Bilal Rehman is a renowned luxury interior designer known for his bold aesthetic, and ability to craft immersive spaces that blend modern sophistication with timeless elegance.
As the founder of Bilal Rehman Studio, and a corresponding home decor gallery, he has worked with high-profile clients across the globe, curating bespoke interiors that reflect personal style with dramatic flair. Only two years ago, Bilal gained social media popularity for his viral videos where he shares (brutally honest) no-nonsense advice on what to avoid so that our spaces can look elevated. Today, he is celebrated not only for his sharp eye, but also for his influence in redefining the boundaries of contemporary luxury.
Bilal Rehman
Q: What inspired you to attend Milan Design Week for the first time, and how was your experience?
Milan Design Week has always felt like the heartbeat of the design world. I wanted to experience that energy firsthand—to be immersed in a space where innovation, luxury, and craft collide. Walking through those installations, connecting with designers from all over the world, it wasn’t just inspiring—it was a reminder that design is borderless. It felt like I was stepping into the future, but in a way that still honored legacy and tradition.
Q: What installations, designers, or trends were you most excited for during Milan Design Week?
I was really drawn to the brands and studios exploring materiality in unexpected ways—stone used like fabric, lighting treated as sculpture. Saint Laurent’s presence was strong with their exclusive collection with Charlotte Perriand, and I loved seeing fashion bleed into interiors more unapologetically. Also, the growing emphasis on emotionally driven spaces really resonated with me. It’s not just about what a space looks like anymore, it’s about how it makes you feel.
Q: How do you see Milan Design Week influencing your upcoming projects? Will it affect your approach to design or business moving forward?
Absolutely. I left Milan with this renewed focus on intentionality. The work that stood out wasn’t loud, it was considered. That’s something I’m bringing back into every aspect of my work: thoughtful curation over excess. I’m also exploring deeper collaborations, furniture, fragrance, maybe even fashion, because design is a lifestyle. And Milan reminded me of that.
Q: What drives your creative process when approaching a new project?
Honestly, it always starts with emotion. I ask: What do I want this space to make people feel? From there, I build the story: color, light, texture, proportion. I pull from fashion, from architecture, from conversations I had over dinner. I don’t believe in copy-paste design. Every project needs a soul, and my job is to translate that into physical space.
Q: How do you balance personal style with client needs when creating interior spaces?
I see my role as a storyteller, not just a designer. My style will always show up! There will always be a little depth, a little edge, but it’s never about me. It’s about helping the client see their own identity through a new lens. I challenge them, I stretch their vision, but at the end of the day, I want them to feel seen.
Q: As a young founder and CEO, what challenges have you faced in establishing your design studio?
The biggest challenge was proving that I deserved a seat at the table, especially in rooms full of people twice my age. I had to learn how to lead, how to hire, how to build a brand, all while doing the creative work. But I never let being young be a disadvantage. I let it be my superpower. I built Bilal Rehman Studio around a new wave of luxury—one that’s inclusive, bold, and deeply personal.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring interior designers who want to follow a similar entrepreneurial path?
Don’t wait for permission. You don’t need someone else to validate your taste or your vision. Invest in your brand like it’s your most important client. Be obsessed with your process. And stay curious, because the more you evolve, the more your work will too. Oh and learn the business side. Creative freedom only exists when the numbers make sense.
Q: You have a strong presence on social media. How did your audience impact your career?
Social media gave me a direct line to people who connected with my work before the press ever did. It’s where I built community, tested ideas, told my story. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about trust. That trust has led to clients, brand partnerships, and opportunities I never saw coming. My audience is part of the studio’s DNA.
Q: How do you see your role in the future of design, both locally and globally?
I want to be a bridge. Between cultures, between industries, between aesthetics. Design shouldn’t feel elitist, it should feel expansive. Whether it’s through interiors, content, or product, I want to keep showing people that luxury isn’t about price, it’s about intentionality. My role is to keep pushing that message forward, with clarity, vision, and heart.
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