As a field dictated by aesthetic preferences, it’s hard to come to any kind of universal answer about who the “best” designer is. But of course, Google has an answer for everything—and thanks to a recent analysis of search data, the most-googled designer has been revealed: Joanna Gaines.
The answer comes thanks to a team of researchers at modern furniture distributor Instrument London, who pored over monthly search data associated with 35 of today’s top interior designers.
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According to the results, there’s a clear winner: Gaines is far and away the most searched-for designer, commanding a whopping 391,700 monthly searches. A major part of the national (and international) design conversation since her debut on HGTV’s Fixer Upper in 2013, Joanna and husband Chip Gaines have steadily built a design media juggernaut over the past decade, most recently launching the revamped DIY Network as Magnolia Network in early 2022.
Joanna’s popularity in terms of search volume was more than four times greater than the second-most popular designer, Jonathan Adler. With 94,800 searches per month, the man who parlayed his skills as a potter into a home decor retail empire took second place in Instrument London’s measure of search interest. Philippe Starck, one of the leading architects and designers in France (if not all of Europe), rounds out the top three with 81,500 worldwide monthly searches.
While he may be America’s most googled designer, Nate Berkus finishes in fourth place when worldwide data is taken into account. Generating 76,200 searches, the founder of the eponymous design firm finishes one spot ahead of husband and fellow designer Jeremiah Brent, who himself commanded 59,100 monthly searches.
The back half of the list is just as full of familiar names. 2021 AD100 Hall of Famer Kelly Wearstler holds it down just behind Brent in sixth place with 57,800 searches. Following Wearstler is Bobby Berk, whose role as the designer and home renovator in residence on Netflix’s Queer Eye helped inspire 45,000 monthly searches.
Rounding out the top 10 is Axel Vervoordt (8th place with 38,600), an AD100 alum who likely reached a larger audience of interested searchers thanks to his role in designing Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s formerly shared home. He’s followed by Emily Henderson (9th place with 29,000), HGTV’s host of Secrets from a Stylist and an expert on making even the smallest of spaces feel special. In 10th is Kelly Hoppen, (26,500 searches), the AD100, BAFTA-nominated British interior designer.
Though it may not be an exact science, the data offers a valuable window into who’s captivating the public’s attention and offering inspiration. So for those who have any interest in divining the trends of the moment, it might pay to get searching.