How to Navigate British Interior Design Magazines: A PR Guide for Designers
- Alla Yaskovets
- Nov 10
- 8 min read
Understanding the Editorial Landscape of the Leading British Interior Design Magazines
Every magazine is like a brand — we buy what resonates with us, what reflects our values and aesthetic. The same applies to where we want to see our interior projects published. Each feature should feel like a natural dialogue between the magazine’s voice and the designer’s own ethos and vision, reaching an audience that truly understands and appreciates their work.
This guide is created for both established and emerging design studios to better understand how the UK’s leading interiors media operate — from The World of Interiors to House & Garden, Livingetc, Homes & Gardens and Elle Decoration UK.
1. The World of Interiors
Publisher: Condé Nast
Editor: Emily Tobin
Audience: Global design collectors, designers, cultural aesthetes, historians of style,
Circulation: 50k+
Print Readership: 141k
History: Founded in 1981 by the visionary editor Min Hogg
Regarded as the most exclusive interiors magazine in Britain, The World of Interiors is known for publishing only the most soulful and historically resonant spaces. The main section, Visitor’s Book, typically features 6–8 projects — tied to heritage, collections or craftsmanship. Projects are often photographed exclusively by the magazine and rarely include portraits of the owners — a distinction that sets true luxury publications apart. In The World of Interiors, spaces are treated as reflections of personality in themselves, with interiors allowed to speak their own language without the need for human presence.
As Style Editor Gianluca Longo says, the magazine seeks “spaces with ”soul”—environments that tell stories beyond trends. Most projects are local but occasionally international, especially when there’s a strong narrative or connection to English heritage.
When it comes to covers, The World of Interiors stands apart — it is the only British design magazine that doesn’t always feature interiors. Covers often showcase drawings, objects, architectural fragments or historical details rather than traditional room shots, reflecting the magazine’s artistic sensibility and deep appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage.
Although editorial opportunities are limited, the magazine offers an advertorial section called The Interior Portfolio — a curated directory at the back of the issue where studios can list their services, an ideal option for visibility within this elite publication.
Pitching tips: The World of Interiors is not about promotion — it’s about storytelling, authenticity and artistic identity. Read the guide on how to pitch your story. Pitch your project to the editor, Emily Tobin.
2. House & Garden
Publisher: Condé Nast
Editor: Talib Choudhry (since September 2025)
Audience: Design-savvy homeowners, designers and decorators and industry insiders
Circulation: 112k+
Print Readership: 303k
History: founded in 1901 in the United States, initially focusing on architecture. A separate UK edition was launched in 1947.
Unlike The World of Interiors, House & Garden feels closer to its audience. Traditionally, most countries have Architectural Digest, but in the UK, two Condé Nast titles — House & Garden and The World of Interiors — shape the cultural conversation in design. However, House & Garden has a more inclusive editorial approach than The World of Interiors.
Each issue features around five interior projects in its Homes section, along with a few garden projects. While primarily local, the magazine occasionally spotlights international projects.
Designers can also appear in The Decorating section, where they share insights and advice. Another notable feature is The Last Word in the Lifestyle section of the magazine, where designers offer a glimpse into their personal world and creative philosophy.
Each June, the magazine publishes its Top 100 Interior Designers list — one of the most prestigious recognitions in the UK design industry. The designers featured are typically those whose projects have appeared in the magazine over the past year. As this issue enjoys an extended shelf life, many studios looking to increase their visibility choose to advertise and include their profile in this particular edition.
Another notable advertorial opportunity is The List — the magazine’s annual curated directory of leading design professionals, available both in print and online. On sale from early November, The List provides an accessible entry point for studios wishing to align with the magazine’s trusted brand. Each month, the editorial team highlights standout studios from The List for additional exposure in the printed magazine. The cost is relatively affordable, making it a smart option for emerging practices seeking to build brand awareness and credibility.
Pitching Tip: To submit a project, contact editor Talib Choudhry, Deputy Editor David Nicholls, Houses Director Emily Senior.
3. Elle Decoration UK
Publisher: Hearst UK
Editor: Ben Spriggs
Audience: those who values innovation and global outlook and contemporary design
Circulation: 51k+
Print Readership: 187k
History: launched in 1989 by founding editor Ilse Crawford, who aimed to "educate the taste of a generation".
Elle Decoration UK takes a global, design-forward approach, featuring residential, commercial, and hospitality projects from across the world. The Spaces section — which typically showcases five to six projects per issue — remains the most coveted destination for designers seeking to have their work published. Unlike many other titles, the magazine is open to featuring projects that have already appeared in local media or in one of the 25 international editions of Elle Decoration, reflecting its collaborative and globally connected editorial network.
Other strong editorial opportunities include:
Industry Index: Profiles emerging and established talents in British and international design.
Expert Advice: Designers share their top design tips.
The Treasured Section: Designers reflect on meaningful objects or design philosophies.
Now: Highlights current ideas, trends, and colour stories.
Case Studies: Designers share insights from personal or professional experiences.
At Home With: Offers an intimate look inside designers’ own homes.
Opinion: Occasionally, the magazine runs essays and opinion pieces on current challenges — from sustainability to AI in design.
Like other leading titles, Elle Decoration UK also offers advertising opportunities where design studios can publish their profiles and align with the magazine’s premium brand.
Unlike many British design publications, however, Elle Decoration does not produce an annual ranking of top interior designers. Instead, as part of its global network, the magazine celebrates international talent through the ELLE Deco International Design Awards (EDIDA), announced each June. Previously, the UK edition ran the British Design Awards, but the last edition took place in 2019, with no official update on whether it will return.
This sets Elle Decoration UK apart from other magazines that increasingly focus on listings and rankings. Notably, the October issue — coinciding with London’s art and design week — places a strong emphasis on British design DNA, spotlighting both emerging and established names who shape the country’s creative landscape.
