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.
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Book a call with our Design Director, Chris.
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
An 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, renovations, interior selections and furnishing projects.
*The above is the model we at TLC Interiors use as we find it’s the most transparent approach.
2. Hourly Rate
Charged by the hour for work like meetings, mood boards, product sourcing, design tasks.
Typical Melbourne rate: $120 – $300+/hr
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.
Design Rate – TBC
- After your in-home consultation, we’ll have a better understanding of the scope of your project, your individual requirements, and how simple or complex the project might be.
- We’ll set a flat-fee for our design services that covers off every piece of work we’ll complete for you across the course of the project. This is presented to you in your design proposal for your acceptance.
- The design fee is split into three payments across the project: initial deposit, stage two, and stage three completion. We’ll explain this to you in more detail over the phone and in your post-consultation proposal.
We Are Transparent About Costs Upfront
We find that by telling the client upfront what their investment is in our expertise, 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.
Get a fee estimate for your project
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the initial consultation give me a full quote?
After your 90-minute in-home consultation, a comprehensive design proposal is sent to you via email. It contains an estimate of the total design fee for your project, plus the budget we feel you should dedicate to products for each room.
Does the design fee include furniture and materials?
No. There are two fees going into a project when you work with us. The design fee (payment for us to carry out the work) and product fees (the prices of the furniture, finishes, and other materials).
What if I only need styling advice?
We offer a full service of design concept, furnishing and styling – with selections of materials and fixtures where required. We take on a limited number of advice-only projects based on scope and capacity.
How does TLC Interiors use trade or wholesale pricing?
We source a range of suppliers across Melbourne and beyond, giving clients access to furniture and materials often not seen by the public. Where a trade discount exists, we share a portion of it with our clients, meaning you pay less than RRP.
What areas of Melbourne do you service?
We work across metropolitan Melbourne including the inner city, Bayside, northern suburbs, western suburbs, eastern suburbs, and the Mornington Peninsula. We also travel further for the right projects.
What is a realistic budget for a full project?
Most of our full-home projects have a furnishing budget from around $50,000 to over $200,000, separate from our design fee. The size and scope of your home set where you land in that range. We also enjoy smaller projects from around $25,000.
Where can I read more about your service and process?
You can see how we work, what’s included, and what to expect at each stage on our Melbourne Interior Designers service page.
