Home Design Cost in India: Complete Pricing Guide 2025

How much does it really cost to design your home in India?

If you’re planning a new home or reworking your existing space, obtaining a clear cost estimate can be confusing. With rising material costs, changing trends, and numerous design options, it’s easy to lose track of what truly aligns with your budget and choice. 

So, if you’re wondering whether to budget ₹12 lakh or ₹18 lakh for your 3BHK, how custom work affects your costs, or what interior designers actually include in their pricing, this blog is for you. Here, you explore everything from cost ranges by room size to factors that push budgets higher. You’ll get a transparent look at how pricing works in 2025. 

Key Takeaways

• Home design in India typically costs between ₹8 lakh and ₹30 lakh, depending on property size, materials, and level of customisation.

• Costs are shaped by layout, material quality, designer fees, location, project scope, and timelines.

• The kitchen and living areas typically take the largest share of the budget, while bathrooms and secondary bedrooms cost less but require high-quality finishes.

• Setting a clear budget early helps prevent overruns, delays, and compromises on design quality.

• To calculate costs: define your scope, measure your space, choose materials, get quotes, add a 10–15% buffer, and review regularly.

• Save smartly by prioritising key areas, using alternative materials, reusing furniture, and comparing vendor quotes.

• Tint Tone and Shade offers full-service home design in Chennai and Hyderabad with transparent pricing, skilled execution, and seamless project management.

Why You Need To Calculate Home Design Cost

Investing in home designs without knowing where your money goes can lead to unexpected and expensive surprises. Whether you're furnishing your first apartment or renovating a home you've lived in for years, having a clear budget is essential for making informed choices and avoiding delays.

Here are the key reasons why calculating your cost upfront matters:

• Avoid budget surprises later: Without a proper estimate, you may face unexpected costs mid-project, from carpentry extras to lighting upgrades. Planning early gives you control and prevents overshooting your limit.

• Choose materials that fit your range: From laminates to premium finishes, these design costs vary widely. Knowing your budget helps you decide where to invest, whether it’s in better storage or smarter lighting.

• Balance function and aesthetics: You want your home to look good and work well for everyday life. When you know your budget, you can strike a balance between good design, storage, comfort, and ease of use.

• Avoid delays and rework: When you plan your costs effectively, you avoid last-minute changes, which typically lead to delays and additional labour charges. Clear estimates keep the project on track.

• Prioritise what matters most to you:  If your focus is on a modular kitchen or a walk-in wardrobe, budgeting helps you allocate funds smartly. This way, you don’t end up compromising on areas that matter to your lifestyle.

Once your goals and budget are in place, it’s important to understand what actually drives the cost of a home design project.

Factors That Contribute to Your Home Design Cost

Whether you're setting up a brand-new apartment or redesigning your home to reflect your lifestyle, understanding what drives costs is crucial. It’s not just about furniture and finishes, structural changes, layout planning, and services matter too.

Here are the main factors that influence cost in your home design:

• Size and layout: A larger area or more rooms naturally mean more materials, furniture, finishes, and labour. Additionally, if your layout is irregular (with odd corners, multiple levels, or long corridors), it can increase costs because customised solutions are required.

• Materials and finishes: The quality of your materials, flooring, wall finishes, joinery, and hardware has a big impact. Choosing premium or branded finishes will increase cost, while standard finishes reduce it. Better materials are more expensive but tend to last longer and look better.

• Scope of work: Whether you’re doing just a refresh (painting, furniture, lighting) or a full home design (layout changes, furniture, flooring, services) matters a lot. The more comprehensive the job, the higher the cost, so be sure to know exactly what you’re signing up for.

• Location: Costs differ between cities and neighbourhoods. Labour rates, logistics, material transport, and local vendor markup can all vary. In larger cities, you’ll often pay more than in smaller towns because of higher overheads and demand.

• Designer’s experience and fees: A designer with strong experience, a good reputation, and full‑service capabilities will charge more. Their fee covers not just design but coordination, project management, and quality control, which adds to the cost.

• Project timeline: If you want a quick turnaround (for example, your handover is imminent), you may incur higher costs due to overtime labour, faster procurement, potentially a premium on materials, or expedited logistics. A longer timeline may allow you more flexibility and cost savings.

• Permits and approvals: For larger home design work (especially if structural changes or service work are involved), you may need approvals, licenses, or compliance checks. These add time and cost (planning, drawings, submissions, inspections) and may not always be included in the basic quote.

If you're looking for high-quality, fully customised interior design in Chennai or Hyderabad, Tint Tone and Shade offers complete home design solutions with smart space planning. From exact wardrobe fitment to custom furniture design, we ensure every corner of your home is both functional and beautiful, with no space wasted.

