2025 Interior Design Costs in NYC, Jersey City, and Hoboken
How to Budget for Transforming Your Home with a Local Designer
Before launching Milieu Studio, I spent over a decade growing a renovation marketplace startup, Sweeten, that helped homeowners hire the right general contractors and navigate the home renovation process. From my time at Sweeten, I learned the client perspective really well, and one of the most salient truths I discovered is that — if you’re hoping to take on a remodel of your home, kitchen, or bathroom, you likely have no idea what it’s going to cost. The same is true for less-invasive interior projects that focus more on space planning, furniture, and fixtures. And that’s all completely normal.
Regardless of project scope, working with an interior designer is one of the most impactful investments you can make in your home — not only elevating the aesthetic, but also improving functionality, comfort, and the way you experience your home every day. Design projects include multiple cost categories, and understanding them is key to setting a realistic budget. In most projects, expenses fall into a few major buckets:
Design Fees: Your investment in the vision, planning, and creative direction
Materials & Finishes: Flooring, tile, countertops, cabinetry, paint, architectural details, etc.
Furnishings: Sofas, beds, tables, lighting, rugs, etc.
Decor & Accessories: Artwork, window treatments, styling, and the finishing touches
Contractors & Installers: The professionals who bring the design to life
At Milieu Studio, I specialize in residential design in the NYC metro area, including Jersey City, Hoboken, and Manhattan. I’ve created this local guide to break down what influences interior design pricing, what different service models look like, and how to get the most value from your home investment.
What Affects the Cost of Interior Design?
If you're hiring a designer for the first time, it’s easy to assume the cost is just about “how much they charge.” But that’s only one part of the equation.
Interior design is a complex service — part strategy, part creative direction, part logistics management — and the final cost is shaped by several moving parts. Here are the biggest ones to keep in mind:
1. The Scope
Are we reimagining a single room? Furnishing a newly purchased condo from scratch? Gut-renovating a multi-level brownstone? The scale and complexity of the project determine everything from timeline to trade involvement to how deep we go with custom solutions.
2. The Aesthetic Direction
Designing something that feels personal, original, and elevated takes time — especially if we’re steering away from cookie-cutter, off-the-shelf solutions. That might mean sourcing vintage pieces, collaborating with fabricators, commissioning artwork, or developing custom cabinetry details to suit a very specific vibe.
3. Timeline
If you need it fast, things get more expensive. Rush ordering, limited stock availability, expedited freight, and scheduling trade professionals quickly all add up. If you’re able to plan ahead, you’ll have more choices and more flexibility — and we can often achieve more for your budget.
4. Where You Live
Costs in the NYC metro area are... not subtle. Between union labor, building restrictions, and premium contractor rates, you can expect to pay more across the board. Even across the river in Jersey City and Hoboken, the cost of residential design remains elevated compared to suburban markets. While logistics may be slightly more flexible than in Manhattan, you're still operating in a fast-paced urban context with premium pricing.
How Interior Designers Price Their Services
Designers in NYC, Jersey City, and Hoboken use a variety of pricing models: hourly rates, flat fees, markups on purchases, or a percentage of the overall project budget.
At Milieu Studio, I typically use an hourly structure because it allows for flexibility, transparency, and customization — especially for clients with evolving scopes or phased projects. That said, pricing structures are always tailored to the specific needs of each client, and I occasionally offer flat fees for projects with clearly defined scopes.
Common Models You May Encounter:
Hourly Rates: Most NYC-area designers charge between $150–$400/hour depending on experience and firm size. I charge hourly for all design services — from space planning to sourcing to installation management.
Flat Fees: Common for full-service projects with well-defined scopes. For reference:
Single-room projects: $5,000–$10,000+
Full-home design: $40,000–$100,000+
Cost-Plus / Markup: Some designers add 25–40% to furnishings or materials they purchase on your behalf.
Retainers & Deposits: Designers typically require a retainer upfront based on the estimated hours for the first phase of your project. This locks in your spot and allows us to begin the design process with clarity.
What Does Interior Design Actually Cost in NYC, Jersey City & Hoboken?
Project costs can vary widely in depending on scope, size, and level of customization. Below are general benchmarks for both design fees and total project budgets to help you plan:
Initial Consultation Fees
It’s standard practice to pay for an initial on-site consultation before signing a contract. In the NYC metro area, consultations typically range from $200 to $750, depending on duration and deliverables. This gives you and the designer the chance to walk the space, discuss goals, and see if it’s the right fit before diving in.
