Do you live in one of the 10 most interior design-savvy cities in America? Elite Fixtures conducted a study last July to determine these cities. They started with 50 potential candidates based on population, median home prices and proximity to design schools. Then they established an objective ranking methodology based on the following:
- How many interior design professionals per capita? (Houzz)
- How many interior design professionals / square mile (Houzz)
- How many interior design businesses per capita? (Yelp)
- The presence of a top ranking design school. (More schools = more points)
- The ratio of the average living room remodel cost vs. annual income.
- The ratio of the living room remodel cost vs. home value.
- The ratio of the average décor spend vs. annual income.
- The ratio of the average décor spend vs home value.
The goal was see if they could answer the most important question of all – how much disposable income is being spent on interior design?
Here are the winners and a countdown for which city is in the number for the highest design savvy.
The nation’s capital is also a national center for the arts.
Miami is home to many of America’s rich & famous.
Durham residents spent the highest amount of their income on interior remodeling.
San Francisco has top design programs, internationally acclaimed art and architecture.
Atlanta has the most interior design professionals per capita on this list.
New Yorkers, living in one of the most population-dense cities, are very conscious of making the most of their living space.
Perhaps because St. Louis has the most affordable homes on the list, owners don’t skimp on design costs.
Not surprising that Chicago, with 3 top design schools, is right up at the top.
And the winner is…
Bean Town is known for being highly cultured, despite its nickname.
In conclusions, Elite Fixtures had this to say. “We suppose it’s not too surprising that colder cities (where people spend more time indoors) have a higher affinity for interior design. The North East and The South — places known for not wearing white after Labor Day — also made an excellent showing in our list of design conscious cities.”
Reminds me, have to check to see if I put my white shoes away for the winter!
– Lorre Lei
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