FAQs

Am sure we’re not alone in this, but as an interior designer in London, frequent questions are the same, so we’re running through a number of them in the hope it assists those design-curious folks…

How much does it cost to hire an interior designer in London?

Without resorting to “It depends…”, it actually does. Designers commonly charge either a fixed percentage of the overall spend, or they may divide it into stages and charge fixed fees for each main stage, eg. A certain amount for the overall concept, another amount for design development etc etc. We opt for the percentage rate, charging 15% of budget, payable in stages throughout the project, usually aligned with finished stages of work, and the final payment is made after the project is completed and signed off.

In addition, as we usually get trade discounts from our suppliers, which can range from 10-50%, we share those equally with our clients, meaning that these discounts can offset a large portion of the fees in their overall project costs.

Is it worth paying for an interior designer?

Brutal! Well, of course we’d say yes, and the point we make above about discounts offsetting fees may help sway the unconvinced. But hiring an interior designer is not just about the money. It’s about two main things - firstly, you’re interested in elevating your space aesthetically, and secondly in maximising its potential both in financial and practical terms. And hiring an expert is likely to bring both of those advantages. There is also the issue of time management - if your interior designers is also project managing your project, that is a world of pressure and time demands off your shoulders, leaving you just to live your life, and enjoy the process.

What is the 70/30 rule in interior design?

First, we’re not one for these “rules”. Think of them more as ideas, or guides that can help the novice. Designers will have seen a million inspiration images and worked through hundreds of options in their projects, and whilst being aware of these ideas that float around from time to time, they’re also going to design your scheme holistically, and not follow these “rules” unless they suit your scheme. To sum up this “rule” it’s about creating a scheme that is predominantly following the style of the project, whilst inserting pieces and ideas from another era, to bring dimension and contrast. Designers will do this instinctively, pairing interesting sculptural antiques with modern schemes, or contemporary lighting with traditional furnishings, as they create a bespoke scheme for you.

What is a realistic interior design budget?

The length of a piece of string saying comes to mind. If you’re doing your own project, there is no limit - it’s about how you put your space together. A space can be beautifully designed on a budget, it often brings out the creativity in someone, as solutions have to be found that are affordable. Having said that, hiring a professional London interior designer is going to add a chunk to your budget (see fees above) however you look at it, so it’s usually only worth it if you are looking at projects of £100,000 and above, so designers can start to utilise their most interesting and skilled suppliers and makers.

What is the 3 colour rule in interior design?

Another of these “rules” that are made to be broken. This one refers to balancing the colours in your scheme 60 - 30 - 10 percents, with the largest areas being in the main colour, the 30% part being a secondary colour that adds interest and depth, and 10% being an accent colour, used sparingly to add vibrancy and contrast. Again, play around with it, but don’t take it as gospel….