How much does it cost to hire an interior designer?

This is a question that comes up over and over again and it’s often met with crickets. Why is this question so hard to answer? Because it depends on the scope. And often, there is not enough scope given in the context of the question. 

“Hiring an interior designer can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars for a small consultation to tens of thousands for a large-scale project, with average projects costing around $5,000 to $15,000. Fees are typically based on an hourly rate ($100-$200 is common), a flat fee, or a commission on materials, and the final price depends on the scope, complexity, and size of your project.” - Thank you Google. 

If you’re looking to furnish a room, you probably have a sense of what a sofa costs and what retailers are in line with your budget. These days, if you can afford to furnish a room, you can probably afford an interior designer. No longer is it a case of, "If you have to ask, you probably can’t afford it". 

These days there are a range of design services for all budgets. Many retailers offer “complementary” interior design services for their product lines. While I’d argue that what they’re doing is product sales rather than design, it can be a great option for starting out and getting ideas. There are also e-design sites like Havenly and Decorilla where if you’re hands on, you can get a click-to-order design plan.

There are also sites like The Expert, which I’ve heard good experiences about. These are typically 1 on 1 calls (ranging from to per hour) with top talent designers where you can discuss questions and concerns and get recommendations in real time.

And then there are traditional interior design services (like us here at Catherine Malcolm Interiors), where a designer will come to your house, take measurements, put together a floor plan based upon your specific needs and the context of the rest of your home, get your approval on the design, provide pricing for the implementation and get items into production, cut, bound, sewn, upholstered, shipped and installed. Whew! 

Each designer’s business model is different - there are variations in overhead expenses they need to cover, revenue goals, levels of experience, number of projects they already have going on, etc. So, I guess my take away would be, it doesn’t hurt to ask! You may be surprised - one way or the other. But I’m hoping pleasantly.

A heartfelt note from a happy client. She and her husband knew what they wanted aesthetically, but valued help with the process.

Maybe the question you’re really asking is: Is it going to cost more to hire a designer? The answer is maybe. But also, maybe not. If you are clear about your budget up front, a good designer will be able to tell you what they can realistically achieve for you with that amount and work within it. Will you get better quality items that you would otherwise? Probably. Will you get something more specialized, unique and functional? Probably. Will it be worth the investment in your time and money? I’d say yes. (Obviously). A designer can use their time more efficiently than you can to design a space. Having done this more times before, they also likely have a more effective process and know the order of operations when creating a room. They have the knowledge of the various furniture and finish options, styles and price points. And if nothing else, access to better resources - both product and trades. Your aesthetic and input as the client is integral. And the end design is just as much a result of the client as it as of the designer, which I don't think is said enough.

At the end of the day, the level of investment you decide for your home is up to you. There is a level of trust and unknown in the process of designing a home. Interior design is first and foremost a service business, not a product sales business. And a good designer will work with you through the process to address your issues and concerns. The goal is for you to love it in the end and save you some trouble

along the way.

If you’ve used e-design, complimentary design or an interior designer before, I’d love to know about your experience in the comments! What went well, what didn’t, etc.?

Full Disclosure: I used an e-design service for the exterior of my house and I must admit, I was underwhelmed. It was too prescriptive and difficult to implement. Plus, many details of the design were not addressed and there was no mechanism to loop back and address them.