Interior Design Budget – Master Bedroom

What does it cost to style a master bedroom? I first addressed budgets in a post last year, specifically relating to a living room budget.  It’s an important question as clients need a realistic understanding of how much furniture, furnishings, fittings and fixtures, costs for the bedroom of their dreams.

For most people working with an interior designer is a memorable but one off experience.  Some clients aspire to work with an interior designer.  The interior design process produces brilliant outcomes and it will be an experience you will thoroughly enjoy and never forget, but admittedly it’s not cheap. 

Having said that our fees are not ridiculous either.  In comparison to other ‘high end’ studios, my belief in accessible design ensures working with us is affordable. 

So, let’s get to the figures.  The prices I’m about to share are averages for an interior styling project, not an interior design project. 

Interior Styling v Interior Design

What’s the difference between an interior styling and an interior design project?  An interior styling project focuses on aesthetics and function.  An interior design project includes function, aesthetics, and structure. 

The key difference between the two services is whether the structure or layout is changing.  If structure is part of the project the overall costs are higher due to the level of complexity, skill, expertise, and time required for projects of this nature.

So, for this article I’m focusing on interior styling for a master bedroom.  Our fee to style your master bedroom will cost between $2,500 – $3,500 depending on the number of pieces required and the number of surfaces we are treating.

What does it mean to ‘treat’ a surface?  In any interior styling project we consider all the surfaces in the spaces, that is, floor, walls and ceilings.  If, you would like to treat all or any of the surfaces, for example, replace the flooring or add a feature wall, then the price is more.

However, if you have a couple of pieces of furniture that you’d like us to incorporate into the concept and there’s no change to any surfaces, then the overall price could be less.

Typical Pieces for a Master Bedroom

In general, we specify the following products for a master bedroom;

1. Bedhead or bed frame
2. Bedside tables
3. Bedside table lamps or other lighting
4. Bed end bench (if required)
5. Rug tbc
6. Possible feature wall eg: feature paint, wallpaper
7. Possible art or use of existing
8. Window treatments tbc
9. Bed linen
10. 1-2 storage pieces
11. Accessories and décor such as cushions, ornaments etc

Firstly, we define a design strategy which includes your preferred style goal, your ideal colour scheme and the furniture layout. Then we research and find suitable pieces to suit the design strategy, size of the space and your budget.  We present these pieces in a moodboard for your feedback.

There is an allowance for the number of revisions clients can make.  On average one round of revisions is enough due to the comprehensive nature of the brief stage of the process.

Average of Cost of Key Pieces for Master Bedroom

Let’s look at the average cost of the items identified above, starting with the focal piece, the bed.  In our last two residential projects the beds we specified, were the Clarke Bed Frame for approx $300 and the Mark Tuckey Slate bedhead for approx $600.

And on average the bed heads in the buyable inspo boards on my blog The Design Basics range between $300 and $600 as well.

The next important piece of furniture we research for a master bedroom is the bedside tables.  We have specified bed sides tables that cost $350, but a mid range price is about $599.  Of course, there a cheaper bedside table from retailers such as Ikea and Fantastic Furniture which can work just as well.

With all the big pieces, an important consideration is quality and value for money, based on the materials used, country of manufacture and warranty.

The next important item for a master bedroom interior styling project is the table lamps.  For the last two residential projects we specified these two items.  The Lucia was approximately $60 each and the other $120 each.

Clients vary in relation to where they want to spend their money.  This is an important factor we consider because we don’t specify a high value piece if the client prefers to spend their money on other items, for example art.

Cost for Complementary Pieces

For items such as cushions you can find on sale for $20 but on average $50-$60 is the cost of a good quality cushion.  More if you want a cushion with a feather filling.  For a good quality throw budget at least $100.

The price of rugs varies greatly also depending on size and material.  For one project a rug cost $150 and for another $49 but I’ve also had clients spend more than $1000 on a rug.

When I research pieces, it’s rare for me to specify custom pieces for residential styling projects.  Primarily because custom making something is expensive, so we always like to exhaust our usual supplier list for ready made items before going down this path.

A feature wall could either be a paint colour or a wallpaper.  This exercise includes the cost of labour for someone to do the painting or applying the wallpaper and the cost of the materials.  The cost of painters varies, but on average a painter is $35-$45 p/hr, the cost for someone to install wallpaper is similar. 

Art, is really the icing on the cake and because we love it we always recommend art and firmly believe there is art for every budget.  Recently we specified downloadable prints from Etsy for $40 but some clients take the opportunity to invest in art with my assistance.

Art is such a personal choice.  We recommend a range of art suppliers appropriate to the design strategy, space and budget.  To learn more about how to buy or choose art, watch our vlog.

Window treatments, that is blinds, curtains etc are also not cheap.  We will not use a supplier such as Spotlight because we’re not confident in the quality.  We have however, suggested Ikea and of course we have our own custom window treatment supplier based in Northcote, P & S Drapes.

Décor and accessories can be costly too but there are good value items to be found.  We believe less is more with décor and accessories, a few choice pieces rather than a messy collection. 

Budget Bottom Line

If you do the math, using a mid-range budget, the cost to style a master bedroom is approximately $4000-$6000.  Therefore, because styling for your space can be confusing, by working with us, you can rest assured that we are researching and recommending carefully curated items that suit you, your style, your space and your budget. 

We know value.  We know where to spend money and where you can make compromises.  My promise is that you will not be disappointed by working with us, not in our selections nor with the beautiful outcome.  Contact us today for a free initial no obligation chat.