How much does an interior designer cost?

There’s no doubt that by using the expertise of a qualified interior designer for design and specification during a new build or renovation will save you on time, stress and help you avoid those budget blunders. Not to mention, we know how to create spaces that function exceptionally well and aesthetically stand out. But this design expertise doesn’t come for free and if you’re on the hunt for an interior designer, you’re probably aware by now there’s no standard price list. In this article, I’ll give you some clarity on what an interior designer can help you with and how we charge for these services.

With a plethora of reality television shows focused on renovating and flipping houses, the idea of what the interior design process involves, how long the process takes and how much it costs has been rather misunderstood. Let’s start by clarifying, whilst we know how to fluff a few cushions or style a vignette of candles and coffee table books, it’s far from what our day to day tasks include and isn’t where the value lies in using an interior designer.

What is an Interior Designer and what do we do?

A qualified interior designer will have at least a Diploma or Degree in Interior Design and Decoration. This education has provided them with an understanding of construction and materials, building codes and an understanding of and ability to draw technical drawings for design purposes.

We have been trained to work and follow a defined and detailed process. This process begins with a detailed project brief. We consider the site location, aspect, architectural style, and most importantly how the space needs to flow, function and feel for those that live or use the space. Our design solutions are conceptually driven which results in a cohesive, well considered outcome that reflects the design brief.

A qualified interior designer addresses spatial planning and layout challenges and can design bespoke joinery for your spaces such as your kitchen, bathroom or study.

A qualified interior designer addresses spatial planning and layout challenges and can design bespoke joinery for your spaces such as your kitchen, bathroom or study. We also select finishes, fixtures and fittings, connecting aesthetic and function back to the brief and creative concept. We can do this for a new home or we can work with you on an existing home to enhance the form and function of the space.

We’re skilled in various software to help you visualise your new space through 2D and 3D renderings and our technical drawings provide all the detail your builder or tradesperson needs to build and bring your design to life.

We’re skilled in various design software to help clients visualise their new space through 2D and 3D renderings and our technical drawings provide all the detail your builder or tradesperson needs to bring your design to life.

While some interior designers will project manage the construction or execution phase of the project, keeping trades, budgets and schedules in line, I do not offer this service and prefer to work with your project manager/builder and provide onsite design advice when required.

When it comes to the decoration phase, many interior designers also offer decoration as a service. Interior decorators confidently work with colour, pattern and texture and consider both form and function in the pieces they recommend for a space. An interior decorator can help you with interior and exterior colour selection, furniture, art and object, soft furnishing such as rugs, window furnishings and custom upholstery.

An interior decorator can help you with colour selection, furniture, art and object, soft furnishing such as rugs, window furnishings and custom upholstery.

We do all the leg work with industry wholesalers, gather material samples for colour clarity, ensure the specifications work with the layout and collate quotations and manage delivery and installation if needed.

At the end of the decorating phase you may decide you need the assistance of an interior stylist. Interior stylists work across many industry sectors from media, real estate, retail as well as private residential clients. An interior stylist’s services can cross over into the decorator’s offering but they are particularly skilled in pulling all the finishing touches together, from your bedside to your bookshelf.

As you can see, the services of an interior designer, interior decorator and interior stylist do vary. Some interior designers offer decorating and styling services, others may offer project management over the construction, others find their niche and stick to it. I prefer to focus on interior design and decoration services. I tend to leave the styling to those more skilled in the art.

How do interior designers charge?

Interior designers will generally allocate fees that correspond to the phases within the design process. After we’ve had an introductory phone chat and decided we’re a nice fit and want to move forward, we schedule an onsite, face to face meeting. The first phase is the ‘Design Consultation/Client Brief’. Most interior designers, including myself, charge a fixed or hourly rate for this meeting.

In order to provide an accurate quotation for design services, it’s crucial to get a full understanding of the project and the scope of design work involved. That is, what exactly do you need me to do? My rate for the Initial Consultation/Client Briefing is $450. This fee covers my time to meet with you onsite (usually 2 hours), take a detailed brief of your requirements and clarify the scope. It’s a time for me to show you what deliverables you can expect from the design process and I may use this time to measure up the space, take photos and answer any questions you may have. With this understanding, I can work out how long I think each task is going to take me and then I can prepare a fixed fee proposal. That way, you know exactly how much my design services will be before the project even begins.

My fee for the Design Consultation/Client Briefing is $450.

My hourly rate is $150 per hour.

Some interior designers charge an hourly rate that may be capped and reassessed at intervals, others provide a fixed fee for a project There are parts of the design and decorating process, such as procurement of furniture, that may be more suited to a percentage fee. Some designers may use a combination of fixed fee, % of procurement spend and an hourly rate for any extras.

Hourly rates can differ greatly within the industry, starting from $80, up to $250+ p.hr and this variance tends to to be based on qualification, skills and experience. It’s important to remember, when you hire an interior designer you’re paying for their design expertise and skill, as well as their time.

It’s important to remember, when you hire an interior designer you’re paying for their design expertise and skill, as well as their time.

If you’d like get a better understanding of how I can help you with your project, let’s have a chat. That’s free!