Pitching Tip: Send your project to Editor Ben Spriggs and Deputy Editor Clare Sartin, ensuring it aligns with the magazine’s polished, contemporary, and globally attuned aesthetic. For other sections, pitch to Phoebe Frangoul, Features & Spaces Editor, and Alice Finney, Design Editor.
4. Livingetc
Publisher: Future PLC
Editor: Pip Rich
Audience: Modern homeowners, stylists and design-forward creatives
Circulation: 30k+
History: Founded in 1998, Livingetc has positioned itself as a magazine that celebrates modern living, creative individuality, and the intersection of design, fashion, and lifestyle.
Livingetc is one of the most inclusive and dynamic interiors magazines in the UK. It speaks to both professionals and passionate design enthusiasts — bridging the gap between high-end inspiration and attainable ideas. It offers broader editorial opportunities than most British print titles.
Its Homes section features around 6 projects from around the world and unlike many competitors, it welcomes homeowner submissions, not only designer-led ones. The magazine’s tone blends fashion, art and interiors, often including models and trend-led visuals in its editorial shoots.
Editorial opportunities include:
The Interview: A monthly feature by Pip Rich, spotlighting a designer and their creative philosophy.
Decorating Section: Designers share expert advice and insights aligned with each issue’s theme.
O&A Section: A monthly feature where one designer answers décor-related questions.
Colour Section: A curated showcase of inspiring colour combinations and clever applications.
Projects: Regular features highlighting functional and aesthetic innovations, as well as spatial solutions from designers.
Final Word: A lifestyle-focused section where designers share personal reflections and inspirations.
Each September, Livingetc celebrates Style Awards, recognising standout projects, clever solutions, and innovative ideas across design categories. Unlike lists, these awards highlight both projects and individual achievements — offering wide visibility for participating designers.
Digital-first thinking defines Livingetc — the editorial team actively seeks online features, trend commentary, and expert opinions, ideal for smaller studios to gain visibility.
Pitching Tip: Livingetc is one of the most approachable magazines in the British design press, and its team is open to discovering new voices. For project submissions: Contact Pip Rich (Editor) and Kara O’Reilly, Contributing Editor (Houses). For colour-focused stories or contributions: Reach out to Amy Moorea Wong, who curates the Colour pages. For space solutions, expert advice, or general editorial features: Contact Ellen Finch, who commissions and edits design features.
5. Homes & Gardens
Publisher: Future PLC
Editor: Jo Bailey
Audience: style-conscious homeowners, design professionals and industry insiders
Circulation: 56K+
History: Founded in 1919, Homes & Gardens is Britain’s oldest interiors magazine, combining heritage with inclusivity. It shares the same publisher as Livingetc but appeals to a slightly more classic audience.
Homes & Gardens embodies an inclusive and supportive approach to publishing, offering generous opportunities for designers to share their work and expertise. The magazine balances aspirational interiors with practical advice, presenting homes that are both beautiful and liveable.
The Homes section is the magazine’s central feature, typically showcasing around five interior projects per issue. While there’s a strong focus on British homes, international projects are regularly included — especially in the summer months, when readers are drawn to the relaxed elegance of Mediterranean and tropical interiors.
Homes & Gardens often highlights inspiring design schemes and smart spatial solutions from both established names and emerging studios.
Key Sections & Editorial Opportunities
Design & Decoration: Seasonal design ideas and expert advice.
Colour of the Month: A creative exploration of colour pairings.
Design Rule: Where studios share their philosophy and design ethos.
Designer Profile: A personal interview spotlighting a designer’s journey.
Designers kitchens and bathrooms: Features where designers showcase thoughtfully curated, functional, and visually striking kitchen and bathroom interiors, highlighting clever layouts, innovative solutions, and inspiring design schemes.
Lifestyle section includes Love Letter — where designers share favourite places and inspirations — and My Life in 10, where designers list ten objects, ideas, or experiences that define who they are, both personally and professionally.
Every July, Homes & Gardens announces its Next in Design awards — a key initiative aimed at fostering a more diverse and inclusive design industry. The winners are introduced in print and online, but what makes this program distinctive is that the magazine continues to spotlight emerging names throughout the year, ensuring ongoing visibility for rising talents.
Additionally, every November, the magazine traditionally presents the winners of the Homes & Gardens Design Awards. From private homes and boutique hotels to gardens and restaurants, this annual celebration highlights projects that demonstrate why design excellence transcends boundaries, creating environments that are both highly functional and beautifully crafted.
Pitching Tip: Designers can pitch residential projects, expert commentary, or ideas for lifestyle and colour features directly to the editorial team, which is known for being approachable and open to new perspectives. For best results, submit interior projects to Jo Bailey (Editor) or Vivienne Ayers (Houses Editor), and lifestyle or feature stories to Holly Ransome (Features Editor).
Crafting Your Interior PR Strategy
The end of the year is the perfect moment to plan your PR strategy for the months ahead. Understanding where your projects belong allows you to create a targeted plan, aligning your studio’s ethos with each magazine’s voice and audience.
For designers who want to explore archives and better understand editorial calendars, I produce a monthly Interior Design Digest for Visualista, sharing seasonal insights and trends from the UK’s leading design media.
While this guide focuses on print editions, all these magazines maintain strong online platforms, offering further visibility, brand awareness, and opportunities to build backlinks to your website.
For studios looking to share their work with the media, I offer a curated database of contacts, providing direct access to the british interior design magazine editors — an invaluable tool for building a thoughtful and effective PR strategy. To request the database or for bespoke guidance in interior design PR and marketing — from media pitching to content strategy — please contact alla@allayaskovets.com.
Comments