Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK), in partnership with the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), proudly led the UK Creative Industries Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia, held in September 2025 at the INDEX Saudi Arabia, Riyadh. Commercial Interiors UK's media partner, Design Insider, joined the mission and subsequently published an Event Report. In this series of nine articles, we explore the opportunities, challenges, and leaders in this ambitions growth market for the benefit of commercial suppliers and designers.
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At this year’s Index Saudi Arabia, we had the pleasure of speaking with Nuha Alqahtani, Senior Interior Designer at Arac, whose deep commitment to craftsmanship and client experience is redefining expectations in both residential and hospitality design. Known for her obsessive attention to detail, not as a quirk, but as a principle, Nuha brings an empathetic, human-centered philosophy to every project she undertakes.
Based in Saudi Arabia, Arac is a full-service interior design studio offering comprehensive solutions from concept through to execution. Their services include spatial planning, bespoke design, material specification, and complete installation. Working across both residential and commercial sectors, Arac delivers immersive, tailored environments that reflect both client identity and lifestyle.
“Sometimes, suppliers find it challenging to work with us,” Nuha admitted with a smile. “Because we care about every single detail, from A to Z. Even the thread used in the fabric, the way the stuffing goes into a pillow or sofa. We ask to see everything, because those details matter.”
This level of dedication stems from a deep respect for the people who will inhabit the spaces she creates. “It’s not because we’re perfectionists for the sake of it,” she explained. “It’s because we care about our clients. They have an identity, and so do we. We try to bring those two identities together to create something luxurious and meaningful. You should be able to see that and feel it too.”
Designing for Daily Life
When designing private homes, Nuha goes far beyond style preferences. Her process begins by understanding the rhythms and realities of family life. “I always ask clients about their daily routine. When you come home from school with your kids, which door do you enter through? Where do the children put their bags? These things matter,” she said. “Design should reflect how people actually live, not just how it looks for guests.”
She believes that a home must first serve the comfort and emotional needs of its residents. “Of course we want it to be beautiful, but first and foremost, it must reflect the family’s lifestyle, habits, and identity. Even when designing furniture, I ask, do you nap here? Do you watch TV here? Because that changes everything.”
Hospitality Rooted in Empathy
In hospitality, where designers don’t know the end user personally, Nuha still brings the same empathetic mindset, this time through observation and shared experience. “I ask my colleagues, both men and women: when you stay in a hotel, what annoys you? What do you love?” she said. “We’re all part of the community and we live in these spaces too. As designers, we can identify the little things that don’t work, even when others can’t quite explain why.”
It’s those small insights, like a poorly placed chair or nowhere to place a suitcase, that shape a guest’s memory of a space. “Every decision affects the experience. So we test ideas, ask questions, and research the standards. Then we create something new, something thoughtful, functional, and beautiful.”
Working with Suppliers
Executing that vision requires collaboration with like-minded suppliers who understand Arac’s dedication to detail. “We appreciate our partners and include their names because they’re part of our success story,” Nuha shared.
At this year’s Index Saudi Arabia, Arac’s stand featured sculptural lighting from their French partner Sans Souci, whose installations blur the lines between function and art. “They bring light and art into the space” Nuha noted. Complementing the space were richly textured carpets supplied by ZuMa Design Consultants, Arac’s Dubai-based partner, adding warmth and material richness to the overall composition.
These relationships are crucial to achieving Arac’s signature, multi-material storytelling, combining marble, wood, textiles, and finishes in ways that engage all the senses.
Sustainability and Longevity
Nuha is also deeply invested in the sustainability and performance of materials. “Sustainability is important, not just for the environment, but financially,” she explained. “If you want guests to come back again and again, everything needs to feel high-quality. Nothing should feel cheap or plasticky, especially things that come into contact with skin, or lighting that’s too harsh or too dim. Good materials create good experiences.”
She sees design as a puzzle, where comfort, aesthetics, quality, and practicality all must align. “When all the parts connect, it makes sense. It becomes a complete story.”
A Designer in Motion
Nuha’s passion is fed by constant exploration. “I love to travel and stay in different hotels, even here in Saudi,” she said. “Each place has its own way of doing things, and I take mental notes: this sink height works well, that light fixture is awkward. Those details stay with me. Experiencing design firsthand is what makes good design possible.”
And there’s no better time to be doing it. “Saudi Arabia is full of opportunity right now. Every sector, mosques, commercial spaces, homes, is evolving. People are more open to new ideas and they trust designers more than ever. It’s a very exciting time.”
For Nuha, it all comes back to the power of experience. “When someone enters a space and connects with it through all their senses, they’ll never forget it,” she said. “And if it’s a commercial space, they’ll want to come back. That’s what really counts!”
This article is included in Design Insider’s INDEX Saudi Arabria Event Report. Find the full comprehensive report here.