Budgeting for your interior design project
December 14, 2023
Last month’s blog gave a high level overview of what it costs to hire a design professional in a major Canadian city like Toronto. Read more here. This month I want to focus on the key items to consider when budgeting for your interior design or decorating project.
Four key variables | Budgeting for your interior design project
Given the number of elements in a design project, it is difficult to list them all. But in my experience, there are four key variables that have the biggest impact on the budget:
1. Size of the project (in square feet)?
From a small single room to a large open concept area with multiple functional spaces to a whole home, the size of the project impacts every design and décor element.
2. Is there construction/renovation involved and to what extent?
If you’re remodelling a kitchen or bathroom, simply refreshing fixtures and décor in place will result in a significantly lower budget. However, moving (or adding) plumbing, electrical, walls, built-ins and cabinetry are often integral to achieving a great result and consequently push the budget higher. Here’s an example of a more extensive renovation:
In this project we turned a small, dark kitchen, bathroom and closet into bright, open and functional space by moving walls and utilities. We even found space for a full-sized stacked laundry set for added functionality on the main floor. Without re-orienting the space, moving plumbing, electrical and walls, we wouldn't have been able to achieve the efficient, serene result shown above and in our portfolio (here).
3. To what extent do you want the design and décor customized to your requirements?
Customization in any aspect of the project, is a critical element. If it is within the budget, I often propose custom products in order to get the best quality and specific look for a client's design. Bespoke elements add a layer of luxury, timelessness, and practicality that can’t be duplicated with off-the-shelf items.
With this project, the client had always wanted a round dining table. However they also wanted to be able to seat eight guests. Designing and procuring a custom made table allowed us to maximize the space and to increase the size of the table to comfortably accommodate eight seats. At a 75” diameter, it was necessary to add a custom lazy susan to allow easy passing of food. While it is not impossible to find ready-made small-scale dining chairs, comfort and quality were essential; so full-size custom dining chairs were sourced from a local manufacturer. I could talk endlessly on the benefits of custom-made products. Look for more in an upcoming blog post!
4. Which rooms are the focus of the project?
Each room has its own set of implications. Kitchens and bathrooms typically involve specialized cabinetry, plumbing fixtures and appliances. Whereas living rooms, dining rooms, or bedrooms, are décor heavy (eg. furniture, carpets, drapery, art, light fixtures, etc.); these rooms are where we shine! Altering each of these variables can result in a very different budget for your project.
To provide some context, here are some ranges for specific spaces drawn from several of our recent projects.
Sample Budgets (includes design fees, construction and décor)
Bathrooms: $40,000 to over $100,000
Kitchens: $90,000 to over $150,000
Bedrooms: $65,000 to over $150,000
Living Rooms: $90,000 to over $200,000
Dining Rooms: $55,000 to over $120,000
For kitchens and bathrooms, construction is often the highest portion of the budget because everything is built-in and customized to the space. With bedrooms, dining and living rooms, décor items typically make up the largest portion of the budget.
People are often surprised by how quickly the various components add up. Most of us have accumulated furniture and décor over many years and have likely never added up all of the individual elements in a room. If you are undertaking a complete redesign of a space, it’s like replacing your entire wardrobe in one fell swoop. It feels like a lot all at once, but makes sense in the context of changing everything to achieve a new design.
Consider a single living room. Here is a sample list of décor items would typically be included in a redesign of the space:
Sofa or Sectional
2 Occasional Chairs
Drapery
Side Tables
Wallpaper
Paint
Light Fixture(s)
Rug (10'x14')
Lamps (floor and table lamps)
Coffee Table
Cushions
Entertainment Console
Art
Accessories
And this doesn't include construction (i.e. built-in cabinetry, flooring, base construction), entertainment devices (TV, speakers, etc.), design fees, delivery, installation and taxes. There are many elements that make up a complete design and budget. But with a proper budget and a great design the results can be spectacular.
Placing a design professional at the centre of your project is the best way to ensure your budget is properly allocated to create a functional, beautiful home that is uniquely yours. A professional will know how to balance the budget and where to splurge versus where to save. Done well, it is an investment, not only in your well-being, but also in your home’s value.
To help prospective clients understand our process and how to plan for their design project, during our In Home Consultation we walk them through sample budgets for three rooms with varying levels of investment. And a key part of our process is helping clients develop and finalize their budget by providing them with a custom proposal for their project.
If you are contemplating a design project, please book a discovery call. We'd love to learn more about your project and see if there is a fit.