A Thoughtful Approach to Investment Planning for Interior Design

Setting a suitable investment level, or budget, is often one of the most challenging parts of an interior design or renovation project. Many homeowners are not fully aware of all the elements required for a space to both look beautiful and function well, which can make the budgeting process feel overwhelming at the outset.

We often hear clients say they “don’t have a budget,” but in reality, this is rarely the case. A budget is simply the amount you are willing and able to invest in your home at a given time. The most effective way to determine a realistic investment level is not by guessing, but by thoughtfully backing into it.

Start with the End in Mind

Before numbers ever come into play, it’s important to define the desired outcome.

A well-designed space should feel complete and intentional. It should be layered, textural, and collected rather than sparse or unfinished. Just as importantly, it must function seamlessly within the rhythm of daily life.

To achieve this level of design, each room requires a core set of foundational pieces. For example, a living room typically includes:

• A sofa or sectional (and in some cases, two sofas)

• Side chairs

• A coffee table and end tables

• A media console or built-in storage

• Area rugs

• Table lamps and overhead lighting

• Decorative layers such as pillows, throws, artwork, plants, and accessories

• Window treatments with appropriate hardware

Depending on the space and the overall vision, additional elements such as wallpaper, millwork, or custom cabinetry may also be necessary to fully elevate the room.

Understanding what a space needs in order to feel complete is the first step toward understanding what it will realistically cost.

Quality, Longevity, and the True Cost of Furniture

One of the most important considerations when planning an investment in your home is the quality of the pieces you’re comfortable with becoming part of your everyday living.

The price of a piece often reflects the craftsmanship behind it, which in turn affects both longevity and comfort. A common question we encourage clients to ask is simple: Do you want this piece to last one year, or five years or more?

For example, a lower-priced sofa may seem appealing initially, but it often comes with compromises such as lower-quality upholstery that pills or sags, cushions that lose their shape, frames that are not constructed from kiln-dried hardwood, and materials that are difficult to clean or maintain. Over time, these issues lead to discomfort, dissatisfaction, and eventual replacement.

This same principle applies across furnishings, fixtures, and finishes, from casegoods and cabinetry to hardware and built-ins.

Rethinking Budgeting for Homes with Children and Pets

A common misconception is that having children or pets means investing less in furnishings. In practice, this approach often leads to higher long-term costs.

Lower-quality items tend to show wear quickly, resulting in frequent replacement or the frustration of living with damaged pieces. A more effective strategy is to invest in well-constructed furnishings made with durable materials, such as solid hardwood frames and performance fabrics designed for everyday living.

When selected thoughtfully, higher-quality pieces are better equipped to withstand the realities of daily life while maintaining their appearance and comfort over time.

Image Source: Arhaus

How Investment Level Shapes Design Outcomes

Beyond durability, investment also affects design and uniqueness.

At lower price points, furnishings are often mass-produced, which requires simpler designs to keep costs down. This can limit not only quality, but also the level of detail, proportion, and individuality in a space.

As investment levels increase, so does access to more refined design, better materials, and a greater range of options. These differences play a significant role in the overall success and character of a design project.

Ultimately, determining your budget requires an honest assessment of what you are willing to live with and what level of design feels meaningful to you.

Researching Realistic Costs

Once you’ve identified the level of quality and style you’re comfortable investing in, research becomes an important next step.

Exploring price ranges across a variety of retailers can help clarify what a realistic furnishings budget looks like. When doing this exercise, it’s important to reference retailers that reflect the level of quality typically specified within full-service interior design projects. Stores such as Arhaus, Room & Board, and Pottery Barn can provide helpful benchmarks when estimating costs, even if they are not ultimately where furnishings are sourced.

Create a comprehensive list of the pieces required to fully furnish your space, then total those figures. This exercise often brings clarity and helps homeowners arrive at a more informed and realistic investment level.

As a general planning guideline, furnishings budgets often fall within approximately 2–5% of a home’s value per room, depending on the size, scope, and level of finish desired.

For higher-value homes, investment levels may scale accordingly based on scope, detailing, and the number of spaces being addressed.

To achieve the level of layering, quality, and completeness associated with Asha Maia Design projects, clients should expect to invest approximately $35,000 or more per room in furnishings.

Renovation Considerations

In addition to furnishings, renovation costs should be factored into early planning, particularly for projects involving kitchens, bathrooms, or structural updates.

While every home and scope is different, typical investment ranges in the Washington, DC metro area often include:

• Kitchens: approximately $300–$500 per square foot

• Bathrooms: approximately $250–$450 per square foot

  
  

Structural changes, custom millwork, panel molding, built-in shelving, and finish upgrades can significantly influence overall cost and should be considered from the outset.

Many clients choose to prioritize spaces or phase renovation work over time, which can be a thoughtful and strategic approach depending on goals, scope, and timing.

Planning for Design Fees and Additional Costs

When working with an interior designer, design fees are a separate investment and should be planned for accordingly. Depending on the scope of work and how a firm structures its services, design fees may be billed hourly, as a flat fee, as a percentage of the overall project budget, or through a combination of these methods.

As a general planning guideline, many full-service interior design projects allocate approximately 18–22% of the overall project budget toward professional design services. This range may vary based on project scope, complexity, timeline, and level of involvement.

Additional considerations include taxes, shipping and delivery, installation, and handyman services, all of which can meaningfully affect the final investment and should be accounted for early in the planning process.

The Value of Working with an Interior Designer

Interior designers bring significant value through experience, expertise, and process.

We help clients avoid costly mistakes, such as purchasing furniture that overwhelms a space or fails to fit through doorways. We consider scale, proportion, circulation, and functionality at every stage, ensuring that decisions are made thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Beyond logistics, interior designers bring a trained eye for layering, balance, texture, and cohesion. The result is a home that feels both elevated and lived-in, as though it has been curated over time rather than assembled all at once.

A Thoughtful Investment in How You Live

Design budgets require careful consideration, and we genuinely appreciate when clients approach them thoughtfully and realistically.

At Asha Maia Design, our passion lies in translating our love for beautiful, functional interiors into homes that reflect our clients’ lives, personalities, and values. We believe the quality of our surroundings directly influences our quality of life, and we are committed to creating spaces filled with intention, beauty, and purpose.

Interior Designer Serving Alexandria, Virginia; Arlington, Virginia; Chevy Chase, Maryland; Bethesda, Maryland; Poomac, Maryland; North Arlington, Virginia; Mclean, Virginia; Washington, DC; Falls Church, Virginia; Great Falls, Virginia; Vienna, Virginia, Fairfax, Virgi