Interior Design Proposal Template

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Prepared by Your Company Name

Professional Services Proposal

For Client Name

Created on November 1, 2025Valid for 30 days

Introduction

Thank you for the opportunity to create a design proposal for your space. I am passionate about creating interiors that are not only beautiful but also functional, comfortable, and reflective of your personal style and the way you live. My approach combines thoughtful space planning, curated material and furniture selection, and meticulous attention to detail to transform your vision into reality. This proposal outlines my understanding of your project, my design process, timeline, and investment details. I look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you to create a space you will love for years to come.

01

Services & Deliverables

Design Consultation & Space Assessment

Initial in-depth consultation, space measurements, photography, lifestyle and aesthetic preference discussion, and design brief development

Concept Design Package

Design concepts with mood boards, color palettes, preliminary floor plans, material and finish selections, and concept presentation with one round of revisions

Full Design & Specification

Detailed floor plans, furniture specifications, lighting plans, material and finish schedules, custom millwork designs, and comprehensive design documentation

Procurement & Ordering Services

Furniture and material sourcing, vendor coordination, order placement and tracking, receiving and quality inspection, 20% procurement fee on all purchases

Installation & Styling

Installation coordination and supervision, furniture placement and arrangement, accessory styling and art placement, final walk-through and adjustments

Hourly Design Consultation

Ongoing design support, shopping assistance, color consultations, furniture arrangement help, or project guidance billed at hourly rate

02

Project Timeline

1
Discovery & Consultation
1-2 weeks

Initial meeting, space assessment, measurements, photography, and development of detailed design brief and project scope

2
Concept Development
2-3 weeks

Design concept creation including mood boards, preliminary floor plans, color schemes, and material selections for client review

3
Design Refinement
2-4 weeks

Revisions based on feedback, detailed specifications, final selections, and budget refinement with complete design documentation

4
Procurement & Fabrication
8-16 weeks

Ordering furniture and materials, custom fabrication for upholstery and window treatments, quality control, and delivery coordination

5
Installation & Completion
1-2 weeks

Delivery receiving, installation supervision, furniture placement, styling with accessories and art, and final walk-through

03

Investment

Design Consultation & Space Assessment$500
Concept Design Package$3,500
Full Design & Specification$6,500
Procurement & Ordering Services$2,000
Installation & Styling$2,500
Hourly Design Consultation$175
Total Investment$15,175
04

Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms
  • • 50% deposit required to initiate the project
  • • Remaining balance due upon project completion
  • • All invoices are payable within 14 days of receipt
Project Timeline
  • • Timeline begins upon receipt of deposit and required materials
  • • Delays in providing feedback or materials may impact delivery dates
Intellectual Property
  • • Client retains ownership of all final deliverables upon full payment
  • • Service provider retains ownership of pre-existing materials and methodologies

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1. Understanding Interior Design Proposal Essentials

Interior design proposals bridge the gap between a client's vision and the reality of a beautifully designed space. A compelling proposal demonstrates your understanding of their aesthetic preferences, functional needs, and budget constraints while showcasing your design expertise and process. For interior designers, the proposal is often the first tangible evidence of your ability to translate ideas into actionable plans, setting the foundation for a successful client relationship and project execution.

2. Defining Project Scope and Design Services

Clearly defining the scope prevents misunderstandings and ensures both parties have aligned expectations. Specify which rooms or areas are included in the design, detail the level of service (concept only, design and procurement, or full-service including installation), outline the number of design concepts and revisions included, and establish boundaries around structural work, contractor coordination, and project management. Include details about square footage, existing conditions, special requirements like accessibility or sustainability goals, and whether the project involves new construction, renovation, or furnishing an existing space.

3. Design Process and Methodology

Clients want to understand your creative process and how you work. Outline your approach from initial consultation and space assessment through concept development, design refinement, specification, procurement, and installation. Explain how you gather inspiration, develop mood boards and design concepts, incorporate client feedback, source materials and furnishings, coordinate with contractors and vendors, and manage the installation process. This transparency demonstrates professionalism and helps clients understand what to expect at each stage, building confidence in your ability to deliver their dream space.

4. Space Planning and Functional Considerations

Great interior design balances aesthetics with functionality. Address how you approach space planning to optimize traffic flow, furniture placement, and room functionality. Discuss how you consider the client's lifestyle, daily routines, entertaining needs, storage requirements, and future flexibility. Explain your process for measuring spaces, creating floor plans, and ensuring furniture and fixtures fit properly. This section demonstrates that your designs are not just beautiful but also livable and tailored to how the client actually uses their space.

