What should an interior design proposal include?

The rooms and the brief, the overall budget, the scope in phases with deliverables, your design fee, how procurement is charged, site visits and contractor responsibilities, a timeline, and terms for payment, changes and cancellation.

How do interior designers charge?

With a flat fee, an hourly rate, a percentage of the project cost, a price per square foot or square metre, or cost-plus on furniture and materials. Many designers combine a design fee with a procurement arrangement.

What's the difference between an interior design proposal and a contract?

The proposal explains the project, scope and fee options so the client can choose. The contract or letter of agreement sets out the legal terms. Many designers combine the two into one signed document; for larger projects, have a lawyer review your terms.

Should I show markups on furniture?

Being open about it is the safest approach. Say in the proposal whether items are charged at trade price, retail price or cost plus a markup, and show prices line by line in the specification schedule.

A remote service where you deliver mood boards, layouts and a shopping list online, and the client buys and installs everything. It's simplest to price per room, and the proposal is shorter because there's no procurement or site work.

Where can I find an interior design proposal sample?

The filled-in sample on this page shows a two-room project with three fee options. Use it alongside the template, replacing the details with your own client's brief and your own prices.

How do I bid for interior design work on Freelancer or Upwork?

Remote jobs suit e-design. Lead with the client's room and goal, explain your three steps, ask which pieces they're keeping and give a fixed price. Send the full proposal once they reply.

Proposal template

Interior design proposal template and sample

Updated 23 October 2026

Quick answer

An interior design proposal should describe the rooms and the client's brief, set out the work in phases from concept to installation, explain your fee structure and how furniture purchases are charged, and define how contractors, site visits and changes are handled. Use the template below, then compare it with the filled-in sample for a two-room project.

The interior design proposal template

Interior design clients are about to spend serious money on their home or workspace, often with a designer for the first time. They want to know what you'll design, what you'll buy, how you charge for each and how much of their time the project will take.

This template follows the usual stages of a residential project: consultation, concept, design development, procurement and installation. It also works for e-design, where you deliver the plans and a shopping list and the client buys and installs everything themselves.

The interior design proposal sample further down uses fictional clients. Its names, budget and fees are illustrations, so use your own numbers.

INTERIOR DESIGN PROPOSAL

Project: [e.g. Living room and kitchen redesign, [address or area]]
Prepared for: [Client name]
Prepared by: [Your name], [Your studio name]
Date: [Date]
Valid until: [Date]

1. Overview
You'd like to [redesign / furnish / renovate] the [rooms] in your [home or workspace] at [location]. The space is about [size] and is used for [how it's used, e.g. family meals, homework and entertaining]. You want it to feel [style and feeling, e.g. warm, uncluttered and practical with two young children], and you'd like to keep [items to keep, e.g. the oak dining table]. Your budget for furniture, materials and works is [budget], separate from the design fee.

2. Goals
- A layout that [the practical goal, e.g. opens the kitchen up to the garden]
- One cohesive look across [rooms]
- Furniture and finishes that suit [children, pets, a rental, commercial use]
- The project finished by [date or event]

3. Scope of work
Phase 1, Consultation and survey: site visit, measurements and photos, brief and budget review.
Phase 2, Concept: [number] mood boards, a colour and material palette, [number] layout options.
Phase 3, Design development: final floor plan and furniture layout, lighting plan, [elevations / joinery drawings], finishes schedule.
Phase 4, Specification and procurement: a schedule of furniture, lighting, fabrics and finishes with costs and lead times [and ordering, tracking and receiving on your behalf].
Phase 5, Installation and styling: coordinating deliveries, placing furniture and accessories, final walkthrough.
Not included unless agreed in writing: structural, electrical or plumbing design that needs an engineer or other qualified professional, planning or building approvals, the construction work itself, and rooms not listed above.

4. Deliverables
- Measured floor plan of [rooms]
- Concept presentation with mood boards and palette
- Final layout, lighting plan and [elevations]
- Specification schedule showing the supplier, price and lead time of every item
- [For e-design: a shopping list the client can buy from]
- Installation and styling day [if included]

5. Timeline
- Phase 1: [week]
- Phase 2: [number] weeks after the survey
- Phase 3: [number] weeks after concept approval
- Phase 4: ordering starts once you approve the specification; delivery depends on supplier lead times
- Phase 5: [date], once all items have arrived
Site visits included: [number]. Extra visits: [price] each.

6. Fee options
Option A, E-design: concept, layout and shopping list; you buy and install. [price] per room
Option B, Full design: Phases 1 to 3 plus the specification schedule. [price]
Option C, Full service: Phases 1 to 5, including procurement and installation. [price] or [percentage]% of the project cost
Procurement: items are charged at [trade price plus [percentage]% / retail price / cost with no markup]. [Trade discounts are passed on to you / Trade discounts are kept as part of my fee.]
Work outside the scope: [hourly rate].

7. What I need from you
- Access to the property for the survey and installation
- Your budget and any must-keep pieces
- Inspiration images and a list of likes and dislikes
- Decisions within [number] working days at each phase
- Payment for items before orders are placed

8. Terms
Payment: [percentage]% retainer to start, [percentage]% at concept approval, balance at design sign-off [or installation]. Furniture and materials are paid for before ordering.
Changes: changes after a phase is approved are charged at [hourly rate] or quoted in writing first.
Suppliers and contractors: I'm not responsible for supplier delays, defects or contractors' workmanship, but I'll track orders, report problems and help resolve them. Contractors' work and warranties are agreed between you and them [unless I manage them under a separate agreement].
Returns: made-to-order items usually can't be returned; other returns follow each supplier's policy.
Drawings: design drawings remain my intellectual property; you may use them for this project.
Photography: with your permission, I may photograph the finished project for my portfolio, without personal details.
Cancellation: fees for completed phases and any committed orders remain payable.

