Starting an interior design project is an exciting way to transform your home into a space you love; one that truly reflects your style and needs.
One of the biggest hurdles to any interior design project is the budget, and for many people, this can present a sticking point—especially when factoring in the additional fees associated with working with an interior designer.
You might be surprised to learn that working with an interior designer can, however, save you money—yes interior design costs money, but it might not be as much as you imagine. In this article, we lay out the typical investment and associated costs for a project and provide practical advice and guidance that might help you make the decision to work with us.
Understanding the Investment and Associated Interior Design Costs
While every interior design project is unique, some common factors apply whether it's for one room or an entire home:
Consulting and Design
This covers meetings, research, designs and presentations. The cost here is for time, and typically a room concept takes anywhere from 2-20 days of time depending on factors such as whether floorplans, 2D and 3D rendering are required. There are no real hard costs here other than the possible costs of samples, although we can often source samples for our clients free of charge - whereas many retailers charge the general public for these.
Furniture and Materials
This is the area with the highest degree of variance. Decorating and fitting out a room can run from several thousand pounds to tens of thousands, with every aspect having a low, mid, high, and ultra-premium price tag. For example, savvy shoppers can acquire pre-owned furniture from Facebook Marketplace from as little as free, through to individual pieces costing thousands of pounds. Carpet can cost as little as £11 sq/m up to more than £300 sq/m. Affordable, flat-pack furniture from IKEA can be customised to look more premium with beading and alternative handles or you can opt to get fully bespoke cabinetry made, which will give a more premium finish but cost many times more than its flat-packed alternative. The point here is to have an idea of the budget for each room and ensure you consider all aspects including finishing touches like accessories, candles, plants and mirrors.
Labour and Trades
Many people opt to decorate themselves, however, the best finish will almost always come from working with experienced tradespeople. With any project, there are usually multiple trades required to achieve the desired finish, from electrics to carpentry, joinery, plastering, painting and decorating. While trades will always come with a fee, they will save significant time and you'll have the comfort of knowing they'll get the job done right the first time - to the highest possible standard.
Project Management
For some clients, our job stops once the design is complete, whereas others require product sourcing too. In some instances, however, clients want full project management. This covers all aspects of getting the job done and includes everything from liaising with suppliers to ensuring work is being done to the agreed schedule, and to the correct specification. It also covers quality assurance, with work only being agreed as complete once it has been thoroughly checked and approved.
Styling
Once a project is complete, the final part of the process is styling. This is typically done in person over the course of a day. Styling ensures rooms are put together in the desired vision of the original design. Here, we make small additions, subtractions, and arrangements of items to enhance the overall aesthetics and functionality of the space and ensure it's perfect for you.
How We Help You Stay Within Budget
We understand costs can add up, especially with the costs in materials, furniture and labour, which is why we have budget conversations with you early in the project. This ensures we are aligned with a realistic budget and we can prioritise what matters to you most. Here are some of the areas you should consider when it comes to achieving your desired outcome while staying within budget:
Balance and compromise
You can achieve an extremely high standard of finish without spending a fortune on every element in the room. Certain pieces you should spend as much as you can afford—such as furniture, flooring and lighting because these are key elements of any room. When it comes to elements such as paint, you can get colours matched and made up in bulk from any reputable paint supplier. Accessories can be acquired second-hand and during sales, and you don't have to opt for high-end artwork or mirrors to begin with. It's also important to remember that a room should be a living space that is continually tweaked and updated.
Black Books and Trade Discounts
One of the biggest advantages of working with an interior designer is gaining access to a wide range of suppliers that you might not know about otherwise. Not only will this save you significant time were you to try and find, and speak to these suppliers yourself, but also interior designers typically gain preferential treatment and discounted rates, with a proportion of this discount being passed on to the client. For larger projects, the combination of this time saving and the discounted rates can more than cover the interior designer's fees.
A Snapshot of Typical Budgets
To give you an idea of what to expect, here’s a general guide based on some of our recent projects:
Per Room For designing one room, budgets typically range from £5,000 to £15,000, depending on the scale and materials used.
Partial or Complete Home
For partial or complete home projects, budgets often start at £30,000 and vary based on property size, and the level of customisation.
For example, if your budget is £15,000 for a living room redesign, we might allocate:
£2,000–£3,000 for design, consultancy and project management
£8,000–£11,000 for furniture and decor
£3,000–£4,500 for trades and labour
£2,000 for contingencies
These are, of course, ballpark figures because every project is different, and we have a range of services that might give you what you need at a much lower rate - such as our colour consultancy service, and our standard consulting service which is offered on a half-day/day basis, so please don't be put off by the numbers you see above.
Why Work with Gemma Budworth Interiors?
When you choose us, you’re not just hiring an interior designer—you’re partnering with a team dedicated to creating a space that’s uniquely yours.
Personalised Service: We take the time to understand your lifestyle, taste, and budget, tailoring every detail to suit you.
Stress-Free Process: From initial concept to final installation, we manage every aspect, so you can enjoy the journey without the hassle.
Exceptional Results: Our focus is on timeless designs that stand the test of time while reflecting current trends and your personality.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re considering transforming your home in 2025, now is the perfect time to start planning. Contact us for a consultation, and let’s work together to create a space you’ll love.