How Interior Designers Can Choose Interior Design Magazines UK for Advertising
- Alla Yaskovets
- Dec 27, 2025
- 8 min read
Updated: Jan 5
As the year draws to a close, many interior designers start planning their public relations and marketing activities for the year ahead. One question that often comes up is, "Should I invest part of my marketing budget in print interior design magazines?" The answer isn’t simple - especially since print advertising is costly and its return on investment can be hard to measure.
In fact, many designers rarely advertise their services in top interiors magazines. The exceptions tend to be designers with their own product lines - whether furniture, lighting or décor - who use magazine exposure to drive product recognition.
At first glance, the UK seems to have a wealth of print interior design magazines, but in reality, the opportunities for designers to showcase their projects are limited. Consider the five top British titles - Elle Decoration, House & Garden, the World of Interiors, Livingetc and Homes & Gardens - each issue typically features only 5–6 projects. Many of these are international, as the magazines maintain a global perspective to inspire their readers with a variety of styles. Meanwhile, according to the BIID, the number of registered interior designers in the UK is over 20,000, which means competition for these coveted print slots is fierce. As a result, many exceptional projects never make it to print, appearing only online.
So how do designers get seen? Let’s break down the options and the best opportunities for those willing to invest. Before exploring paid advertising opportunities in magazines, it’s important to consider a few general rules to make the investment effective.
General Advertising Tips for Designers
1. Choose the right magazine title
Project aesthetics and editorial style matter. For instance, if a project prominently features the 2026 Pantone colour of the year, Cloud Dancer (a soft white), select trend-focused magazines like Elle Decoration or Livingetc.
2. Editorial calendars are key
If a studio specialises in small apartments or clever storage solutions, target issues focused on compact urban living; if the portfolio highlights holiday homes, plan for summer issues.
3. Choose issues with a long shelf life
Certain editions - such as top designers lists or trend-report issues - remain on coffee tables longer than standard issues, offering extended exposure. Each magazine has its own editorial calendar, but major trends often emerge after Milan Design Week in spring and in autumn previews for the coming year.
4. Track
Direct ROI from print can be difficult to measure. Use custom QR codes and exclusive landing pages in ads to monitor engagement more effectively.
5. Consider multi-issue campaigns for discounts
If planning to advertise in print, committing to three or more issues often unlocks better rates and discounts. Multi-issue campaigns also help build continuity and reinforce brand recognition over time.
6. Combine advertising with PR
Print ads perform best when integrated into a wider interior PR and marketing strategy. Editorial pitching, social media amplification, and digital campaigns should complement print placements, reinforcing brand visibility across channels.
7. Choose the right advertising package
The cost of print advertising varies significantly depending on commitment. A single-issue placement is always priced at the highest rate, while long-term bookings unlock substantial reductions. Brands committing to 12 issues per year can receive discounts of up to 50%, which explains why some brands are able to sustain a visible, ongoing presence in major interiors titles.
That said, meaningful savings are not limited to annual commitments. Booking a smaller run of three issues typically offers a more accessible entry point, with discounts of around 20% off the single-issue rate.
With these general rules in mind, interior designers can approach print advertising strategically rather than randomly. The next step is to examine the top British interior design magazines, understanding their audiences, costs, editorial calendars, and the best opportunities for paid ads and advertorial features.
Top Interior Design Magazines UK for Print Advertising
World of Interiors
World of Interiors occupies a singular position in British and international interiors media. The magazine does not respond to trends so much as define a long-term visual language rooted in heritage, tradition, craftsmanship and historical continuity. Its pages celebrate layered interiors, patina, antiques, and spaces that feel collected over time rather than styled to a moment. For studios working with vintage pieces, antique furniture, historic buildings or classically informed interiors, this title represents one of the most contextually appropriate placements available.
A full-page advertisement in World of Interiors starts at around £18,000+ (media kit 2025), placing it firmly at the premium end of the UK interiors market. Editorial features are highly selective and usually reserved for projects operating at an international or museum-level standard. As a result, paid advertising becomes the most realistic route for studios wishing to reach its influential readership of collectors and high-net-worth homeowners.
Alongside full-page ads, the magazine offers advertorial listings with imagery, starting from approximately £300 when purchased as part of a multi-issue package. These placements appear at the end of the magazine in the Interiors Portfolio section and are presented in a straightforward advertising format: a single project image accompanied by a short description of the studio and its design approach. For designers looking to establish a presence or test print advertising without big investments, this can be an effective and lower-risk entry point.
Image selection is critical. Projects featuring heritage properties, antique-led schemes, traditional British interiors or carefully layered historic references tend to sit most comfortably within the magazine’s editorial environment. Timing should also be guided by the editorial calendar: seasonal projects benefit from matching issues.
House & Garden
House & Garden occupies a distinctive position within the British interiors media landscape. While it sits just below World of Interiors in terms of editorial prestige, it offers a broader and more practical appeal, combining interiors, gardens, architecture, lifestyle and travel. Crucially, it speaks first and foremost to a UK-based audience - homeowners actively planning renovations, refurbishments and long-term projects.
A full-page advertisement in House & Garden typically starts at around £25,463 + VAT (media kit 2025), reflecting the magazine’s reach, authority and strong presence in the British market. For studios whose primary focus is the UK - particularly those working in traditional English, classic interiors - this publication can be one of the most effective print platforms available.
