How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost?

Let's be honest: you're here because you want to know if you can actually afford to hire an interior decorator.

The short answer? Interior decorators charge anywhere from $2,000 to $12,000 per room. But that's just for their services. Add in furniture and materials, and you're looking at a much bigger number.

Before you close this tab and give up on professional design help, let me break down exactly what you're paying for, where costs vary, and how to get designer-quality results even if that price tag makes you want to cry.

What You'll Actually Pay (Real 2025 Numbers)

Here's what interior decorators are charging right now:

Important thing nobody tells you: These prices are just for the decorator's time. Furniture, paint, materials, installation? That's all extra. And it usually costs 2-3 times more than the decorator's fee.

Why the Price Range Is So Big

The reason costs vary so much isn't random. Here's what actually affects what you'll pay:

Where You Live Makes a Huge Difference

A decorator in New York City charges different rates than one in Phoenix. Here's the breakdown by city:

Experience Level Changes Everything

A decorator fresh out of design school charges $75-$150 per hour. Someone with 10+ years and a great portfolio? $200-$300 per hour. Celebrity designers or people featured in magazines? $300-$500+ per hour.

You're not just paying for their time. You're paying for years of knowing what works, what doesn't, and how to avoid the mistakes you'd make on your own.

How Much You Want Done

Just need someone to tell you what paint color to use? That's a consultation ($150-$500).

Want a full design plan you can implement yourself? That's $2,000-$5,000.

Want them to handle everything from start to finish? That's $5,000-$12,000 per room.

The Three Ways Decorators Charge You

Decorators don't all charge the same way. Understanding this helps you avoid surprises.

Hourly Rate

You pay for every hour they work. Rates run $75-$500 per hour depending on their experience and your location.

Good for: Quick consultations, small projects, when you're not sure exactly what you need

Bad for: Budgeting (you won't know the final cost until it's done)

Flat Fee

One set price for the whole project. Usually $2,000-$12,000 per room.

Good for: Knowing exactly what you'll spend upfront

Bad for: Flexibility (changes mid-project cost extra)

Cost-Plus

They buy furniture at wholesale prices and mark it up 15-40%. You pay their cost plus their markup.

Good for: Getting access to trade-only furniture showrooms

Bad for: Knowing if you're getting a fair deal (you're trusting them to be honest about their wholesale cost)

What Actually Costs What: Room by Room

Living Room

Decorator fees: $3,000-$8,000
Furniture and materials: $5,000-$20,000
Total: $8,000-$28,000

Bedroom

Decorator fees: $2,000-$5,000
Furniture and materials: $3,000-$10,000
Total: $5,000-$15,000

Kitchen or Bathroom

Decorator fees: $4,000-$10,000
Furniture and materials: $8,000-$30,000+
Total: $12,000-$40,000+

Kitchens and bathrooms cost more because there's more stuff to coordinate: cabinets, countertops, fixtures, appliances, tile work.

How to Actually Budget for This

Use the 20/80 rule: put 20% of your total budget toward the decorator, 80% toward furniture and materials.

So if you have $10,000 total, plan on $2,000 for the decorator and $8,000 for everything else.

Here's what most people forget to budget for:

• Delivery fees: That $3,000 couch? Add $200-$500 for delivery
• Installation: Mounting that TV, hanging those curtains, assembling furniture adds up
• Extra revisions: Most decorators include 2-3 rounds of changes. More than that? You're paying extra
• Rush fees: Need it done in 3 weeks instead of 8? That's a 20-30% upcharge
• Unexpected stuff: Furniture gets discontinued, fabric colors are off, mistakes happen. Budget 10-15% cushion

Ways to Save Money (That Actually Work)

1. Just Get a Consultation

Pay $150-$500 for a consultation where they give you a plan, then you do the rest yourself. You get professional advice without paying for implementation.

2. Try E-Design First

Some decorators offer online-only services for $300-$1,500. You send photos and measurements, they send back a design plan. No in-person visits means lower costs.

3. Show Them What You Already Have

Good decorators can work with furniture you already own. This cuts your furnishing budget by 30-50%.

4. Be Flexible on Timeline

If you can wait for sales, your decorator can save you 20-40% on furniture. Rush projects cost more.

5. Handle the Easy Stuff Yourself

Painting, assembling furniture, hanging art? You can do that. Let the decorator handle the design and sourcing, then DIY the installation to save 15-25%.

