5 Best Interior Designer Decorators in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Brad Smith, Home Services Expert · ✓ Data verified August 2026 · 8 min read

Hiring an interior designer in Chicago usually starts with a much smaller decision than people expect, whether you need a full gut renovation or just help picking out a sofa. The interior designer decorators in Chicago below all hold a rating of 4.6 or better, and several sit at a perfect 5.0, so the real differentiator is the scope of work each firm actually takes on.

Short answer: Habitar Design leads on review volume with 44 reviews at 4.9 stars, while Amy Kartheiser Design and CCS Interior Design Group both hold perfect 5.0 ratings. Project scope varies widely here, from full design-build remodels to single-day styling sessions, so match the firm to the size of your project before reaching out.

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1. Habitar Design
2. Kuchar
3. Amy Kartheiser Design
4. Anthony Michael Interi…
5. CCS Interior Design Gr…
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Chicago's Interior Designers, Compared

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	Habitar Design	4.9 ★	44	Design-build remodels	View ›
2	Kuchar	4.7 ★	48	Bold, colorful residential & commercial	View ›
3	Amy Kartheiser Design	5.0 ★	34	Full-service luxury interiors	View ›
4	Anthony Michael Interior Design	4.6 ★	41	Award-recognized luxury design	View ›
5	CCS Interior Design Group	5.0 ★	27	Kitchen & cabinetry-focused design	View ›

5 Best Interior Designer Decorators in Chicago (2026)

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Habitar Design

4.944 Google reviews

Habitar Design is a Chicago interior design and remodeling firm that pairs design work with its own construction team, handling kitchen and bathroom remodels as full design-build projects rather than design alone. Reviewers describe multi-phase projects in older, historic homes where the plumbing and framing require extra care. The firm has repeat clients who have used it for more than one remodel.

What people praise

In-house construction team means design and build stay under one company
Project managers keep clients updated throughout multi-week timelines
Handles the specific challenges of pre-1900s Chicago housing stock
Repeat clients return for second and third projects

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.9 / 5

Review volume44 · 93th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown98% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed name on this list, with a track record specifically in older Chicago homes where structural surprises are common. A strong pick if your project is a full remodel rather than pure decorating.

Website +1312-274-2299 Directions

1520 N Sedgwick St APT 5A, Chicago, IL 60610

#2🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Kuchar

4.748 Google reviews

Kuchar is a Chicago interior design studio working on both residential and commercial projects, known for incorporating color, texture and sculptural elements into distinctive, cohesive spaces. The firm's work has been featured in House Beautiful, and it handles everything from office redesigns to full home renovations. Kuchar also manages contractor selection as part of its process.

What people praise

Design work praised for bold color and texture choices that still feel cohesive
Manages the full process including contractor selection, not design alone
Strong on both commercial and residential projects
Design leads described as attentive to client vision over multiple projects

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume48 · 98th

Confidenceearly

Recency3 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown90% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick if you want a distinctive, colorful look rather than a neutral palette, and if your project spans commercial as well as residential space. Its featured press coverage backs up a strong, consistent design point of view.

Website +1773-904-0502 Directions

650 W Lake St Unit 220, Chicago, IL 60661

#3🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Amy Kartheiser Design

5.034 Google reviews

Amy Kartheiser Design is a Chicago-based, full-service interior design studio serving clients nationwide, covering everything from fixtures and lighting to furniture and paint selection. The firm takes on comprehensive projects, including a full interior overhaul of a lakefront Michigan home, and also offers single-day design sessions for smaller needs. It works closely with outside trades like painters and cabinet designers on larger jobs.

What people praise

Handles comprehensive projects from fixtures to furnishings in one engagement
Long-standing collaborative relationships with outside trades and contractors
Perfect rating across every review on file
Offers shorter, single-day design sessions for smaller projects

Worth knowing

Most recent reviews are older, so newer client experiences are less visible

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume34 · 83th

Confidenceearly

Recency2 years ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A perfect rating and the deepest full-service scope on this list, spanning single rooms to entire homes. Worth noting that its review activity has slowed recently, so ask about current project timelines when you reach out.

