As Elle Decor unveiled its prestigious A-List of the world’s most influential contemporary interior designers, we couldn’t resist curating our own handpicked collection of bold visionaries and creative minds who are redefining what it means to live in style. Whether you’re a design aficionado, a curious homeowner, or simply obsessed with beautiful spaces, these contemporary interior designers are names to know, follow, and admire. Their work? A seamless blend of innovation, elegance, personality, and storytelling.
From couture-inspired interiors to culturally infused minimalism, these are the designers turning rooms into statements and homes into experiences. They don’t just follow trends, they craft visual narratives, elevate everyday materials, and push the boundaries of what interior design can be. So buckle up. You’re about to step into a world where luxury meets creativity, and design becomes something deeply personal.
Scroll on and discover the Top 10 Contemporary Interior Designers you need on your radar, straight from our design studio to your inspiration board.
Top 10 Contemporary Interior Designers:
Few names carry the weight and quiet glamour of Peter Marino. Known for his architectural precision and haute couture sensibility, Marino is a master of creating interiors that feel both grand and intimate. His work blends art, structure, and soul, crafted for those who see luxury as something deeply personal, not performative.
Take the stunning Palm Beach Residence II, for example, a serene retreat inspired by Southeast Asian architecture, where interconnected pavilions, sky-high ceilings, and Indonesian hardwoods come together in poetic harmony. The interiors are a curated balance of Art Déco classics and sculptural art, layered with texture, shadow, and exquisite detail. Every element, from volcanic stone pathways to silk-lined drawers, is meticulously considered.
Here, Marino proves that luxury doesn’t have to shout, it can whisper. This residence is a quiet masterpiece that embodies the very essence of what the best contemporary interior designers do: they design spaces that don’t just look good, but feel unforgettable.
If Peter Marino represents the architectural haute couture of contemporary interiors, Ryan Korban brings in the fashion-forward cool. Known for redefining modern luxury with a younger, moodier edge, Korban creates spaces that feel cinematic, rich in texture, emotion, and a kind of curated rebellion. His interiors speak to a new generation of luxury: less perfection, more personality.
That spirit comes to life in the Alexander Wang flagship store in SoHo, where Korban translated the designer’s edgy, urban aesthetic into a sleek, almost sculptural retail experience. Polished marbles meet cold metals, fox-fur accents soften the structure, and every surface feels like it belongs in both a museum and a nightclub. It’s minimalist, yes, but charged with intensity and sensuality.
With this project, Korban proves that contemporary interior designers aren’t just creating beautiful spaces, they’re building brands, shaping identity, and setting the tone for how luxury feels today. The Alexander Wang store isn’t just a backdrop for fashion; it’s part of the story, part of the attitude and unmistakably Korban.
After Marino’s architectural drama and Korban’s moody minimalism, it’s time to turn up the spice. Literally. Because no list of contemporary interior designers would be complete without the inimitable Kelly Wearstler. Her aesthetic is effortlessly bold and delightfully eclectic, rooted in layered sensorial storytelling.
One of her standout projects is the Canela Lounge at the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, a warm, sensory cocoon of vintage finds, sultry lighting, and layered storytelling. Blending global influences with hand-painted Cannon & Bullock wallpaper, Kelly Wearstler creates a space that feels part salon, part art installation. Sculptural pieces like Giulio Moscatelli slipper chairs and Campana Brothers lighting creating an intimate, moody space that leaves a lasting impression.
With Canela Lounge, she crafts a design that’s tactile, theatrical, and richly textured immersive rather than illustrative. She reminds us that great design is not just seen, but it’s felt.
In the world of contemporary interior designers, Monique Gibson stands out by weaving a quiet yet powerful narrative of comfort and timeless elegance. Her designs brings a refined balance of warmth and timeless sophistication to the scene of contemporary interior designers. Gibson’s work transcends trends to create interiors where every element contributes to a harmonious whole.
Take her East Village Atelier, for example, a beautifully restored New York townhouse that functions as her home, studio, and showroom all in one. Signature touches like exposed brick walls, bespoke lighting, and a fully renovated kitchen elevate the space into a sanctuary that balances function with high design. One of the most striking features is the bold, hand-painted black mural that stretches across an entire wall, an artistic statement that anchors the room and adds an unexpected graphic edge.
From the textured surfaces to the curated furnishings reflects Gibson’s skill as one of the most innovative contemporary interior designers, crafting environments that are at once visually captivating and deeply personal.
Jamie Bush is a master at transforming spaces into cinematic experiences. His work seamlessly blends modernism with a touch of glamour, creating interiors that feel both timeless and contemporary. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and a keen eye for color and texture, Bush’s designs are a testament to his expertise and passion for interior design.
