Whats The Project Scope
Are you looking to revamp your living room with new paint color and decor or to gut your bathroom for a much needed update? If you need more than a few affordable interior design tips, being clear and realistic of what can be taken on is key in narrowing in on the interior design price since there are varying levels of complexity and expertise required.
How To Hire The Right Interior Decorator For You
Many of us have dreamed of hiring an interior decorator, but werent sure where to start or if it would even be affordable. This simple guide can help you learn how to hire the best decorator for you, your style, your home and your budget.
First, whats your style?
Whats your designers style?
Next, what are your needs?
What are your expectations?
Where should you look?
What will it cost?
Is it worth it?
Renovations And Repair Work
Perhaps you want to make use of your basement more and turn in in a gym or you want to redo the design of your home office. Repair work and renovation services include the evaluation of interior designers to the existing condition of your site. This evaluation will help the designer determine the scope of their work. Therefore, the design fee will change and adjust to the nature of the work. The cost is at a minimum of P50, 000 per unit or P1, 000 per square meter, plus an additional contingency fee of 10% for unforeseen additional work.
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How Much Does It Really Cost To Hire An Interior Designer
Hiring an interior designer is a great investment when it comes to remodeling your home. They’re trained professionals in the home and décor industry who’ll take their client’s vision and bring it to life one square-foot at a time.
Linda Coin, a Florida-based interior designer and member of , said in an Elle Decor interview that, “designers inherently have the ability to envision a project and understand how to bring it to fruition.” She adds, “a designer will not only bring their expertise and knowledge to a project, but also fresh eyes” and even “access to contacts and competent craftsmen.” This means homeowners end up paying their interior designer not just for their creative services, but also their network of credible resources too.
So, with all of these perks, how much does an interior designer cost? If you’re planning on hiring an interior designer for your home remodel and want to know how much you should budget, we’ve got you covered. Here’s the average cost of hiring an interior designer in 2021.
Interior Decorating Cost Per Room

Interior designers charge between $1,000 and $7,750 per room on average, which includes design work and furnishings. It’s common to see a living room at a flat fee of $2,500 to $5,000, and each bedroom at $1,000 to $2,000. For design work only, costs range from $449 to $1,499 per room.
The cost to design each room, project managing contractors, and buy the furnishings to fill it depends on the size of the room, the use of the room, complexity from a design perspective, and the quality of the furnishings.
Online Interior Decorator Costs Per Room – Design Only
A remote designer conducting the decorating portion of the work online allows them to charge as little as $449 a room for design-only services.
Interior Decorating Cost Per Room
Room |
---|
$499 $1,099 |
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Interior Design Price List
The cost to hire an interior decorator is also affected by the look you want to achieve, as luxury décor and specialty contractors cost much more than widely available ones. Many homeowners on a budget hire an interior designer to draw up remodeling and decorating plans and oversee the rest of the project on their own.
Heres a typical price list of what to expect.
Interior Design Price List
Cost Plus | 17% 45% |
$1,893 $11,180 | $5,406 |
Whether youre doing an extreme remodel or just a cosmetic update, an interior designer can help pull together seamless looks with the perfect blend of paint colors, furniture, window treatments, and accessories to complement the use of the room and expected traffic flow.
They might suggest bigger interior design projects like knocking down walls, changing the floor plan, installing bigger windows, or raising ceilings. Lets take a look at all your options.
Learn How Much It Costs To Hire An Interior Decorator Or Designer
The average cost to employ an interior designer or decorator is $6,513, with costs ranging between $1,913 and $11,277. The overall cost is determined by the following factors:
- The amount of space available
- The manner in which the pro charges for his or her services
- Regardless of whether they are a designer or a decorator
Taking on home modifications, whether you want to renovate your kitchen or build an extension, may be overwhelming. Building requirements, window positioning, electrical outlets, and other factors must be taken into consideration when choosing paint colors for your home. If your thoughts are racing through your brain and youre not sure where to begin, its time to consult with an expert. It is much easier to keep a project on schedule and under budget if you hire an interior decorator or interior designer.
Here are a few financial considerations to consider while selecting the best contractor for the task.
