One of the first questions every client asks is simple: how much will the design cost? The honest answer depends on the size of your home, the services you need and how detailed the project is. This guide explains how interior design fees work in Dubai and across the UAE, so you can plan your budget with confidence.
How designers in the UAE usually charge
There are three common ways to price interior design: a fixed fee for the whole project, an hourly rate, or a price per square metre of the designed area. For villas and apartments, the price per square metre is the clearest option, because it grows with the size of the home and you know the cost from the start.
At Ashraf Design, prices are per square metre of the area being designed. There are three main packages:
- 3D visualization — from 120 AED/m². Photorealistic images of your rooms, for clients who already have a layout or a design and want to see the result.
- Working drawings + 3D visualization — from 150 AED/m². Space planning, a full set of drawings for contractors and 3D images of every room. This is the package most clients choose.
- Full project with design supervision — from 250 AED/m². Everything above, plus site visits during construction so the finished home matches the approved design.
Example budgets
To make the numbers easier to picture, here are a few starting estimates for the design fee only:
- An apartment of 150 m² with working drawings and 3D: from 22,500 AED.
- A villa of 400 m² with working drawings and 3D: from 60,000 AED.
- A villa of 500 m² with the full project and design supervision: from 125,000 AED.
You can get your own estimate in a few seconds with the price calculator on this website.
What is not included
The design fee covers design work: planning, drawings, visualization and supervision. Furniture, materials, lighting and construction are paid separately to suppliers and contractors. A good design actually helps you control these costs, because every material and every item is chosen and approved before anything is ordered.
What affects the final price
- Size of the area. The price is calculated per square metre, so a larger home costs more in total.
- Complexity. Custom ceilings, joinery, feature walls and a majlis with detailed Arabic elements need more drawings and more time.
- Scope. You can design the whole home or start with key rooms such as the living room, majlis or master bedroom.
- Exterior and landscape. Facade design, lighting and garden design are quoted separately.
How long it takes
An apartment usually takes about 10–15 working days, and a villa about 20–25 working days on average. The exact schedule is agreed in the proposal before work starts, and payments are linked to the stages of the project.
Is it worth paying for design?
A renovation in the UAE is a serious investment. Changing a decision on site, after stone has been cut or joinery has been made, costs far more than changing it in a drawing or a 3D image. A clear design protects your budget, keeps your contractor on the same page and helps you get a home that feels finished and personal.
In short
Interior design in Dubai is easiest to plan when the price is per square metre and the scope is clear. Start with an estimate in the calculator, then request a consultation and send your floor plan. I will review it and prepare a personal quote for your villa, apartment or commercial space.