Website +1312-270-1753 Directions

311 W Superior St #514, Chicago, IL 60654

#4🕑 Open 4 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

Anthony Michael Interior Design

4.641 Google reviews

Anthony Michael Interior Design is a Chicago interior design firm with offices in Chicago and Los Angeles, working with clients across multiple metro areas. The firm's work has appeared in Architectural Digest, House Beautiful and The Wall Street Journal, and it takes on both residential and commercial projects. Reviewers describe multi-home relationships spanning years.

What people praise

Repeat clients across multiple homes and years
Praised for staying within stated budgets and being transparent about costs
Strong communication throughout multi-week projects
Recognized in national design press

Worth knowing

A few reviewers note limited availability given demand across multiple markets

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume41 · 88th

Confidenceearly

Recencyabout a year ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown88% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most nationally recognized name on this list, with press credentials to match. A good fit for larger-budget projects where a well-documented design point of view matters as much as day-to-day execution.

Website +1773-770-3729 Directions

222 W Ontario St, Chicago, IL 60654

#5🕑 Open 5 days/wk↩ Responds to reviews

CCS Interior Design Group

5.027 Google reviews

CCS Interior Design Group is a Chicago interior design firm led by Cynthia Bolton-Smith, working closely with cabinetry showrooms on kitchen selections as well as broader residential design projects, including international installations. The firm handles both design vision and, on larger jobs, coordination with shipping and installation teams. It has an eight-year working relationship with at least one local cabinetry supplier mentioned by name in reviews.

What people praise

Deep, multi-year relationships with cabinetry and trade partners
Detailed, thorough process from measurements to final selections
Perfect rating across every review on file
Experience coordinating design on projects outside Chicago, including international shipping

Worth knowing

Smallest review base among the top-rated names on this page

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating5 / 5

Review volume27 · 73th

Confidenceearly

Recency4 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone · hours

Rating breakdown100% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The strongest kitchen and cabinetry specialist here, backed by a long-standing trade relationship reviewers specifically call out. A good choice if your project centers on a kitchen rather than a whole-home overhaul.

Website +1872-400-1096 Directions

332 S Michigan Ave #121, Chicago, IL 60604

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How we score

Every number on this page is computed from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion or payment. Rating is the firm’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many customers have rated them, ranked against other Chicago interior designers. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 5.0 built on dozens of reviews carries more weight than one built on a handful. Recency reflects how recently customers are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much does an interior designer cost in Chicago? (2026)

Interior design fees vary enormously by scope, whether you’re hiring for a single room refresh, a full kitchen remodel with a design-build team, or a whole-home renovation. Firms that also manage construction or cabinetry selection typically structure pricing differently than design-only studios, so ask each firm directly how they bill before comparing quotes.

Serving all of Chicago

These designers work across Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, with studios based in the West Loop, River North, and the Fulton Market area. Searching for an interior designer near me? Every listing below has a live phone number so you can reach out directly to discuss your project.

What to ask before you hire an interior designer

Does the firm handle construction in-house, or will I need to hire a separate contractor?
How is the fee structured: flat rate, hourly, or a percentage of the project?
Can you share examples of projects similar in scope and budget to mine?
What is the realistic timeline from initial consultation to final installation?
Do you offer a warranty or follow-up support after the project wraps?
Who manages ordering, shipping and coordination with outside trades?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these interior designers?

We started from interior designers and decorators in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (August 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which of these firms handles full renovations rather than just decorating?

Habitar Design pairs design with its own construction team for full kitchen and bathroom remodels. Kuchar and CCS Interior Design Group also coordinate contractors and trades on larger projects.

Do any of these designers work on smaller, single-room projects?

Yes. Amy Kartheiser Design offers single-day design sessions for smaller needs alongside its full-service projects, so smaller budgets aren’t necessarily out of reach.

The bottom line

Habitar Design is the safe default for a full remodel given its construction team and review volume, while Amy Kartheiser Design and CCS Interior Design Group are worth a call if your project needs a purely design-focused touch. Whichever you choose, get the fee structure and timeline in writing before work begins.

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