What Do Interior Designers Charge in Melbourne? (2026 Pricing Guide)

If you’ve ever tried Googling “How much do interior designers cost?” you’ll already know the answer isn’t simple. Different designers charge in different ways, price points vary wildly, and the industry isn’t exactly famous for transparency.

So let’s fix that.

Below, we’ve broken down the real costs of hiring an interior designer in Melbourne, what affects the price, what you actually get for your money, and how to choose a design service that fits your project and your budget.

Whether you’re furnishing an apartment in Carlton, renovating a townhouse in Yarraville, updating a house in Camberwell, or styling a new build on the Mornington Peninsula — this guide will help you make sense of interior design fees.

Why Interior Designer Costs Vary (Especially in Melbourne)

Melbourne’s design market is diverse — from inner-city apartments in Fitzroy or South Yarra to family homes in the suburbs. Your cost will depend on:

• Scope: Are we designing one room, a single area, or a whole house?
• Service Type: Furnishing only, design + product sourcing, or full renovation design
• Experience: Junior designer vs a studio with a decade of work/experience
• Documentation Included: Room mood boards only or detailed joinery drawings
• Complexity: Cosmetic decorating is very different to structural renovation
• Access to Trade / Suppliers: Designers with trade-only or wholesale supplier access can source better prices (and often pass on savings)

All of these factors contribute to why two quotes from different designers can look nothing alike.

How Interior Designers Commonly Charge

Here are the four most common pricing models used by designers in Melbourne (and we’ll highlight the model we use when working with clients):

1. Fixed Fee

A flat, agreed-upon price between designer and client, based on your project’s defined scope.
Typical range: Anywhere from $3,500 for smaller zones up to $20,000+ for larger jobs.
Best for full-service design, multi-room renovations, or major furnishing projects.

2. Hourly Rate

Charged by the hour for work like meetings, mood boards, product sourcing, design tasks.
Typical Melbourne rate: $120 – $300+/hr
*This is the model we at TLC Interiors use as we find it’s the most transparent approach.

3. Percentage of Project Cost

Some designers charge a percentage of the total project when working on a renovation/build.
Typical range: 10% – 20%
Used more often for large-scale builds or when designers are involved from concept to completion.

4. Hybrid Pricing

A combination — for example, a fixed fee for providing you with a design concept for your home, and then charging hourly for changes, product sourcing, meetings etc.

What You Actually Get When You Hire a Designer

A great interior designer does more than “make your home look good.” Their real value comes in making sure every decision is considered, every mistake is avoided, and the end result is both beautiful and functional.

Here’s what you typically get with a professional designer (and with us at TLC Interiors):

• A detailed briefing to understand your style, needs, and budget
• Concept design (mood boards of rooms, furniture orientation)
• Floor plans & space planning
• Furniture & decor recommendations
• Materials and finishes guidance
• Product sourcing (trade-only or wholesale suppliers where possible — more on that below)
• Project support, coordination, and styling

That means you’re not just paying for someone to pick cushions — you’re investing in experience, access, and the know-how to pull everything together seamlessly.

Our Pricing at TLC Interiors (Transparent, Straightforward, and Honest)

At TLC Interiors, we believe in upfront clarity. Here’s how we charge for our design services:

Free Discovery Call

• A 15–20 minute phone call between you and our design director is how it all kicks off
• We’ll discuss your project, your budget, timeframes, and whether we’re a good fit.
• Cost: Free.

In-Home Consultation – $440

• A 90-minute visit to your home. We’ll give advice on room layout, design style, furniture and more.
• We’ll use our image library establish your home’s aesthetic, and take a full brief of your needs.
• After the consult, you’ll receive a detailed recap in a proposal that also covers off the estimated fees and pricing for products.

Hourly Design Rate – $220/hr

• Used once we sign you on as a client. The hourly rate covers works like preparing your design concept, attending site meetings, showroom visits, product sourcing, in-home styling, and more.

We Are Transparent About Costs Upfront

We find by telling the client upfront what our rate is, and how long we’ll spend on the project, it keeps everything very open and transparent. No smoke and mirrors. You know what you’re in for, and so do we.

But again, every designer has figured out what works best for them. You either love their process and feel it makes sense for you, or you look for another designer elsewhere. There’s a hat for every head.

Why Our Team’s Trade-Only / Wholesale Supplier Access Matters

One of our biggest advantages? We buy from suppliers the public can’t access (at least not at the rates we can). Because of long-standing relationships with trusted trade and wholesale vendors, we can:

• Source high-quality furniture, lighting, and materials
• Access exclusive pieces not available at regular retail
• Share trade discounts with you (yes — we absolutely do)
• Provide more design value for your budget

When we send you your product specification sheet with all the items for purchase listed out, you’ll clearly see how much you’re saving off RRP (recommended retail price) — so there’s full transparency.

Melbourne + Suburbs — We’ve Got You Covered

As a Melbourne-based studio, TLC Interiors works across the city and surrounding suburbs — from inner-city apartments to leafy suburban homes and everything in between.

Whether you’re in Fitzroy, Footscray, Brighton, or even on the Mornington Peninsula or further afield, our local experience means we understand Melbourne homes, styles, and supplier networks intimately. (If you’d like to see some of our recent work across Melbourne, check out our portfolio).

Ready to Get Started?

If you’re curious about how much your specific project might cost — or what kind of design service is best for your space — start with a free discovery call. We’ll talk through what you want to achieve, and what it could look like to work together.

Looking for an interior designer in Melbourne, someone that specialises in residential interior design? We’d love to help!

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