Interior design fees in the UK: what to budget and how we price projects

Kitchen Extension project in Hove Park

If you are planning a refurbishment this year, understanding how interior designers charge will help you set a clear budget and move with confidence. Fees vary with scope, complexity and deliverables, and residential projects do not follow the same pattern as commercial fit outs. The good news: with a well-defined brief and robust documentation, costs become predictable and projects run to timelines.

Baxter Design is SBID-credentialled and works across Sussex on homes, offices and mixed-use spaces. I've put the below together as is a practical guide to common pricing models, what is typically included, what is not, realistic budget bands for Sussex projects, and when to engage a designer. You will also find answers to the most asked questions about consultations, one-room options and how to get value for money.

How interior designers charge in the UK

Design practices use one or a mix of models depending on the stage and scope. Baxter Design tailors proposals and issues them within five business days of the initial consultation so you can see exactly what is included before you commit.

• Fixed fee: a defined fee for a clearly scoped package, for example a bathroom design and documentation set. Works well when deliverables and areas are agreed at the outset. Great for small to mid sizes projects like bathrooms, one room designs and kitchen remodels.

• Phased fee: the total fee is divided across phases such as concept, design development, technical drawings and procurement coordination. This offers checkpoints and clarity as a project evolves. This option is utilised for larger scale projects such home reconfigurations, or large extensions.

• Percentage of construction cost: often used for commercial schemes, and larger new build residential projects where we’re delivering a turnkey package. This reflects the scale and complexity of the build. The percentage typically reduces as project value increases.

• Hourly rate: suitable for advisory sessions, spatial planning consultations or limited deliverables. Hours are tracked against a clear brief.

Baxter Design’s proposals specify scope, assumptions, deliverables and exclusions so there are no surprises if the brief changes or grows.

What is included in a full-service design scope

A well-run project is underpinned by documentation. Typical inclusions:

• Concept design and mood direction aligned to how the space will be used.

• Spatial planning and drawings, including floor plans, elevations, joinery details, lighting and electrical layouts.

• FF&E sourcing and procurement schedules covering furniture, fixtures, fittings, lighting and soft furnishings, plus supplier coordination if procurement is included.

• Site coordination and liaison with builders and trades to help the design land as intended.

What is not included: contractor or builder costs, professional fees for structural engineers or architects where required, statutory fees (planning, building control), and specialist surveys. Baxter Design collaborates closely with select builders, but builders remain responsible for site management.

Kitchen Renovation project in Preston Park

Typical timelines and when to appoint

Early appointment reduces risk and protects your budget. Baxter Design recommends engaging 3 to 6 months before construction so designs can be resolved, trusted trades secured and long-lead items ordered.

• Full residential design and documentation: typically 12 to 14 weeks.

• Decoration-only schemes: typically 6 to 12 weeks.

• Bathroom documentation: typically 6 to 12 weeks; construction can range from 2 to 8 weeks depending on scope.

• Custom joinery, specialist lighting and soft furnishings: typically 6 to 12 weeks from approved drawings.

Realistic budget bands

I've tried to keep these figures relative to Sussex, but the below should help give you an insight into approximate budgets. Every project is unique, yet the following ballparks help frame initial conversations:

• One-room decorating or furnishing refresh: from low five figures depending on furniture, lighting and window treatments. For mid to upper-mid furnishing, allow around £350 to £600 per square metre for furniture, furnishings and lighting in living spaces.

• Bathroom refurbishments:

• Partial refresh, like-for-like: £10,000 to £15,000.

• Full remodel with minor service changes: £15,000 to £25,000.

• Full reconfiguration or wet room with services moved: £20,000 to £35,000+.

• Bespoke joinery and fitted storage:

• Painted MDF or birch ply: typically £2,500 to £3,500 per linear metre.

• Veneered or solid timber, curves, integrated lighting or specialist finishes: typically £4,500 to £8,000 per linear metre.

• Installation for straightforward units: typically £400 to £1,200.

• Whole-home refurbishments: project values often range from £320,000 to £750,000+ depending on scope, property size and specification.

