How to Budget for the cost of Interior Design Services in Toronto & the GTA

A clear, transparent guide to understanding design fees — and why investing upfront saves you money.

Thoughtful design upfront eliminates costly mistakes later — and that’s where a designer or decorator becomes one of the smartest investments you can make. When your project is planned properly from the beginning, your money goes toward the right pieces, the right trades, and the right decisions, not toward correcting preventable errors.

If you’ve ever wondered how much interior design actually costs or how to build a realistic budget for your Toronto or GTA project, this guide walks you through the essentials — from design fees to furnishings to construction costs — all explained in plain, friendly English.

Why Budgeting for the cost of Interior Design Matters

Interior design isn’t just about choosing pretty things. It’s about planning, coordination, and making sure every decision supports the bigger picture. When you budget properly for design services:

• you avoid buying pieces that don’t work

• you prevent costly construction changes

• you save time by making decisions in the right order

• you get a finished home that feels cohesive, functional, and intentional

And in the Toronto/GTA market — where trades are booked months ahead, construction costs are high, and lead times are real — the value of proper planning grows even more.

How Designers Typically Charge (And What We Do Differently)

There is no standardized pricing model for designers. Each studio selects a structure that aligns with its process.

The most common fee models are:

• Hourly

• Flat Fee Per Phase

• Percentage of Project Cost

• Hybrid (mix of above)

  
  

At Ldesigns Interiors, we use a transparent, predictable flat-fee model

Our clients prefer knowing exactly what they’re committing to. So do we.

• Most design projects start from $7,500 + HST.

• Full renovations require a higher design fee because of the number of trades, decisions, details, and drawings involved.

• We only use hourly billing when managing client-hired trades, because that work has more variables.

This structure takes the guesswork — and the anxiety — out of budgeting.

What’s Included in the Ldesigns Interiors Design Fee

Your design fee is not just for a few ideas or a shopping list. It covers a comprehensive process that ensures your renovation or new build runs smoothly.

Phase I — Design Development

Includes:

• Up to two layout options (floor plans)

• One revision

• Elevations

• 3D renderings

• Furniture/fixture planning for scale and flow

This is where your space comes to life on paper.

Phase II — Selections (Finishes & Furnishings)

This is where we choose all the finishes and furnishings according to the approved plan.

Includes:

• Sourcing all finishes and materials

• Presenting samples (where possible)

• Selecting furnishings, fabrics, lighting, plumbing, hardware

• Identifying placement on drawings

For small projects, selections are often completed in one meeting. For larger projects, we may divide selections by floor or category (example: all hard finishes first, then furnishings later).

Phase III — Budgeting & Implementation

Includes:

• Cost reviews

• Scheduling

• Coordinating trades

• Overseeing details to ensure everything follows the design intent

This phase protects your investment — it’s where mistakes are prevented and clarity stays intact.

Procurement: How We Handle Purchases

We purchase mostly from trade-only vendors to ensure consistent quality, access to unique pieces, and a smooth ordering process.

No cost-plus commission

Vendors are paid directly

We handle logistics, delivery, and quality control

Put simply:

“We purchase from trade-only vendors to manage quality, logistics, and warranty, with no additional commission on product.”

This gives you transparency and peace of mind.

Consultation Fee: The First Step

A design consultation is the best place to begin.

• $550 + HST

• Up to two hours

• In-home or in-studio

We review your space, ideas, goals, and any plans or photos you’ve gathered. This meeting provides clarity before you commit to a larger scope — and helps you understand what’s possible.

How Much Should You Budget for Furnishings in the GTA?

Furniture budgets vary widely depending on quality and quantity, but here’s a general starting point:

Living Room:

Most GTA living rooms start around $25,000 when furnished with quality trade pieces.

This typically includes:

• Area rug

• Sofa or sectional

• Accent chairs

• Coffee table

• Side tables

• Lighting

• Drapery

• Art & finishing pieces

  
  

Years of experience tell us: Trying to design a living room for far less usually leads to a space that feels unfinished — or full of compromises.

Construction Budgets in Toronto & the GTA: What to Expect

Construction costs vary widely depending on the home, the contractor, and the level of customization.

Typical ranges across the GTA (not quotes):

• Renovations: $250–$300+ per sq ft

• More complex projects: $350–$560+ per sq ft (especially downtown Toronto or older homes)

• Kitchens: often $55,000+ for even modest update scopes (labour + materials)

• Bathrooms: can range widely, typically $20,000+

These numbers shift based on materials, trades, and unforeseen conditions, but they provide helpful guardrails.

Don’t Forget the Contingency

Every project — renovation or new build — should include a contingency of:

10 – 20% depending on scope

This protects you from surprises, backorders, discontinued items, or unavoidable construction adjustments.

How Design Saves You Money (Even Though It Costs Money)

The biggest misconception is that hiring a designer adds to the budget. In reality, a designer protects the budget by preventing:

• ordering the wrong furniture

• choosing finishes that don’t work

• renovating without a plan

• buying items twice

• making decisions out of panic because trades are waiting

• costly change orders during construction

“When your home is thoughtfully planned, your money goes to the right places — not toward fixing preventable mistakes.”

You get a better result and a smoother process.

How Payments Work at Ldesigns Interiors

To make the process easy and predictable:

• Design fee: Due in full at the start, or 50% at start + 50% at beginning of Phase II

• Furnishings: Paid in full at the time of order

This structure ensures everything is booked, ordered, and scheduled without delays.

GTA Factors That Influence Budgeting

Toronto and the GTA have unique realities that affect budgets:

• Trades book months in advance

• Condo renovations require approvals + elevator bookings

• Lead times for materials can stretch 10–20+ weeks

• Permit revisions slow down construction

• Delivery logistics vary across buildings/neighbourhoods

Design planning helps you stay ahead of these realities instead of reacting to them.

Budgeting for interior design isn’t about guessing — it’s about planning. It’s about understanding what goes into the project, what quality looks like, and how thoughtful design protects your investment.

Good design isn’t the cheapest option. But it is the most cost-effective — because it prevents mistakes, avoids unnecessary spending, and results in a home you’re proud to live in.

Ready to plan your project with clarity and confidence?

Let’s talk about your goals, ideas, and budget — and build a design plan that supports every decision along the way.

Book a Design Consultation and let’s create a home that’s beautiful, functional, and worth every dollar invested.

Thanks for reading!

Lenore 🤍