What You Really Pay for Interior Design in 2025
If you’re thinking about hiring an interior designer this year, the first thing on your mind is probably cost. Let’s clear the air: In 2025, interior design services can range from a few hundred dollars for a consult to tens of thousands of dollars for a luxury full-home project.
Your total cost depends on project size, location, and how your designer charges (hourly, per room, flat fee, etc.). This guide breaks down what’s standard, what’s premium, and what you can expect to pay based on your needs so you can plan with confidence and avoid surprises.
National Averages (The Big Picture)
On average, U.S. homeowners in 2025 are spending about $8,526 for interior design services. Most fall within a typical range of $2,056 to $15,215.
Smaller projects like one-room updates typically cost less (e.g., $450–$1,500 for design-only services), while larger projects like full-home designs can exceed $30,000.
Designers in urban areas often charge more than those in suburban or rural markets.
Ultimately, whether you’re doing a minimal refresh or a dramatic overhaul, understanding the national average helps you gauge where your budget fits.
Hourly Rates (From Budget to Luxury)
Many designers still charge by the hour in 2025, with rates typically ranging from $50 to $200. Top-tier professionals can command as much as $450 per hour, especially in high-demand markets.
Hourly pricing works well for one-time consultations or flexible, short-term projects. But if your project involves a lot of back-and-forth, sourcing, or contractor coordination, the bill can grow fast.
Always request an estimate of total hours upfront and confirm what’s included, like travel time or admin fees.
Pricing by Square Foot (Ideal for Large Projects)
Charging by square footage is a smart approach for large homes or new construction.
In 2025, rates fall between $5 and $17 per square foot, depending on location, designer experience, and complexity. For a 1,500-square-foot space, you could spend anywhere from $7,500 to $25,500.
This method provides an easy way to ballpark your total investment early in the process. Just remember, the final cost can shift depending on how customized or involved the design plan becomes.
Per Room Rates Offer Straightforward Budgeting
Per-room pricing is a transparent, predictable model that many clients love. For design-only services in 2025, you’ll likely pay between $450 and $1,500 per room.
If you’re opting for full service, meaning furniture, decor, layout, and installation, then the range widens to $1,000 to $12,000 per room.
Costs climb with room size and detail, especially for kitchens, primary bedrooms, or open-concept living spaces. Still, this model gives you control over how much you’re spending—one room at a time.
Flat Fee Packages (Know the Price Upfront)
Flat fees are great for clients who want cost certainty from the start. Designers typically offer these packages for full-home designs, renovations, or clearly defined projects.
In 2025, flat fees range from $2,000 to over $30,000 depending on how many rooms, the timeline, and what’s included.
This approach minimizes the back-and-forth about billing hours or extra calls. Just make sure your contract outlines exactly what’s included and what could cost extra, like revisions or additional site visits.
Paying a Percentage of the Total Budget
Some interior designers charge a percentage, usually 10% to 30% of your total project budget. This pricing model is common on luxury builds or high-end remodels where the design work is integrated from the ground up.
If you’re spending $60,000 on a living room redesign, your designer’s fee could range from $6,000 to $18,000. The upside? Their fee scales with your project size.
The downside? You’ll want to keep tabs on spending to avoid ballooning costs as the vision grows.
Affordable Expert Advice
Not every design project requires a full-scale overhaul. Many designers offer consultation-only services, which are perfect for homeowners who need guidance on color palettes, layouts, or where to shop.
In 2025, design consultations cost between $50 and $450 per hour. It’s a smart way to get expert input without committing to a full redesign.
Just make sure to bring measurements, photos, and specific questions to your consult so you get the most value out of that hour or two.
What’s Included in a Full-Service Package?
Full-service interior design typically includes everything from initial concepts to furniture ordering to final styling.
You’re paying not just for a designer’s eye but for their vendor relationships, sourcing savvy, and project management skills.
In 2025, expect full-service packages to range from $5,000 to $30,000+, depending on the size and scope.
These packages often include access to trade-only pieces, custom upholstery, and curated layouts. It’s a high-touch experience, ideal if you want a magazine-worthy result without lifting a finger.
Designer Markups on Furnishings & Decor
Here’s something many clients overlook: interior designers often mark up furniture and decor they purchase on your behalf.
In 2025, markups can range from 17% to 45% depending on the designer and vendor relationships. This markup covers their time sourcing, coordinating deliveries, and sometimes even warehousing items.
It’s common industry practice and usually spelled out in your agreement. Still, it’s worth asking about in advance, especially if you plan to buy many of your own pieces.
Primary Bedroom
Designing a luxurious primary bedroom in 2025? You could be looking at a price tag around $40,000 for a full-service setup, including furniture, lighting, textiles, and that plush custom headboard.
A big chunk of that comes from the 30% average markup on items purchased through your designer.
If you’re going DIY on furniture, you can cut costs dramatically, but if you want full-service styling, budget accordingly. It’s your retreat space, after all.
Designing a Secondary Bedroom
Secondary bedrooms generally cost less to design, usually around $20,000 if you’re doing full service. That includes furniture, artwork, lighting, and a designer’s markup.
A lot depends on how custom you want to go: built-in storage, upholstered beds, and custom window treatments raise the cost quickly.
If you’re furnishing a guest bedroom or kid’s room, you can lower the budget by skipping custom elements and focusing on durable, budget-friendly pieces that still bring style.
Living Room Design
Living rooms are one of the priciest areas to design because they require large furniture pieces, layered lighting, and statement decor.
In 2025, you can expect to pay between $15,000 and $45,000 just for furniture and rugs alone. Add a full-service designer, and the total project can easily exceed $50,000.
This is where markup on items adds up, especially if you’re sourcing from high-end vendors. If this space is your home’s “wow factor,” it’s worth budgeting accordingly.
Kitchen Design
Kitchen design in 2025 isn’t just expensive, it’s in a league of its own. A major remodel averages $26,970, but the full range can span from $14,591 to $41,533, depending on materials and finishes.
Interior designers charge more for kitchens because they often coordinate with contractors, architects, and suppliers. It’s a highly technical space where every inch matters.
Want custom cabinets and statement tile? Your design fees and overall costs will reflect that complexity.
Bathroom Design
Bathrooms might be small, but designing them isn’t cheap. In 2025, bathroom design projects run between $22,000 and $35,000 on average.
The designer’s fee covers layouts, lighting, materials, and decor but also coordination with plumbers and tile installers. Since there’s little room for error, many homeowners opt for professional help here.
High-end finishes, heated floors, and custom vanities can drive the price up fast, so this is one space where budgeting and planning ahead really matters for a disaster-free bathroom renovation.
What Impacts the Cost Most?
The biggest factors? Scope, customization, and location. A simple one-room update with store-bought furniture costs far less than a full-home project with custom pieces and contractor coordination.
Designers in major cities or coastal regions often charge more. Want premium materials or full-service management? Expect to pay a premium. To stay on track, ask for an itemized estimate upfront and build in a 20% buffer for surprises.
Apart from cost, these are the key factors you need to know before renovating, from timelines to contractor coordination, to ensure a smooth process. Have you recently worked with a designer, or are you planning to? Drop your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments below
Read More From This Brand:
- Unveiling the Hidden Costs of Home Decor
- A Guide to Team up with Contractors & Designers
- Networking Secrets for Interior Designers
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