Planning Interiors in 2026? Know the Interior Designer Cost

Transforming your house into your dream home can be exciting, but the main question remains; what is the actual cost of interior designers?

If you're looking at interiors in 2026, being aware of the pricing structure can prevent sticker shock and help you make a better informed decision.

Whether you are remodeling a 2BHK, or creating a new luxury 4BHK, we will lay out all you need to know about the costs related to hiring an interior designer.

A Better Understanding of Interior Designer Cost in 2026

The cost of an interior designer in India varies significantly based on multiple factors.

Homeowners, on average, have reported spending from ₹2 lakhs - ₹15 lakhs, but it can be higher depending on a premium project or luxury homes.

In general, interior designers charge between ₹500- ₹5,000 a sq. ft. recovering the cost associated with their level of service, complexity, and quality.

For a typical, completely renovated 1000 sq. ft apartment, homeowners can expect overall costs anywhere from ₹5 lakhs- ₹50 lakhs.

Pricing Models for Interior Designer Fees

It’s important to keep in mind how Interior designers cost their fees for how you can budget accordingly to the model.

1. Pricing By The Square Foot

This model is most common in India. The Interior Designer will charge the client a set amount for every square foot of the home/office.

Budget level designers can charge approx ₹500 per sq ft, mid-level options generally between ₹1200 -₹2500 per sq ft, and higher end and luxury designer will charge upwards of ₹8000 plus per sq ft.

For example, if you are pricing out a 1200 sq ft 2BHK at ₹1,500, the Interior design contingent on that price would be ₹18 lakhs.

2. Flat Fee Packages

Many designers offer flat rate packages for their clients.

Pricing can range from ₹50000 for a single room to ₹8 lakhs for a whole home project.

This model allows you to keep the cost presentable as the model generally has costs associated with design, execution, and project management.

3. Pricing By The Hour

Pricing by the hour can work best for a single consultation or smaller scope projects.

Depending on their experience Interior Designer usually charge between ₹2 ,000 -₹12,000 per hour.

This pricing structure will generally work best if the client is wanting advice and still plans to be involved in the implementation of the project.

4. Percentage-Based Pricing

some designers may charge between 10-30% based on total project spending.

For example, if you are spending ₹10 lakhs on your family apartments interiors, your design fee for that project may be between ₹1-3 lakhs.

This pricing model ensures that the designer's interest aligns with the client to "stay within budget".

5. Online vs Traditional Interior Designer Cost

Traditional Interior Designers may charge you between ₹2,000 - ₹15,000+ for full-service offers.

Online interior designers charge packages from ₹15,000 and can charge as high as ₹2.5 Lakhs.

Online interior designers can save you 40-60% on interior designer costs while delivering a professional experience.

Also Read: What Makes Interior Designers in Chennai Stand Out?