6. Try AI Design Tools First

Before spending $5,000+ on a decorator, try Decoratly for $4.99-$16.99. Upload a photo of your room, see it redesigned in 30 seconds. If you love the results, you can implement it yourself. If not, you're only out $5-$17 instead of thousands.

The Cheaper Alternative Nobody Talks About

Look, decorators are great if you have the budget and want someone to handle everything. But if $5,000-$12,000 per room isn't in your budget, you have options.

Decoratly uses AI to redesign your room in 30 seconds. Here's how it works:

1. Take a photo of your room with your phone
2. Choose from 50+ professional design styles (or describe what you want)
3. Get instant designs with photorealistic visualizations
4. Chat with AI to refine until it's perfect
5. Download 4K images to use as your shopping guide

The cost? $4.99 for 24 hours, $8.99 for a week, or $16.99 for a month. That's unlimited room designs for less than a single decorator consultation.

Real example: Jennifer from California was quoted $5,500 for her living room. She tried Decoratly for $16.99, got 5 different professional design options, picked one, and implemented it herself. Total savings: $5,483.

Another example: Rachel from Seattle was about to buy a $3,000 sectional. She used Decoratly to see it in her room first. It looked terrible. She tried 8 different furniture arrangements before finding one that worked. The app saved her from an expensive mistake.

Traditional Decorator vs AI Design: The Honest Comparison

The smart move? Try Decoratly first for $4.99-$16.99. If you can implement the design yourself, you just saved thousands. If you realize you need hands-on help, hire a decorator just for implementation (which costs 50-70% less than full-service).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do decorators charge for the first meeting?

Most charge $150-$500 for the initial consultation. Some offer free consultations if you commit to hiring them, but established decorators usually charge.

Can I negotiate the price?

Yes, especially for multi-room projects or if you're flexible on timeline. Many decorators will discount 10-20% for full-house projects or upfront payment.

What if I don't like what they design?

Most contracts include 2-3 rounds of revisions. After that, you're paying extra for changes ($100-$300 per revision). If you're still unhappy, check your contract for the cancellation terms.

Do I have to buy furniture through my decorator?

No. Some decorators require it (that's how they make money with cost-plus pricing), but many will give you a shopping list and let you buy things yourself.

How much should I budget for furniture on top of decorator fees?

Plan on 3-4 times the decorator's fee. So if they're charging $3,000, budget $9,000-$12,000 for furniture and materials.

Is hiring a decorator worth it?

Depends on your budget and comfort with DIY. Worth it if you have $10,000+ to spend and want hands-off help. Not worth it if you're working with under $5,000 or enjoy figuring things out yourself.

What's the difference between an interior decorator and interior designer?

Interior designers have formal training and can handle structural work (knocking down walls, building codes, etc). They charge more. Interior decorators focus on the aesthetic stuff—furniture, colors, decor—without touching structure. They charge less.

How long does it take?

Single room: 4-8 weeks from consultation to done. Whole house: 3-6 months. Most of the time is waiting for custom furniture (8-12 weeks lead time).

Can I just hire someone for advice and do the rest myself?

Yes. That's called a consultation package. You pay $150-$500, get professional advice and a basic plan, then implement it yourself.

Will a decorator save me money in the long run?

Sometimes. They can prevent expensive mistakes (like buying furniture that doesn't fit) and get trade discounts on furniture. On average, they save you $500-$2,000 in avoided mistakes, which partially offsets their fees.

The Bottom Line

Interior decorators cost $2,000-$12,000 per room. Add furniture and you're looking at $5,000-$28,000 per room depending on what you're doing.

That's a lot of money. And it's fine to say you don't have it.

Your options:

• Full-service decorator: $5,000-$12,000 if you want them to handle everything
• Design-only service: $2,000-$5,000 if you're willing to DIY the implementation
• Consultation only: $150-$500 if you just need professional direction
• AI design tool: $4.99-$16.99 if you want to see professional designs and implement yourself

Not sure where to start? Try Decoratly's free trial (2 room designs, no credit card). See professional designs in 30 seconds. If you love them, implement them yourself. If you realize you need more help, hire a decorator for implementation only and save 50-70%.

Try Decoratly Free - See Your Room Transformed →

Last updated: October 3, 2025