If you’ve ever tried to find out how much an interior designer costs in the UK, you’ll know how difficult it is to get a straight answer. That’s not your imagination. It’s an industry issue.
Unlike many other professions, interior design has no fixed pricing structure. Fees vary depending on experience, project size, scope and how each designer chooses to charge. Some work hourly, others by percentage, and some by fixed fee.
At a BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) conference I attended with many other interior designers, in 2019, Houzz presented research on how interior designers charge their clients. The findings were both fascinating and, frankly, quite revealing.
Quick Summary
Interior designer costs vary widely by project scope, complexity and service level. To put things into perspective:
Industry snapshot (BIID/Houzz, 2019):
- Common charging methods: combination (51%), fixed fee (21%), hourly (18%).
- Hourly rates most often fall between £75–£150/hr (based o 2019 figures).
- Percentage-of-project fees commonly range 6–20%.
- Procurement/FF&E handling fees often 10–20% of trade price; many designers do not disclose exact trade costs.
Rodrigues Interiors’ charging method is by using a combination of fixed fee, hourly and percentage uplift, which would all be detailed on your fee proposal, however, to give some clarity, the total cost can fall within these ranges:
- The Cornerstone Workshop (pre-design stage): £950–£2,200
- Single Room Design (to specification): £3,000–£8,000
- Open-Plan Kitchen & Living Area: £8,000–£25,000
- Whole-Home Renovation: £25,000–£45,000+
- Optional add-ons at £110/hr (e.g., antique/artwork sourcing, styling, build liaison).
- Procurement fee: 10% of trade price with all trade discounts passed on to you.
These are true examples from Rodrigues Interiors, not hypothetical packages. Your exact design fee depends on the size of your property, the complexity of the brief, and how involved you’d like us to be during the build.
What the BIID Research Revealed
Staying with industry charging for a moment longer, at that BIID conference, Houzz surveyed UK interior designers about their pricing methods. Here’s what they found:
- 51% use a combination of charging methods
- 21% charge a fixed fee only
- 18% charge hourly only
- 53% charge between 6–10% of the total project cost
- 33% charge 16% or more of the total project cost
- 59% charge between £76–£150 per hour (as at 2019)
- Only a very small 10% list their fees on their website
- 68% said they don’t tell clients exactly what they paid for furnishings (FF&E)
Those numbers highlight the scale of the problem: too much ambiguity, too little openness. For an industry built on trust, that’s worrying. Clients deserve clarity about where their money goes, what’s included, and what portion covers design versus product markup.
How Most Interior Designers Charge
Across the UK, there are three main ways interior designers typically structure their fees:
1. Fixed Fee
A single agreed amount, often divided into stages (concept, design development, specification, installation). This provides predictability for both sides.
2. Hourly Rate
Commonly used for consultation, sourcing, or styling. According to BIID/Houzz data, 40% of designers charge up to £75/hour, and 59% charge between £76–£150/hour.
3. Percentage of Project Cost
A percentage of the total spend of the project, often 10–20%. This can suit larger renovations but may leave clients unsure whether higher spend benefits them or the designer.
Many designers also apply a handling or procurement fee on furnishings and finishes (FF&E).
- 44% charge 16% or more on trade prices
- 29% charge 11–15%
- 22% charge 6–10%
Perhaps most strikingly, 68% admitted they don’t disclose exact trade costs to clients.
Why Lack of Transparency Hurts Everyone
The BIID study revealed that many designers themselves struggle to price confidently because there’s so little shared market data. This lack of transparency feeds a cycle of confusion:
- Designers don’t publish fees because competitors don’t.
- Clients can’t compare like for like, so they’re hesitant to commit.
- Designers then assume clients are “price-shy”, and the cycle continues.
But clarity doesn’t cheapen a design service, it strengthens it. I firmly believe, when clients understand what they’re paying for, they value the process far more.
The Problem with Percentage Fees
Percentage-based design fees, popular in the US, can work well for large, fluid projects but can also create uncertainty. If the total project spend rises, the design fee automatically increases too, even if the design work itself hasn’t expanded.
That’s why more designers (we are already there) are moving toward fixed-fee and combination fee models. They’re fairer, easier to plan for, and more transparent from the start. This flexible structure means you can tailor the level of service and cost, to suit your needs, without sacrificing design integrity.
Average Interior Designer Cost in the UK
While every designer structures their fees differently, here’s what you can generally expect when working with Rodrigues Interiors:
| Project Type | Typical Design Fee | What That Usually Includes |
|---|---|---|
| The Cornerstone™ Workshop & Blueprint (our pre-design stage) | £950–£2,200 | Lifestyle & needs analysis, spatial layouts, concept direction, and a clear brief for your architect or builder |
| Single Room Design (Bedroom, Bathroom, Home Office, etc.) | £3,000–£8,000 | Space planning, concept design, finishes & lighting, fixtures & fittings, sourcing and specification |
| Open-Plan Kitchen / Living Zone | £8,000–£25,000 | Reconfigured layout, kitchen design, lighting plan, finishes, joinery detailing and furnishings |
| Whole-Home Renovation | £25,000–£45,000+ | Multi-room design including joinery, lighting, finishes, furnishings, and coordination with architect/builder |
| Ongoing Design Involvement During Build | Included or Retained – Hourly rate @ £110/hour | Site visits, design clarifications, supplier coordination and milestone reviews |
Note: These design fees exclude contractor costs, furnishings purchases (FF&E), professional fees, and installation.