These figures assume competent trades and typical Sussex conditions. I always advise to allow a sensible contingency of 10% of the project cost to help cover the costs of the unknowns. There's always some - we've all seen Grand Designs with even the best planning in the world, something crops up. I'd even go as far as advising 15% on older properties.

How Baxter Design prices projects

Home renovation project in Lindfield

Following a free initial consultation, Baxter Design provides a tailored, transparent proposal within five business days. Proposals can be fixed-fee or staged for residential packages, with percentage-based approaches considered for commercial interiors. The service is flexible: you can commission full-service design, documentation only, procurement support, or targeted packages such as a spatial planning consultation.

For local context and examples of residential projects, explore the studio’s work in custom interior design in Brighton and across Sussex. For kitchen-focused scopes, see how our kitchen design service supports layout, specification and procurement choices that balance performance and budget.

Explore recent residential projects: https://www.baxterdesign.co.uk/residential-projects

Where designers save you money

Design is not only about aesthetics. It is a risk-reduction tool that protects spend and programme.

• Better layouts reduce wasted space, which can defer extensions or enable phased refurbishments.

• Detailed drawings and schedules reduce site variations, a common source of unexpected cost.

• Material and appliance choices focus investment where durability matters most, while identifying mid-range options that perform well.

• Bespoke storage increases usability and, in period homes, can lift buyer perception and resale value.

If your project will benefit from FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment) procurement support, Baxter Design offers specialist advice and coordination so lead times and deliveries align with site progress.

Smart cost-control tips for 2026 refurbishments

• Lock the brief early. Change control is the simplest way to protect budget.

• Prioritise the fabric of the building, services and layout before finishes.

• Use layered lighting with dimming. It improves comfort and can reduce the urge to overspend on feature fixtures.

• Invest in robust carcasses and hardware for kitchens and joinery; they carry daily loads and last longer.

• Phase intelligently. Complete rooms or zones fully rather than spreading thinly across the house.

• Book trades early for predictable dates, especially for spring and early summer starts.

What to do next

If you are planning a Sussex project this spring, book a free consultation with Martyn Baxter. You will receive a tailored proposal within five business days outlining scope, fees and timelines, plus clear inclusions and exclusions so you can proceed with confidence. To discuss residential design, commercial interiors or bespoke joinery, contact Baxter Design and start your brief while trade diaries still have availability for Q2.

Some FAQs that I often encounter with clients:

/ What is the cost of an interior design consultation?

Baxter Design offers a free initial consultation to scope your project. Advisory sessions beyond that can be provided on an hourly basis, priced in your tailored proposal.

/ What is a realistic budget for interior design?

For furnishing-led schemes, a mid to upper-mid benchmark is often £350 to £600 per square metre in living spaces. Bathrooms typically range from £10,000 to £35,000+ depending on complexity. Whole-home refurbishments commonly sit between £320,000 and £750,000 depending on scope.

/ What is the typical cost for an interior designer in the UK?

Fees vary by scope and region. Designers commonly use fixed, staged, percentage or hourly models. Baxter Design quotes transparently after the consultation so you can see the right structure for your project.

/ How much should I expect to pay for an interior designer in the UK?

Expect fees to reflect the deliverables you need: concept design, drawings, documentation and coordination. A fixed or staged fee is typical for residential packages, while larger or commercial projects may use a percentage of construction cost.

/ How much should I budget for an interior designer?

Set your construction or furnishing budget first, then allow for design services that match the scope. Baxter Design provides a clear breakdown so fees align with the agreed deliverables.

Are interior designers worth the money?

Typically yes, (I would say that!) they reduce errors, compress decision time and prevent costly changes. Good documentation and procurement strategy often offset design fees through avoided variations and better long-term choices.

Can I use a designer for one room only?

Yes. Baxter Design regularly delivers one-room packages such as bathrooms, kitchens and living rooms, from concept to documentation and procurement support where required.

Do interior designers save you money?

They often do by improving layouts, specifying durable materials, coordinating trades and preventing rework. The earlier you engage a designer, the greater the potential savings.

At Baxter Design, we are transparent with our sourcing and all discounts are passed back to the you, as I see this as part of employing an interior designer is to leverage our connections. So another way to look at "saving money" is more about making your budget stretch a little further.