It is one of the first questions people ask, and one of the hardest to answer in a single sentence. Interior design fees vary considerably depending on the scope of the project, the structure of the designer’s pricing, and the level of service involved. What follows is an honest breakdown of how pricing works in practice across London, Kent and Surrey, and what you should reasonably expect to receive at each level.
How do interior designers charge?
Most interior designers work to one of three pricing models, and many use a combination depending on the project type and the client relationship.
Hourly rates
For smaller scopes or advisory work, designers typically charge by the hour. In London and the South East, hourly rates sit between £75 and £250, with established studios and senior designers towards the upper end. This model suits clients who want specific guidance: a colour palette, a furniture arrangement, a second opinion on a decision. It is also how our interior consulting service is often structured for those at an earlier stage. Not full involvement throughout a project.
The main risk with hourly billing is uncertainty. A credible designer will give you an honest estimate of the hours involved before work begins, so you can budget accordingly. If they cannot or will not do this, treat it as a signal.
Fixed project fees
A fixed fee structure provides clarity from the outset. The designer scopes the work, agrees a single figure that covers the full design service, and you know what you are paying before anything begins. This is the most common model for substantial residential projects: full property redesigns, new builds, and significant renovation schemes.
For a full property design service in London and the South East, fixed fees typically range from £2,500 for a single room scheme to £40,000 or more for a complete home. The figure depends on the size of the property, the complexity of the brief, and the depth of service the studio provides.
Percentage of project budget
Some designers, particularly those working on larger or more complex schemes, charge a percentage of the overall project spend on furniture, materials and contractors. This is more common in commercial interiors but does appear in more substantial residential work. Fees of 10% to 20% of total project cost are typical.
This model aligns the designer’s fee with the scale and ambition of the outcome. It can work well for complex projects but requires transparency and a high degree of trust on both sides from the beginning.
What does the fee actually include?
This is where significant variation exists between studios, and where a lower headline fee can quickly become misleading.
At a minimum, you should expect concept development, space planning, material and finish specification, and a furniture schedule. A comprehensive service will also include contractor coordination, site visits, supplier management, quality checking and project oversight through to completion.
Some studios include purchasing as part of their service: sourcing and procuring all items on your behalf, managing lead times, deliveries and the inevitable snagging that comes at the end of any project. Others design and specify only, leaving procurement entirely to you. Neither approach is wrong, but they represent very different levels of involvement and should be reflected clearly in the fee structure.
At BD Interiors, our full design service covers everything from initial concept through to final styling. We manage the suppliers, the contractors and the schedule. Our clients do not chase orders or coordinate deliveries. That sits with us.
What factors affect the cost?
Several variables determine where any given project sits on the pricing scale.
The size and complexity of the property. A two bedroom flat and a six bedroom house require fundamentally different levels of work, even if both are described as a full redesign. Square footage matters, but so does the number of rooms, the variety of spaces and the relationships between them.
The extent of structural or architectural changes. Where the design involves altering layouts, repositioning walls or working alongside an architect and structural engineer, the designer’s involvement, and therefore the fee, will be proportionally greater. Good design at this stage pays back significantly in avoided mistakes.
The quality of finish and specification. Higher quality materials, joinery made to measure and handmade furniture all require more detailed specification and closer relationships with specialist suppliers. This is reflected in the time and expertise involved.
The level of project management required. Where multiple contractors are working across different trades and a tight programme, the management overhead is real and significant. This is a skilled element of a designer’s role, not an optional extra, and should be budgeted for properly.
What does interior design actually cost in London, Kent and Surrey?
To give a clearer picture, here is how fees typically break down by project type in this part of the country:
Single room redesign: £2,500 to £8,000 for a full design service including concept, specification and supplier management.
Apartment or flat (full): £8,000 to £20,000 depending on size, specification level and the extent of works involved.
Family home (full): £15,000 to £40,000 for a comprehensive service across all principal rooms, with project management through to completion.
Commercial projects: Typically structured as a percentage of overall fit out cost or as a fixed fee negotiated against a detailed scope. Fees vary significantly by project scale.
These figures reflect the London and South East market for studios operating at a professional level. Budget providers exist, but the quality of outcome and the depth of service are rarely comparable.
Is it worth the investment?
Yes, and the reasons are frequently underestimated.
A good designer saves money in the places that matter most. Specification mistakes, poor contractor choices, and furniture that simply does not work in the space are all considerably more expensive to correct after the fact than they were to avoid in the first place. Design fees, seen clearly, are as much a form of risk management as they are a creative service.
Beyond the practical, the right designer produces spaces that feel genuinely different. Not just well decorated, but considered in proportion, light, material and detail in a way that most rooms, without proper design input, never quite achieve. That quality endures. It affects how a space functions every day and how it is perceived and valued over time.
For clients building or renovating a property in London, Kent or Surrey, the return on a considered interior is measurable, both in daily quality of life and in the long term value of the asset itself.
Questions to ask before you appoint a designer
When speaking to any studio about fees, these are the questions worth raising before you sign anything:
What exactly is included in the fee and what sits outside it? Is purchasing and procurement part of the service? How are contractor relationships managed and who is responsible if something goes wrong? What happens if the scope changes during the project? How are any trade discounts on furniture and materials handled?
Clear, direct answers to these questions will tell you considerably more about a studio than any brochure or portfolio will.
Working with BD Interiors
We work with clients across London, Kent and Surrey on residential and commercial projects at all scales. Our fees are transparent, our process is structured and clearly explained, and we take full responsibility for the projects we lead.
If you are in the early stages of planning a project and want an honest conversation about what design involvement would look like and what it would cost, we are glad to speak with you. No pressure, no obligation. Just a straightforward conversation with people who understand the subject well.
Get in touch to arrange your initial consultation.
