Award-Winning Interior Designers in Chicago, IL (2026)
Choosing the right interior designer in Chicago, IL can be overwhelming. With 298 interior designers operating across the Chicago metro area, how do you separate the truly exceptional from the merely adequate? At The Interior Design Guide, we analyze publicly available data to rank every interior designer on a transparent, editorial basis -- no paid placements, no sponsored rankings.
This 2026 ranking evaluates interior designers in Chicago, Illinois using our proprietary Guide Score algorithm, which weighs verified reviews, professional credentials, press recognition, web presence, years of experience, and profile completeness. We reviewed 298 active businesses in the Chicago market and selected the top 15 for this list. Every interior designer on this list has earned at least one industry award or professional accolade, distinguishing them as leaders in Chicago's market.
By the numbers: Guide Scores on this list range from 16 to 36 out of 100, 7 of 15 hold professional certifications, the average firm has 31 years of experience. Updated April 2026.
Each entry below includes the business's Guide Score, star rating, review count, and a data-driven explanation of why they earned their spot. Click through to any profile for the full breakdown including contact information, specialties, credentials, and related businesses in Chicago.
The Top 15 Interior Designers in Chicago, IL
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#1 Hilary Bailes Design Limited 36/100
Selected for 29 years of experience (est. 1997); Licensed certified; team of 2 professionals.
Hilary Bailes Design Limited is an Chicago-based interior designer offering comprehensive services to clients across IL. Their services include home improvement store. The team holds professional cre…
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#2 Hilary Bailes Design 36/100
Selected for 29 years of experience (est. 1997); Licensed certified; team of 2 professionals.
Hilary Bailes Design, an interior designer in Chicago, IL, focuses on quality and client satisfaction. Their services include home improvement store. The team holds professional credentials including…
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#3 Partners by Design 34/100
Selected for 33 years of experience (est. 1993); team of 4 professionals.
An established interior designer in Chicago, Partners by Design focuses on fashion, architectural designer for residential and commercial clients.
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#4 Alan Design Studio 33/100
Selected for 32 years of experience (est. 1994).
Alan Design Studio provides interior design services across Chicago, IL. Their services include fashion. Reach them at +17732782345 or email info@alandesignstudio.com. Visit their website to learn mo…
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#5 Studio GC 33/100
Selected for 34 years of experience (est. 1992); team of 16 professionals.
Looking for an trusted interior designer in Chicago? Studio GC brings deep expertise to every project. Their services include architectural designer, professional services. Reach them at +13122533400…
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#6 Wendy Nobriga Interiors 30/100
Selected for ASID, NCIDQ certified.
Full-service residential interior designer serving Chicago and the North Shore, including Northbrook, Lake Forest, and Park Ridge. Thoughtful, modern homes designed for real life.
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#7 Frank Ponterio Interior Design 28/100
Selected for ASID, IIDA certified; team of 3 professionals.
Frank Ponterio Interior Design is committed to delivering outstanding interior design services in Chicago, IL. The team holds professional credentials including asid, iida. Reach them at +13124641133…
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#8 Anderson/Miller 26/100
Selected for IIDA, Licensed certified; team of 15 professionals.
Based in Chicago, Anderson/Miller provides quality interior design services to the greater IL area. Their services include architectural designer. The team holds professional credentials including ii…
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#9 Tom Stringer Design Partners 25/100
Selected for ASID certified; team of 14 professionals.
Based in Chicago, IL, Tom Stringer Design Partners provides comprehensive interior design services to residential and commercial clients throughout the region. Led by Stringer Design, john holds a ba…
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#10 Eastlake Studio 25/100
Selected for IIDA certified.
Eastlake Studio has built a reputation for quality interior design work in the Chicago, IL area. Their services include architectural designer. The team holds professional credentials including iida.…
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#11 Bruce Fox Design 20/100
Selected for team of 9 professionals.
Bruce Fox Design: A top luxury interior design agency in Chicago blending traditional & contemporary styles. Expertly crafted spaces inspired by art, architecture & personalized touch. Elevating home…
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#12 Kenneth Ludwig 18/100
Ranked 12th among interior designers in this market based on overall Guide Score.
With a team of 1 dedicated professionals, Kenneth Ludwig delivers personalized interior design solutions in Chicago, IL. Led by designer and, home Accent Today Spotlight Furniture Today Spotlight Fea…
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#13 Branca 18/100
Ranked 13th among interior designers in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Branca is an professional interior designer based in Chicago, IL. Reach them at +13127876123 or email info@branca.com. Visit their website to learn more about their work. Located at 5 E Goethe St. Re…
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#14 Tiffany Gholar 17/100
Ranked 14th among interior designers in this market based on overall Guide Score.
Tiffany Gholar has built a reputation for quality interior design work in the Chicago, IL area. Reach them at +13128996229 or email tiffany@tiffanygholar.com. Visit their website to learn more about…
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#15 Scott Himmel & Co. 16/100
Selected for team of 17 professionals.
Scott Himmel & Co. is an established interior designer serving the Chicago, IL community with professional interior design services. Led by respect for, scott Himmel is a Chicago‑based architect whos…
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How We Ranked These Interior Designers
Our Guide Score (0–100) combines verified Google reviews and ratings (30%), professional credentials (10%), press and media recognition (5%), web and portfolio presence (15%), years of experience (15%), profile completeness (10%), and industry awards (up to 5 bonus points). No business can pay for a higher ranking.
Data sources include Google Business Profile, professional registries, portfolio sites, press databases, and direct business submissions. Every piece of data is publicly verifiable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did we rank the best interior designers in Chicago?
The Interior Design Guide ranks interior designers using our Guide Score (0-100), a composite metric computed from publicly available data. The score weighs Google reviews and ratings (30%), professional credentials and certifications (10%), press and media recognition (5%), web and portfolio presence (15%), years of experience (15%), profile completeness (10%), and awards (up to 5 bonus points). There is no paid placement -- every ranking is purely editorial.
Who is the #1 interior designer in Chicago, IL?
As of 2026, Hilary Bailes Design Limited holds the #1 ranking in Chicago with a Guide Score of 36/100. Rankings are recalculated with every data update and reflect the latest available information.
How often is this list updated?
Core data (ratings, reviews, contact information) is re-verified on a rolling monthly cadence. Credentials and awards are audited quarterly. Guide Scores recalculate automatically with every data update, so rankings may shift as new reviews are posted or credentials are verified.
How many interior designers are there in Chicago?
Our database currently tracks 298 active interior designers in the Chicago, IL metro area. This list highlights the top 15 based on Guide Score. Browse our full Chicago directory to see every listed business.
Can a interior designer pay to be ranked higher?
No. The Interior Design Guide does not accept payment for rankings. Guide Scores are computed algorithmically from verified public data. Businesses can claim and update their profile with accurate information, but the ranking algorithm treats all profiles equally. Our editorial independence is core to our methodology.
What should I look for when hiring a interior designer in Chicago?
We recommend evaluating: (1) professional certifications and credentials, (2) verified customer reviews and ratings, (3) years of experience in the Chicago market, (4) portfolio quality and range of work, (5) budget alignment with your project scope, and (6) responsiveness and communication style. Our Guide Score weighs these factors so you can compare at a glance.