Interior design in the Midwest is often associated with simplicity, practicality, and a deep connection to the local community. Unlike the towering skyscrapers and flashy interiors of bustling urban centers, Midwest design focuses on creating spaces that prioritize well-being and function, tailored to the specific needs of the people who inhabit them. In this context, Bohan Cheng, a rising star in the interior design world, is carving a niche for herself by blending global influences with the region’s inherent sensibilities. Through her multicultural background and experience, Bohan is bringing a fresh and innovative approach to Midwest design, introducing concepts that not only beautify spaces but also enhance their functionality and purpose.
Bohan’s career took a significant leap in 2024 when she relocated to Kansas and joined the Schwerdt Design Group, a firm known for its creative, community-focused projects. As an integral member of the design team, Bohan quickly established herself through her work on a diverse range of projects, including corporate offices, university remodels, senior living facilities, and high-end residential spaces. Each project reflects her ability to merge aesthetics with practicality, a hallmark of her approach to interior design.
Crafting Functional and Aesthetic Spaces
One of Bohan’s most notable projects since joining Schwerdt Design Group was the Colgate office design, where she demonstrated her expertise in maximizing space and integrating design elements that both elevate the environment and meet the client’s functional needs. In the Colgate project, she transformed an otherwise overlooked area—beneath the interior stairs—into a built-in concrete planter that doubles as a plant partition between the hallway and open workspace. This thoughtful use of space not only brought a natural element into the office but also created a visual and functional divide, offering privacy without compromising openness. Her decision to use EFIS finishes after carefully exploring different materials showcased her commitment to both design innovation and client satisfaction.
Bohan’s ability to navigate the technical aspects of design and collaborate with architectural designers speaks to her versatility as a designer. Whether selecting the perfect material or reimagining how space can serve multiple purposes, she consistently brings a combination of creativity and technical precision to her work. It is this balance of aesthetic vision and functional detail that sets Bohan apart from many of her peers.
International Recognition for a Distinctive Vision
While Bohan’s work in the Midwest has helped her build a strong local reputation, her design philosophy transcends regional boundaries. Her projects Between the Valley and Canterbury Court – Assisted Living have earned international acclaim, winning prestigious accolades like the MUSE Design Awards, London Design Awards, and Titan Property Awards. These achievements not only solidify her status as a forward-thinking designer but also highlight the global relevance of her work.
Between the Valley, an interior remodel project located in Chengdu, is a prime example of Bohan’s ability to connect local cultures with modern design principles. In this project, she repurposed an old factory into a versatile space that showcases the local coffee culture, a passion that resonates with her personally. By immersing herself in both American and Chinese coffee traditions, Bohan found ways to enhance brand loyalty through design. She focused on creating an experience that engages all five senses, allowing customers to connect with the coffee in a more profound way. This design approach, informed by her personal experiences in both countries, represents her belief in the power of interior design to foster relationships between people, products, and spaces.
Bohan’s work in senior living environments, like the Canterbury Court – Assisted Living project, further demonstrates her commitment to human-centered design. In these spaces, she balances comfort, accessibility, and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that residents not only have functional environments but also spaces that promote well-being and dignity. Her ability to tailor her designs to the specific needs of vulnerable populations showcases her sensitivity and understanding of how design can impact lives.
Bridging Reality and Imagination: Venturing Beyond Traditional Design
Bohan Cheng’s creative pursuits extend beyond traditional interior spaces. Her venture into video production design is an exciting testament to her adaptability and willingness to explore new frontiers in design. Working with a media company, Bohan has contributed to scenic designs for several short dramas and advertisements, where her background in interior design has proven invaluable. Her work in this realm allows her to craft spaces not just for real people but for characters in fictional narratives, creating environments that enhance storytelling and provide deeper visual context.
This cross-disciplinary approach to design highlights Bohan’s belief that interior design is not confined to physical spaces—it can shape environments in both real and imagined worlds. By incorporating her expertise into video production, she is pushing the boundaries of what interior design can achieve and demonstrating that creativity in design is limitless. Her website, which features these video collaborations, offers a window into how designers can expand their influence into new industries while maintaining their core values of functionality and aesthetics.
Embracing Cultural Convergence in Design
At the heart of Bohan Cheng’s design philosophy is a deep appreciation for cultural convergence. Having lived in multiple cities across different countries, Bohan has developed a unique perspective on how people interact with their living spaces, shaped by their cultural experiences. Her ability to blend global trends with local sensibilities allows her to create designs that feel both familiar and innovative.
In the Midwest, where practicality often takes precedence, Bohan has introduced subtle yet impactful innovations that elevate traditional design practices. Her multicultural background informs her choices, enabling her to create spaces that reflect both the community’s needs and broader, global influences. Bohan’s work is a testament to the power of design to bridge cultural divides, offering spaces that are enriched by the diversity of experiences and perspectives they encompass.
Her desire to bring people together through design is not limited to her clients. Bohan’s vision is to use interior design as a medium for fostering understanding between cultures and regions. She believes that design has the potential to serve as a bridge—connecting people, ideas, and environments in ways that enhance life and promote inclusivity.
Looking Toward the Future: Designing with Heart
As Bohan Cheng continues to grow in her career, she remains focused on designing spaces that not only meet practical needs but also inspire and uplift the people who use them. She is passionate about the future of interior design and its potential to improve the way people live, work, and connect with each other. Whether working on high-end residential projects, corporate offices, or assisted living facilities, her approach is consistently rooted in a deep understanding of human needs and a desire to create spaces that offer both beauty and purpose.
Bohan’s vision for the future of interior design is one that honors tradition while embracing bold innovation. She believes that the next generation of designers will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible, integrating technology, sustainability, and cultural awareness into their work. As she stands at the forefront of this movement, Bohan is committed to leading by example—showing that design can be both practical and profound, rooted in function yet limitless in creativity.
Her work in Kansas and beyond serves as a reminder that great design is not confined to major urban centers. In the Midwest, where community, culture, and tradition intersect, Bohan is redefining the role of the interior designer, proving that spaces can be both reflections of their inhabitants and catalysts for positive change. As she looks to the future, Bohan Cheng’s creativity, dedication, and innovative spirit will undoubtedly continue to influence and inspire those around her.
A Journey Just Beginning
Bohan Cheng’s journey as an interior designer is far from over—it is just beginning. With a career marked by early success, international recognition, and a commitment to human-centered design, she is poised to leave a lasting impact on the industry. Her work is not only a reflection of her personal experiences and cultural background but also a testament to the potential of interior design to improve lives.
As Bohan continues to explore new opportunities and push the limits of design, she remains grounded in her belief that every space has the potential to inspire, heal, and connect. Her vision for the future of design is one that merges reality and imagination, tradition and innovation, creating spaces that resonate on both a personal and global scale. And as her career progresses, Bohan Cheng is sure to remain a name synonymous with creativity, cultural convergence, and the transformative power of design.
Published by: Khy Talara
