Research provided by the American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) 2020 Outlook and State of Interior Design report offers designers a comprehensive view of the year ahead for their business and practice. 
“Design is central to our lives and affects us every day,” says Randy Fiser, HON. FASID, ASID CEO. “By examining micro- and macro-trends alike, we encourage designers to understand how seemingly extraneous factors, such as the impact of coronavirus on the global economy, can have a profound effect on their practice.
According to the report, projected firm revenues/sales have seen an average eight per cent annual growth rate during the past decade, average annual salary and hourly wages increased above the national average, and the total number of interior design students have decreased over time raising challenges throughout the profession.
Additionally, the report looks holistically at the U.S. economy and construction industries to identify applicable indicators for the design world. It notes that although the threat of an immediate recession has subsided, growth in 2020 will slow down, but still to a sustainable level.
Select findings highlight tariffs on products have significantly impacted the interior design industry, and will continue to cause disruption.
The housing market is generally healthy, but faces a number of challenges, and construction spending activity will increase in 2020 for single-family construction, residential improvements, and educational facilities.
ASID states that Macro-trends that occur around the world and the U.S., and those that relate to changes in lifestyles, are important for interior designers to understand and apply in practice.
The report’s key findings include: organizations are focusing on human-oriented outcomes as part of their business agenda and are turning to design for solutions; choices in living styles are transcending generations; new technologies are improving productivity, management and occupant experience; wellness has become a way of life with people taking on a proactive approach; and designers are accessing neuroscience to better understand how and why humans react to environmental stimuli in built spaces.
The report looks ahead to future insights on the inextricable connection between design and culture. Sourced from conversations with a diverse set of designers and industry leaders, ASID explains that the significance of culture and its evolution can help form the basis for how to better service people-centric culture through design.
“The Society’s research department aims to strengthen the design community by keeping them informed on all facets of the industry, and the 2020 Outlook and State of Interior Design report demonstrates that commitment to bolstering the community with knowledge. We are especially excited to share the widening range of businesses employing interior designers and the increased awareness of well-being— proving that design has the power to impact lives,” says Fiser.