Apart from these factors, the type of home you’re designing also plays a key role in determining the overall cost.

Also Read: 12 Low-Cost Simple Kitchen Design Ideas for Your Home

Home Types That Influence Design Costs

When you’re planning your home design, the cost largely depends on the type and size of your property. In India, the broader home-improvement and design markets are growing rapidly. 

Here are typical home types and what you should focus on when estimating costs:

• 1 BHK

Approximate cost: ₹5 lakh to ₹8 lakh for compact flats in metro cities.

A compact home with one bedroom, living area, kitchen, and bathroom. Even though the area is smaller, you’ll likely invest in smart storage, good lighting, and quality finishes that optimise the small space.

• 2 BHK

Approximate cost: ₹8 lakh to ₹12 lakh for standard‑sized two‑bedroom homes.

With two bedrooms, a living area, dining area, and kitchen, you’ll require more joinery, lighting, storage, and flooring. A premium‑segment budget allows for modular kitchen upgrades, superior finishes, and more detailed design input.

• 3 BHK

Approximate cost: ₹12 lakh to ₹20 lakh (or higher, depending on finishes) for three‑bedroom homes.

For three bedrooms along with living, dining, and kitchen areas, you’re dealing with a larger space and more functional zones. You’ll likely opt for custom furniture, advanced lighting schemes, and higher‑end materials, which increase cost accordingly.

• 4 BHK (or larger premium home)

Approximate cost: ₹18 lakh to ₹30 lakh+ for larger homes or villas with premium finishes and full-service design.

Larger homes with more than three bedrooms involve considerable design scope, including more rooms, surfaces, and furnishings. The budget will be driven by both the size and the level of customisation and finish you select.

Beyond the overall home type, each room carries its own design needs and budget impact.

Also Read: Best 2 BHK Interior Design Ideas for 2025

Cost Breakdown by Room

When you break your home design budget down by room, you’ll understand where your money goes most and how you might prioritise. Here are common room types and what you should expect:

• Living Room / Dining Area

The living and dining spaces are often among the most frequently used areas of your home. It needs good lighting, quality finishes, comfortable seating, and custom joinery. If you’re in the premium segment, expect higher finishes and meticulous detailing, which increases the cost.

Approximate cost:  Recent guides show living room interiors for compact homes starting around ₹1.75 lakh–₹2.35 lakh for standard/premium work, and going up to ₹3–5 lakh or more for higher finishes and extra elements like false ceiling, feature walls, and TV units.

• Kitchen

A well-designed kitchen means good storage, an efficient layout, strong finishes (such as cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes), and reliable services (including plumbing and electrical). Since you spend time in the kitchen, it will often be a significant cost centre.

Approximate cost: The cost of small Modular kitchens (60–70 sq ft) in India ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹ 2.5 lakh, medium-sized kitchens from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹ 4.5 lakh, and large layouts from ₹5 lakh and above.

• Master Bedroom

The master bedroom in your home is more than just a place to sleep; you’re likely to include wardrobe systems, better lighting zones, and maybe a lounge corner. That adds to the cost through custom furniture, higher-end materials, and increased design effort.

Approximate cost: Bedroom interior guides in India typically place a standard bedroom starts around ₹1–2 lakh for 150–200 sq ft, with some metro designers quoting up to ₹3 lakh or more, depending on wardrobes, finishes, and additional furniture.

• Other Bedrooms (Guest / Kids / Secondary)

These rooms still require smart design elements, such as wardrobes, a study nook, or perhaps custom storage solutions. You’ll balance premium finishes with cost control. The smaller scale compared to the master means the cost is somewhat lower.

Approximate cost: For secondary bedrooms, many sources suggest a cost under ₹1–2 lakh for standard interiors.

• Bathrooms / Utility / Service Areas

These spaces have many technical demands, including waterproofing, plumbing, tiling, and fixtures. For a premium home, the cost will reflect the use of better materials and higher workmanship. Keeping these rooms well‑designed ensures longevity and enhances overall value.

Approximate cost: Recent renovation cost guides place bathroom remodels anywhere from about ₹40,000 to ₹1.5 lakh for small/basic updates, with additional costs for full renovations featuring better tiles, sanitaryware, and fittings.

Note: The actual cost may vary depending on your location, room size, scope of work, and the quality of finishes. 

However, if you are in Chennai or Hyderabad, Tint Tone and Shade typically serves homeowners with a budget between ₹8 lakh and ₹30 lakh, depending on the property size. 

You can book a call to get a customised estimate and discuss your home design requirements with the team.