The Rodrigues Interiors Approach
Transparency isn’t new to Rodrigues Interiors, it’s the foundation of how I run the business. In an industry that often avoids talking about money, I believe honesty is what builds trust. That’s why I publish genuine fee examples and case studies, so clients can see what a realistic investment looks like before we even meet.
- Design Services: charged on a fixed-fee basis, agreed in advance and broken down by stage.
- Additional Services: such as antique and artwork sourcing, styling, or liaison during construction, are charged at £110/hour as they’re harder to predict upfront.
- Procurement: a 10% fee on trade prices covers the time, admin and logistics of managing orders and deliveries. Clients still receive the full trade discounts.
And because my reputation depends on trust, I’m also open about referral arrangements: Occasionally, I may receive a small referral fee from a supplier or trade I recommend, again all detailed on your fee proposal, but only from people I know, trust and have worked with personally. These are hard-earned contacts built through years of collaboration and experience.
What Affects Interior Designer Costs?
Any design firm’s fees will be shaped by the same underlying factors. These influence how much time, resource and specialist input a project requires.
1. Scope of Work
The number of rooms and whether the project includes space planning only or full design with lighting, finishes, and furnishings.
2. Complexity
Bespoke joinery, heritage constraints, or architectural reconfigurations require more time and collaboration.
3. Level of Involvement
Design-only projects differ from those where we remain involved through the build to protect design intent.
4. Timescale
Fast-track projects compress design stages and require additional resources.
5. Decision-Making
A decisive process keeps things efficient and minimises revision rounds.
6. Property Type
Listed or period homes often demand specialist detailing and coordination.
7. Location
London and surrounding areas typically incur higher supplier and travel costs.
8. FF&E Budget and Ambition
Luxury or bespoke furnishing schemes naturally involve more sourcing and coordination.
9. Consultant and Contractor Setup
If you already have an architect and builder in place, our role may be more focused; if not, we can help connect you with the right professionals.
10. Design Practice Costs
Design studios with large teams or London postcodes naturally have higher operating costs, which are reflected in their fees. At Rodrigues Interiors, our overheads are deliberately lean. We run a focused, efficient practice, which means more of your investment goes directly into design time and detail and not layers of management or expensive premises.
What’s Included in an Interior Design Fee
Our full-service design investment covers:
- Concept and spatial design, including 3D visualisation
- Lighting intent and switching philosophy
- Kitchen and bathroom design when required
- Bespoke joinery design
- Finishes and materials palette
- Fixtures and fittings specification (FF&E)
- Furniture and window treatments plan
- Technical schedules for your contractor
- Coordination with your architect or builder
- Key site visits during construction (if retained)
Not included:
Contractor/build costs, professional fees (architect, engineer, planning), window treatment costs, procurement and cost of FF&E and installation (unless agreed), and redesigns or scope changes mid-project.
Why Budgeting for Design Matters
Now I am not going to tell you in this blog, all about how interior design is the best thing since sliced bread, even though it is! The very fact that you are even reading this, confirms the fact that you get it and already know that it can make a real difference to how you experience your home and therefore, how you live. However, to be clear- investing in design early prevents costly mistakes, unnecessary variations and last-minute compromises on site.
Based on BIID’s national averages and my own project data:
- 6–10% of your total project cost is a realistic design allowance for smaller or mid-range projects.
- 10–15%+ is typical for complex or bespoke renovations.
While design may feel like an additional expense, in reality, it saves money by reducing costly mistakes and ensuring every decision is thought through before construction.
A well-planned, design-led renovation is always more efficient – both financially and emotionally. So if you are not sure whether to take on the full interior design service, it is still highly recommended to invest in The Cornerstone™, so you can at least figure out what your vision even is on a deeper level. It also enables you to work with an interior designer on a less costly trial before committing to a full design. We get to know you and more importantly you get to meet and work with us, to see how that relationship works out. Great design only comes when there is synergy and trust, and then design can be magical!
Getting Your Exact Interior Design Quote
The most accurate way to define your design investment is through The Cornerstone™. This structured workshop and blueprint will:
- Define your vision, needs and lifestyle priorities
- Explore layout and spatial options
- Establish a clear brief for your architect or builder
- Provide the clarity needed to quote your design fee precisely
Investment: £950–£2,200 (depending on property size and complexity).
Once your Cornerstone Blueprint is complete, we provide a fixed design fee proposal, plus optional add-ons such as procurement if desired.
Final Thoughts
The interior design industry is full of creativity and talent, but it still struggles with transparency. Too often, clients are left second-guessing what they’re paying for, and that’s an issue the industry has created itself, by designers being reluctant to share information.
At Rodrigues Interiors, clarity isn’t an afterthought. It’s part of the process. Every project begins with honesty, structure and communication, because that’s how trust is built. Beautiful design shouldn’t come wrapped in confusion, it should come with clarity from the very start.
Ready to start your project?
Explore real case studies on our Pricing Page or learn more about The Cornerstone™ Pre-Design Service.