One of the most common questions interior designers in Nigeria receive is: “How much do you charge for interior design?”

Another familiar request is: “Please send me your price list for interiors.”

These are reasonable questions. Before committing to a project, every client wants to know how much it will cost. However, interior design is not a one-size-fits-all service, and quoting a price without understanding the project can be misleading.

Designing a studio apartment is different from redesigning a five-bedroom duplex. Planning a corporate office is different from furnishing a short-let apartment. Even two apartments with the same number of rooms can have significantly different design requirements.

So, how exactly do interior designers charge in Nigeria, and what should clients expect to pay for professional interior design services?

Let's break it down.

1. Why There Is No Universal Price List for Interior Design

Unlike buying a piece of furniture with a fixed selling price, hiring an interior designer involves professional services tailored to a specific space and client.

The cost depends on several factors, including:

1. Size of the space: The number of rooms, floor area, and layout complexity affect the amount of work required.
2. Scope of work: A client who needs colour advice and furniture placement requires a different service from one who needs a complete interior transformation.
3. Design complexity: Bespoke furniture, custom joinery, detailed ceilings, lighting plans and specialised finishes require additional planning and coordination.
4. Materials and finishes: The specification of materials, furniture, fittings and accessories influences the overall project budget.
5. Level of involvement: Some clients need design concepts only, while others want the designer to coordinate contractors, source materials, supervise installations and manage the project through completion.
6. Experience and expertise: A designer's technical knowledge, portfolio, project delivery record, and level of service also influence professional fees.

For these reasons, a professional quotation should be based on the actual requirements of the project rather than an arbitrary figure.

2. The Different Ways Interior Designers Charge in Nigeria

Interior designers generally use different fee structures depending on the nature of the project. Understanding these structures helps clients know exactly what they are paying for.

A. Fixed Design Fee

Under this arrangement, the designer charges an agreed amount for a clearly defined scope of design services.

For example, a client may engage a designer to develop the concept for a living room, prepare a furniture layout, select finishes, and produce 3D visualisations.

The fee is agreed upon before work begins.

Best suited for: Clients who need design concepts, space planning, design drawings or visualisations without necessarily engaging the designer to execute the entire project.

The important consideration is defining the deliverables. Does the fee include 3D renders? Technical drawings? How many revisions are permitted?(It's important to state how many revisions are allowed for free),Is site supervision included?

These details should be established before the engagement begins.

B. Percentage of the Project Budget

Some interior designers calculate their professional fees as a percentage of an agreed project budget.

For example, if a project has an eligible budget of ₦10 million and the agreed design or management fee is 15%, the professional fee would be ₦1.5 million.

However, the agreement must clearly define which costs are included in the calculation. The basis might be the furnishing budget, renovation cost, or another agreed project value.

Best suited for: Larger residential projects, commercial interiors, and projects where the designer has substantial responsibility for procurement and execution.

The client should also establish whether contractor payments, taxes, contingency allowances and other third-party costs are included in the fee calculation.

C. Fee Per Square Metre

For certain projects, particularly offices, retail spaces and other commercial environments, a designer may charge according to the floor area.

For instance, a project covering 200 square metres may be priced using an agreed professional rate per square metre.

However, the rate alone does not tell the whole story. A relatively straightforward office layout and a highly customised hospitality interior may require very different levels of design work, even when they cover the same area.

Best suited for: Projects where the floor area and scope can be measured consistently, and the required deliverables are clearly specified.

D. Consultation Fee

Not every client needs a full interior design package.

Some people simply need professional advice on how to improve an existing space, arrange furniture, select colours, choose finishes or plan a renovation.

A consultation fee compensates the designer for the time, expertise, assessment, and recommendations provided.

Depending on the engagement, a consultation may involve an on-site visit, measurements, a discussion of the client's requirements and practical recommendations.

If drawings, mood boards, 3D renders or a detailed written report are required, these should be identified as additional deliverables unless explicitly included in the consultation package.

Best suited for: Clients who need expert direction before making purchasing, renovation, or design decisions.

E. Full-Service or Turnkey Interior Design

A full-service engagement involves a much broader level of responsibility.

Depending on the agreement, it may include:

• Initial consultation and project briefing.
• Space planning and design development.
• 3D visualizations and technical drawings.
• Selection of materials, furniture, lighting and finishes.
• Custom furniture design and fabrication.
• Procurement and coordination of suppliers.
• Coordination of contractors and installation teams.
• Site supervision and quality checks.
• Final styling and project handover.

The designer may charge a fixed professional fee, a percentage-based fee or another agreed commercial arrangement. The cost of furniture, materials, labour and other project expenses must be clearly accounted for.

Best suited for: Homeowners, businesses and property investors who want a coordinated approach from the initial concept through implementation.

A turnkey service is not simply a more expensive design package. It involves a different level of coordination, accountability, and project responsibility.

