The Best Design Museums in the World for Lovers of Interior Decor

design museum london photo by andrea de santis unsplash

At Lh, we love design, especially in the form of architecture and interior decor. So when it comes to exploring our past in order to inform our future, to us, there is nothing more inspiring than visiting museums. Read on to discover the best design museums in the world!

United Kingdom


The Design Museum, London

Seen in the feature image above. The Design Museum showcases everything from architecture and products to graphics and fashion. It is the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design.

Museum of the Home, London

Visit the Museum of the Home to explore their core purpose, “to reveal and rethink the ways we live, in order to live better together”.

Victoria & Albert Museum, London

While the V&A offers much more than decorative arts, its remarkable collection of textiles, furniture, and home accessories is a must-see if you are a design lover in London!

United States of America


Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum, New York

Housed in the Andrew Carnegie Mansion on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the US devoted solely to historical and contemporary design, making it for sure one of the best in the world!

Museum of Arts and Design, New York

Covering many areas of craft, art, and design, MAD is all about celebrating the creative process and championing contemporary makers.

Museum of Modern Art, New York

MoMA is all about modern and contemporary art and design in all forms. And is home to some of the finest examples of modern and contemporary furniture design.

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Known as The Met, this is the largest art museum in the Americas. While their focus is on fine art, something for those with a passion for furniture and design can always be found at The Met.


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A+D Museum, Los Angeles, CA

Exploring the definitions of architecture and design, the A+D Museum guides through the effects design has on our lives and the world around us.

Chicago Athenaeum, Chicago, IL

An International museum of architecture and design, the Chicago Athenaeum is all about all areas of the discipline and the importance of Good Design!

DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Williamsburg, VA

On a mission to help the future learn from the past, if you are a fan of early American and British decorative arts, this is the place for you!

The National Building Museum, Washington, DC

All about everything to do with our built environment, the National Building Museum is set in a beautiful structure filled with exhibits to educate, entertain and inspire.

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GERMANY


Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein

One of the world’s leading design museums, the Virta is not only all about celebrating design, but it is also set in a stunning work of art in its own right, a building designed by the renowned Frank Gehry.

Bauhaus-Archiv / Museum für Gestaltung, Berlin

While the main museum building and archive at Klingelhöferstrass are closed for renovations, the Bauhaus-Archiv welcomes Bauhaus design lovers at its Temporary location.

DENMARK


Designmuseum Denmark, Copenhagen

Founded in 1890 and set in one of Copenhagen’s finest Rococo buildings, the Designmuseum Danmark, since the beginning, has been dedicated to the idea of quality within design.

MEXICO


MUMEDI, the Mexican Museum of Design, Mexico City

The Mexican Museum of Design, MUMEDI, is all about design. A space where creativity is “exhibited, sold, tasted, experimented, lived, breathed and enjoyed”.

SINGAPORE


Red Dot Design Museum

The physical embodiment of one of the world’s largest design awards, the Red Dot Design Award, this boutique museum is sure to inspire all who visit its beautiful Marina Bay location.

HONG KONG


Liang Yi Museum

A private museum of design, craftsmanship, and heritage located in Sheung Wan, Liang Yi Museum is home to four of the world’s finest Chinese antique collections.

JAPAN


Archi-Depot Museum, Tokyo

The first of its kind when it opened in 2016, the Archi Depot Museum showcases architectural models by Japan’s top architects.

ITALY


Triennale di Milano, Milan

Set in the beautiful Palazzo dell’Arte, the Triennale di Milano focuses on art and design. And houses a stunning permanent collection of Italian design!

AUSTRIA


Vienna Furniture Museum

Home to the Imperial Furniture Collection dating back to the 18th century, if you are a lover of furniture, you will love this museum!

ISREAL


Design Museum Holon

The first in Isreal dedicated to design, Design Museum Holon resides in a stunning building designed by Israeli architect Ron Arad, along with Bruno Asa.

CANADA


Design Exchange, Toronto

Taking its name from its home in the former home of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the Design Exchange is “where history, design, and innovation meet”.

FRANCE


Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

Dedicated to the exhibition and preservation of decorative arts. The Musée des Arts Décoratifs showcases one of the most important collections of decorative arts in the world.

PORTUGAL


MUDE, Museum of Design and Fashion, Lisbon

Closed for renovations to reform its striking former bank home, MUDE is all about design and fashion from the 19th C to now.

Feature Image: The Design Museum, London (Photo by Andrea de Santis)


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