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What Impacts Interior Design Prices
With a range of $2,000 to $11,300, its hard to tell how much your project is going to cost. Interior design and decoration prices depend on:
- Size of Project: A whole house runs more than a single room
- Designer Reputation: Well-known or celebrity pros usually charge more
- Timeframe: Projects usually take 2 to 3 months, expect to pay more for rush orders
- Materials: Furnishings can add $2,000 to $5,000+ to the total
- Software: Hiring a pro with expertise in design software increases their rate
- Your Design Goals: The more ambitious your plan, the more you pay
Cost Plus Commission Or Percentage Fees
An interior design percentage-based fee can start as low as 10% and go as high as 45%, but a commission fee is usually a 15% to 30% charge on the total for furnishings, contractor management, and materials costs. For example, if the total scope of the project is $15,000, and the designers cost-plus-fee is 30%, it would be $4,500.
Once you know what the cost of your project will be, the designer will add the percentage on top of that. They might also set up a payment schedule for youusually a set of benchmarks that coincide with the progress of construction or remodeling. This is one of the easiest ways to pay your interior designer.
Here’s how to calculate interior design fees based on the type of markup.
Interior Design Fee Calculator
17% 45% |
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Cost Factors To Consider
Several factors play an important role when you begin to decorate an interior, for example, the size and number of rooms you have. You will also spend more if the professional uses high-quality supplies or a wider range of products, and hard-to-find materials will undoubtedly boost the price. Furthermore, the cost to decorate an interior is heavily influenced by your choice of a decorator.
Professionals have varying levels of skill, material costs and overhead expenses when it comes to calculating the cost to decorate an interior. We highly recommend that you compare as many quotes as possible to ensure you get the most competitive rate available.
Whats Included In A Design Consultation
We typically like to cover things like the way the space will layout, the best materials to really showcase the space, the addition of millwork and other architectural elements, furniture pieces, lighting, art and window coverings. This means that we are verbally discussing these elements in the room.
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Average Interior Designer Cost
On average, a typical interior designer will cost $2,000 to $5,000, excluding furniture. Fortunately, new alternatives like online interior design services can help you save $1,000s! Online interior designer service costs range from $75 to $1599 and the interior designer fees are typically flat. Starting a project online is a budget savvy way to connect with professional interior designers in a quick and easy way. The benefit of online interior design is that you can work on your own schedule and preview how everything will look before you buy it, but there are benefits to the traditional interior design fees too.
Contemporary design by designer, Roberto D.
Classy modern home design by Designer, Joao A.
Beyond picking out the right color for your wall or accent pillows for your sofa, the interior design price encompasses so much more! The role of professional interior designers is to do the following:
- Take and pass strict certification programs
- Design computer renderings of your space for better visualization
- Effectively manage contractors, electricians, painters and more
There are lots of benefits to hiring an interior designer, whether its in person or online. However, you should know the true costs upfront to help you decide if interior design is right for you.
Interior Designer Fee Structure

Your designer will likely charge you a deposit or interior design retainer fee at the start of your project, roughly equal to 10% of the cost. From there, your designer will likely have a fee schedule, where you pay the remaining amount in installments throughout the project. If you purchase furniture from them, you will likely need to pay 50% of these costs upfront. These costs may change as the project goes forward, but a transparent designer will work with you and show you changes in the fee schedule before receiving an unexpected bill. A typical breakdown of this fee schedule may look like this.
Fee |
---|
15% |
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Interior Designer Cost By Level Of Involvement
One of the most common ways to price an interior design project is by the level of involvement. Costs per hour vary significantly based on if you just need a consultation or prefer the full interior design service and the overall scope and size of the project. You may even fall somewhere in the middle and want a consultation and design plan without all the project management and additional support of a full service. Which one works best for you depends on the size and scope of the project, your own interest in design, and your overall expectations for the finished product. Below are the average costs per project for hiring a home interior designer according to how involved they are.
Level of involvement |
---|
$2,000 – $30,000 |
Whats The Size Of Your Space
Taking into account the square footage of the space needing interior design help will definitely affect the interior design price. Designers will spend more time creating options of layouts and sourcing pieces for a large homes living room rather than that of an apartment.
Library design by designer, Peti L.
Palm Springs chic bedroom designed by designer, Michelle B.
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Tips For Finding The Right Interior Designer For You
The most important thing to do before you hire an interior designer is to understand your scope and budget. Make a list of everything you want for your space and take time to prioritize your list of needs and wants. Try to narrow down your taste as well. Many styles can look good in a space, but they often dont look good together.
In general, the more time you spend narrowing things down beforehand, the less time a designer has to spend narrowing it down for you. Narrowing down your taste can also help you find designers that suit your style as well as your budget. Although most designers are capable of working within a variety of styles, youll find that everyone has their niche.