Alongside print advertising, House & Garden offers additional visibility through House & Garden: The List - a curated directory of recommended professionals, including interior designers, architects and garden designers. Released with the December issue, this supplement is particularly well timed for end-of-year planning, when homeowners begin researching designers for projects in the year ahead. Golden membership starts from around £1,500 + VAT and guarantees inclusion in the printed House & Garden: The List supplement, with an image and a short introduction to the studio. Beyond the directory itself, one of the key advantages of this membership is the ongoing editorial opportunity: throughout the year, House & Garden highlights selected studios from The List within its monthly issues. While these additional features are not guaranteed, membership gives some
Certain editions of House & Garden carry significantly longer shelf life and strategic value. The June issue, featuring the Top 100 Best Interior Designers and Architects, is widely regarded as one of the strongest placements of the year. These ranking editions are often kept, referenced, and revisited, giving advertisers extended exposure well beyond the month of publication.
Another key opportunity comes with the October issue, which highlights emerging designers, new studios, and contemporary products. This edition is particularly valuable for smaller or newer practices looking to establish credibility within a respected British title.
Elle Decoration
Elle Decoration occupies a different space in the UK interiors market compared with World of Interiors or House & Garden. It appeals to a more modern, design-conscious audience, including homeowners, trend-savvy clients and urban professionals seeking stylish, contemporary interiors. The magazine actively features designer profiles, emerging trends and projects that reflect current lifestyle and colour directions, making it an ideal platform for studios with a modern aesthetic.
Advertising in Elle Decoration can be more accessible: a full-page advertisement typically costs around £4,400 (according to the 2025 media kit). The magazine also offers smaller advertising placements at the end of the magazine in a section called Stylish Interiors, where designers can promote their services at a more affordable price point. These placements allow studios to showcase selected projects, colour palettes, or signature design approaches to an audience that is highly attuned to trends and contemporary interiors.
If considering an investment in full advertising placements, issue selection becomes critical. The May issue is one of the strongest opportunities of the year. It features the Elle Decoration Winners alongside extensive reporting and trend analysis following Milan Design Week, making it a highly anticipated edition that readers return to repeatedly. Advertising in this issue places a design studio within the wider conversation around new ideas, materials and design leadership.
Another strategically valuable moment is the October issue, which captures insights from the London Design Festival and places a strong emphasis on the British design scene. This edition focuses heavily on emerging trends, contemporary products and forward-looking design thinking, highlighting the most exciting UK-based studios, makers and ideas.
When planning campaigns, it is also important to note that Elle Decoration publishes combined December/January and July/August issues. These editions remain on sale for longer periods, offering extended shelf life and increased exposure - often making them a smart option for studios looking to maximise visibility from a single placement.
Livingetc
Livingetc occupies a distinctive position in the UK interiors media landscape. Like Elle Decoration, it focuses on modern, design-led interiors, but what sets it apart is its strong connection to fashion and lifestyle trends, appealing to an audience that values both style and innovation. The magazine speaks to design-conscious homeowners, urban professionals and trend-savvy clients who are passionate about contemporary living.
Timing and issue selection are essential. The March issue is the magazine’s trend issue, highlighting ideas and inspirations for the year ahead. The April issue focuses more specifically on decoration and interiors, prioritising spaces and design concepts over products or brands. One of the strongest issues of the year is the September issue, which features the Livingetc Style Awards. This edition brings together award-winning projects, bespoke joinery, lighting, kitchens, bathrooms, and other design solutions. Advertising in this issue benefits from the increased attention and longer shelf life that award editions typically enjoy.
Besides print, studios should also consider digital advertising opportunities. Livingetc has a particularly strong online presence, reaching twice as many UK monthly users as Elle Decoration and House & Garden combined (48K for Elle Decoration and 157K for House & Garden).
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens is one of the UK’s most enduring interiors and lifestyle magazines, shaping British design taste for more than a century. As the country’s first home interest title, it continues to inspire with beautifully photographed real homes, expert decorating advice, seasonal trends and thoughtful insight tailored to a predominantly British audience. It an ideal context for studios whose work reflects classic craftsmanship, elegant period interiors and carefully considered renovation.
A key moment in the Homes & Gardens editorial calendar is the November issue, when the magazine announces the winners of its Design Awards. This edition attracts heightened attention from readers and trade alike and carries strong shelf life into the winter months. An advertisement placed in this issue benefits from increased visibility and association with celebrated work. For studios assessing print investment, it is worth noting that a full-page advertisement in Homes & Gardens sits at £11,077 (according media kit 2026), reflecting the magazine’s premium positioning and highly targeted readership.
Unlike many other interiors titles, Homes & Gardens creates an inclusive environment for interior designers. The magazine actively celebrates design talent through initiatives such as the Next in Design Awards, giving emerging talaents additional opportunities for recognition and visibility. Beyond paid ads, Homes & Gardens provides numerous editorial touchpoints - from expert columns and decorating features to thematic showcases exploring colour, spatial planning, materials and seasonal trends. For interior designers, the most effective approach is to pitch ideas and expert content to the editorial team before committing to advertising, ensuring that your studio is positioned within the magazine’s trusted and highly engaged readership.
For interior studios considering advertising, these are the top magazines worth attention. Beyond print, each title also offers digital opportunities that can complement your campaigns. For print, the strategy is clear: study the magazine, request the editorial calendar, pitch your stories and expertise, and select the issue with a theme that resonates with the project you wish to advertise or your studio’s ethos. Thoughtful timing and alignment with the magazine’s focus will make your investment more effective.
For a personalised consultation or guidance on planning your media strategy, feel free to get in touch alla@allayaskovets.com
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