The Hidden Cost of Import Tariffs for Interior Design

Jun 4

This article was originally published on Architectural Digest by Danine Alati

*Illustration: Ellie Schiltz for Architectural Digest*

As US import tariffs tighten their grip on global trade, design pros share how they’re staying creative and financially stable.

Below, industry experts share how US import tariffs are already affecting their businesses and what they’re doing to stay resilient.

Our panel:

-Martyn Lawrence Bullard, a Los Angeles–based AD100 designer
-Tyler Hays, founder of BDDW, a New York– and LA–based furniture maker
-Paul Lordan, co-owner of Steele Canvas Basket Corp, a 104-year-old Massachusetts-based manufacturer
-Cassandra Napoli, head of marketing at global consumer trend forecasting firm WGSN
-Tamir Shuster, partner at Precise, a financial management company that works with architecture and design businesses
-Connor Skelly, COO of San Francisco–based design-build company Perez Construction, an AD PRO Directory member
-Banafsheh Soltani, founder of architecture and design studio Bana Design in Edgewater, New Jersey

How do you anticipate the import tariffs will impact your business?

“The biggest impact of tariffs is the uncertainty they create. When families invest millions in a remodel, economic certainty is critical. Think of it like building on shifting sand versus solid ground.” —Connor Skelly

Are import tariffs affecting material costs?

“In San Francisco, labor is a much larger cost factor. Tariffs will impact materials, but not as dramatically as in other regions. Our bigger challenge is managing the broader economic uncertainty.” —Skelly

Are customers or clients putting projects on hold?

“We’ve already had one project back out. Clients were okay with potential cost increases, but the overall uncertainty pushed them to pause.” —Skelly