The most important part of hiring a designer is finding someone who matches your personality and communication style. You will likely spend a lot of time with this person. Make sure you feel comfortable around them and can communicate your desires and needs clearly.
Room Makeover: How To Budget For An Interior Decorator
Who said that only celebrities can hire an interior decorator? A room makeover is something anyone can benefit from. If you’ve ever considered hiring an interior decorator, you’re probably wondering whether it can fit within your budget. Maybe you’re skeptical about working with a designer, because you’ve watched Million Dollar Decorator one too many times. But it doesn’t have to be high drama, high cost and trade only furnishings. For many decorators, shopping from catalogs and home retail stores is not considered an impossible design challenge, but rather a normal occurrence. Working with a decorator is a great way to get a finished look to your home, once and for all. You can opt for a decorator to do it all, or have your designer work help you in smaller ways. I’ve detailed out the different ways you can work with a designer no matter what your budget.
So how does pricing work? An interior decorator will either charge a flat fee or an hourly rate for your project. On average a decorator will charge about $100-$200 per hour, with higher end decorators charging $200-$300 per hour. Luxe decorators can charge upwards $500 per hour. Negotiate those details upfront before you make a hiring decision, and ask for an estimate of the number of hours your project will take. Make sure to ask your decorator if they will charge a commission on items you purchase through them.
Let’s consider a simple but complete room makeover. Where does the time go?
Site Measure 1 to 2 hours
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How To Save Money On Interior Design And Decorating Services
Prices can quickly add up when youre working on your homes interior with a designer or decorator. If youre on a tight budget, use these tips:
Inquire about discounts. Some interior design businesses might offer a discounted rate if you ask. Many retailers give discounts to designers so they can get you better prices on furniture and other furnishings.
Ask about affordable furnishings and materials. Interior designers have the knowledge and experience to know when buying a low-cost table will look just as good as a high-cost one.
Ask designers to reuse or repurpose items you already own. This could save you money on buying new furniture, for example.
Stick to the design plan. Make a design plan with interior designers at the start of the project and stick to it. Avoid making too many changes. Delays cause more work for everyone which means your cost can increase, especially if youre paying an hourly rate.
Part of the designers job is to stay within your budget, so be honest and reasonable with them about what you can afford. Remember that you’re paying them for their time, so try not to waste it by changing your mind.
Interior Decorator Hourly Rate
Interior designers often bill on an hourly basis between $50 and $150 per hour. Make certain to understand exactly what is included in the service. A fixed cost may be charged if you are prepared to allow designers entire authority over the room layout and furniture. This rate may include the following items:
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Hiring A Home Decorator
Is an Interior Decorator Affordable?
Maybe its time to refresh that outdated decor. Or perhaps youre moving into a new home and craving a fresh look. If youre like most homeowners, you know your own taste but have trouble putting together a cohesive design plan.
Thats where an interior decorator is invaluable. A professional decorator can take your ideas and turn them into a beautiful, functional design. Theyll find colors and patterns that work together, furniture that fits the space, lighting to set the right mood, decorative and accent pieces for style – and so much more.
The cost of hiring an interior decorator varies tremendously based on the size and scope of the job, your budget, the designers rates and your location. The good news is, youre in charge of how much you spend. You can spend just a few hundred dollars for several hours of design advice, or you can spend tens of thousands for a designer to manage the process from start to finish and do all of the buying on your behalf.
Designers have different methods of charging for their services. The most popular include:
Most designers require a retainer to begin work. This is an upfront payment that typically covers the cost of the designers planning time. Most designers will also require you to sign a contract agreeing to the scope of work.
Should I Hire an Interior Decorator?
Hiring a decorator is probably not a good idea if:
Choosing an Interior Decorator
Average Interior Designer Rates

When estimating the cost of hiring a designer, its crucial to first grasp the type of service youll be receiving in exchange for your money. The duty of an interior designer is to work with you in order to create a place that is both functional and appealing to your sense of style. They will design furniture configurations that maximize flow and illumination while also taking your preferences, budget, and general design trends into consideration. This might take the form of written drawings, presentations, 3D renderings, and mood boards.
When working on a project, interior designers often wear many hats.
They can purchase furniture items on your behalf and organize orders, deliveries, and installation.
When working on a larger renovation project, interior designers may coordinate with contractors and fabricators. Understanding the services they provide and those they do not provide is critical in predicting prices.
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