5 Black Interior Designers That You Should Follow on Instagram

Okay so in light of an insane start to 2025, Citrus Velvet Interiors wants to highlight something incredibly important. DIVERSITY MATTERS. I can't even stress enough how IMPORTANT diversity is to our communities, thoughts/opinions, ideas, etc! The more versatile a community, business, government, anything else really, the more successful you/they are. You only get this versatility from diversity. Hearing and enacting the ideas from others different from you so there are fresh perspectives. Learning about other cultures, traditions, or points of view so your and/or their world blooms. It's honestly quite beautiful when your world blooms, so why diminish this?

I could go on about this, but it will turn into a more political rant rather than an interior design blog post. So I will bring the focus back to diversity within interior design...

Ahem...

Diversity is the literally the cornerstone of creativity, and in the world of interior design, it brings fresh perspectives, unique aesthetics, and cultural richness to all projects. As a result of that, today Citrus Velvet Interiors is shining a spotlight on the trailblazing (for some reason I find this to be a fun word) Black interior designers who are redefining the industry with their bold visions, innovative approaches, and a deep commitment to storytelling through design (that, coincidentally, you can find on Instagram with the links provided in green below). But first...

Why does representation matter in design?

If you've been reading my blog posts, then by now you might see a pattern (no pun intended) that Interior design have the ability to shape the spaces where we live, work, and gather. It influences how we feel, how we interact, and how we express ourselves. Yet, for far too long, the contributions of Black designers have been underrepresented and undercelebrated in mainstream narratives. By amplifying their voices and showcasing their work, we not only celebrate their artistry but also pave the way for a more inclusive industry.

Designers to Celebrate

1. Beth Diana Smith, Owner/Designer of Beth Diana Smith Interior Design

   
   

   

   Beth is by far one of my favorite designers. I love seeing her work on Instagram! She's an maximalist interior designer out of the New Jersey/New York area that has an amazing ability to include diverse cultural differences and convey a story out of every project she designs. She's has a great eye for being able to mix textures, patterns, and colors in a way that isn't distracting or overwhelming. I haven't been in her spaces personally; however, from looking at them they feel luxurious and calming at the same time. It's not an easy feat to mix all sorts of patterns and colors, and make them feel as calming as she does so my hat off to her.

   
   

2. Laquita Tate, Owner/Designer of Laquita Tate Interiors

   
   

   

   Sometimes, and I probably shouldn't be saying this, some interior designers go a little to far in the "art" portion of interior design (in my opinion). If that's the way the client wanted it then great, but in most cases, people still have to live in the space. You don't want to feel uncomfortable in your own space. So here's why I love Laquita Tate (not just because she was a school principal first). She's able to make the home completely livable, but still mix in unique artistic pieces that just give the home a step above the rest. Again, haven't been in the space, but just by looking at them, I feel comfortable and 1000% confident at the same time. It's exactly what a space should do - make you feel like you could live in it, but also make you feel good about yourself.

   
   

3. Nicole Gibbons, Owner of Clare Paint

   
   

   

   Okay so Nicole focuses more on paint, but, if you've been on my site, you'll see that we are immensely into sustainability and WELL interior design practices. So why Nicole Gibbons? Because she created of my favorite interior paints, Clare, that are completely zero VOC (which means they’re formulated without the toxic carbon-based solvents - in short - incredibly bad for the air within your home and can create problematic health risks) and are GREENGUARD Gold certified (this means they undergo rigorous annual testing for more than 360 VOCs and hazardous chemicals). Not only that, the paint colors are offered in a variety of different colors/shades that range from both bold to soft. Lastly, to create a company like this that took a problem within the interior design industry and come up with a solution is truly inspiring.

   
   

4. Eva Sonaike, Owner/Founder of Eva Sonaike

   
   

   

   So many patterns (pun maybe intended) here, but if you haven't noticed so far, I do love textiles and color. It's probably why I'm drawn to Eva Sonaike's account. She created the company, Eva Sonaike, which is a London-based interior company that specializes in premium home textiles, soft furnishings, and interior design services. The textiles are beautiful! Absolutely check them out if you have a chance! They mix West African aesthetics in home furnishings. I haven't had a chance to add them to a design project yet, but I plan on it. Even though they are London-based they ship worldwide.

   
   

5. Carmen Smith, Owner of Aquilo Interiors

   
   

   

   Last but certain not least (because her style is beyond the definition of cool) is Carmen Smith. Another interior designer that I love! Even if you don't follow her, at least check out her website. It's insanely cool, fun, vibrant, any adjective that's similar! Now I had to create my own website so I wouldn't the slightly idea of how she does it. It's just fun and it seems to match her personality incredibly well! Same with her designs. The projects are unique and fearless (especially the dragon's lair and the pool house - by far my favorite). Seeing the way her mind works is impressive.

Please never forget that Black interior designers bring an invaluable richness to the design industry. By celebrating their contributions, we not only honor their talent but also encourage a more inclusive and vibrant future for all. Let’s continue to champion diversity and recognize the power of representation in shaping a more beautiful world.

There are plenty more Black interior designers that are worth mentioning. If you have a favorite designer let us know in the comments (make sure to link to their Instagram account so we can give credit where its due)!

If you have any questions or comments (or just want to chat), don't be afraid to ask us!

x Citrus Velvet Interiors

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