ID100 Survey — Data Visualisation Pack
105 accredited interior designers. 30 questions. The largest independent survey of the UK luxury interiors trade in 2026.
FULL METHODOLOGY
105 accredited interior designers. 30 questions. The largest independent survey of the UK luxury interiors trade in 2026.
FULL METHODOLOGYFCI London, one of the UK's largest luxury furniture and interiors showrooms, surveyed 105 practising interior designers across London in Q1 2026 — all accredited by RIBA, BIID, or SBID. The ID100 Survey is the largest independent survey of the UK luxury interiors trade this year, covering economics, politics, sustainability, technology, and design culture across 30 questions.
FCI London is one of the UK's largest luxury furniture and interiors showrooms, established in 1985 and based in North West London. The company works with over 700 European and international brands and services residential and commercial interior design projects across the UK, Middle East, and West Africa. Its client base spans private homeowners, property developers, architects, and accredited interior designers.
In Q1 2026, FCI London conducted the ID100 Survey — an independent, anonymised poll of 105 practising interior designers across London. Every respondent holds current accreditation with at least one of the UK's three professional bodies: the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID), or the Society of British and International Design (SBID). The survey covered 30 questions on topics including government policy, Brexit, cost of living, supply chains, AI, greenwashing, consumer behaviour, and design trends. It is the largest independent survey of the UK luxury interiors trade conducted this year.
All percentages cited are unweighted. The full raw dataset, individual response records, and complete methodology documentation are available on request from Zoona Sikander, Head of Content, FCI London ([email protected] / +44 (0)20 8068 2052).
"Labour just overtook Brexit as the thing luxury designers fear most — by a single percentage point"
Q2: "Which geopolitical factor is currently causing the most disruption to your supply chain or client confidence?" n=108
"35% of designers say clients are pausing or cancelling projects due to wealth-tax anxiety"
Q3: "How has the new Labour government's policy announcements impacted your residential clients' willingness to commit?" n=108
"55% say Brexit's biggest impact is paperwork. Not prices, not talent loss — just forms."
Q26: "What has been the biggest impact of Brexit on your business?" n=108
"71% of designers say the Renters Reform Bill has made zero difference"
Q24: "Has the Renters Reform Bill increased demand for renter-focused design consultations?" n=108
"26% are seeing budgets shrink while 5% serve clients who don't even ask the price"
Q1: "Compared to 2024/25, how has the average budget for a full-home renovation shifted?" n=108
"70% of the market is adapting to cost pressures — only 30% say their clients are immune"
Q4: "Are you seeing a shift in how clients prioritise spending?" n=108
"48% of European furniture orders now take 10–14 weeks — a post-Brexit supply chain tax"
Q17: "What is the average lead time you are currently quoting for bespoke European furniture?" n=108
"52% say 'Made in Britain' commands zero premium — clients don't care where it's made"
Q18: "Do your clients pay a premium for British-made furniture/fixtures?" n=108
"87% of the budget goes to the kitchen. The home office gets 1%."
Q12: "Which room is commanding the highest percentage of the budget in 2026 briefs?" n=108
"53% say open plan is over — 'broken plan' zoning is the new default"
Q13: "Are you seeing a decline in 'Open Plan' living requests?" n=108
"Leasehold alteration clauses are the #1 regulation designers want changed"
Q29: Open-ended responses categorised. Top themes from 108 respondents.
"Hide it, automate it, or rip it out — nobody's neutral on smart home tech"
Q10: "Regarding Smart Home integration, what is the current client sentiment?" n=108
"66% use AI weekly — but only 14% trust it with actual design work"
Q21: "How are you currently using AI tools in your practice?" n=108
"29% say yes — the question is whether it eats from the bottom or the middle"
Q22: "Do you believe AI will replace interior designers within 5 years?" n=108
"33 of 108 independently predicted AI would reshape the profession — more than any other theme"
Q30: Open-ended "bold prediction for 2026" responses categorised by theme. n=108
"92% don't verify sustainability claims on most of what they specify"
Q14: "How often do you fact-check the sustainability claims of the furniture brands you specify?" n=108
"65% of luxury designers secretly use Zara Home. 20% use IKEA."
Q15: "Which high-street/mid-market brands do you secretly rate and use in projects?" Multiple select, n=108
"TikTok: 1% of leads. Word of mouth: 56%. The influencer economy is a performance."
Q27: "What is your primary source of qualified client leads?" n=108
"Laura Ashley tops the list — but Habitat, Heal's, and Linley aren't far behind"
Q16: "Which heritage British brand has lost its way or relevance in 2026?" Open-ended, coded. n=108
"Half of London's designers would ban Millennial Grey outright"
Q6: "If you had to ban one colour from your clients' palettes for 2026, which would it be?" n=108
"Chocolate brown is the new grey — warm beige is second, not white"
Q7: "Which colour is the 'New Neutral' for 2026?" n=108
"The 1970s are back — conversation pits, shag piles, the works"
Q8: "Which era of design is poised for the biggest comeback in 2026?" n=108
"Grey velvet, TVs above fireplaces, fake panelling — the three things that make designers cringe"
Q28: "What is the 'design ick' of 2026?" n=108