Interior design fees vary by project scope, location, and the studio’s experience, typically structured around distinct project phases rather than a single flat rate. Most studios charge based on the complexity of Discovery, Concept, Design & Specification, Commission, and Reveal stages, with fees tied to the scale of work, number of spaces, and the level of specification detail required. Understanding this breakdown helps you budget accurately and know what each phase delivers.
Why interior design fees aren’t quoted as a single price
Interior design is not a commodity service with a fixed cost per square metre. Each project’s complexity, location, and ambition shape the fee structure. A dental practice in Beaulieu, a hair salon in Fruittii, and a London apartment demand different levels of specification, coordination, and bespoke detailing. A studio quotes fees by breaking work into distinct phases—Discovery, Concept, Design & Specification, Commission, and Reveal—because the scope and deliverables change at each stage.
The profession distinguishes between a designer’s time (which is finite and billable) and the cost of materials or construction (which the client procures separately, often with the studio’s guidance). This separation matters: a studio fee covers strategy, drawings, sourcing advice, and site management; it does not include the price of furniture, lighting, flooring, or labour to install them. Understanding this boundary prevents confusion when comparing quotes.
What happens in each project phase, and where fees are earned
Discovery is the initial listening phase. The studio meets the client, documents the existing space, understands the brief, and establishes constraints (timeline, budget for goods, building regulations, user needs). This phase typically produces a report or presentation that answers the fundamental question: what problem are we solving? A commercial fit-out like Keystones Estate Agent or Tone at Canary Wharf begins here with site surveys and stakeholder interviews. Residential projects—the London Embankment Apartment or Witham Project—start with the same rigour: understanding how the inhabitants actually live, what storage they need, how natural light moves through rooms.
Concept follows: the studio proposes a spatial strategy, material palette, and design direction. This is where ideas are tested and refined before detailed drawings begin. Concept, Design & Specification is the longest phase. Here, every finish, fixture, and furnishing is specified in writing and drawing: the exact paint colour, the sofa fabric and frame construction, the door hardware, the lighting schedule. This specification document becomes the instruction manual for procurement and installation. Commission involves ordering goods, checking samples, liaising with makers and suppliers, and trouble-shooting delays or quality issues. Reveal is the final installation and handover—the moment the design moves from paper into the built space.
How project scope and complexity drive the fee
Two residential projects of the same square footage can have very different fees because complexity varies. The Witham Project and the London Embankment Apartment may differ in the number of spaces needing design, the level of custom joinery, the client’s budget for goods, and the number of revisions during Concept, Design & Specification. A project requiring built-in storage, custom lighting, and bespoke finishes demands more drawing work and specification detail than one where the client furnishes from stock items. Commercial projects add layers: Beaulieu Dental Practice needed to meet clinical regulations and material durability standards; Fruittii Hair Salon required specialist lighting and robust, easily cleaned surfaces. These constraints increase specification depth and therefore the studio’s workload.
Location also matters. London-based projects (the Embankment Apartment, Tone at Canary Wharf) often involve more site visits, liaison with managing agents or architects, and complex existing conditions. Rural or regional projects (Witham) may have longer lead times for deliveries and fewer local suppliers, which affects the Commission phase. Studios price accordingly, reflecting the real time and travel each project demands.
Fixed fees versus hourly rates: which structure applies
Most interior design studios use one of two fee models. A fixed or project fee covers the full scope from Discovery through Reveal: the client knows the total cost upfront, and the studio absorbs any inefficiency. This works well for well-defined briefs where scope creep is unlikely—a commercial refresh or a single residential room. A phased or stage fee breaks cost into milestones: the client pays a portion for Discovery, another for Concept, another for Concept, Design & Specification, and so on. This suits larger or less certain projects, because both parties can pause, evaluate, and adjust the brief before committing to expensive Specification and Commission work.
Some studios blend the two: a fixed fee for Discovery and Concept (so the client can decide whether to proceed with full Concept, Design & Specification), then a separate fee for the detailed phases. The choice depends on the brief clarity and the client’s comfort with scope definition. During your initial conversation, a studio will recommend the structure that best protects both parties.
What you should ask about in a fee conversation
When discussing fees with a studio, clarify what each phase includes and produces. Does the Concept phase deliver floor plans and material samples, or sketches only? Does Concept, Design & Specification produce full drawing sets and a written specification, or a mood board? What happens if you want to revise the scheme after Concept—is that included, or charged separately? Are site visits and meetings with contractors included, or billed hourly? Does the fee cover sourcing and sample approval, or is that additional? These questions are not hostile; competent studios expect them and answer clearly.
Ask also about the deliverables at Reveal. Will the studio oversee installation, check quality, manage punch-list items, and see the project through to completion? Or does the fee end when goods are delivered? Understanding this boundary matters for your final budget and your confidence that the design will be installed correctly. Projects like Fruittii Hair Salon and Beaulieu Dental Practice depended on careful Commission and Reveal management—the studio’s presence during installation ensured the intent was realised.
Why a lower fee often signals a different service
Interior design fees exist on a spectrum. A budget-conscious quote may reflect a studio using standard selections, minimal custom detailing, or reduced site involvement. A higher fee usually means more bespoke work, more revisions accommodated, closer liaison with makers and contractors, and deeper specification tailored to the client’s exact needs. Neither is inherently right; the choice depends on your ambition and budget. A commercial fit-out for a brand-conscious client—like Tone at Canary Wharf—will command a different fee than a residential refresh because the stakes, the coordination, and the finish standards differ.
The clearest way to evaluate a fee is to compare deliverables, not just numbers. Does the quote include drawings, specifications, sourcing, sample approval, and site management through to Reveal? Or is it limited to concept drawings and a buying list? A studio’s fee structure should transparently describe what you receive at each stage so you can make an informed choice aligned with your actual needs and budget.