How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost?

La-Z-Boy Southeast | June 24, 2025

How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Interior Designer

In today’s world, where your home serves as both personal sanctuary and reflection of your style, the decision to work with an interior designer isn’t just about luxury—it’s about smart strategy. Whether you’re tackling a complete room makeover or simply need guidance on pulling everything together, understanding your options can help you make the best choice for your space and budget.

Here’s what you need to know about interior designer costs—and why La-Z-Boy’s complimentary design service might be exactly what you’re looking for.

What Traditional Interior Designers Actually Cost

The numbers tell the story according to HomeAdvisor.com : Most homeowners spend between $2000 and $15,000 on interior design services, with the average landing around $8500. Small projects can start at $400, while comprehensive makeovers can reach $20,000 or more.

And if you’re living in a castle, well….you might need something more.

Traditional interior designers typically structure their fees in four ways:

Hourly Rates: Most charge $100 to $200 per hour, with high-end designers commanding up to $500 per hour in major markets.

Flat Fees: A single project price ranging from $2,000 to $12,000+, depending on scope and complexity.

Cost Plus/Markup: Designers add 20% to 35% to furniture and materials costs to cover their services.

Per Square Foot: Typically $5 to $15 per square foot, with comprehensive projects closer to $10 per square foot.

Most also charge around $200 for an initial consultation—and that’s before any actual work begins. It’s also important to know most interior designers charge around $200 for a 1-2 hour consultation at the beginning of your project.

The La-Z-Boy Advantage: Professional Design at No Extra Cost

Here’s where things get interesting. At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, we flip the traditional model on its head. Our degreed interior designers provide professional design services completely free—no hourly fees, no markups, no consultation charges.

Why do we do this? Because we believe everyone deserves a beautifully designed space, and we’ve found that when you love your furniture, you’re more likely to enjoy the entire experience.

What Our Free Design Service Includes

Our designers bring the same professional training and expertise you’d expect from traditional interior designers:

Professional Education: Our team includes degreed interior designers with formal training and ongoing education
Complete Room Planning: We help with layout, color coordination, and furniture selection
3D Visualization: See your space come together before you buy
Budget-Conscious Approach: We work within your budget to maximize impact
No Hidden Costs: Design services are truly complimentary—you only pay for the furniture you choose

We’ve completed thousands of interior design projects and no job is too big or too small.

When Traditional Designers Make Sense (And When They Don’t)

You might consider hiring a traditional interior designer if:

You’re planning major renovations with multiple contractors
You need extensive custom work or architectural changes
You want access to exclusive trade-only furnishings
You have a very specific, complex vision requiring specialized expertise

Our free design service is perfect when:

You want professional guidance without the professional price tag
You’re focused on furniture and décor rather than structural changes
You appreciate quality furniture with expert design support
You want to see exactly how pieces will work together before committing

Real Savings, Real Value

While traditional designers may offer trade discounts, you’re still paying significant fees for their time and expertise. With La-Z-Boy’s approach, you get professional design guidance while investing your budget directly into quality furniture that will last for years.

Consider this: if you were to pay $5,000 in design fees to a traditional designer, that’s $5,000 that could go toward beautiful, comfortable furniture instead. Our model lets you put every dollar toward creating the space you actually live in.

Getting Started Is Easy

Ready to see what professional design can do for your space? You can get started by booking an appointment online or visiting any of our locations across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

Whether you’re refreshing a single room or furnishing an entire home, our design team is ready to help you create a space that’s both beautiful and uniquely yours—all at no extra cost.

Because at the end of the day, great design shouldn’t break the bank. It should just make coming home a little more wonderful.

Check Out These Additional Resources

Your interior designer costs will vary depending on the skill of the designer, your location, and the size of the project.

At La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Décor, our free design service is complimentary regardless of these factors.

We’d be happy to help you bring your dreams to life at any of our locations in NC, SC, and GA.