Interior design costs $1,893 to $15,256 per project in 2026
Interior design costs $1,893 to $15,256 per project in 2026. HomeAdvisor puts the average at $8,550, while HomeGuide says $5,406. Designers bill in a few ways. Bob Vila lists $50 to $200 per hour for designers and $5 to $15 per square foot. Fiverr lists $450 to $1,500 per room for design only. Furniture and decor are extra. Fiverr says to expect a 17 to 45 percent markup on items a designer buys for you.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| Fiverr | Fiverr lists $50 to $450 per hour, $450 to $1,500 per room for design only, $5 to $17 per square foot, and typical projects of $2,000 to $15,000. |
| HomeAdvisor | HomeAdvisor lists an average of $8,550, a range of $2,055 to $15,256, and $5 to $15 per square foot. |
| HomeGuide | HomeGuide lists a national average of $5,406, a typical range of $1,893 to $11,180, and fixed rates of $1,500 to $4,900 per room. |
| Bob Vila | Bob Vila lists an average of $7,779, a typical range of $1,982 to $13,901, and $50 to $200 per hour for designers. |
Interior design price by billing type
| Billing type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly rate for designers | $50 to $200 | Bob Vila |
| Hourly rate for top names | up to $450 | HomeGuide |
| Per square foot | $5 to $15 | HomeAdvisor |
| Design only, per room | $450 to $1,500 | Fiverr |
| Fixed rate per room | $1,500 to $4,900 | HomeGuide |
| First consultation | $150 to $500 | HomeAdvisor |
| Retainer deposit | 10% to 15% of project | Fiverr |
| Whole project, average | $5,406 | HomeGuide |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| How the designer bills | Hourly, per square foot, and per room give different totals. Bob Vila lists $50 to $200 per hour and $5 to $15 per square foot. |
| Designer skill and fame | A junior designer costs less than a top name. HomeGuide lists $50 per hour for juniors and up to $450 per hour for top pros. |
| Rooms and size | Kitchens cost more than bedrooms. Bob Vila lists a bedroom at $539 to $1,299 and a kitchen at $599 to $1,499. |
| Design only or full service | Buying furniture through the designer adds cost. HomeAdvisor says to budget $2,000 to $5,000 for furnishings, plus a 17 to 45 percent markup per Fiverr. |
| Deposit and extras | Many designers ask for money up front. HomeGuide lists about 10 percent of the project, and Fiverr lists 10 to 15 percent as a retainer. |
What the price includes
A design fee normally pays for the designer's time, such as a plan, a layout, and a list of items to buy. HomeAdvisor says an hourly rate covers design time only, and shopping trips and materials are extra. Digital renderings can add 5 to 10 percent. Furniture, paint, and decor are usually billed apart. Ask which items sit inside the quote. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Interior design is sold by solo designers, small studios, and design firms. They bill in a few ways. Some charge by the hour, some by the square foot, and some by the room. Others take a share of the project cost. HomeAdvisor lists commission of 10 to 40 percent on products. Many ask for a deposit first, and HomeGuide lists about 10 percent. Ask how you will be billed each month, and what happens if the plan changes. Put it all in a written contract.
When you need this
You may want a designer when you are building, doing a big remodel, or moving into a new home. They help when you cannot choose a layout, colors, or furniture, or when the job is too big to handle alone. For one room, a short consult may be enough. Fiverr and HomeAdvisor both list small per room and consult options.
How to judge your quote
- Is the fee hourly, per square foot, per room, or one flat price?
- What is the markup on furniture and other items?
- How big is the deposit, and can you get it back?
- Which parts cost extra, such as renderings and shopping trips?
- Compare the total with the range above: $1,893 to $15,256 per project for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Hire by the room, not the whole house. Fiverr lists $450 to $1,500 per room for design only, which can be far below a full home package.
- Book a one time consult. HomeAdvisor lists a first consultation at $150 to $500. You can get a plan and then do the work yourself.
- Ask about a decorator. Bob Vila lists decorators at $50 to $150 per hour and $5 to $12 per square foot, a little below designers.
- Buy the furniture yourself. Fiverr lists a markup of 17 to 45 percent when a designer buys items, so you may pay less on your own.
- Ask for a flat fee in writing. HomeGuide lists fixed rates of $1,500 to $4,900 per room, which stops the hours from growing.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from Fiverr, HomeAdvisor, HomeGuide and Bob Vila. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an interior designer cost per hour?
Bob Vila lists $50 to $200 per hour for designers. HomeGuide says top names charge up to $450 per hour.
How much does it cost per square foot?
HomeAdvisor and Bob Vila list $5 to $15 per square foot. HomeGuide and Fiverr list $5 to $17.
What is the average cost of a whole project?
HomeAdvisor lists $8,550 and Bob Vila lists $7,779. HomeGuide lists $5,406. Most projects fall between $1,893 and $15,256.
Do designers charge for the first meeting?
Often yes. HomeAdvisor lists a first consultation at $150 to $500. Fiverr lists a color consult at $25 to $500.
What is a designer's markup?
Fiverr and HomeGuide both list a markup of 17 to 45 percent on products. They put the middle at about 30 percent.