What's a good budget for interior decorating?

Author: Dr. Mozell Nader  |  Last update: Tuesday, February 10, 2026

We suggest allocating about 7-10% of the home's value for interior design expenses as a general rule of thumb. This will give you a design with some "Mid-Range" products. If you're looking for "Designer" level finishes, we recommend budgeting about 25% minimum of the home's overall value.

What is the average price for interior decorating?

Interior Designer Cost per Room

The interior decorator's cost per room can vary depending on the room's square footage, the design's complexity, and the designer's experience level. According to Homeguide, the average interior decorator cost per single room is $3,200, including furnishings.

What is the 70/30 rule in interior design?

A simple rule of thumb many interior designers follow is the 70:30 hack for decorating a room. 70% of the room in one style and 30% in another.

What is the minimum budget for interior design?

What is the minimum budget for interior design? Design-only Cost: If it's only the design you want, the designer can specify the cost of interior design between Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 50,000 for just furniture placement and ideas.

What is the 60/40 rule in interior design?

Creating a balanced Room Layout

The golden ratio helps achieve a balanced room layout by assessing the floor space covered by furniture. Striking the right balance means that nearly 60% of your room will have furniture on it, with 40% being clear.

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What is the 70 20 10 rule for decorating?

Use Three Colors: The 70/20/10 Rule: This rule of three is as easy as choosing one neutral color, one rich color, and one accent color. To make this work, use the lightest color for 70 percent of the room's décor, the second lightest for 20 percent, and the boldest for 10 percent.

What is the golden rule of interior design?

For an interior design color scheme, this means 60 percent of your room should be one color, 30 percent a second color, and 10 percent a third color.

What is a realistic budget for interior design?

We suggest allocating about 7-10% of the home's value for interior design expenses as a general rule of thumb. This will give you a design with some "Mid-Range" products. If you're looking for "Designer" level finishes, we recommend budgeting about 25% minimum of the home's overall value.

Is it cheaper to use an interior designer?

The one thing that holds most people back from actually enlisting an interior designer? The cost. Working with an interior designer may seem like a luxury, but the truth is hiring one will almost always save you money on your project.

What is the cost of interior design of one room?

The interior design cost in Bangalore for living rooms typically ranges from ₹1,80,000 to ₹2,50,000 for areas between 180 to 240 sq. ft. With smart choices and expert guidance, you can create a stunning space without breaking the bank. 180 sq.

What is the 3 color rule in interior design?

The first color is your main color, the second color is still prominent, but not as much as the main color. The third color is your accent color that you use sparingly or sprinkled here and there. If you're into numbers you could break this down into 60%, 30%, and 10%.

What is the typical mark up for interior designers?

Generally, interior designers may mark up products anywhere from 20% to 40%. However, some designers might charge a flat fee or an hourly rate instead. It's essential for clients to understand how these markups work to ensure they get the best value for their investment.

What is the 80 20 rule in decorating?

Following the 80-20 color rule is really simple. It states that the majority of your room – 80% – should be decorated in neutral colors, such as whites, creams, beige or pale pastel hues. The remaining 20% is where you can let your creativity shine, opting for statement colors and patterns.

What is the difference between an interior designer and a decorator?

Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building, while interior decorating is the furnishing or adorning of a space with decorative elements to achieve a certain aesthetic. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design.

How many hours does an interior designer work on a project?

Generally, interior designers work between 8 to 10 hours a day, similar to many other professionals. However, the exact hours can vary based on their project deadlines, client demands, and whether they are working independently or as part of a larger firm.

How to determine a design fee?

When trying to determine a design fee, he says, ask yourself: “What would I be happy with if the client stopped the project before phase two?” Estimate the hours you expect to put into the initial phase, and then add 20% (“as you'll always spend more time than you think,” he says).

How much should I spend on interior design?

How Much Should You Spend on an Interior Designer for Different Projects? Small-Scale Projects (Single Room): Expect to spend anywhere from ₹50,000 to ₹2,00,000. Mid-Range Projects (Complete Apartment): Costs can range from ₹2,00,000 to ₹10,00,000, depending on the size of the home.

Is a home decorator worth it?

In the end, you will find that it's worth it to lean on the assistance of a professional. Having a home designed specifically for you will make your life easier, and having a home you're proud of makes you happier.

What do interior designers usually charge?

The average hourly rate for interior designers ranges from $75 to $250, and even more. In general, if you are just starting out as an interior designer, you can charge between $75 and $125 per hour. After several years of experience, you can increase your rate to $150.

What is basic interior cost?

A basic 1BHK home interior design will cost you around 2.5 - 4.5 lakhs. You can get a compact and simple modular kitchen interior, and wooden wardrobes, and tv units in this budget range which suits very well for small apartments.

How much does a decorator charge?

How much you might pay for a painter and decorator will depend largely on the size of the room you want painted: A small room, such as a bathroom (up to 100 square feet) could cost anywhere from £250 to £450. A medium-sized room, such as a bedroom (around 100-200 square feet) could cost anywhere from £350 to £750.

What is the best realistic budget?

What is a 50/30/20 budget?
  • 50% Rent or mortgage. Car payment. Utilities. Groceries. Minimum credit card payments. Wants.
  • 30% Streaming services. Shopping. Vacations. Savings or Debt.
  • 20% Emergency fund. Retirement. Child's education. Additional debt payments.

What is the 2/3 rule in decorating?

Follow the 2:3 Rule

“The 2:3 design rule suggests your sofa should be the equivalent of ⅔ the size of your room,” she says. However, if your living room is also your dining room or home office, that may not be possible, explains the designer.

What is the 2 3 couch rule?

The golden ratio rule essentially says that your living room furniture arrangement should follow a 2:3 ratio. This means that between your couches, chairs, area rugs, and coffee tables, proportions should generally be a two-thirds proportion.

What is the 60 30 10 rule?

What is the 60-30-10 Rule? It's a classic decor rule that helps create a color palette for a space. It states that 60% of the room should be a dominant color, 30% should be the secondary color or texture and the last 10% should be an accent.

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