Hiring an interior designer can elevate the style of your home or commercial space. But how much does it cost to bring in a professional designer? Interior design fees can vary greatly depending on the designer’s experience level, project scope and geographic location. Here’s an overview of typical price ranges:
Hourly Rates
Many interior designers charge between $50-$250 per hour. Those rates apply to consultations regarding color choices, furniture layouts, lighting plans and other small-scale services. Expect to pay $75-$150 per hour for emerging designers, $100-$175 for midlevel designers, and $150-$250 for top, experienced designers. Projects requiring 10 hours or less of work often fall in this hourly range.
Fixed Project Rates
For more involved projects like a whole home refresh or single room remodel, many interior designers charge fixed project rates rather than hourly. Typical fixed fees range from $2,000-$10,000 for one room, $5,000-$30,000 for a whole house, and $25,000-$250,000+ for larger commercial spaces. The exact rate depends on the project size, designer level, required furnishings, and geographic location.
Percentage of Project Cost
Some interior designers charge a percentage of the total project cost, ranging from 15-40% on residential projects and 40-80% on commercial projects. This model benefits large-scale remodels. For example, a designer charging 35% of a $100,000 kitchen remodel would earn $35,000. These percentage fees account for the designer’s time spent on initial consultations, material selections, vendor management, installation supervision and more from start to finish.
Of note, many designers offer discounted rates on furnishings and décor to clients, so the percentage they earn gets applied to a lower project total. This discount benefit is an advantage of hiring an established designer like Marshall Erb Design versus furnishing the project yourself.
Retailer Commissions
Interior designers who work on commission through home furnishing stores typically earn a percentage ranging from 25-50% of the total purchases made. This gives designers an incentive to upsell. Be cautious of inflated markups with commission-based designers. Flat fees or hourly rates often better serve the clients’ best interests.
When evaluating cost, be sure to look at the full value the designer provides through their expertise, relationships and stress reduction. A seasoned interior designer has the skills to finish projects on time and on budget, avoid costly mistakes, and lastly create a space that truly suits your lifestyle and personality. While their services come at a price, they often pay for themselves through their experience and efficiency.