Note, at Milieu Studio I am offering reduced fees for initial consultations through July 2025.
Room Redesigns
For a fully furnished and styled room — such as a living room, dining room, or bedroom — including layout, sourcing, furniture, lighting, and final installation:
Total project budget: $10,000 to $30,000+
Estimated design fee portion: $5,000 to $10,000+
The design fee often accounts for 25% to 35% of the total room budget, depending on scope, complexity, and room size.
Full-Service Interior Design
For an entire home — such as a 2–3 bedroom apartment in Manhattan or a brownstone in Jersey City or Hoboken — involving multiple rooms, furnishing, and possibly renovations:
Total project budget: $150,000 to $350,000+
Estimated design fee portion: $40,000 to $100,000+
These larger projects may include construction, custom millwork, materials sourcing, architectural coordination, and comprehensive project management — all of which contribute to a higher overall investment.
What to Expect for Different Project Types
Design Fees
Design fees cover everything from concept development to sourcing, floor plans, digital renderings, material schedules, vendor coordination, and more. They reflect both the hours put into the work and the expertise behind the creative direction.
Single-room design or furnishing project: $7,500–$25,000+
Multi-room or full-home design: $30,000–$100,000+
Gut renovation or new build design: $50,000–$150,000+
Furnishings & Decor
These are the tangible pieces that define how your space feels and functions. Quality, scale, and customization are the biggest cost drivers.
Living Room Setup: $20,000–$40,000+ (sofa, chairs, coffee table, lighting, rug, art, accessories)
Primary Bedroom: $15,000–$30,000+
Dining Area: $10,000–$25,000+
If you're investing in custom upholstery, designer lighting, or vintage finds, those ranges skew higher — but the impact is worth it. One custom table or knockout rug can set the entire tone of a room.
Materials & Finishes
For projects that involve construction, the finishes you select — cabinetry, tile, stone, flooring, hardware — drive a huge portion of the budget. Labor is also a big factor.
Kitchen materials and finishes: $30,000–$75,000+
Bathroom finishes: $15,000–$40,000+
Flooring throughout: $12–$30/sq ft installed
Countertops: $80–$250+/sq ft installed
Custom millwork, intricate tilework, or specialty finishes (like limewash or plaster) can dramatically elevate a space — and increase your investment accordingly.
Installation, Contractors, and Trades
No design comes to life without skilled hands. Installers, millworkers, painters, electricians, and contractors all factor into the total cost — and good ones are worth their weight in gold.
Contractor labor for light renovations: $25,000–$75,000+
Full gut reno or major remodel: $100,000–$300,000+
Installation, delivery, and vendor coordination fees: Varies depending on logistics
Example Project Budgets
To help put it all together, here’s a sample breakdown of an average-size apartment design in JC, Hoboken, or downtown Manhattan:
Modern Loft Furnish & Finish (no construction):
Design Fee: $25,000
Furnishings & Decor: $65,000
Materials (e.g., paint, minor flooring): $10,000
Installers & Logistics: $7,500
Total: ~$110,000
Full-Gut Brownstone Parlor Floor:
Design Fee: $50,000+
Materials & Finishes: $80,000
Furnishings: $60,000
Contractor Labor: $120,000
Art, Decor, Accessories: $15,000
Total: ~$325,000+
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Interior Design Budget
Start with a Realistic Budget
We’ll work together to define a comfortable range and build your project around it.Prioritize Key Spaces
Focus on rooms where you spend the most time — like your kitchen, living room, or bedroom — and phase other areas later.Be Honest About Your Lifestyle
Instagram-worthy doesn’t always mean livable. I’ll guide you toward materials and layouts that support the way you actually live.Mix Investment Pieces with Budget Finds
Splurge on the sofa you’ll use every day. Save on the accent table. A thoughtful mix of high and low leads to a space that feels curated, not formulaic.
In Closing
At Milieu Studio, every project is an opportunity to create something meaningful — blending thoughtful aesthetics with practical choices that make everyday life better. I take a collaborative approach, making sure every design decision reflects your personality, values, and lifestyle.
If you're thinking about a project in Jersey City, Hoboken, or NYC, get in touch — I’d be happy to explore what we can create together.
