Curious about how interior designers charge for their services?
Most people talk to more than one designer before choosing who to hire. As you start comparing options, you’ll quickly notice something important: there is no standard way interior designers charge.
Some charge hourly. Some charge a percentage. Others use flat fees. Because of this, it can feel confusing to know what’s normal, what’s fair, and what makes the most sense for your project.
The goal of this post is simple: to explain the most common ways designers charge, share the pros and cons of each, and help you understand which option is often the clearest and most client-friendly.
Hourly Billing: Charging for Time
With hourly billing, a designer tracks their time and bills you for every hour they work.
In Colorado, hourly rates typically range from $150–$300+ per hour, depending on experience and location.
Pros
- Works well for small projects or short consultations
- Feels flexible (at first)
- The structure is familiar to people used to hourly billing by lawyers or consultants
Cons
- Total cost is hard to predict
- Clients may feel stressed asking questions
- It can feel like the clock is always running
- Hard to budget for large or complex projects
For full-service design, hourly billing often puts the risk on the client. You don’t always know how long decisions, revisions, or delays will take, so even if you receive a fee estimate up front, your total cost usually exceeds the amount you were quoted.
Percentage of Project Budget: Tied to Spending
Some designers charge a percentage of the total project or furnishings budget. In Colorado, this is usually 10%–25%.
This model is common when working on large construction projects alongside architects and contractors, who also charge their own percentages.
Pros
- Scales with project size
- Easy to explain at a basic level
Cons
- The designer earns more when the client spends more
- Fees change as decisions change
- Final cost isn’t clear until the end
This approach can make budgeting stressful for clients who want clarity and control from the beginning.
Flat Fee Per Room or Per Phase
Some designers charge a flat fee for each room or for specific phases of the project.
Pros
- More predictable than hourly billing
- Clear scope for small projects
- Works well for decorating-only work
Cons
- Can feel fragmented in larger homes
- The scope is fixed and inflexible
- Changes usually mean additional fees
This model is rarely used for whole-home projects because costs can add up quickly as rooms and phases stack.
Flat Fee Per Square Foot: Clear and Client-Focused
When interior designers charge a flat fee per square foot, your design fee is based on the size of the home (or portion of the home) being designed. The fee is agreed upon before the project begins.
Pros
- You know the design cost up front
- No one feels rushed by the clock
- It scales with the size of the project, so the larger the space being designed, the higher the fee (and vice versa)
- Supports better collaboration. The focus remains on quality, communication, and execution.
Cons
- Not ideal for small or undefined projects. Designers usually have a minimum flat fee, so clients with very small projects can feel like they’re paying for more than they need
- Once fees are set, the scope is fixed. If the project expands, the fees will often need to be adjusted. This alone isn’t a negative, but sometimes it can lead to uncomfortable conversations.
So… Which Pricing Model Is Best?
It depends on:
- The size of your project
- How involved you want to be
- How much predictability you value
- Whether you’re decorating, renovating, or building
For large renovations, custom homes, or full-home projects, a flat fee per square foot often offers the best balance of clarity, fairness, and peace of mind.
What’s Usually Included
A flat fee per square foot typically includes:
- Space planning and floorplans
- Finish and material selections
- Custom design details
- Furniture selection and pricing
- Renderings
- Construction drawings
Project management is usually not included and is often billed hourly, since the time required can vary widely depending on the build team you have hired and project complexity.
Project management services often include:
- Vendor and contractor coordination
- Purchasing and logistics for all materials, finishes, and furnishings
- Site visits and construction meetings
- Installation and final styling
Here’s What We Do at Kimberly Morris Interiors:
We use a hybrid model. We charge a flat fee per square foot for the design portion of your project, and hourly for the project management portion.
Here’s why this works best:
We can spend as much time as needed sourcing for your project, without being rushed by the clock.
Hasty decisions are rarely the best decisions, so this model allows us the freedom to design with flexibility, while providing you the comfort of knowing your fees won’t change no matter how long the design portion takes us.
When it’s time to switch into project management mode, you’re only paying for the actual time we spend on project management, and no more.
Final Thoughts
Hiring an interior designer is about trust. Understanding how designers charge helps you choose not just a pricing structure — but the right partner.
My pricing model is designed to be clear, thoughtful, and aligned with how my clients live. If that approach resonates with you, I’d love to talk about your project.
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