How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost?

Interior designers cost more than decorators. A lot more.

Where a decorator might charge $2,000-$5,000 per room, interior designers charge $5,000-$15,000 per room. Sometimes way more.

Why the difference? Interior designers have formal education, professional certifications, and can handle things decorators legally can't touch—like knocking down walls, space planning, building codes, and electrical work.

This guide breaks down what interior designers actually charge in 2025, what you're paying for, and whether you need a designer or if a decorator (or AI tool) would work fine.

What Interior Designers Actually Cost (2025 Numbers)

Here's what you're looking at:

Reality check: These are just designer fees. Furniture, construction, materials, and permits cost 5-10 times more than the designer's fee.

Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator: What's the Actual Difference?

People use these terms interchangeably, but they're not the same thing.

Interior Designers:

• Have formal education (usually 4-year degree)
• Pass licensing exams (NCIDQ certification)
• Can create architectural plans and submit to building departments
• Handle structural changes, space planning, building codes
• Work with architects and engineers
• Charge $100-$500 per hour

Interior Decorators:

• No formal education required
• No licensing needed
• Focus only on aesthetics—furniture, colors, accessories
• Cannot touch structural elements or submit building plans
• Charge $75-$300 per hour

Which do you need? If you're moving walls, changing electrical, or doing major renovations, you need a designer. If you just want help picking furniture and colors, a decorator works fine and costs less.

How Interior Designers Charge (Four Different Ways)

1. Hourly Rates

Range: $100 - $500 per hour

What counts as billable hours:

• Site visits and measurements
• Client meetings (including phone and email)
• Drawing plans and creating renderings
• Shopping for materials and furniture
• Contractor coordination
• Travel time to showrooms

The problem: Hours add up fast. A "simple" kitchen redesign can easily hit 40-60 billable hours. At $200/hour, that's $8,000-$12,000 before you buy a single thing.

2. Flat Fee by Room or Square Footage

Range: $5 - $15 per square foot (minimum 500-1000 sq ft)

A 200 sq ft bedroom at $8/sq ft = $1,600. But most designers have minimums, so small rooms still cost $2,500-$5,000.

Good for: Budget certainty. You know the cost upfront.

Bad for: Flexibility. Changes mid-project cost extra.

3. Percentage of Total Project Cost

Range: 10% - 30% of total construction and furnishing costs

If your kitchen renovation costs $50,000, the designer takes $5,000-$15,000 on top.

The catch: Higher project costs mean higher designer fees. This can create incentive misalignment where expensive solutions earn them more.

4. Cost-Plus Pricing

Structure: Designer buys everything at wholesale, marks it up 10%-45%

They might buy a $2,000 sofa at wholesale for $1,200, then charge you $2,000 and pocket the $800 difference. Or they charge you $1,200 + 30% markup = $1,560.

Transparency varies: Some designers show you receipts, others don't. Always ask.

What Designers Charge by Location (2025)

Where you live dramatically affects pricing:

What Actually Costs What (Room by Room Breakdown)

Living Room Redesign

Designer fees: $5,000 - $12,000
Furniture and materials: $8,000 - $25,000
Total: $13,000 - $37,000

Kitchen Renovation

Designer fees: $8,000 - $15,000
Construction and materials: $30,000 - $80,000
Total: $38,000 - $95,000

Master Bedroom Suite

Designer fees: $6,000 - $10,000
Furniture and materials: $7,000 - $20,000
Total: $13,000 - $30,000

Bathroom Renovation

Designer fees: $5,000 - $12,000
Construction and materials: $15,000 - $40,000
Total: $20,000 - $52,000

Notice a pattern? The designer fee is usually 20-30% of the total project cost. That's your planning number.

