How Much Does an Interior Designer Actually Cost?

When it comes to interior design, it’s VERY common to get overwhelmed. Even the savviest of design enthusiasts can crack under pressure, which is why hiring an interior designer might be the best thing you’ll ever do. When you weigh the benefits against the stress and potentially costly mistakes of doing it all yourself, you might decide it’s worth it. But how do you know if you can afford it? 🤑

Before you hire an interior designer, it’s essential to understand the costs involved, so we’ve broken down everything you need to know:

 

How Much Are We Talking?

The best answer we can give you here is, well, it depends. The costs of hiring an interior designer will vary significantly based on where you live and the scope of your design needs. While it’s wise to shop around, it’s important to remember that you get what you pay for and experience MATTERS. 

Designers usually charge one of two ways: a flat rate or an hourly rate, and how high that number goes will largely depend upon their experience. A junior designer commonly charges $100/hour, while the most experienced designers can go as high as $500/hour. Typical rates are $150-$200 per hour unless you live in LA, NYC, or a large metropolitan area where you’ll undoubtedly pay more.

If they charge a flat rate, the size of your home and the number of rooms involved in the project will determine the final cost. Single rooms usually start at $2,000 but can go as high as five figures, and an entire home’s design will begin at $10,000 and only goes up from there. Ultimately, the flat rate is determined based on the number of hours your designer estimates the project will take. 

Keep in mind that price shouldn’t be the only determining factor in your search for a designer. You want to find a perfect fit for you personally- one who matches not only your design style but your communication style, too. 

 

What’s Included with an Interior Designer?

Consultations, complete room designs, finishing touches – a designer can offer it all. There’s quite the spectrum, actually. For example, if you want to consult by the hour, even on just one piece of furniture, you can! Let’s say you can’t decide on a sofa, side chair, or even a rug- an interior designer can help be your tiebreaker. 

On the other end of the spectrum, you can have a designer create a whole new look and feel for an entire space. In this instance, a designer would consult with you to understand what you like and what you don’t, as well as the mood or feeling you want for the space. They will then come up with options and ideas based on the info you provided. Keep in mind that it will take longer if you’ve got a larger or unusually shaped space. 

A designer is also a FANTASTIC resource for selecting finishes, whether flooring, cabinetry, or countertops and backsplashes. 

 

Will My Designer Buy My Furniture?

It’s your choice! You can ask your designer to present several options for each piece of furniture you need and then purchase them on your own, or you could have your designer pick and purchase them for you.

Buying on your own gives you freedom and flexibility as well as power over your final decisions. 

When the designer purchases for you, they usually get discounts that you don’t – perk alert! Don’t hesitate to set a budget and give them the reins! It saves you time and energy and presents the option for custom furniture commissioning. 

While it’s true that costs can quickly add up when using an interior designer, it’s worth noting that you are far less likely to make costly mistakes and regret your design decisions.

No matter the size of your project, here’s our advice: “Do it right, or do it twice!” ✔️

We have a few other juicy little resources that will help get you to your design destination; check them out:

Look(book) Before You Leap: How to Use Pinterest to Get EXACTLY the Design You Want

How to Hire a General Contractor

How to Start a Project, The Project Management Guide, and the Example Punch List– all in The Library!

Oh! And if you’re looking for some LEGIT designer-approved decor and furnishings, you should pop on into The Store!