Guide
Design services for interior projects: what's offered and how they're packaged
Design services, also called creative design services, interior styling or space design, are the individual pieces of work an interior designer or studio provides: consultation, space planning, colour, furniture selection, material sourcing and project management. Unlike graphic or web design services, interior design services deal with physical spaces, furniture and finishes.
This guide breaks down each service, the tools behind it and how designers package them. It's part of the furniture for interior designers series.
Which design services are typical?
| Service | Deliverable |
|---|---|
| Consultation | Advice and direction |
| Space planning | Furniture layout plan |
| Colour consultation | Palette and paint schedule |
| Lighting plan | Fixture positions and types |
| Furniture selection | Product schedule with dimensions and finishes |
| Material sourcing | Finishes, fabrics, swatches |
| Custom furniture design | Drawings for made-to-order pieces |
| Project management | Ordering, delivery, installation |
| Styling | Accessories, art, final dressing |
What does each service involve?
Space planning decides where everything goes; see zoning techniques. Colour consultation sets walls, floors, fabrics and wood tones. Furniture selection turns a concept into a schedule of real products. Material sourcing finds finishes that meet the brief and budget. Project management keeps orders, deliveries and trades on track.
Which tools do designers use?
CAD and 3D tools such as Autodesk products and SketchUp, mood board tools such as Canva and Pinterest, measuring kits and supplier data. Artisan trade accounts include spec sheets plus CAD and SketchUp files for every design, so furniture drops straight into plans and renders.
How should services be packaged?
As tiers, so clients can choose:
| Tier | Includes | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Advice only | Consultation, notes | DIY clients |
| Design only | Concept, plans, schedules | Clients who'll buy themselves |
| Full service | Design plus procurement and install | Whole homes, commercial |
How do designers charge for services?
Hourly rates, flat fees per room or project, a percentage of the project budget or a markup on furniture and materials bought through trade accounts. Many combine a design fee with a markup. At Artisan, trade accounts get 25% off MSRP and bulk wholesale orders up to 50% off MSRP, which supports markup-based pricing. See trade discounts for designers.
Which associations support designers?
ASID and the Interior Design Society in the US; IDC and provincial bodies such as ARIDO in Canada. Houzz is a common way to market services.
How do design services work for commercial clients?
Commercial clients, such as cafés, hotels, offices and retailers, buy the same core services with extra requirements: brand standards, building codes, accessibility, durability for heavy use and fixed opening dates. Furniture selection leans towards repeatable pieces that can be reordered, and procurement must hit tight deadlines. See hotels and hospitality and restaurants and cafés for the furniture side.
How do you compare quotes for design services?
Compare scope as well as price. Check which services each quote includes, how many revisions are allowed, whether procurement and installation are covered, how furniture is priced and who manages deliveries. A lower design fee with a high furniture markup can cost more than a higher fee with transparent pricing.
What should a design services agreement include?
Scope, deliverables, timeline, fees and payment schedule, how changes are handled, who orders furniture and who owns the drawings. A clear agreement protects both client and designer.
Related services
Interior design services explains full-service projects, and interior design studios explains how firms deliver them.
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of design services?+
A cohesive plan, better use of space, fewer costly mistakes and access to trade sources and pricing.
How do you choose the right design service?+
Match the scope (advice only, design only or full service) to the project and budget, then compare portfolios, process and fees.
What should you expect from design services?+
A clear process, drawings or plans, a furniture and finish schedule and, for full service, procurement and installation.
Which tools do interior designers use?+
CAD and 3D modelling software, mood board tools, measuring kits and supplier spec sheets and CAD files.
How should designers package their services?+
As tiers, such as advice only, design only and full service, so clients can choose the level they need.