5. Design Concept Development and Presentation

Describe how you develop and present design concepts. Explain the deliverables clients can expect: mood boards showing color palettes, materials, and style direction; floor plans indicating furniture placement and spatial flow; elevations or 3D renderings visualizing the finished space; material and finish samples for tactile review. Detail how many initial concepts you provide, your revision process, and how you refine designs based on client feedback. Strong presentation materials help clients visualize your vision and make informed decisions about design direction.

6. Material Selection and Sourcing

One of the most valuable aspects of working with an interior designer is access to quality materials, furnishings, and trade resources. Explain your approach to selecting fabrics, finishes, furniture, lighting, window treatments, and accessories that align with the design concept, meet quality standards, and fit within budget. Discuss your relationships with vendors and showrooms, whether you provide trade discounts or mark up purchases, and how you handle ordering, receiving, and quality control. Transparency about sourcing and pricing builds trust and demonstrates the value you provide.

7. Budget Development and Cost Management

Budget is often the most sensitive aspect of interior design projects. Clearly explain your fee structure (flat fee, hourly rate, percentage of project cost, or combination), what is included in your design fee versus product costs, how you handle purchasing and procurement fees, and payment schedule tied to project milestones. Provide a realistic estimate of total project investment including design fees, furnishings, materials, labor, and contingency. Help clients understand where money will be spent and how you work to maximize value while achieving design goals. Transparent budgeting prevents unpleasant surprises and scope disputes.

8. Project Timeline and Milestones

Interior design projects involve multiple phases and dependencies that affect timeline. Provide a realistic schedule broken down by key milestones: initial consultation and space assessment, concept development and presentation, design refinement and final approval, specification and ordering, fabrication and lead times for custom items, delivery and receiving, and installation and styling. Factor in typical lead times for furniture (8-16 weeks), custom window treatments (6-12 weeks), upholstery (8-14 weeks), and other long-lead items. A detailed timeline helps clients plan their schedules and understand why quality design takes time.

9. Coordination with Contractors and Trades

Many interior design projects require coordination with contractors, painters, electricians, carpenters, and other trades. Clarify your role in this process: whether you provide referrals to trusted contractors, review bids and proposals, create specifications and drawings for contractors, attend job site meetings, review work quality, or manage the overall construction process. If the project involves renovations or custom millwork, explain how you coordinate design intent with contractor execution. This coordination ensures the design vision is properly implemented and prevents miscommunication between parties.

10. Installation, Styling, and Project Completion

The installation phase brings your design to life. Describe how you manage furniture delivery, coordinate installation schedules, oversee placement and arrangement, handle any damages or issues with delivered items, and complete final styling with accessories, art, and finishing touches. Explain your process for the final walk-through, addressing punch list items, and ensuring client satisfaction. Discuss post-project support, whether you offer maintenance guidance, seasonal refresh consultations, or assistance with future additions. A smooth installation and thoughtful completion process leaves clients delighted and generates referrals for future projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this proposal template

