How Much Does an Interior Designer Cost?

24 Aug

Let's be honest — figuring out what an interior designer costs can feel a little mysterious, even slightly daunting. At The Nave, we'd rather simply show you the numbers. We publish our pricing because a renovation is too big a decision to come with a guessing game attached.

Whether you're refreshing one room, planning a full renovation, or working through a new build, knowing what to expect means you can plan with confidence — and spend on purpose.

Why hire a qualified interior designer?

Hiring a designer isn't just about ending up with a space worth saving to a moodboard (though that's a nice side effect). A good designer also:

Makes sure the space works the way you actually live
Steers you away from costly mistakes — the ones you only notice once the tapware is in
Saves you hours of decision fatigue
Turns a rough idea into a buildable plan, with the right trades, materials and sequence

Here in Canterbury — where villas and bungalows come with their own quirks, and earthquake repairs and 'as is, where is' properties add another layer — knowing what to keep and what to change is half the job.

Think of it as spending once, on purpose — on a home that feels as good as it functions.

So, what does a professional designer cost?

Every project is different, and costs track the size of your space, the level of involvement, and the scope. Across New Zealand, here's a rough guide to what professional design work typically costs:

One-room refresh (a bedroom or living room): $800 – $2,000
Kitchen or bathroom design: $2,000 – $5,000+
Full-home interior design: $5,000 – $15,000+
Hourly design consult: $80 – $250 per hour

These are ballpark market figures, and our own site consultation sits above that hourly range on purpose — it's a working session that ends with a written proposal, not a chat about options. Our pricing is fixed, not ballpark — and it's published in full on our pricing page.

How our pricing works

At The Nave, every project starts the same way: a complimentary Meet + Greet — thirty minutes at the studio, no obligation. If we're a fit, most projects then move into a Consultation on Site ($350/hr) — up to two hours, a working session that ends with enough to write a proposal.

Design hours thereafter run at $120/hr. Full-house work is priced as Full House Finishes, from $6,000. Kitchens, bathrooms and custom joinery are priced in three published tiers — Composed, Considered, or Fully bespoke — from $3,600 for a kitchen and $1,500 for a bathroom + laundry.

Every fee is fixed and shared up front — not a number we make up later. Some projects suit working in stages, and we're comfortable doing that too. Either way, you'll know the cost before you commit. All fees are in NZD, exclude GST, and are valid for 2026.

Getting the most out of your budget

A few things that help:

Be clear on your priorities — we'll help you decide where to invest and where to hold back
Bring your inspiration — the more we understand your taste and how you live, the smoother it runs
Trust the process — good design takes time, and the result stays with you for years

Ready to start?

Whether you're starting from scratch or just need a steer part-way through, we'll meet you where you are. Designing your home should feel exciting, not overwhelming.

Start with a complimentary Meet + Greet and we'll walk through your space together. Let's make your home feel like yours, and work like it too.

email the Nave at hello@thenave.studio

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