How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost in the UK?
Deerpark Residence by Aoife Maria Interiors.
Photography by: Alicia Field Photography
If you are planning a new build, renovation or whole-home project in the UK, understanding how interior design fees work can feel a little unclear at first.
The truth is, there is no single figure that applies to every project. Every home, client and scope is different. The cost depends on the scale of the work, the complexity of the property, the number of decisions involved and how much support is required from the design studio.
A focused consultation or early review of architectural plans is very different from designing an entire home from concept through to procurement and installation.
At Aoife Maria Interiors, every project is reviewed individually once we understand the property, scope of work, timeline and level of involvement required.
What affects interior design fees in the UK?
The scope of the project has the greatest impact on the fee.
A client may need advice on a proposed layout before construction begins. Another may require the complete design of a kitchen, dining and living space. A whole-home project may involve everything from early space planning through to lighting, bespoke joinery, furniture, procurement and final installation.
Interior design fees can be influenced by:
The size and complexity of the property
The number of rooms involved
Whether it is a new build, renovation or restoration
The amount of space planning required
Kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms, which usually involve more detailed planning, specification and coordination than living rooms or bedrooms
Bespoke joinery
Lighting and electrical planning
Materials and finishes
Furniture, artwork and sourcing
Technical drawings and specifications
Site visits and coordination
Procurement and installation
The overall project timeline
Two properties of a similar size can require completely different levels of design work. One may already have a strong layout and need support bringing the interior together. Another may require us to review circulation, room proportions, lighting, kitchen layouts, joinery and furniture before the decorative layer is even considered.
That is why, at Aoife Maria Interiors, our design fees are based on the complete scope of the project rather than square footage alone.
Do interior design fees vary across the UK?
They can, but location is only one part of the picture.
A London townhouse may involve very different site logistics, suppliers and trades from a country property or coastal home, but that does not automatically mean the design work itself is more complex.
The type of property, level of bespoke design, number of spaces involved, site requirements and overall programme can all have a greater impact on the design fee than the postcode alone.
What are you actually paying an interior designer for?
Interior design is still sometimes seen as choosing colours, fabrics and furniture. Of course, those decisions are part of it, but much of the most important work happens before we ever reach that stage.
Bathroom design development for Deerpark Residence by Aoife Maria Interiors.
For us, good interior design starts with getting the bones of the space right. We look at the interior architecture, natural light, proportions and flow, while also understanding how our clients want to live and feel within their home.
Depending on the project, that can involve:
Reviewing architectural plans
Improving layouts and furniture placement
Designing kitchens and bathrooms
Developing bespoke joinery
Planning lighting and electrical positions
Selecting materials and finishes
Sourcing furniture, artwork and specialist pieces
Working alongside architects, contractors and craftspeople
Managing procurement and installation
Some of the most important design decisions are not always the first things you notice in a finished photograph. They are the decisions that make a room feel right when you are actually living in it.
Space planning and interior architecture by Aoife Maria Interiors.
How do interior designers charge in the UK?
There are several ways interior design studios structure their fees.
Consultations
At Aoife Maria Interiors, every project begins with an initial consultation. This gives us the opportunity to understand the property, review the scope of work, discuss your priorities and establish the level of design support the project may require.
Consultations can also be used as a standalone service for clients who need professional advice at a particular stage of a project, such as reviewing architectural plans, discussing a kitchen layout or helping establish a clearer design direction before moving forward.
Fixed design fees
A fixed fee can work well when the scope can be clearly defined at the beginning. This might apply to a plan review, a particular room or a defined stage of a larger project.
Hourly fees
Hourly fees may be used for additional design work, site attendance or advice outside an agreed scope.
Full-Service Interior Design
Full-Service Interior Design is suited to projects where a more comprehensive level of design support is required, whether that is for a single room, several spaces or an entire home.
The fee is based on the scope, complexity and level of studio involvement required, and the service can continue from early design development through to procurement, installation and final styling.
Procurement
Where the studio sources and orders furniture, lighting, fabrics, artwork or bespoke pieces on behalf of a client, procurement may be charged separately. The level of procurement required will vary depending on the scale and complexity of the project, and the structure will always be clearly outlined within the individual project proposal. Whatever fee structure is used, the important thing is that the proposal clearly explains what is included.
What does a high-end interior design service actually mean?
For us, high-end design is not about choosing the most expensive option in every room.
It is much more about judgement.
Knowing what the property needs, what is worth investing in, where craftsmanship will make a difference and where something quieter or simpler may actually be the better choice.
Bespoke joinery and design development by Aoife Maria Interiors.
Material and finish development by Aoife Maria Interiors.
Bespoke joinery, specialist finishes, antiques, custom furniture and original artwork can all form part of a project, but none of those things work properly if the space itself has not been resolved first.
We work best with clients who value professional design, quality materials, skilled craftsmanship and a home that feels genuinely personal to them.
What is the difference between the design fee and the overall project budget?
The interior design fee is the professional fee for the studio's time, expertise and services.
The wider project budget may include construction, kitchens, bathrooms, joinery, flooring, lighting, furniture, window treatments, artwork, installation and other professional consultants.
These are separate areas of investment.
For any home project, interior design and interior architecture are worth considering from the beginning rather than as a decorative add-on at the end. The earlier the design thinking happens, the easier it is to make informed decisions about where the overall budget will have the greatest impact.
When should you contact an interior designer?
In most cases, the earlier you involve an interior designer, the better.
Ideally, the studio should become involved while there is still an opportunity to review the layout and before kitchens, bathrooms, lighting and electrical positions have been completely finalised.
You do not need to have every answer before getting in touch. Plans, the project location, an approximate timeline and a sense of what you need help with are enough to begin the conversation.
Interior design services at Aoife Maria Interiors
At Aoife Maria Interiors, we provide interior architecture and design for private residential projects, alongside selected commercial, hospitality and residential development projects.
We work directly with private clients and also collaborate with architects, developers and project teams on projects including hospitality interiors, show homes and residential developments.
Our services range from Initial Consultations and Plan Reviews through to Room-by-Room and Full-Service Interior Design. For larger projects, we can also provide complete FF&E services, including furniture, lighting and artwork sourcing, specification, ordering, procurement, installation and final styling, allowing us to deliver a fully finished, turnkey interior.
Every project is reviewed individually so that the level of design support reflects the property, brief and wider project requirements.
Planning an interior design project in the UK?
Aoife Maria Interiors is an award-winning interior architecture and design studio based in Ireland, working across the UK, Ireland and internationally.
We specialise in new builds, whole-home renovations, restorations and highly individual private residential interiors, alongside selected commercial, hospitality and residential development projects.
If you are planning a project in London or elsewhere in the UK and would like to discuss how we could work together, we would be happy to hear from you.
From the team at Aoife Maria Interiors