How much do interior design services typically cost?+
Interior design fees vary widely based on project scope, designer experience, and location. Hourly rates typically range from $100-$300/hour. Flat project fees for a single room might be $2,000-$8,000, while whole-home designs can range from $15,000-$100,000+. Some designers charge a percentage of total project cost (10-30%). Additional costs include furniture, materials, and procurement fees (typically 20-35% markup or flat fee). A typical living room design might cost $5,000-$15,000 in design fees plus $15,000-$50,000 for furnishings and materials. Budget varies significantly based on quality level and scope.
What is included in a basic interior design proposal?+
A comprehensive interior design proposal includes project understanding and scope definition (rooms included, level of service), design process and methodology explanation, space planning and functional considerations approach, concept development deliverables (mood boards, floor plans, renderings), material selection and sourcing process, detailed budget breakdown including design fees and estimated product costs, project timeline with key milestones and lead times, procurement and installation services offered, designer credentials and portfolio examples, contract terms and payment schedule. The proposal should clearly distinguish between design fees and product costs, and specify what is included versus additional services.
How long does an interior design project typically take?+
Timeline depends on project scope and complexity. A single room design might take 2-4 months from initial consultation to installation: concept development 2-4 weeks, design refinement 2-3 weeks, procurement and fabrication 6-12 weeks, installation 1-2 weeks. Whole-home projects typically take 4-8 months or longer. Major factors affecting timeline: custom furniture and upholstery (8-16 weeks lead time), window treatments (6-12 weeks), imported materials or special orders (12-20 weeks), contractor work if renovations involved (varies widely), client decision-making speed. Rush projects possible with premium selections and expedite fees but quality design takes time.
What is the difference between an interior designer and interior decorator?+
Interior designers typically have formal education and may be licensed or certified. They handle space planning, architectural details, building codes, and can work on structural changes. Services include floor plans, lighting design, material specifications, contractor coordination, and comprehensive design. Interior decorators focus on aesthetics and furnishings without structural changes. Services typically include color schemes, furniture selection, window treatments, accessories, and styling. Decorators generally do not need licensing and may not create technical drawings. For projects involving layout changes, built-ins, or renovations, hire an interior designer. For furnishing and refreshing existing spaces, either can work depending on project complexity.
Do I need to hire an interior designer for a small project?+
While not required, designers add value even to small projects by preventing costly mistakes in furniture sizing, color selection, or layout. Designers have access to trade-only resources and pricing not available to consumers, often offsetting their fees. They save time by narrowing options based on your style and budget. Even for small projects, consider: hourly consultation for specific guidance (color advice, furniture layout), e-design services for budget-friendly remote design help, or shopping assistance if you need help selecting and sourcing. For larger purchases or whole-room designs, full design services typically provide better value and results than DIY trial-and-error approach.
How do interior designers charge for their services?+
Common fee structures include: Hourly rate ($100-$300/hour) for consultations, shopping assistance, or small projects. Flat project fee based on scope (best for defined projects with clear deliverables). Percentage of project cost (10-30% of total furnishings and materials). Cost-plus markup: designer purchases at trade pricing and adds markup (20-35%). Retainer model: monthly fee for ongoing design services. Many designers use combination approaches: flat design fee plus procurement percentage, or hourly for design plus markup on purchases. Procurement fees cover time spent sourcing, ordering, tracking, receiving, and managing vendor relationships. Clarify all fees upfront including design fees, purchasing arrangements, and any additional charges.
What should I prepare before meeting with an interior designer?+
Prepare for your consultation by: collecting inspiration images from Pinterest, magazines, or Instagram showing styles you love, identifying your budget range for both design fees and total project investment, listing functional requirements (storage needs, lifestyle considerations, must-haves), noting pain points with current space (what is not working), gathering measurements of the space if possible, photographing current space from multiple angles, thinking about timeline and any deadlines, listing existing pieces you want to keep or incorporate, identifying any constraints (landlord restrictions, architectural limitations). The more information you provide upfront, the better the designer can tailor their proposal to your specific needs, style, and budget. Be honest about budget—designers can work with various budgets but need transparency to propose appropriate solutions.
Can I purchase furniture myself instead of through the designer?+
This depends on the designer and project structure. Some designers offer design-only services where you receive specifications and sourcing information to purchase items yourself. Others include procurement as part of their service (earning income through procurement fees or markups). Benefits of designer purchasing: access to trade-only vendors and pricing, quality control and inspection, coordinated delivery and installation, warranty and issue resolution handled by designer, designer accountability for selections working together. Self-purchasing: may save on procurement fees but lose trade pricing benefits, requires significant time investment, risk of mistakes in sizing or specifications, no professional quality control. Discuss purchasing approach during proposal—many designers offer both options with different fee structures.
How does Growlio help with interior design proposals?+
Growlio streamlines your proposal process with professional templates customized for interior designers, pre-built service packages for different project types (single room, whole home, consultation only), integrated budgeting tools for design fees and product costs, visual presentation options for showcasing portfolio work, timeline templates with typical design project milestones, digital signature and approval workflow for fast client commitment, proposal tracking showing when clients view and engage with proposals, and client portal for sharing inspiration boards and design updates. Create polished, comprehensive proposals in 15 minutes instead of hours, ensuring consistency while maintaining flexibility to customize for each unique project and client style.
Should I include portfolio examples in my interior design proposal?+
Yes, relevant portfolio examples significantly strengthen proposals. Include 3-5 completed projects similar in style, scope, or space type to the proposed project. For each example show: high-quality before and after photos, brief project description and design challenge, your role and services provided, budget range if appropriate, client testimonial if available. Digital proposals can include links to more extensive portfolio. Select examples that demonstrate your capability in the specific style or project type the prospect wants. If proposing a modern living room design, show modern living room work. Portfolio proves you can execute the vision and helps clients visualize what you will create for them. Always get client permission before sharing photos of their spaces in marketing materials.