If you're thinking of working with an interior designer to furnish your home, the question of budget is bound to come up—and I thought this blog post would be a good place to tackle it head on.
When it comes to working out how much budget you might need for your interior design project, often it feels like a bit of a mystery.
Let’s talk real numbers, specifically for the lounge and dining room.
Because here's the thing: most clients come to me ready to create something beautiful. They have the vision, the Pinterest board, and the excitement. But when we start talking about budget, there can be a bit of a shock. And that’s totally understandable. Most people have never had to furnish a whole room all at once before. It’s usually a slow build over months (or years) of collecting, upgrading, and replacing.
But when we design a space professionally, it comes together as a complete, finished room. It’s cohesive. It flows.
When I’m working with you, the entire space is pulled together in one go—with a clear plan. I’m sourcing everything, managing the details, and styling it all in your home so you’re not stuck spending every weekend visiting stores, trying to guess what works. It’s all taken care of.
And for a room to feel fully resolved—where it looks and feels done, not halfway there—you do need to allow for a decent investment.
So how much should you expect to invest?
Let’s Start with the Lounge Room
To feel polished, functional, and inviting, here’s what I typically like to include in a lounge room:
Sofa (modular or 3-seater)
Armchair
Coffee table
Side table
Entertainment unit
Rug
Floor lamp or table lamps
Artwork
Cushions and throws
Styling decor (vases, trays, books, etc.)
This is purely for the furniture and decor side of things. It doesn’t include any painting, new window furnishings or flooring, installing pendant lights, or the other layers I often recommend to really complete a living room.
Let’s look at some real life calculations.
If you’re wondering what this might look like in practice, here’s a real-world example. I’ve pulled together some mid-range pricing based on current supplier estimates for a well-furnished lounge room. These prices reflect quality pieces from local and national retailers I regularly source from—not budget basics, but not top-tier luxury either.
Just to give you a ballpark idea:
Modular Sofa: $4,490
Floor Rug: $2,500
Coffee Table: $540
Armchair x2: $1,600
Side Table: $465
Nesting Tables $550
Entertainment Unit: $1,599
Floor Lamp: $360
Artwork: $500
Cushions: ~$375 for five
Total Product Cost: approx. $12,979
This doesn’t include delivery fees, which vary across suppliers, or smaller styling items like books and candles. But hopefully, it helps to show you how these numbers add up fast when you want everything done at once and done well.
What About the Dining Room?
Dining rooms are often underestimated—but they’re one of the most used and visible spaces in a home. For a complete, styled dining area, I usually include:
Dining table
6 dining chairs:
Pendant light fixture
Console or storage sideboard
Artwork
Rug (yes, rugs under dining tables are a thing!)
Again, let’s look at some real life calculations.
Obviously these costing vary a little according to your style and needs, but it is helpful to look at some real prices to give you an idea of what to expect.
Dining table: $2,490
6–8 dining chairs: ~ $1,740
Pendant light fixture: $700
Console or storage sideboard: $2,190
Artwork: $450
Rug : $1,999
Total Product Cost: approx. $9,569
Again, when you are purchasing lots of items all at one time (which isn’t usually how we do things) it can seem like a shock when you add these costs up. A better way of looking at it is the benefit of working with a designer enables you to have the feeling of a finished space - you’re not left with lots of decisions still to be made.
What about Trade pricing?
As an interior designer I do get trade pricing on some of my suppliers. For my business structure I will always offer you under recommended retail price, which means I share my trade pricing with you. So you’ll often get access to beautiful, high-quality pieces that would normally be out of budget if buying retail.
But remember: even with trade pricing, designing a room properly still requires a healthy investment.
So What Should You Budget?
If you’re furnishing both a lounge and dining room, I recommend planning for a combined $23,000 to $28,000. This gives us breathing room to choose the right pieces, avoid cheap compromises, and create a result you’ll love for years.
Need a more tailored estimate based on your space? That’s exactly what my initial consult is for. It’s in the consultation that we can discuss if you want to use existing pieces and the specifics around your space.
Final Thoughts
By now you’ve got a clearer picture of what it actually takes to furnish a room properly—and I know that can feel like a lot. But don’t let that put you off. My goal here isn’t to overwhelm you—it’s to give you clarity, so you can plan ahead with realistic expectations.
It’s true, I can’t work miracles with a tiny budget (as much as I’d love to!). But I can absolutely help you figure out how to get the most out of what you’re working with. That’s where thoughtful planning comes in—knowing where to invest, where to hold back, and how to make sure your space still feels layered and personal.
Having a frank chat about budget is something we’ll do early in the process if we work together—so you’ll never feel unsure or out of the loop. And the best part? I’ll take care of all the details, so you can enjoy seeing it all come to life without the stress.
I really hope this has been helpful as you plan towards your home project!