What You're Actually Paying For

Interior designers don't just pick pretty furniture. Here's what your money buys:

Technical Expertise

• Space planning that meets building codes
• Architectural drawings for permit approval
• Understanding of structural requirements
• Electrical and plumbing coordination
• Material specifications that meet code

Project Management

• Contractor hiring and coordination
• Budget tracking and cost management
• Timeline scheduling
• Problem-solving when things go wrong
• Quality control during construction

Design Services

• 3D renderings and visualizations
• Custom furniture design
• Color palettes and material boards
• Furniture sourcing and procurement
• Styling and final touches

Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About

The quoted designer fee is just the start. Here's what adds up:

• Revision fees: Most contracts include 2-3 rounds of changes. After that? $150-$400 per revision.
• 3D renderings: Often charged separately at $300-$800 per rendering
• Travel expenses: If your designer travels to showrooms or sites, you're paying mileage or hourly rate for drive time
• Rush fees: Need it faster than normal timeline? Add 25-40% premium
• Permit fees: Billed separately, usually $500-$2,000 depending on scope
• Project management fees: Some designers charge an additional 10-20% for construction oversight

Designer vs Decorator vs AI: The Honest Comparison

Do You Actually Need an Interior Designer?

You need a designer if you're:

• Moving or removing walls
• Changing electrical or plumbing
• Adding built-ins that require permits
• Doing commercial work (required in most states)
• Working with architects on new construction

You probably don't need a designer if you're:

• Just picking furniture and colors
• Refreshing a room without structural work
• Working with a small budget (under $10,000 total)
• Comfortable with DIY implementation

In those cases, a decorator costs less and can do what you need. Or try Decoratly for instant visualization at $4.99-$16.99.

How to Choose the Right Interior Designer

Check Their Credentials

Look for:

• NCIDQ certification: National exam for interior designers
• State licensing: Required in 28 states for calling yourself an "interior designer"
• ASID or IIDA membership: Professional organizations with ethics standards
• Degree in interior design: Not just a design certificate

Review Their Portfolio

Look for projects similar to yours. If they only show luxury homes but you have a $50,000 budget, that's a mismatch.

Questions to Ask During Consultation

• How do you charge? (Get specific numbers)
• What's included in your fee vs what costs extra?
• How many revisions are included?
• What's your typical timeline for projects like mine?
• Will you show me receipts for purchases? (For cost-plus pricing)
• Who handles contractor coordination?
• What happens if we go over budget?
• Do you have insurance and what does it cover?

Red Flags to Watch For

• Won't provide detailed written proposals
• Requires 100% payment upfront
• No contract or vague contract terms
• Can't provide references from recent clients
• Pressures you to decide immediately
• Won't show you itemized costs

Ways to Save Money on Interior Designer Costs

1. Get Design Plans Only, DIY Implementation

Pay $5,000-$10,000 for plans and specifications, then hire contractors and buy furniture yourself. Saves 40-60% vs full-service.

2. Use a Designer for Complex Parts Only

Hire a designer for structural work and permitting, then handle decorating yourself. Gets you what you legally need without paying for the whole project.

3. Provide Your Own Contractor

If you have a trusted contractor, the designer just provides plans. This eliminates project management fees.

4. Buy Furniture Yourself

Get the designer's specifications, then source items yourself to avoid markup. Some designers won't work this way, but others will.

5. Limit Revisions

Make decisions quickly and stick with them. Every revision round costs money.

6. Phase the Project

Do one room this year, another next year. Spreads costs and lets you see results before committing to more.

The Cheaper Alternative for Non-Structural Projects

If you're not doing major renovations or structural work, you might not need a $10,000 designer at all.

Decoratly uses AI to show you professional design options in 30 seconds:

1. Upload a photo of your room
2. Choose from 50+ professional styles
3. See photorealistic designs instantly
4. Chat with AI to refine until perfect
5. Download 4K images as implementation guides

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 designer consultation.

When Decoratly works:

• Aesthetic updates without structural work
• Furniture and color selection
• Testing ideas before hiring professionals
• DIY projects with limited budgets

When you need a real designer:

• Moving walls or structural changes
• Major electrical or plumbing work
• Anything requiring building permits
• Commercial spaces (legally required)

Smart approach: Use Decoratly ($4.99-$16.99) to nail down your style and vision, then hire a designer only if you need structural work. This cuts designer fees by 50-70% since they're not spending time on aesthetic exploration.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does an interior designer charge per hour?

