Optimizing your home’s exterior feels great, but it’s just the first step in creating the home of your dreams. A truly liveable and cozy space goes beyond a beautiful exterior, which is where interior designers come in—they can transform your house into a functional and stylish living space that reflects your personality. But if you’re a homeowner who is new to the process of hiring an interior designer, you’re probably wondering: How much does interior design cost?
Interior design costs can vary depending on what you choose to do, so before you start revamping your living space, do your research. Hiring an interior designer is a significant investment, especially because you may be paying an interior designer hourly rate on top of markups on the total project cost. Even so, it’s important to realize that the look of your living space can affect not just your budget but also your mood and mental well-being—meaning that, sometimes, it can be worth the cost! But what do interior designers do, and how much do interior designers charge? In this post, we’ll break it all down so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Average Interior Designer Rates
While interior designer hourly rates can vary greatly, getting a national average will give you a good starting point. Most interior designers charge by the hour, and rates typically fall between $100 and $200 per hour, with some experienced interior designers’ hourly rates going as high as $500 per hour. According to Forbes, this translates to an average interior designer fee of around $5,000 for a typical home, though design fees will ultimately depend on the size of your project and exclude the purchase cost of any furniture or materials.
What Do Interior Designers Do?
If you’re wondering, “What do interior designers do?” the answer is often . . . everything. Interior designers wear many hats throughout a project—they can act as creative visionaries, space planners, project managers, and even expert shoppers. Here’s a breakdown of their typical responsibilities:
- Highlighting your home’s potential: First and foremost, good professional interior designers will be creative and have ideas for maximizing the possibilities for your space. This ideating phase is the first step for any project!
- Space planning: Interior designers assess your needs and space limitations to create a functional layout that maximizes flow and comfort.
- Design development: They translate your style preferences into a cohesive plan while considering paint color schemes, wallpaper types, furniture selection, lighting, and decor elements.
- Sourcing and procurement: Designers also find furniture, fixtures, and finishes that fit your budget and design vision. This may involve negotiating with vendors or scouring for unique pieces.
- Project management: Designers manage the entire home design process from start to finish, including communicating between project contributors, scheduling deliveries, overseeing installations, and keeping you updated on how the project is going.
- Budget management: Designers can also help you stay within your budget by proposing cost-effective solutions and tracking project expenses.
By taking care of these details, interior designers give you freedom to focus on the exciting parts of creating your dream space while also letting you stay hands-off during the busier, more time-consuming parts of the project.
Interior Design Fee Breakdown
“How much does an interior designer cost?” is a question that can have many answers because it will depend on where you live, how big your project is, and how much experience your designer has. Here’s a closer look at the most common interior designer fee structures you’ll see in the current market.
Interior Designer Cost per Hour
This is the most common interior designer cost pricing structure. As mentioned earlier, interior designer hourly rates typically range from $100-200, with experienced designers often charging even higher fees. The total cost will depend on the scope of the project and the amount of time it takes to complete. Don’t forget to factor in some extra budget for unexpected costs that might come up if there are unforeseen issues.
Interior Designer Cost per Room
Sometimes, flat fees per room apply in certain pricing models. This can be a great way to do smaller projects around your home that focus on specific areas, because it offers more predictability in terms of interior design price. The interior decorator’s cost per room can vary depending on the room’s square footage, the design’s complexity, and the designer’s experience level. According to Homeguide, the average interior decorator cost per single room is $3,200, including furnishings.
Interior Designer Commissions and Fees
Some designers charge a commission on furniture and finishes they purchase for your project. This markup typically falls between 10% and 30%, and it applies to furnishings, contractor management, and the cost of materials. Sometimes, this extra interior design cost can go as high as 45%, depending on the designer’s demand and experience level. As an alternative to this, some decorators also charge a fee for procurement on top of their base interior designer hourly rates.
Interior Designer Percentages of Project Cost
A less common approach to assessing interior designer fees is markups based on a percentage of the overall project cost. This includes the cost of construction/contractors, furniture purchases, and materials purchases. Interior designer percentages of project cost typically fall between 10% to 20%.
As you can see, it’s essential that you discuss fee structures upfront with any interior designer you’re looking to hire, because you need to understand all aspects of their pricing models before making the decision to move forward with your project.
Additional Factors that Affect Interior Design Costs
As we’ve briefly mentioned above, several factors beyond the fee structure can influence the total cost of your interior design project. Below, you’ll find more information on these key considerations.