Located in the prestigious Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, Casa Tropicale is a stunning example of Jamie Bush’s design prowess. Collaborating with architect William Hefner, he created a sanctuary that marries Hollywood glamour with tropical elegance. The interiors feature a rich palette of colors, luxurious materials, and bespoke furnishings, creating a space that is both sophisticated and inviting.
Casa Tropicale is a great example of Jamie Bush’s ability to create spaces that are both visually captivating and deeply personal. Through his thoughtful design approach, Bush has crafted an environment that solidifies his position among the leading contemporary interior designers, showcasing his unique ability to blend style, comfort, and functionality seamlessly.
Founded by Anishka Clarke and Niya Bascom, Ishka Designs has built an international reputation for crafting spaces where minimalism meets soul. Based in Brooklyn, their practice blends restrained elegance with a deep sensitivity to culture, craftsmanship, and context. Their work speaks to a generation that values authenticity over ornament and intention over excess, where every line, texture, and material is part of a larger, meaningful narrative.
Tasked with reimagining a 19th-century duplex just steps from the Eiffel Tower, Ishka Designs brought their signature quiet luxury to the Paris Pied‑à‑Terre once an artist’s atelier, now a serene, story-filled retreat. Instead of stripping the space of its layered past, they embraced it: sculptural heirlooms were thoughtfully curated, not concealed; a marigold stairwell with deep green treads adds a bold, earthy rhythm; and bespoke cabinetry nestles effortlessly beneath towering atelier windows. The home is at once gallery and refuge effortlessly Parisian, unmistakably Ishka.
More than beauty, it’s meaning. Ishka Designs creates interiors that are both lived-in and elevated, deeply personal yet timeless. In their hands, home becomes identity, shaped with purpose and quiet elegance.
Corinne Gilbert, a stylist and interior designer based in Brooklyn, brings a quietly radical touch to everything she curates. Known for her poetic minimalism and a talent for making the ordinary feel elevated, Gilbert’s spaces are deeply personal never overdesigned, always considered.
In her Fort Greene apartment, Corinne Gilbert, one of the leading contemporary interior designers, replaces the traditional sofa with a futon layered in rustic linen and handmade patchwork pillows. This choice creates a dynamic, multifunctional space where seating, sleeping, and socializing blend seamlessly. The muted palette, with warm woods and quiet creams, is enlivened by subtle details like a sculptural lamp or an off-center painting.
Corinne Gilbert proves that true refinement is found in intention, restraint, and the emotional weight of objects with memory. Her interiors don’t impose; they invite. And in doing so, they linger.
Alexandra Champalimaud is among top contemporary interior designers, blending timeless elegance with modern flair, creating spaces that are intimate yet grand, classic, but always surprising.
At The St. Regis New York, her vision shines in the redesigned King Cole Bar. Deep jewel-toned velvet seating and warm wood paneling create a rich, tactile space. The iconic Maxfield Parrish mural remains the centerpiece, enhanced by soft lighting and sculptural details that merge history with modern sophistication.
Her design breathes new life into this historic space, proving that luxury lies in honoring the past while embracing the present.
Victoria Hagan is one of the most influential contemporary interior designers working today, known for her seamless blend of classic American architecture with understated modern luxury.
One of Victoria Hagan’s notable projects is the Greenwich residence, where she skillfully blends classic and modern elements to create a refined yet inviting space. The design features a careful balance of texture, color, and natural light, complemented by curated artwork and furnishings that enhance the overall atmosphere.
With work that bridges innovation, Victoria Hagan continues to shape the future of luxury interiors, affirming her position at the forefront list of contemporary interior designers.
Dan Fink is a master of luxury interior design, known for seamlessly blending classic sophistication with contemporary flair. His designs reflect a deep understanding of space, texture, and balance.
The One High Line residence in New York City is a stunning testament to Fink’s refined vision. Sumptuous materials and a carefully curated palette of soft neutrals create an atmosphere of understated opulence. Timeless furnishings are expertly paired with striking contemporary artworks.
Dan Fink’s work exemplifies how luxury design can transcend trends, delivering interiors that are as enduring as they are inspiring.
Defining Excellence: Contemporary Interior Designers Shaping Modern Luxury
In today’s fast-paced design landscape, the Top 10 Contemporary Interior Designers represent the pinnacle of creativity and refinement. Their innovative approaches redefine luxury by seamlessly merging form and function, crafting interiors that are both striking and timeless. This elite group transforms spaces into true works of art, setting new standards for sophistication and elevating modern living to an artful experience.
You may also like:
What do you think? From all the design magazines, which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest!
See also: Top 10 The Most Trendy Dining Tables
