Interior Designer Costs in London – Average Rates

Transforming a room in your home is no small task but, in a city as big and diverse as London, there are a lot of options for interior design services.

Of course, the help of an interior designer comes at a cost, and it’s important to know how much of your budget will be allocated to their expertise before getting started.

Whether you’re looking to revamp a single room or completely change an entire property, understanding the costs involved is key.

Average Rates for Interior Designers in London

Various factors go into determining the cost of interior design in London, which is why it’s beneficial to look at the average rates, rather than exact figures. Factors such as your location, the experience of the professional and the complexity of the project can all have an impact.

Day Rates

The majority of interior designs quote on an hourly basis, but some work with day rates. You can expect to pay between £350 and £900 per day, depending on their expertise and the scope of work.

Hourly Rates

The average interior design cost in London can vary hugely, from between £50 and £150 per hour for an expert. This is an average hourly rate of £100, depending on whether you choose a high end or low end tradesperson.

Fixed Fees

For a basic interior design service, using an entry level interior designer, you should expect to pay around £5,000. For a more extensive service and experienced designer, you can expect to pay up to £20,000 depending on their skill, experience and the amount of work required.

Design Only

For a design only service, you can expect to pay around £650 + VAT for a reception room or bedroom, and around £950 + VAT for a kitchen or bathroom. But, for more complex projects, the cost can rise significantly, even up to £2,000 for big budget projects.

Design, Supply & Installation

For a full interior design service including design, supply and installation, you can expect to pay up anywhere from £2,000 to £20,000 for an expert’s help. This includes everything from the design and concepts, to complete project management.

End to End Process

There’s a lot that goes into interior design, and it’s more than simply designing the colour and style of a room. From the initial consultation to project management, there’s a lot that goes into the interior design process.

Consultation

The initial consultation stage is a key part of the interior design process. During this stage of the process, the interior designer meets with you to understand your needs, preferences and vision for the space. This involves discussing your lifestyle, style preferences, budget and any specific requirements that you might have.

This stage is important, as it ensures that the designer can tailor their approach to meet your expectations. By the end of the initial consultation, both parties should have a mutual understanding of the project’s scope, goals and timeline.

Design

The design stage is where the creative side of interior design comes into play. Based on the insights gathered during the initial consultation, your interior designer will begin to develop a concept that aligns with your vision.

This involves creating mood boards, sketches and layouts to explore various design options. The designer will then refine these ideas into more detailed plans to provide a comprehensive representation of the proposed design. Everything from material selection and colour schemes, to furniture and fixtures, also finalised during this stage of the process.

The interior designer will present these plans to you for feedback and approval, ensuring that every detail aligns with your desires before moving forward. This stage can go back and forth, with adjustments being made based on your input, until the final design is agreed upon.

Project Management

Project management is the stage of the interior design process where the plans are put into place, and where the approved design is brought to life.

The interior designer oversees the entire project, coordinating with contractors, suppliers and other professionals to ensure that all aspects of the transformation are completed on time, within budget and to a high standard.

This includes scheduling work, managing deliveries, supervising installations and solving any problems that arise. By the end of this stage, the transformation of the space is complete and ready for you to enjoy.

Factors That Affect Costs

There are a lot of factors that affect the cost of interior design services, which is why it’s important to do some research before hiring a professional. Things such as your location, the complexity of the project and their years of experience can all impact an interior designer’s hourly rate.

DIY Vs Hiring a Professional

There’s no denying the appeal of hiring a professional interior designer, but some people choose to handle interior design themselves. There are pros and cons of each, and the right choice for you will largely depend on your personal DIY skills.

If you are an experienced DIYer, interior design might be something that you can handle with ease. If you’re new to interior design, hiring a professional is likely to be the preferred route.