Project Scope
The first thing to know when you’re looking to hire an interior designer is that the complexity and size of your project will significantly impact the cost. A full-home remodel will naturally cost more than, say, a refresh of a single living room. The main aspects of a job that will affect your interior designer’s workload are the number of rooms involved, the level of customization desired, and any need for structural changes.
Designer’s Experience
As with any professional service, experience comes at a premium. Designers who are highly sought after and who have extensive portfolios will likely charge more per hour than someone just starting out. Even so, their experience can often translate to more efficient project execution and a higher-quality outcome. When weighing the benefits of hiring a designer with many years of experience, ask yourself what your priorities are, how much you’re willing to spend, and whether a premium cost will actually make a difference for your wellness and peace of mind once the project is complete.
Location
How much does an interior designer cost in your location? Depending on where you live, the answer can vary greatly! Designers in major global cities like New York City, Los Angeles, or San Francisco typically charge much higher hourly fees than those in smaller towns. This reflects both these places’ higher average cost of living and their more competitive design markets.
Revisions
Ideally, you won’t need revisions after a designer finishes their job, but if you make choices based on what a designer presents to you and they don’t end up the way you envisioned, you may need to pay for revisions. To mitigate this, be absolutely sure you love what you’re seeing before you sign off on any final designs.
Additional services
Some designers offer additional services beyond the core design work. These services can include space planning consultations, 3D renderings, or project management for construction. On top of their services, some designers might even charge you a retainer fee—typically around 30% of the overall project estimate—to reserve their time so they can get started on the work. Service and management fee add-ons typically incur additional costs, so be sure to factor them into your budget when deciding how to move forward with your vision!
Material Selection
The quality and type of materials used in your project will significantly impact the overall cost, so be ready! High-end furniture, custom finishes, and luxurious fabrics will naturally cost more than budget-friendly alternatives. While a skilled designer can help you find creative solutions to achieve your desired look within your budget, always keep in mind the reality of what you’re asking for. Is it truly important for you to stand out with “custom everything,” or can you get away with a creative combination of everyday materials and boilerplate choices?
Furniture and Decor
It’s important to remember that designer charges typically don’t include the cost of furniture, fixtures, and decorative elements. These costs can vary greatly depending on your taste, your budget, and how customized you want to be. As mentioned above, some designers charge a markup percentage of whatever your overall project costs are, so when you choose more expensive furniture and decor, it can add quite a bit more to the designer fees. By understanding these factors and discussing your project details with potential designers, you can increase the accuracy of your total cost estimate!
How to Find the Right Interior Designer
Finding the right interior designer is crucial for a successful and enjoyable design experience. When you’re wondering, “How much do interior designers charge?” follow these tips to guide you in your search for the most cost-effective fit:
- Define your needs and budget: Before reaching out to designers, take some time to define your project’s scope, your design preferences, and—most importantly—your budget. This will help you find designers who both specialize in your desired design style and can work within your financial constraints. Whether you’re trying to figure out the cost of a full-home remodel or simply a possible interior decorator cost per room, always start by knowing the maximum amount you’re willing to pay.
- Research and compare: Look for designers through online directories, design blogs, or friend and family referrals. Once you find a few designers who look promising, explore their portfolios to see if their aesthetic aligns with your vision.
- Schedule consultations: Once you’ve shortlisted a few potential designers, schedule initial interior design consultations. While this process can come with consultation fees, it’s a great opportunity to discuss your project in detail, get a sense of the designer’s personality and design approach, and understand their fee structure. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and clarify any doubts you might have.
- Check references and reviews: Read online reviews, and ask for references from past clients. This can give you valuable insights into the designer’s work ethic, communication style, and ability to deliver projects on time and within budget. The last thing you want is to hire someone whose working style doesn’t reflect the way they market their services.
- Consider online interior design services: For smaller projects or those with a well-defined vision, consider online interior design services like Decorilla, Havenly, or roomLift. These platforms offer a more affordable, semi-DIY alternative to traditional design firms, often with flat-rate packages and access to a network of qualified designers.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding a compatible interior design that can bring your dream space to life.
Leave it to Taskers
When you’re wondering, “How much does interior design cost?” realize that getting help with creating a beautiful and functional home doesn’t have to be an overwhelming process. Taskrabbit offers a convenient and affordable way to connect you with skilled interior designer Taskers who can handle everything from space planning and furniture selection to project management and installation. Hire a Tasker today!
