When you’re thinking about transforming your home, one of the first questions that most people ask is, “How much should I budget for interior design fees?”
It’s a great question – and yet there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. We’re here to help guide you through some of the key areas you should be considering that will help to assess budgeting requirements.
In this blog, we’ll cover some of the core aspects of budgeting for a home renovation project, share some insight into typical costs, and answer six common questions to help you feel prepared and informed.
Whether you’re planning a small room update or a full home redesign, these tips will give you a clearer idea of what to expect, so you can make confident choices and get the most out of your budget.
1. What is a good interior design budget?
A ‘good’ budget is one that fits your vision, the room, and provides the quality and practicality you’re looking for. But there’s a lot more that actually goes into determining this.
The truth is that interior design is a lot more complex than most people understand, and determining a ‘good interior design’ budget is also more difficult than people expect.
Interior design is often confused with other roles such as an interior stylist, interior decorator, or even a soft furnishings supplier. While we do assist with these elements, they’re delivered as part of a bigger scope of work which includes spatial design, product and labour sourcing, and renovation project management.
Every project is unique and a ‘good’ budget will be determined by the specifics of your vision, particularly in the following three areas:
- Professional interior design services: Consider the depth of design required. Do you require purely consultative advice, help in developing a design concept, or are you looking to find someone who will deliver a full service design service?
- Product costs: Think about what you’ll need to invest in to bring the project to life. You’ll need to think about everything from building materials for construction projects, to flooring, paint, and electrical sockets, to the finishing touches like art and soft furnishings.
- Labour fees: What skills and trades will be needed to execute the project? This can include building contractors, joiners, painters, electricians, and plumbers. Your budget will need to accommodate all of the people required to carry out work throughout the process.
Ultimately, a ‘good’ budget will be guided by your requirements. If you’re unsure about whether your budget matches your requirements, the best thing to do is to speak to an interior designer who will be able to advise whether the vision and budgets align, and if not, will be able to help you bring them closer together.
We also usually recommend adding a bit extra (around 10-15%) as a buffer in case any surprises pop up along the way. That way, you’re prepared, and there’s less chance of stress later.
2. What’s the minimum budget for hiring an interior designer?
The minimum budget for hiring an interior designer will depend on the level of service you need. Ideas and styling will require less budget than space planning, which will require less budget than bespoke joinery, for example.
If you’re in the early stage of planning your renovation, it’s worth speaking with a designer to help come up with a design concept that will guide the process. This can help you explore ideas without going too deep on costs.
Space planning and developing look and feel mood board for example would typically require around £500 + VAT per zone in your budget.
Once you have the design concept created, you’ll be able to assess the project as a whole including timeliness, materials, and labour. This will give you a precise idea of the full budget required to bring your vision into reality.
For a more involved, full-service approach from the beginning, a good baseline would be £1,000 + VAT per zone as this will help cover the essentials, from planning through to product sourcing.
Every interior design company offers varying levels of service, so it’s important to speak directly to those you are considering working with to understand exactly how they operate and the fees they’ll incur.
3. How much should I expect to pay for an interior designer in the UK?
Rates do vary, but here’s what you can generally expect:
- Consultation services: For those just looking for advice, hourly rates are usually £50 – £150 per hour. This can vary on factors such as location. For example, London-based interior designers will typically charge a higher hourly rate than interior designers in Cheshire.
- Entry-level design: If you’re just looking for someone to help with planning your space and developing your design concept, you’ll usually be able to find an interior designer to assist with this for around £500 + VAT. This covers you with the basics of planning your project before moving into product sourcing.
- Full design packages: These typically start around £1,000 + VAT for smaller rooms, and can go higher if they involve bespoke elements (such as joinery) or project management services.
4. How do I calculate my interior design budget?
It helps to start with the basics: What’s the scope of the project, and which rooms do you want to focus on? Here are some things to think about:
- Room size and purpose: Bigger spaces, or areas that need extra attention like kitchens, generally need a higher budget.
- Quality and style: If you’re after high-end finishes or custom-made pieces, be prepared to allocate a bit more.
- Level of customisation: Full-service interior design offers that personal, tailored approach but requires a bigger budget. If you’re more budget-conscious, a concept-only service can still give you plenty of inspiration.
Breaking down the costs – from furniture to trades – will give you a clearer picture. Your designer will also be able to offer a detailed estimate based on what you’re after.
5. How many hours does it take to design a room?
The physical time it takes to design a room will vary depending on your vision and the complexity of a project.
When speaking to an interior designer, they will usually quote you based on the lead time as opposed to the physical time taken to design a room. This is because there are a number of factors that need to be taken into consideration.
For example, a design that includes bespoke elements such as joinery will need a longer design process as this will require the involvement and coordination of third-parties. Whereas a room that is looking for more of a simple aesthetic refresh will be easier and less intensive to plan and execute.
For a small project we would recommend allowing a lead time of 1 – 3 months for the design process to be completed. This ensures your chosen interior designer has enough time to fit this into their schedule, while also ensuring that the designs totally align with your visions.
Larger projects that might include building works, such as extensions, require a longer lead time. We’d recommend starting the design process at least 4 – 6 months (though ideally 12 months) before any building work takes place.
Usually the design elements will be phased in line with any building works to ensure stock is available at the right points in the process.
6. What are the responsibilities of an interior designer?
An interior designer’s role goes way beyond choosing paint and furniture. A designer typically handles:
- Initial consultation: Talking through your vision, budget, and timeline.
- Design planning: Creating mood boards, floor plans, and selecting materials.
- Project management: Coordinating with tradespeople, managing the timeline, and keeping track of budgets throughout the project.
- Budget management: Making sure your project doesn’t go over budget from start to finish and that the results reflect your investment.
- Final styling: Making sure every detail ties together for the perfect finish.
Having a designer involved means you don’t have to worry about the details. We’re here to help things go smoothly and to keep the project on track from start to finish.
Let’s talk about your project
Working with an interior designer is an investment that can truly transform your space into something functional, stylish, and authentically yours.
If you’re ready to explore your options or just want to get a better sense of budgeting for your specific project, we’d love to chat.
At Natalie Holden Interiors, our team of interior design experts are here to answer your questions, understand your vision, and offer transparent guidance to help you create a space that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Our flexible service options mean you can get as much or as little support as you require throughout the process.
Whether you’re looking for consultative advice to help guide you as you take on your project, or would prefer to have someone take care of all of the finer details (so you don’t have to lift a finger), our flexible service packages are personalised to meet your needs.
Get in touch to book a consultation – we’re looking forward to discussing how we can bring your ideas to life.