How Does the President Choose an Interior Designer?

As the Trumps prepare to move back into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the questions have already begun: Will the gold curtains make a comeback? Can Melania restore her controversial Rose Garden changes? What renovations will be done?
But how much control does a First Family—even a second-time-around one—actually have over the White House interiors?
Before the next round of presidential redecorating begins, we’re pulling back the curtains (which, by the way, require multiple approvals to replace) on some of America’s most famous interiors. From the maze of funding sources to which rooms can actually be redecorated, here’s everything you never knew you needed to know about decorating the White House.
Do Presidents Pay for Interior Designers Themselves?
First things first: the money. Congress has historically been responsible for financing the care, maintenance, and refurbishment of the White House. The basic framework includes a $100,000 congressional decorating allowance offered to incoming First Families for their private quarters, though they regularly approve additional funds for structural improvements, maintenance, and the acquisition of new furniture—whether through auctions, private sales, or other sources. They are also authorized to approve the sale of items deemed unfit for use or beyond repair.
Some modern presidents, like Ronald Reagan and Barack Obama, declined the $100,000 allowance entirely, choosing to use private funds for their personal touches in the family quarters. However, this doesn’t mean they were entirely self-funded—like all administrations, they still benefited from congressionally-approved maintenance funds and support from various preservation organizations.
The White House Historical Association, established by Jackie Kennedy in 1961, serves as an additional source of funding for major acquisitions and projects. This private, nonprofit organization has funded everything from new state china (a $1.5 million purchase during the Obama years) to significant restoration projects. The Clintons, for example, utilized this resource for their $396,429 renovation of the State Dining Room in 1998. During the Trump administration, several high-profile renovations took place, including Melania Trump’s controversial Rose Garden renovation and a significant refresh of the White House bowling alley. While exact figures for these projects weren’t disclosed, the work was funded through a combination of private donations and support from the White House Historical Association.
Another key player is the White House Preservation Fund, which works in tandem with the Historical Association to maintain the historic character of the house. Additionally, the General Services Administration handles basic maintenance and repairs, while the National Park Service maintains the grounds. Major structural projects, like the $86 million West Wing renovation in 2017, typically require special congressional approval.
What Parts of the White House Can Be Redecorated?
The White House essentially functions as two distinct spaces: the State Rooms and the private quarters. The State Rooms are formal spaces located primarily on the first floor and host everything from diplomatic receptions to presidential addresses. These spaces include the famous Blue Room, Red Room, Green Room, as well as the State Dining Room and are the most regulated. Changes here require multiple layers of approval, starting with the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, which includes the White House curator, interior designers, historians, and scholars.
The private quarters, which occupy the second and third floors, offer more decorative freedom. Here, First Families can decorate (mostly) however they’d like, though they’re still working within the constraints of a historic building.
The second floor contains the famous Lincoln Bedroom, the Treaty Room, the Yellow Oval Room, and the Family Dining Room, among others. While these rooms maintain their historical character, they’ve seen dramatic transformations over the years. The Obama family brought in contemporary art and modern furnishings, with Barack Obama choosing deep red walls for the Treaty Room and displaying works by modern American artists in the Family Dining Room. The Bushes opted for a more traditional aesthetic, while the Clintons introduced vibrant colors and patterns that reflected their Arkansas roots.
The third floor, added in 1927, houses the Music Room, Game Room, and additional private spaces. This area offers the more decorative freedom, as it’s the furthest removed from the formal State rooms. Here, First Families can actually create personal spaces—the Obama daughters, Sasha and Malia, enjoyed a casual living area with plenty of throw pillows and comfortable seating, while Amy Carter had her treehouse built on the South Grounds visible from her third-floor window.
But history is never far. The rooms are all filled with treasures from the White House’s permanent collection of over 50,000 objects, and any new additions must be properly documented. This vast collection has grown with each administration and functions as a lending library—incoming First Families can “shop” the collection, bringing pieces out of storage or moving them between rooms to suit their taste.
Who Decorates the White House?
Unlike other government positions, there’s no formal application or public posting for the role of decorator-in-chief. Instead, designers are typically chosen through a combination of reputation, previous work with the First Family, and personal connections.
The selected designer faces the unique challenge of balancing historical preservation with personal taste while maintaining the dignity of the White House. They must work within strict security protocols and consider the practical demands of a building that serves as both a private residence and a public institution.
Recent administrations have worked with distinguished designers. ELLE DECOR A-list Titan Michael S. Smith, the Obamas’ choice, introduced modern art and design while maintaining a deep respect for the building’s heritage, incorporating works by contemporary artists like Glenn Ligon and Alma Thomas alongside traditional pieces. The Bushes worked with Ken Blasingame whose traditional approach reflected their Texas roots, while the Clintons collaborated with Arkansas decorator Kaki Hockersmith to bring a warm, traditional American style to the private quarters.
When the Trumps took residence in 2017, they selected Tham Kannalikham, who took a more classical approach. Melania Trump’s most notable project was the renovation of the Rose Garden, which removed Jackie Kennedy’s crab apple trees and introduced a design with white and pastel roses. The Trump era also saw the renovation of the Red Room, featuring new wallpaper to repair water damage, and updates to the bowling alley and the White House tennis pavilion.
The Bidens brought in ELLE DECOR A-Lister Mark D. Sikes to refresh the Oval Office in 2021, opting for a stately design that emphasized classic American furniture and artwork. The design included royal blue window treatments, replacing gold curtains from the Trump era, and featured the return of Clinton’s striped wallpaper. They also chose to display busts of civil rights leaders and prominent Americans, including Cesar Chavez, Martin Luther King Jr., and Rosa Parks, alongside traditional presidential portraits. For the family quarters, Dr. Jill Biden has taken a more understated approach, making subtle updates while largely utilizing pieces from the White House collection.
Each designer must work closely with the White House’s permanent staff, including the Chief Usher and the Curator’s Office, who help navigate the requirements of decorating a national monument. They also coordinate with the White House Historical Association for acquisitions and preservation efforts.

Julia Cancilla is the engagement editor (and resident witch) at ELLE DECOR, where she manages the brand’s social media presence and covers trends, lifestyle, and culture in the design world. Her eye for emerging styles helps bring the latest in interior design to ELLE Decor’s audience across platforms. Julia built her background at Inked magazine, where she grew their social media audiences by two million, conducted interviews with A-list celebrities, and penned feature articles focusing on pop culture, design, and lifestyle. Over her five years of digital media experience, Julia has written about numerous topics, from fashion to astrology.
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