Interior design in Ireland is entering a period of meaningful transformation.
Over the next five years, the profession is anticipated to change in reaction to shifting social and technological norms regarding how places facilitate daily life, construction trends, and environmental regulations. The role of the interior designer will increasingly move beyond aesthetics alone, towards problem-solving, sustainability, and intelligent adaptation of existing spaces. This shift is being driven by national climate commitments, construction growth, and changing expectations of how homes, workplaces, and hospitality environments should perform.
For aspiring designers and those considering a career change, this creates real opportunity. Not because the market is becoming easier, but because skilled, informed interior designers are becoming more valuable. The next five years are therefore likely to reward designers who can adapt to these expanded expectations.
Why interior design demand is changing in Ireland
Ireland is upgrading existing homes and buildings - at scale
Ireland’s homes account for a significant share of national energy use and emissions. Government policy is clear that retrofitting existing homes is central to meeting Ireland’s Climate Action targets, supported by a national retrofit delivery model. Over the next five years, it is anticipated that this policy direction would continue, leading to consistent investment in the modernisation of the current housing stock.
This means widespread upgrades to insulation, ventilation, heating systems, and building performance — all of which directly affect interior layouts, finishes, materials, and usability.
For interior designers, retrofit work rarely stops at technical upgrades. Interiors must be redesigned to ensure homes remain comfortable, functional, and visually coherent, creating sustained demand for designers who understand how interiors interact with building performance.
Sustainability is becoming a core expectation
Sustainability is no longer a niche concern in Ireland’s labour market. National and enterprise-level data shows rapid growth in demand for green skills, with sustainability increasingly embedded across many professions. Interior design is increasingly aligned with this wider shift towards environmentally responsible practice.
For interior designers, this translates into growing demand for:
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sustainable materials and finishes,
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durability and lifecycle thinking,
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indoor air quality and wellbeing,
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responsible sourcing and specification.
Designers who can clearly explain why a design choice is sustainable - not just that it looks good - will be better positioned over the next five years.
Construction growth supports interior design careers
Ireland’s design and construction sector continues to expand. Official figures show employment growth across construction subsectors, particularly in the construction of buildings.
At the same time, Ireland’s wider design and craft economy is also growing, with over 21,000 design and craft enterprises currently operating nationwide and employee numbers increasing by more than 7% between 2020 and 2022.
This growth underpins demand for interior designers across:
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new residential delivery,
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refurbishment and retrofit,
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hospitality and commercial interiors.
Alongside studio and in-house roles, self-employment is also emerging as an important career pathway. Graduate outcome data from Ireland’s creative sector shows that 20% of FACT graduates entered self-employment, highlighting freelance and independent practice as a realistic and increasingly common option for designers.
Where interior design jobs cluster in Ireland
Dublin and the Greater Dublin Area
Dublin remains Ireland’s largest interior design market, driven by:
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commercial and workplace design,
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hospitality and mixed-use developments,
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high-end residential projects,
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international client work.
Job listings consistently show the highest concentration of interior design roles in Dublin and surrounding counties⁴. This is likely to continue due to ongoing urban development and international investment.
Regional cities: Cork, Galway, Limerick & beyond
Regional cities offer growing opportunity, particularly in:
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residential refurbishment,
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hospitality and tourism-led interiors,
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small-to-medium commercial projects.
For many designers, regional centres offer strong career prospects combined with lower living costs and closer client relationships⁴.
Hybrid and freelance opportunities
While interior design remains hands-on, many stages of the design process — concept development, drawings, presentations — are now routinely handled remotely.
This has expanded access to opportunity, allowing designers to work with Dublin-based studios or clients nationwide while living elsewhere in Ireland.
Interior designer salary outlook in Ireland
Salary expectations for interior designers in Ireland vary by experience, sector, and location. Based on current advertised roles across Irish recruitment platforms and industry salary guides, typical ranges include:
• Junior Interior Designer: €28,000 – €35,000
• Mid-Level Interior Designer: €38,000 – €50,000
• Senior Interior Designer / Lead Roles: €55,000 – €70,000+
Progression depends heavily on experience, technical skill, and professional credibility. Experienced designers can progress to earn more than the salary guides indicated here, depending on specialism and job role.
What will define a successful interior design career in Ireland by 2030?
Over the next five years, the most employable designers will be those who combine creativity with:
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sustainability and retrofit awareness,
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confidence working with existing buildings,
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clear communication with clients and contractors,
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commercial and professional judgement.
Interior design in Ireland is becoming more purposeful and more professional, particularly as design decisions increasingly affect wellbeing, energy performance, and long-term value.
“Over the next five years, we expect to see interior design become more technically informed and more purposeful,” says Marie Heyduck, Head of Content Delivery at the Interior Design Academy of Ireland.
“Clients aren’t just asking designers to make spaces look good; they’re asking them to solve problems. That means understanding how buildings work, how people use space, and how design decisions affect comfort, sustainability, and long-term value.
Our role as educators is to make sure students graduate with that confidence not just creative ideas, but the ability to explain and deliver them in the real world.”
Is interior design a good career choice in Ireland?
Yes — for designers who train appropriately with professional intention.
Ireland’s interior design market is competitive, but it rewards designers who bring strong portfolios, technical understanding, and the ability to justify design decisions professionally. Those who continue to develop skills aligned with sustainability and retrofit will be particularly well placed.
At the Interior Design Academy of Ireland, programmes are designed to reflect these realities — supporting students to build real-world capability, not just creative confidence.
FAQs
Is interior design a good career in Ireland?
Yes. Interior design offers realistic long-term opportunities for designers with strong technical, sustainable, and professional skills.
Where are most interior design jobs in Ireland?
Dublin has the highest concentration, followed by Cork, Galway, Limerick, and other regional cities.
How much do interior designers earn in Ireland?
Salaries typically range from €28,000 at junior level to €55,000–€70,000+ for senior designers, depending on experience and sector.
Do Irish interior designers need sustainability skills?
Increasingly, yes. Sustainability, retrofit awareness, and material knowledge are becoming core expectations rather than specialisms.