Once you understand where the major costs are allocated, the next step is to plan your budget in a structured manner.

Steps to Calculate Home Design Cost in India

Before you begin, clearly set your budget and goals. This helps you avoid surprises and ensures you allocate funds where they are needed.

Here are the steps you should follow:

• Define your project scope: Decide exactly what you want to cover, such as a full home design, specific rooms, a basic refresh, or structural changes. A clear scope is the foundation for a reliable cost calculation.

• Measure your space: Get accurate measurements of each room and usable area. The size of your space impacts materials, labour, joinery, and service, even your premium homes in Chennai or Hyderabad. 

• Select materials and finishes: Choose the quality of flooring, joinery, hardware, lighting, and other elements. Premium materials increase costs, so matching finishes to your budget range is crucial.

• Gather quotes for labour, materials, and services: Obtain detailed quotes from contractors or design firms for your region. Ensure labour, materials, project management, and designer fees are broken down.

• Add contingency and timelines: Always include a contingency buffer (10‑15%) for hidden costs, delays, or upgrades. Faster timelines often increase costs, so factor your timeline into the budget.

• Review and refine budget regularly: As you progress, compare actual spend to your estimate, update projections, and make adjustments, especially if you choose upgrades or custom elements.

If you’re looking for a complete estimate, Tint Tone and Shade offers full-service interior design, from design to execution. While they primarily deliver end-to-end service, we also offer design-only support when required. Most clients prefer our complete package due to the seamless process, precision fit, and thoughtful space planning tailored for premium homes in Chennai and Hyderabad.

Once you’ve mapped out the costs, the next step is finding smart ways to stay within budget without cutting corners.

How to Save on Home Designs?

If you’re planning your home design with a set budget in mind, knowing where to make smart savings can help you stay within budget without compromising on the outcome.
Here are practical tips to reduce cost while keeping quality and finish high:

• Prioritise key zones first: Decide which rooms matter most to you, such as the kitchen or master bedroom, and allocate a larger budget to them. Then defer or scale back in lesser‑used areas. This kind of focus helps you spend wisely. 

• Choose smart materials and finishes: Rather than always selecting the most expensive finish, opt for options that achieve the desired look at a lower cost (for example, engineered wood instead of solid hardwood). You’ll achieve premium impact with better budget control. 

• Reuse, repurpose, and shop smart: Instead of replacing everything, reuse furniture or fittings where possible, and buy when there are sales or clearance offers. These strategies reduce cost without lowering the design standard. 

• Compare quotes thoroughly: Always ask for detailed breakdowns of cost (materials, labour, design fees, contingencies) from multiple providers. This helps you clearly see where you’re paying more than necessary and makes negotiation easier.

Conclusion

Designing your home in India requires a clear understanding of what drives costs from layout and materials to designer fees and project timelines. Understanding these factors based on the home design price list enables you to plan more effectively, manage expenses more efficiently, and create a well-designed space that suits your lifestyle and budget. Whether it’s a 2BHK or a larger premium home, careful planning ensures you get the most value from every rupee you spend.

If you’re seeking a reliable design partner, Tint Tone and Shade brings over eight years of expertise in crafting premium homes. Based in Chennai and Hyderabad, the team manages every stage from concept and design to final execution. Our transparent pricing, skilled execution, and end-to-end project management make the home design process a smoother and stress-free experience.

Here’s what sets Tint Tone and Shade apart:

• Tailored for You: Every design is personalised to match your vision, lifestyle, and space.

• Seamless Execution: From planning to final handover, every stage is meticulously managed.

• Expert Guidance: Get design insights and material recommendations from experienced professionals.

• Stress‑Free Process: Enjoy comprehensive project management while the team handles coordination and timelines.

• Post-Project Care: With a 10-year warranty and after-sales support, the relationship continues well beyond handover.

So, are you ready to take the next step? Book a call and begin planning your home with trusted experts.

FAQs

1. Does the cost differ significantly between designing a 1 BHK flat and a 3 BHK home?

Yes, data shows costs increase substantially with more rooms, larger spaces, and more functional zones. For example, a 1 BHK may cost in the lakhs range, whereas a 3 BHK in a metro could cost in the tens of lakhs.

2. Why do costs differ between cities like Chennai/Hyderabad and cities like Mumbai/Delhi?

Labour rates, logistics, material sourcing, and local demand vary city to city, which affects overall cost.

3. What percentage of the property cost should I allocate for home design or interior design?

Many industry sources suggest budgeting approximately 10%- 15% of the property value for apartments, and up to 30%- 35% for villas or larger homes.