How much does it cost to hire an Interior Designer?

How Much Does Hiring an Interior Designer Cost in the UK?

Interior design is often seen as a luxury service, but we'd like to challenge that perception and explain where the real value lies.

Yes, hiring a designer is an investment. However, what many people don't factor in is the time, stress and costly mistakes that a designer can help you avoid.

By involving an interior designer from the very beginning of your project, even alongside your architect, every decision can be carefully considered, coordinated and resolved before it gets to site and becomes an expensive problem. Good design isn't just about creating beautiful spaces - it’s about making your project run more efficiently.

Interior Designer vs Interior Decorator - What's the Difference?

This is probably one of the biggest misconceptions.

An interior decorator focuses primarily on the aesthetic elements of a home, such as colours, furniture, fabrics and accessories.

An interior designer, however, takes a much broader and more technical approach.

At FAWN Interiors, we design the interior architecture, functionality and decoration of a property. We work closely with architects, structural engineers and contractors to ensure that every design decision is both beautiful and practical.

Services you may not know we include:

• Space planning and room layouts

• Internal wall and partition modifications

• Staircase design and overall spatial flow

• Bespoke joinery design

• Kitchen and bathroom design

• Lighting design

• Material and finish selection

• Coordination of mechanical, electrical & plumbing requirements within interior spaces

• Furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) specification

For clients looking for a complete service, we also offer a full turnkey interior design package, managing the project from concept through to completion. This includes coordinating contractors, procuring furniture and finishes, overseeing installations and styling the property ready for handover.

So, How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost?

Every project is different, and there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. Most interior designers offer several pricing structures depending on the size and complexity of the project.

Hourly Rates

Typically £100 - £400 per hour

Hourly rates are commonly used for consultations, design reviews, revisions, site visits or when clients require specialist advice on a particular aspect of their project.

This approach works particularly well when you're looking for professional guidance rather than a full design service.

Fixed Fee Per Room

Typically £500 - £4,000+ per room

A fixed fee provides clarity from the outset, with a clearly defined scope of work, deliverables, budget and programme.

Depending on your requirements, this could include:

• Concept design

• Layout planning

• Colour schemes

• Material specifications

• Bespoke joinery design

• Lighting design

• Furniture selection

• Procurement support

Fixed-fee packages are particularly well suited to smaller and medium-sized projects where the scope can be clearly defined from the beginning.

Percentage of Project Value

For full residential interior design services, fees typically range from 10–15% of the project value, depending on the scope of services provided. Design-only packages may be lower, while fully managed turnkey projects can be higher.

Percentage-based fees are widely used throughout the industry, particularly for larger renovation and new-build projects.

While this pricing structure can initially sound daunting, it allows the designer's involvement to grow alongside the complexity of the project. As budgets increase, so does the level of coordination, detailing and project management required.

It's also worth remembering that many interior designers have access to exclusive trade discounts from trusted suppliers. On percentage-based projects, these savings are often passed directly to clients, helping to offset a significant proportion of the design fees.

Is Hiring an Interior Designer Worth It?

A well-designed home isn't simply about aesthetics.

It's about creating spaces that function better, feel better and ultimately add long-term value to your property.

A designer can help you:

• Avoid expensive mistakes.

• Make confident decisions.

• Coordinate multiple contractors and suppliers.

• Maximise your investment.

• Save countless hours of research and project management.

• Deliver a cohesive home that reflects how you genuinely want to live.

For many clients, the biggest benefit isn't just the finished result - it’s having someone guide the entire process, reducing stress and ensuring every detail has been considered.

Final Thoughts

Every project is unique, so it's impossible to give an exact cost without understanding your requirements. However, we hope this guide has provided a clearer picture of how interior designers typically charge and the value they can bring to a project.

Most designers, ourselves included, are always happy to have an initial conversation to discuss your project, understand your goals and recommend the most appropriate level of service. Please do call us on 0117 205 0203 to discuss yours.