The Interior Design Society of Kenya (IDSK) successfully hosted the 2026 Interior Design Roundtable Series on 9th May 2026 at Oho Gardens, Nairobi, bringing together interior designers, consultants, suppliers, and built-environment professionals for an engaging afternoon of learning, collaboration, and networking.
Originally planned as an intimate 50-person professional gathering, the event exceeded expectations with a turnout of 72 industry professionals, highlighting the growing demand for meaningful conversations around the future of interior design in Kenya.
The sold-out roundtable focused on the theme:
“Beyond Aesthetics: Mastering Value, Authority & Pricing”
The event featured a highly engaging masterclass by Quantity Surveyor Patience Mulondo, who led practical and insightful discussions around pricing, project costing, profitability, and professional delivery within the interior design industry.
The session explored critical areas affecting interior design businesses today, including:
- Understanding cost versus price
- Project budgeting and cost planning
- Post-contract cost control
- Pricing techniques for consultants and contractors
- Managing risks in project delivery
- Professional pricing structures
- Understanding project scope and complexity
- Monitoring project profitability
- Contract administration and documentation
The masterclass also emphasized the importance of positioning interior designers as strategic professionals within the built environment rather than purely aesthetic consultants.
Participants engaged in meaningful discussions around some of the biggest challenges facing the industry, including:
- Underpricing
- Scope creep
- Client education
- Market competition
- Professional standards
- Profitability and sustainability
Following the masterclass, attendees participated in an interactive roundtable discussion session where professionals shared experiences, industry concerns, opportunities, and perspectives on the future of interior design in Kenya.
The event concluded with a networking mixer that created opportunities for collaboration between designers, suppliers, consultants, and emerging professionals across the industry.
The 2026 Roundtable Series was proudly supported by:
The presence of supplier partners reinforced the growing importance of collaboration between designers and industry brands in shaping Kenya’s built environment ecosystem.
The strong turnout and engagement demonstrated the increasing need for professional platforms that support education, networking, mentorship, and industry growth within Kenya’s interior design sector.
As the industry continues evolving, conversations around pricing, professionalism, project delivery, and business growth remain increasingly important for designers seeking to build sustainable and respected practices.
Through initiatives such as the Roundtable Series, the Interior Design Society of Kenya (IDSK) continues creating spaces that encourage professional development, collaboration, and meaningful industry dialogue across Kenya and East Africa.
The success of the event further reflects the growing momentum within Kenya’s interior design industry and the demand for stronger professional ecosystems supporting designers, suppliers, and built-environment professionals alike.
Join IDSK:
https://idsk.or.ke/idsk-membership-application/
Official Website:
https://idsk.or.ke/