3. How Much Does Interior Design Cost in Nigeria?

There is no single fee that applies to every interior design project in Nigeria. Published pricing guides show wide variations because firms offer different services and work at different levels of complexity.

Rather than relying on a generic price list, clients should request a proposal that separates the designer's professional fees from the estimated cost of executing the design.

For example, a quotation may distinguish between:

Not every project will require every category, and some services may be combined in a single package. What matters is that the client understands the scope and the financial commitments before work begins.

4. Why Two Clients Can Receive Different Quotes for Similar Spaces

Imagine two clients who each own a three-bedroom apartment.

The first client wants to retain most of the existing furniture, repaint the walls, improve the lighting and introduce a few carefully selected accessories.

The second client wants a complete transformation involving new furniture, custom wardrobes, ceiling modifications, lighting upgrades, wall panelling, curtains and bespoke finishes.

Although both clients have three-bedroom apartments, their requirements are significantly different.

The second project involves more design development, material selection, technical coordination, procurement and installation.

This is why professional designers ask questions about the project before preparing a quotation.

A quotation should reflect the work required to deliver the client's desired outcome, not simply the number of rooms in the property.

5. Does the Interior Design Fee Include Furniture and Materials?

This is one of the most important questions clients should ask.

The designer's professional fee and the total cost of implementing the design are not necessarily the same thing.

A design-only engagement may provide the plans, concepts and specifications the client needs to implement the project independently.

A full-service engagement may include procurement and installation coordination, but the agreement should still explain how furniture, materials, labour, logistics and other expenses will be funded and accounted for.

Before accepting a quotation, ask the designer to clarify:

• What professional services are included?

• Are furniture and materials included or separately budgeted?

• Who pays suppliers and contractors?

• Are delivery and installation costs included?

• Is site supervision part of the fee?

• How are changes to the original scope priced?

• What happens if material prices change before procurement?

Clear answers protect both the client and the designer and reduce misunderstandings during execution.

6. Why You Should Be Cautious About Comparing Designers by Price Alone

It is natural to compare quotations, but the lowest quotation is not automatically the best value.

Two designers may quote different amounts because they are offering different deliverables, levels of detail, project involvement or quality specifications.

One quotation might cover only concept development, while another includes technical drawings, procurement coordination and site supervision.

Comparing the totals without comparing the scope can therefore lead to the wrong conclusion.

When evaluating quotations, consider the designer's portfolio, the clarity of the proposal, the quality of the proposed solution, the agreed deliverables, the payment structure and the firm's ability to manage the work.

The goal is not simply to find the cheapest designer. It is to find the right professional for your project and budget.

7. What Information Should You Provide When Requesting an Interior Design Quote?

For an accurate quote, a little information goes a long way.

When contacting an interior design firm, be prepared to share:

1. Type of space: Is it a home, office, restaurant, retail shop, short-let or another property?

2. Location: Where is the project situated?

3. Size and layout: How many rooms are involved, and are floor plans available?

4. Scope of work: Do you need design advice, a redesign, renovation, furnishing or a complete project?

5. Current condition: Is the property newly built, partly furnished, occupied or undergoing renovation?

6. Budget range: What amount have you set aside for the project, including implementation where applicable?

7. Timeline: When would you like the work to begin and be completed?

8. Reference images: Are there particular styles, colours or examples that communicate your expectations?

You do not need to have every detail figured out before approaching a designer. Part of the designer's job is to help you clarify your requirements. However, the more information available at the beginning, the easier it is to determine the appropriate scope and prepare a realistic proposal.

8. Should Interior Designers Send Out a General Price List?

A general price list can be useful when it describes standardized services with clearly defined deliverables. For example, a firm might offer a consultation package, a design-only package and a full-service package.

However, a single price list covering every type of interior project can be misleading if clients assume that the same fee applies to every home, office or commercial space.

A better approach is to provide a clear overview of your services, explain how you determine your fees, and prepare a tailored quotation after understanding the project.

This gives clients transparency without forcing the designer to make commitments before the scope is known.

Professional pricing is not about withholding information. It ensures the price reflects the actual service requested.

Interior design is an investment in the functionality, appearance, comfort, and usability of a space.

The right design process considers more than aesthetics. It involves planning, technical decisions, material selection, coordination, and attention to the details that make a space work.

So, the next time you ask an interior designer, “How much do you charge?”, remember that the most useful answer begins with a better question:

What exactly do you want to achieve with your space, and what level of service do you need to achieve it?

Once those details are clear, your designer can develop a proposal that reflects your requirements, priorities, and budget.

At Eunicon Interior, we believe every project deserves a thoughtful approach. Whether you are planning a residential makeover, a new home, an office redesign, or a complete interior transformation, the first step is understanding your space and your vision.

Ready to transform your space? Contact Eunicon Interior to discuss your project and receive a proposal tailored to your requirements.