What Does an Interior Designer Cost in Melbourne and Geelong? Here’s the Honest Answer.
Let’s talk about the thing nobody puts on their website.
I get asked about cost in almost every first conversation — and I think more designers should just answer it honestly. So here we go.
The basics
Decorating fees in Australia generally sit somewhere between $150–$300+ per hour depending on experience and scope. But for most of my clients in Melbourne and Geelong, the hourly rate isn’t really how they experience the cost — because what they’re really investing in is the full picture. The furniture. The fitout. The finished room.
And that’s where it gets exciting.
How interior designers charge
There are a few ways interior decorators structure their fees, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you reach out to anyone.
Hourly rate — suits smaller projects, single rooms, or clients who want guidance on specific decisions. You pay for the designer’s time and handle sourcing yourself.
Fixed project fee — for larger projects with a clear scope, many decorators (including me) will quote a fixed fee upfront after an initial consultation. You know exactly what you’re paying before anything begins. No surprises.
Percentage of project cost — some designers charge 10–20% of the total project budget. More common on large-scale commercial or whole-home projects.
At Erica Fanning Interiors, I work on a fixed fee basis for most projects. After our initial consultation I put together a detailed proposal so everything is clear and transparent from the start.
What an interior designer in Geelong and Melbourne actually does
A big part of what I offer goes beyond sketching mood boards. I source and supply everything — furniture, cushions, rugs, lighting, window treatments, artwork, accessories. All of it.
That means I’m not just telling you what to buy and leaving you to figure it out. I’m finding the pieces, ordering them, storing them, and bringing it all together on installation day. You walk in and it’s done.
For a single room refresh, that might look like a few thousand dollars in furniture and a design fee to pull it together. For a full home or commercial fitout across Geelong, the Surf Coast or Melbourne, the investment grows — but so does the transformation.
Why it’s worth it
Here’s the honest truth. Most people who try to furnish and style a space themselves spend more than they planned, end up with pieces that don’t quite work together, and still don’t love the result.
I have access to trade suppliers and pieces you simply can’t walk into a store and buy. That sofa, that dining table, that pendant light that makes the room — I know where to find it, and I know how to make it all feel cohesive. And if you’re working on a kitchen, bathroom or need a colour consultation, that’s all part of what we do too.
The investment in a good interior decorator pays for itself in a space you actually love living in.
Where to start
Not sure if you need a full fitout or just a refresh? That’s exactly what our initial consultation is for. We’ll walk through your space together, talk about what you love and what isn’t working, and I’ll put together a clear proposal so you know exactly what’s involved.
Whether you’re in Geelong, the Surf Coast, Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula or the Bellarine Peninsula — I’d love to help.
Initial consultation: $400
📞 0411 963 180 ✉️ Erica Fanning Interiors
