Sustainable features such as bamboo shades are among growth trends for designers

A survey of the country's largest interior design firms by Interior Design magazine found that the number of overseas clients, as well as those in Canada, are increasing for U.S. designers.


Large interior design companies made less than 10 percent of their revenue overseas only a few years ago, but now foreign clients account for more than 20 percent of earnings. The biggest growth occurred in Asia and the Pacific Rim, most notably in China.


Regionally, most of the industry's U.S. growth appears to be in the South and Northeast, the magazine reported.
While office design (up 7 percent) and decorating hospitality venues such as restaurants and hotels (up 11 percent) are growth areas, the magazine found that residential jobs for interior designers rose 47 percent following some no-growth years during the recession.


"Though we shouldn't declare victory over the housing crisis yet, some folks have clearly found a little extra cash," the magazine stated.


Sustainability remains one of the fastest growing trends seen by the designers, particularly in the materials used for interiors. For a window treatment that incorporates style and sustainability, bamboo shades are an eco-conscious choice. No chemicals are used in the harvest or manufacturing process, which produces a natural look that fits many styles of décor.