Interior design costs depend on the scope of work, the complexity of the space, and the depth of involvement you need from the studio. Rather than a fixed percentage or hourly rate, costs reflect the time and expertise required across Discovery, Concept, Design & Specification, Commission, and Reveal — the five distinct stages that shape how a space is planned, specified, and realised. Understanding what happens in each stage helps you make an informed decision about the investment required for your project.
How does the studio structure its process, and why does that affect cost?
The studio works through five defined stages: Discovery, Concept, Design & Specification, Commission, and Reveal. Each stage involves different kinds of work — research and planning in Discovery; creative direction in Concept; detailed drawings and material selection in Concept, Design & Specification; liaison with makers and contractors during Commission; and the final installation and reveal. The scope of your project determines how much time and resource each stage requires. A commercial fit-out like Beaulieu Dental Practice or Fruittii Hair Salon involves deeper Commission work (coordinating bespoke installations, managing timelines with multiple trades); a residential refresh like the Witham Project might emphasise Concept, Design & Specification and material sourcing. Skipping or abbreviating a stage doesn’t reduce overall cost meaningfully — it usually creates problems later.
The cost structure reflects the real labour, expertise, and accountability built into each stage. Discovery requires careful site measurement, photography, and stakeholder conversation. Concept development means exploring multiple directions, not just one. Concept, Design & Specification demands technical drawings, material samples, specification writing, and coordination with manufacturers. Commission involves managing orders, checking quality, problem-solving on site. Reveal includes overseeing installation and sign-off. A studio that charges less by rushing these stages is not cheaper — it’s deferring cost and risk to the client.
What factors change the cost of a design project?
The main variables are the size of the space, the complexity of what you’re building, the quality and customisation of materials and finishes, and the level of coordination required. A small commercial space like a salon requires different resource than a large mixed-use project like Tone at Canary Wharf. A residential apartment in London with tight planning constraints (London Embankment Apartment) may involve more back-and-forth than a straightforward residential refresh. Projects that need bespoke joinery, custom finishes, or coordination across multiple contractors cost more in Concept, Design & Specification and Commission time. Projects with off-the-shelf finishes and straightforward specification are lower in overall scope. Neither is wrong; they reflect different ambitions and constraints.
The studio’s involvement depth also affects cost. A full service from Discovery through Reveal — including concept direction, detailed specification, and site management — is more expensive than concept-only or specification-only work. Some clients need strategic thinking and creative direction; others have a clear vision and need help translating it into drawings and procurement. Be clear about what you actually need. A residential project like the Witham Project might need full involvement; a commercial brief like Keystones Estate Agent might require deep specification but less conceptual exploration. The studio can adjust the scope to fit your actual needs.
How do residential and commercial projects differ in cost structure?
Residential projects (London Embankment Apartment, Witham Project) and commercial spaces (Beaulieu Dental Practice, Fruittii Hair Salon, Keystones Estate Agent, Tone at Canary Wharf) have different cost drivers. Residential work is usually smaller in floor area but often involves more intense personal decision-making, longer timelines, and deeper involvement in lifestyle choices. Commercial spaces need to function for multiple users, meet compliance standards, and often involve faster timelines. A dental practice must meet infection control and patient experience standards; a hair salon must work for both clients and staff; an estate agent office must project credibility and brand. These functional demands shape cost. Commercial projects also involve more coordination with contractors, consultants, and regulatory requirements during Commission.
Residential costs tend to centre on material quality, finish precision, and the coherence of the whole home — one wrong colour or texture affects everywhere you live. Commercial costs spread across more complex systems: lighting for function and mood, acoustic control, wear resistance, and durability. A residential project might spend heavily on a statement joinery piece or high-end upholstery; a commercial project distributes budget across resilience, compliance, and repeatability. Both require competent specification and site management, but the nature of the risk — and therefore the cost — differs.
What is included in a full design service, and what isn’t?
A full design service across all five stages — Discovery, Concept, Design & Specification, Commission, and Reveal — includes site analysis, concept development, technical drawings, material and finish specification, coordination with makers and suppliers, site management, and installation supervision. It does not include the cost of materials, finishes, joinery, or contractor labour. Those are separate budgets. The studio’s fees pay for the thinking, the drawings, the decisions, and the coordination that make those costs work efficiently and result in a coherent space. A poorly specified project can waste material budget; a well-specified one makes every pound count.
Some clients engage the studio for Concept, Design & Specification only, then manage Commission and Reveal themselves or with a contractor. Others want full involvement because they lack the time, knowledge, or appetite for managing suppliers and site work. Some projects begin with Discovery and Concept only, then pause before committing to Concept, Design & Specification and buildout. The studio can adjust the scope to the stages you actually need. Be explicit about what you’re asking for. A vague brief (“make it nice”) costs more to explore; a clear one (“we need a welcoming dental waiting room that feels calm and professional”) focuses the work.
How should you think about design cost as an investment?
Interior design is permanent. Unlike marketing or consulting, a well-designed space shapes how you live or work every day for years. A residential interior that works — that flows well, feels right, and lasts — is worth more than a cheaper one that feels uncomfortable or falls apart. A commercial interior that projects the right message, functions smoothly, and doesn’t need redesign in eighteen months is an asset. The studio’s work is to make that permanence possible: rigorous Discovery so the design solves the real problem; careful Concept, Design & Specification so the execution is precise; hands-on Commission and Reveal so the quality is as planned. Skimping on these stages to save fees usually means problems emerge during use.
Cost is not the only factor. A cheaper quote from someone less experienced is not a saving if it results in a space that doesn’t work or requires rework. Compare proposals by what’s included (which stages?), what the studio commits to (how much site involvement?), and what the track record shows (are their finished spaces solving real problems?). The studio’s projects — Beaulieu Dental Practice, Fruittii Hair Salon, Keystones Estate Agent, the London Embankment Apartment, Tone at Canary Wharf, and the Witham Project — exist as proof that this process produces lasting, functional interiors. That evidence is part of what you’re paying for.
What questions should you ask before committing to a design project?
Before you agree to work with the studio, you need clarity on scope, process, and decision-making authority. What stages do you want the studio involved in? How much input do you have on creative direction, and how many revision rounds are included in the scope? What happens if the project timeline slips, or if you want to change direction mid-way through Concept, Design & Specification? Who signs off on final decisions — you alone, or a stakeholder group? For commercial projects, does the brief require client approval from multiple people, and will that delay Commission? For residential projects, do you have budget flexibility if a material you love costs more than planned? These conversations prevent costly misunderstandings later.
You should also understand what happens after Reveal. Does the studio visit site after installation to fix snags? For how long are you in contact if something doesn’t work as planned? A full service should include some post-Reveal support; an incomplete brief might leave you solving problems alone. Ask for a conversation with the studio about your specific needs, so you both understand what you’re agreeing to and can give you an honest picture of the investment required.