Spanish-born and Milan-based, she blends her architectural background with a poetic sensibility, creating interiors that feel both deeply human and highly inventive. Her designs are fluid and tactile, often marked by organic shapes, soft palettes, and a seamless dialogue between tradition and innovation.
As a trailblazer among female interior designers, Urquiola approaches each project as a space for exploration. Her work is driven by curiosity and purpose, often challenging conventions while preserving a strong sense of harmony and balance. She elevates materials beyond their aesthetic potential—allowing texture, color, and composition to express something deeper and more personal.
Collaborating with renowned global design houses, she has developed a wide range of iconic pieces and spaces that have reshaped the way we think about contemporary interiors. Whether designing luxury hotels, residential homes, or high-end furniture, Urquiola consistently creates environments that are both intellectually engaging and emotionally resonant- a defining quality of truly great female interior designers.
Arriving at Il Sereno Hotel on the shores of Lake Como feels like discovering a sanctuary where architecture, nature, and design flow as one. Designed by Patricia Urquiola, the hotel is a quiet triumph of elegance and restraint—a contemporary jewel nestled in one of Italy’s most iconic landscapes.
Urquiola’s vision for Il Sereno is defined by her ability to create an atmosphere of calm luxury, where every material and line responds to the natural beauty surrounding it. Stone, wood, bronze, and softly textured fabrics are layered with care, offering warmth without excess.
More than a hotel, Il Sereno is an invitation to slow down, to feel, and to reconnect—with space, with nature, and with oneself.
4. Kelly Hoppen
The Designer
With a career spanning over four decades, Kelly Hoppen is one of the female interior designers that has become an influential voices in her field, known for her signature style rooted in neutral palettes, clean lines, and timeless elegance. British-born and globally acclaimed, Hoppen creates interiors that exude calm, balance, and sophistication.
Her design philosophy is grounded in simplicity and structure, but never at the cost of comfort or warmth. Whether designing private homes, yachts, or boutique hotels, Hoppen approaches each space with a keen sense of proportion, texture, and flow, delivering environments that feel effortlessly luxurious and deeply personal.
The Project: LUX Grand Gaube Resort
Stepping into the LUX Grand Gaube Resort is like entering a retreat where elegance meets tropical serenity. Designed by Kelly Hoppen, the resort is a masterclass in contemporary luxury infused with cultural sensitivity and relaxed sophistication.
The interiors reflect Hoppen’s unmistakable touch—neutral tones, tactile layers, and balanced compositions that promote a sense of calm and openness. Yet, in this project, she moves beyond her signature minimalism to embrace a more playful, island-inspired aesthetic.
What sets this design apart is Hoppen’s ability to respect the spirit of the location while maintaining her own refined language. Locally crafted details, soft linens, natural woods, and carefully selected art pieces evoke a connection to place, without ever overpowering the overall harmony of the design.
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5. Amy Lau
The Designer
Known for her deep appreciation of art, craft, and natural materials, Amy Lau brings an expressive and tactile sensibility to every space she designs. Based in New York, her work is rooted in a philosophy that celebrates individuality, artisanal techniques, and emotional connection.
With a background in art history and a curator’s instinct, Amy Lau blends vintage pieces, bespoke furnishings, and organic elements into interiors that tell stories. Her designs are not only beautiful but meaningful—environments that respect the past, embrace the present, and inspire the future.
The Project: Miami Townhouse
Entering the Miami Townhouse designed by one of the most popular female interior designers, Amy Lau, feels like stepping into a gallery of modern living—where bold expression meets elegant restraint. Situated in a sun-drenched coastal setting, the home is a vibrant reflection of Amy Lau’s ability to create interiors that are both refined and full of life.
This project stands out for its curated blend of Italian vintage furnishings, abstract art, and sculptural lighting,all carefully balanced within an open and fluid layout. Lau uses color with purpose—from soft coral tones to deep blues and golden hues, echoing the warmth and rhythm of Miami itself.
What makes this space exceptional is Lau’s instinct to treat interiors as a canvas. Every piece feels thoughtfully placed, every material selected for its texture, movement, and ability to evoke emotion. The result is an atmosphere that is at once grounded and luminous, rich in character but never overwhelming.
6. Emily Henderson
The Designer
With a background in styling and a talent for storytelling through interiors, Emily Henderson has built a signature style that stands out among female interior designers. Her designs are rooted in a love for vintage charm, clean lines, and livable comfort, often blending mid-century silhouettes with soft textures and warm tones.
A former TV host and bestselling author, Emily Henderson brings an editorial eye to every space she touches, creating homes that feel curated but never staged, beautiful but always functional. As one of the most influential female interior designers of her generation, her spaces reflect a belief that good design should be joyful, personal, and accessible—offering inspiration grounded in real life.
The Project: Portland House
The Portland House reveals a space where comfort, character, and functionality coexist in perfect balance. Designed by Emily Henderson, this project reflects her signature approach: spaces that are warm, personal, and thoughtfully layered.
The home feels inviting from the moment you enter, with soft neutral palettes, vintage accents, and natural materials that bring a sense of calm. Each room is designed to support real life—open, flexible, and full of quiet charm.
What makes Henderson’s work here so effective is her eye for proportion and lived-in detail. From cozy textiles and playful lighting to the mix of old and new, everything feels intentional but unpretentious.
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7. Joanna Gaines
The Designer
Joanna Gaines is best known for redefining American rustic style through a lens of authenticity, warmth, and practicality. Rising to prominence through television, she has since established herself as a leading figure among female interior designers, celebrated for her use of natural materials, neutral palettes, and vintage-inspired details that feel both grounded and nostalgic.
Her approach blends old and new in a way that feels timeless—homes designed for comfort, for family, and for real living.
The Project: Magnolia House
Stepping into Magnolia House feels like arriving at a home that has always been waiting for you. Designed and restored by Joanna Gaines, this Texas bed & breakfast captures the essence of her signature style—welcoming, rustic, and thoughtfully detailed.
The interiors are filled with vintage charm: distressed woods, soft textiles, and muted tones that create a sense of warmth and familiarity. Every room is layered with character, from antique doors and shiplap walls to farmhouse sinks and curated accessories that feel collected over time.
What defines Gaines’ work here is her commitment to creating spaces with soul. Magnolia House doesn’t just offer a place to stay—it tells a story. Each corner feels crafted to bring people together, encouraging comfort, connection, and a slower pace of living.
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