Designing Your Dream Home: A Simple Guide

So, you’re about to make your house truly yours, whether you’ve just moved in or your new place is almost built. This is when you start thinking about how it will look inside. You’ll probably have a ton of questions like:

• Who should I get to design it?
• Should I hire a big company or just a local carpenter?
• How much money do I need to save for this?
• Where can I find cool stuff I saw at my friend’s house? Will it be too expensive?
• My Vaastu consultant says no mirror in front of the bed – what do I do with my dresser?
• Can I have really fancy designs without spending a fortune?
• Who’s the best in the business? 

Don’t worry, we’ll answer these and more. Let’s start with the big question: how much will it cost and how much should you save?

How Much Does Home Interior Design Cost?

Here’s a simple rule of thumb: you’ll likely need to spend 1% to 1.5% of what your home cost. So, if your house or apartment cost ₹1 crore, you might need around ₹10 to ₹15 lakhs for the interiors. This way, you can save up and avoid any money troubles when your home is almost finished.

Who Should You Hire?

Once you know your budget, it’s time to pick someone to do the work. Here are your main choices, from cheapest to most expensive:

1. The Local Carpenter

This is often the first thought for many. You might ask your neighbors about their carpenter and check out their work.

Good things about it:

• Cheaper: Usually the most budget-friendly option.
• You can watch: You can see what they’re doing and how much work is done.
• Easy changes: You can ask for changes anytime.
• Check materials: You can see the quality of materials they’re using.

Not-so-good things about it:

• Quality can vary: The final look might not be super neat.
• Limited knowledge: They might not know about new materials or design trends.
• Hard to picture: It’s tough to know how it will look until it’s almost done.
• Changes can get expensive: If you change your mind later, they might charge you more.
• Wrong materials: They might use the same type of wood everywhere, even if another type is better for certain areas (like waterproof wood for bathrooms).
• Sticking to wood: They might struggle with designs involving glass or metal.
• No after-service: Hard to find them for repairs once the work is over.
• You’re the boss: You’ll have to manage electricians, plumbers, and others yourself, which can be a headache.
• Delays: Work often takes longer than they say it will.
• No design preview: You won’t see how things will look before they start building.
• Not modular: Most work is done on-site, which means less precision for things like kitchen accessories.
• Messy work: Cutting and sticking materials on-site can make things less durable and lead to rough edges.

2. Big Interior Design Companies (like Homelane, Livespace, Bonito)

You’ll see many of these if you search online. Before choosing one, understand how they work, what’s included in their offers, and if they have their own teams or hire outside help (which can cost you more).

Good things about it:

• Clear pricing: You get a detailed quote with all materials, accessories, colors, and taxes listed, making budgeting easier.
• Right materials: They use the correct materials for each job (e.g., waterproof wood where needed).
• Neat work: Most parts are made in a factory, so they fit perfectly, look smooth, and are strong.
• Design fee included: You don’t pay extra for the design itself.
• One contact person: You don’t have to deal with many different people (electricians, plumbers, etc.).
• Less mess: Since most work is done in a factory, your house stays cleaner.
• See it first: You can see 3D and 2D drawings to visualize the design before they start.
• Full service: They handle everything from plumbing to tile installation.
• On-time projects: Project managers plan the work to finish on time.
• Quality checks: They check quality at every step and ask for your feedback.
• Good customer service: Many offer free service for several years after the project, and then charge a small fee for lifetime service.
• Can move it: If you move, 80% of the woodwork can often be taken apart and reused in your new home.

Not-so-good things about it:

• Limited choices: They might have fewer colors and materials to pick from because they guarantee what’s in their catalog.
• Standard designs: Fancy curves and unique angles might not be possible because everything is machine-made.
• Confusing drawings: The factory drawings can be hard to understand, so make sure your designer explains them.
• No changes after approval: Once you approve the designs for the factory, you can’t change your mind.
• Fixed sizes: They have standard sizes for things like kitchen counters, so you might not be able to customize them much.
• Set process: Their work process is fixed. For example, you can’t ask for electrical work to be done before you finalize the design.

3. Hiring an Architecture/Interior Design Firm

These are professional companies with their own teams and often work with factories. They offer high-end, custom designs.

Good things about it:

• Endless choices: You have unlimited options for designs, colors, and materials.
• One-stop shop: They take care of everything from start to finish.
• Unique designs: They have talented people who can create beautiful, custom designs for you.
• Mix and match: They can combine factory-made and custom-made parts.
• Perfect finish: They have skilled workers who ensure a very neat and clean look.

Not-so-good things about it:

• Higher cost: More expensive than companies or carpenters.
• Limited after-service: You might only get a warranty on materials, not ongoing service.
• Less personal attention: Your designer might be handling many projects at once.
• Possible delays: They might have fewer workers, making it harder to finish on time, especially with many projects.
• Takes longer: Fancy designs and less structured work can mean longer completion times.

4. Hiring a Freelance Designer + Your Own Carpenter

This is a good choice if you trust a carpenter but want professional design help. The designer gives you detailed drawings, and your carpenter builds it.

Good things about it:

• Cheaper: The combined cost of the designer and carpenter is usually less than a firm or big brand.
• Control over materials: You can buy materials yourself, which can save money and give you endless choices.
• Easy changes: You can make changes anytime and even ask the carpenter to redo something if you’re not happy.
• Watch the work: You can keep an eye on the work and material quality.
• Custom designs: You get designs exactly how you want them, with no fixed rules.

Not-so-good things about it:

• Lots of coordination: You’ll spend a lot of time talking to the carpenter and other workers.
• Delays: Work can take longer because there’s less coordination between everyone.
• Messy house: Most work is done at your home, creating dust and potential damage to walls. You’ll need to plan painting for after the interiors are done.

What to Look For in a Quote

When you get quotes, make sure to check these points carefully:

• Materials: What specific materials are they using for each part? Are they using the right kind of wood or finishes for different areas (e.g., waterproof wood for the kitchen base, or different finishes for cabinets versus walls)?
• What’s included: Is everything you want listed in the quote? Are the sizes of things like wardrobes the same across all quotes?
• Accessories: Are all the accessories you want for your kitchen or wardrobes listed?
• Hinges and drawers: Do all doors have “soft close” hinges? Do drawers have “telescopic” channels? These small details can change the price.

By checking these things, you can figure out which quote is truly cheaper for your home interiors.

When to Start and How Long Will It Take?

Knowing the timeline helps you plan when to move into your new home. Here’s a rough idea for a 2BHK (around 1200 sq ft):

• Carpenter: At least 2 months (including all woodwork, electrical, tiling, and painting).
• Big Brands: About 45-50 days for factory work and installation, plus 15 days for design approval. So, roughly 3 months total.
• Design Firms: Can take 2 months for simpler designs, but longer for complex ones.
• Designer + Carpenter: This will take the longest because the carpenter needs to understand the designer’s plans. Plan for at least 3.5 months for everything to be done.

Knowing these timelines will help you decide when to start your interior design project and when you can expect to move into your beautifully finished home!