The Pros of Hiring a Professional

• Expertise and Experience – Interior designers bring a wealth of knowledge about design principles, materials and current trends. They can foresee potential issues and address them before they become problems.
• Time Efficiency – As is the case with all professional tradespeople, interior designers manage the project efficiently, saving you time and hassle. Their experience allows for faster, more informed decisions.
• Access to Resources – Professional designers have access to a network of contractors, suppliers and exclusive resources. They often receive trade discounts that can reduce the cost of your interior design project.
• High Quality Results – When you hire a professional, you can achieve a cohesive and polished look, which may be difficult to replicate on your own. An expert ensures that the space is not only beautiful but also practical and functional.

The Cons of Hiring a Professional

• Cost – Hiring an interior designer can be expensive, with fees varying based on experience and the complexity of the project. This could mean that your budget is somewhat limited.
• Less Personal Control – You may have less control over the final design when you hire a professional, as the designer’s vision and expertise guide the project. This means that changes and adjustments may require approval, slowing down the process.
• Communication Challenges – Miscommunication between you and the designer can lead to dissatisfaction with the final result, and you’ll need to work hard to ensure that the designer fully understands your vision.
• Dependency and Reliance – With a professional, the success of your project is heavily dependent on the designer’s skill and reliability. It can be time consuming to find a designer whose style and approach align with your preferences.

The Pros of DIY Interior Design

• Cost Savings – Avoiding the costs of hiring a professional designer can save a significant amount of money. You’ll have complete control over how much you spend and where you allocate your funds.
• Personal Satisfaction – Designing your space allows you to express your personal style and creativity, which can provide a sense of pride and achievement.
• Flexibility – When you handle an interior design project yourself, you can work at your own pace and without the pressure of deadlines. You can make changes or adjustments at a moment’s notice without needing approval from someone else.
• Learning Experience – DIY projects can teach you valuable skills in interior design, project management and problem solving.

The Cons of DIY Interior Design

• Time Consuming – DIY interior design requires a significant amount of time to research, plan and source materials, especially when it comes to finding out the current interior design trends. Completing the project can take much longer without professional help.
• Limited Expertise – You might lack the technical knowledge or design principles that professionals have. This can lead to errors in measurement, planning or execution, all of which can lead to costly mistakes.
• Resource Constraints – You may not have access to professional resources, discounts or custom options available to experts. Lacking the necessary tools and equipment can impact the quality of your project.
• Quality Concerns – Achieving a polished, cohesive look can be challenging without professional expertise. It can be difficult to ensure the design is both aesthetically pleasing and functional without an interior designer to guide you.

Finding an Interior Designer

As well as knowing the interior design cost in London, you need to know how to find the ideal interior designer for you. There are a whole host of experts offering interior design services in and around London, but it’s not a case of simply hiring the first person you come across.

A lot of personal preference and style goes into interior design, and it’s important to shop around to find a designer who’s ideas align with yours. You can do this by looking on The Page, searching online or asking around.

The Page

At The Page, the process of finding interior designers is streamlined. Instead of wasting time looking for the right person for your project, The Page does everything for you.

All you need to do is briefly describe the work that you need done, and The Page will provide a cursed list of tradespeople who are perfect for your project.

Everyone listed on The Page is professional, vetted by us and experienced. We personally meet them, assess their qualifications and review their previous work.

We use the requirements of your project to connect you with a shortlist of interior designers specifically suited to your project based on their skills and experience. You can then make an informed decision, choosing the tradesman that best fits your needs and budget, with confidence.

Online Search

One of the simplest ways to find an interior design is to head online. The digital world is a hub for finding the perfect interior designer. These platforms allow you to browse designer portfolios, filtering by location, to get a feel for their skills and services before reaching out.

You’ll find a lot of reviews and testimonials online, which will give you a unique insight into the experience that other people have had with a tradesperson. You can make a decision, knowing that others have been happy with the service that they provided.

Ask Around

Of course, another option is to ask around. There’s a high chance that someone you know – such as a friend, family member, neighbour or colleague – has previously used the services of an interior designer, and they might be happy to recommend them. If they were pleased with the interior design service, there’s a high chance that you will be too.