Interior designers charge $100-$500 per hour in 2025. Entry-level designers in small markets charge $100-$150/hr. Mid-level designers in cities charge $150-$300/hr. Senior designers and those in major metros charge $250-$500/hr.

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

Interior designers have formal education and licensing, can handle structural work and permits, and charge more ($100-$500/hr). Interior decorators focus only on aesthetics, don't need licensing, and charge less ($75-$300/hr).

Is hiring an interior designer worth it?

Worth it for major renovations involving structural changes, where their expertise prevents costly mistakes and handles permitting. Not worth it for simple aesthetic updates where a decorator or AI tool works fine for 90% less money.

Do interior designers charge for consultations?

Most charge $200-$750 for initial consultations. Some offer free consultations but only if you're a serious candidate for hiring (typically projects $50,000+).

Can I negotiate interior designer fees?

Yes. Many designers discount 10-15% for large projects, multiple rooms, or flexible timelines. Always ask about package pricing for whole-house projects.

What's included in an interior designer's fee?

Typically includes: design concept, space planning, architectural drawings, material specifications, and 2-3 revision rounds. Usually does NOT include: furniture, construction, permits, 3D renderings (charged separately), or project management (sometimes extra 10-20%).

How long does an interior design project take?

Design phase: 4-8 weeks. Construction: 8-16 weeks. Total: 3-6 months for single room, 6-12 months for whole house. Add time for custom furniture (12-20 weeks lead time).

Do I own the design plans after paying the designer?

Depends on your contract. Some designers retain copyright and you're paying for one-time use only. Others transfer all rights. Clarify this in writing before signing.

What if I don't like the designer's plans?

Most contracts include 2-3 revision rounds. After that, you're paying $150-$400 per additional revision. If you're still unhappy, check your contract's termination clause—you may forfeit deposits.

Can I use my own contractor with an interior designer?

Yes, but the designer needs to approve them or have an existing relationship. Some designers won't work with contractors they haven't vetted due to liability concerns.

Do interior designers get discounts on furniture?

Yes, usually 20-40% off retail at trade-only showrooms. In cost-plus pricing, you might see these savings passed on (minus their markup). In other pricing models, they pocket the discount.

Should I hire an architect or interior designer?

Architects handle structural engineering and building envelope (foundation, roof, exterior walls). Interior designers handle interior space planning and finishes. For major renovations, you often need both working together.

What certifications should my interior designer have?

NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification) is the gold standard. Also look for ASID (American Society of Interior Designers) or IIDA (International Interior Design Association) membership.

Can interior designers do architectural work?

Only if they're also licensed architects. Interior designers can submit plans for interior renovations in many states, but anything affecting building structure requires an architect's stamp.

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

Plan on 4-6 times the designer's fee. If the designer charges $8,000, budget $32,000-$48,000 for furniture and materials. Construction costs are separate and often 3-5 times the designer's fee.

The Bottom Line

Interior designers cost $5,000-$15,000 per room. You need them if you're doing structural work, moving walls, or need building permits.

You don't need them if you're just refreshing a room with new furniture and colors. In that case, a decorator ($2,000-$5,000) or AI tool ($4.99-$16.99) works fine.

Your options ranked by cost:

1. AI design tool ($4.99-$16.99): Instant visualization, perfect for DIY aesthetic updates
2. Interior decorator ($2,000-$5,000): Professional aesthetic guidance without structural work
3. Interior designer - design only ($5,000-$10,000): Get plans, implement yourself
4. Interior designer - full service ($8,000-$15,000): Complete project management and implementation

Not sure which you need? Start with Decoratly's free trial (2 room designs, no credit card). If the AI designs work for your project, implement them yourself and save thousands. If you realize you need structural work, hire a designer with a clear vision already in place.

Try Decoratly Free - See Your Room Transformed in 30 Seconds →

Related Articles:

• How Much Does an Interior Decorator Cost? (Lower cost alternative)
• 50+ Interior Design Styles Explained
• Room Layout Ideas That Actually Work

Last updated: January 10, 2025