The Low-Down on Interior Design Professional Organizations like ASID, IIDA, IDS, NKBA, and IFDA

Updated June 2023

There are several strong professional membership organizations for the interior design community. If you’re considering joining an organization that serves interior designers and supports the industry, it’s important to ensure that the organization is a good fit for you and your business so the membership dues are a worthwhile investment. Additionally, all the organizations I’m highlighting below are very welcoming, provide ample opportunities to expand your horizons, and help to form social connections with like-minded people – always a plus!

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

The longest-established and largest membership organization for the interior design industry is the American Society of Interior Designers, or, ASID. ASID was founded in 1975 and currently has more than 25,000 members nationwide across 46 chapters. ASID is headquartered in Washington DC.

ASID provides a wide variety of resources, opportunities, and events for members: local and national networking functions, a national job bank, competitions and awards, and opportunities for earning CEUs (continuing education units). Additionally, they provide services to connect designers with potential clients in their geographic area, and they advocate to shape legislation that supports the interior design profession. All-in-all, ASID membership connects practicing interior designers with resources that support their professional success.

For designers, membership levels include the Professional level for those who have passed the NCIDQ exam and Allied or Associate for members with varied experience and educational credentials. Service providers and industry affiliates can join as industry partners.

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA)

The International Interior Design Association (IIDA) is the second largest organization supporting design professionals and industry affiliates. They are an international association, with 15,000+ members across 58 countries. In the US, there are more than 30 chapters. IIDA’s headquarters is in the Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Membership for designers can be at the Professional level (after passing the NCIDQ exam) or Associate level.

IIDA also offers many professional development opportunities and resources for the design community, including continuing education, networking opportunities, design competitions, and events that foster business development, mentorship, professional advancement, and connections with industry affiliates. They also strongly advocate for the profession, disseminate industry news to members, and provide a job bank of position postings for interior design professionals.

These two organizations have many similarities, in both the composition of the membership and the resources they provide, so some interior designers may be confused about which one to join. Although not specifically stated by either organization as an aim for their membership alignment, in many areas, designers who do residential work often join ASID, and designers who do commercial projects connect more with IIDA, though I have heard from some designers that in specific areas, this alignment is not as distinct.

Because ASID and IIDA are so similar in so many ways and serve the industry at large, some designers have expressed that the design community might be better served if there was just one such organization to serve the interior design industry as the key, overarching professional organization.

Although the leadership voices of ASID and IIDA have discussed the potential for a merger in the past, we are still left with this somewhat indistinct two-organization arrangement across the interior design community.

In addition to ASID and IIDA, there are additional really great professional membership organizations that serve more defined areas of the design industry. Designers who work in more specific facets of design are very well served by the following organizations, which are both strong in support and promotion of the design community.

Interior Design Society (IDS)

The Interior Design Society, or IDS, is specific to the community of designers across the country who specialize in residential design. They currently have 19 chapters but are actively expanding. If there is not currently an IDS chapter in your area, they have a virtual chapter you can join as well. IDS is headquartered in High Point, NC, so they are strongly aligned with the home furnishing industry. Membership in IDS allows for special benefits at the bi-annual High Point market, as well as the markets in Las Vegas and Dallas. And, they sponsor an annual international tour to Paris or Milan, an amazing opportunity for exposure to inspirational design and architecture.

IDS provides continuing education opportunities - both as in-person events and webinars, offers a means to connect potential clients with designers in their area (called the IDS List), publishes job postings on their website, and sponsors an annual Designer of the Year Award to promote designer recognition. The membership includes designers, industry partners, and sales representatives who support the design industry. Designers can join at either the Professional level, for those who have college-level degrees, or the Associate level, for other designers who are actively engaged in the profession

The National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA)

The National Kitchen and Bath Association, or NKBA, is the leading organization for the kitchen and bath industry specifically, providing programs, educational opportunities, design competitions, business development tools, research, networking, and events to support and provide resources to those who specialize in the design, planning, and execution of residential kitchens and bathrooms.

Membership extends to designers, as well as to showroom personnel, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers. Both individuals and businesses can become members within 71 different chapters in 10 regions.

NKBA offers professional certifications: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer, Certified Kitchen Designer, Certified Bath Designer, Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer, and at the very highest level of achievement and expertise – Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer. Industry experience and the passing of various exams are required to achieve these credentials.

NKBA also publishes planning guidelines for kitchen and bath design, a key publication resource that designers used to ensure codes and standards compliance for optimally-functioning kitchens and baths, as well as laundry rooms, closets, home offices, and gyms. And they provide many CEU opportunities and webinars to allow members to stay updated on evolving industry information and trends.

The International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA)

The International Furnishings and Design Association, or IFDA, bridges both the interior design and the furnishings industry across both residential and commercial practice. Begun way back in 1947 by a group of women working in the furnishings business, IFDA has grown to now include 11 chapters. Members come from manufacturing, distributing, design, and sales, and across the categories of furniture, floor coverings, window treatments, lighting, fabrics, accessories, and other building products.

Membership can be at the Professional or Associate level, depending on the level of industry experience. Member benefits include promotional opportunities, networking, and professional development.

You might also like our breakdown of the most widely respected interior design certifications.

Tell me about your experience!

I would love to hear if you’re a member of any of these organizations and what your experience has been. OR, conversely, if you’ve been a member and didn’t find value, I’m all ears! I often have designers ask where they should join, and being able to provide specific insights from other designers is always the most helpful.

And, if you’re new and just starting your business, be sure to check out our Design Business Foundations Blueprint.