9. Next steps
1. Choose an option and reply to confirm.
2. I'll send the agreement and the retainer invoice.
3. We book the site survey for [date].

[Your name]
[Email] | [Portfolio link]

Replace every [bracket] with your own details. Want a version written for a specific client brief? Paste it into the free proposal generator.

What to include in an interior design proposal

A good proposal lets the client picture the whole project: the rooms, the stages, the decisions they'll be asked to make and every cost involved.

The project: rooms or areas, approximate sizes, how they're used and who lives or works there.
The brief: style, priorities, pieces to keep and the overall budget for furniture and works.
Scope by phase, with the deliverables of each: mood boards, floor plans, elevations, lighting plans, specifications and shopping lists.
Your design fee, how it's structured and what it excludes.
Procurement: whether you buy furniture and materials for the client, and how that's charged.
Site visits, contractor coordination, the timeline and terms for changes and cancellation.

Scope by phase: from concept to installation

Splitting the work into phases makes a big project easier to understand and lets you bill at each milestone. Name the deliverable at the end of each phase and the client sign-off you need before the next one starts.

Consultation and survey: site visit, measurements, photos, brief and budget.
Concept: mood boards, a colour and material palette and initial layout options.
Design development: final floor plan and furniture layout, lighting and electrical plan, elevations, finishes and joinery drawings if included.
Specification and procurement: a schedule of every item with its supplier, cost and lead time, then ordering, tracking and receiving if you handle it.
Installation and styling: coordinating deliveries, placing furniture and accessories, and a final walkthrough.
E-design alternative: a digital concept, a scaled floor plan and a shopping list for the client to buy from.

Interior design fee structures explained

Interior designers charge in several ways, and many combine them. A flat design fee suits a defined scope, such as two rooms. Hourly fees suit consultations and projects with an uncertain scope. A percentage of the total project cost can suit larger renovations, where the design work grows with the budget. Pricing per square foot or square metre is often used for commercial spaces. Cost-plus means you buy furniture and materials at trade prices and charge the client cost plus a markup.

Whatever you choose, be open about procurement. Say whether the client pays trade price, retail price or cost plus a markup, whether you keep any trade discount, and how supplier deposits and returns work. A markup the client only discovers later is one of the quickest ways to lose their trust.

What drives the price: the number and size of rooms, how much is renovation rather than furnishing, the level of drawing detail, the number of site visits, procurement and project management, the budget level and the location.

Contractors, permissions and changes

Say clearly who hires and manages builders, electricians and other trades. If you coordinate them, state how many site visits are included. If the client hires them directly, say that the contractors' work and warranties are agreed between the client and the contractor.

Some work needs approvals or other professionals. In England, for example, installing a bathroom that involves plumbing, changing electrics near a bath or shower, or replacing windows may need building regulations approval, and anything structural should involve a qualified professional such as a structural engineer. In the US, some states regulate who can use the title interior designer or practise certain kinds of interior design. Say in the proposal who is responsible for approvals, and check local rules or speak to a professional if you're unsure.

Changes after a phase is signed off are quoted in writing before work goes ahead.
Supplier delays and defects: you'll track orders and help resolve problems, but you can't control lead times.
The number of site visits included, and the rate for extra visits.

Interior design proposal example

Sample only: fictional clients with made-up budgets and fees.

INTERIOR DESIGN PROPOSAL: Living room and home office, 14 Elm Road
Prepared for: Grace and Tom Adeyemi
Prepared by: Lena Fischer Interiors

Overview
Grace and Tom both work from home. They want the spare bedroom turned into a calm home office for two, and a living room that feels less cluttered. They're keeping the green velvet sofa. Budget for furniture and works: $18,000, separate from the design fee.

Scope
Survey and brief; two mood boards; two layout options per room; final layout, lighting plan and a built-in shelving drawing; specification schedule; ordering and an installation day.

Timeline
Survey in week 1, concept in week 3, final design in week 5. Installation once all items have arrived, with lead times confirmed in the schedule.

Fee options
Option A, e-design: $650 per room
Option B, full design without procurement: $3,200
Option C, full service with ordering and installation: $4,800
Furniture charged at trade price plus 15%, shown line by line in the schedule.

Terms
40% retainer, 30% at concept approval, 30% at design sign-off. Two site visits included. The shelving carpenter is hired directly by the clients.

Use your own real work, numbers and prices in yours.

Short interior design bid for Freelancer.com or Upwork

Marketplace clients read short bids, not documents. Send this first, and the full proposal once they reply.

Hi [client name],

You want [room] to feel [the style they described] while still working for [how it's used], and you'd like a clear plan you can [buy and install yourself / hand to your builder].

Here's how I'd approach it:
1. Review your photos, measurements and inspiration images, then send a mood board and colour palette
2. Create a scaled layout with [number] options and a lighting plan
3. Deliver a final design board and a shopping list with prices, within your [budget]

[Proof: a similar room you've designed, with before-and-after images in your portfolio]

One question: which pieces are you keeping, and which can go?

I can deliver the full design in [timeline] for [price].

[Your name]

More on bids in our Freelancer proposal template and how to bid on Freelancer.

Mistakes that lose interior design clients

Hiding procurement markups or trade discounts. Explain how furniture is charged, in writing, before anything is ordered.
Not separating the design fee from the budget for furniture and works.
Offering unlimited site visits or design changes. Set a number and a rate for extras.
Ordering without the client's signed approval and payment for the items.
Taking on structural, electrical or plumbing design that needs a qualified professional or formal approval.
Promising an installation date before measurements are confirmed and long-lead items are known.

More proposal templates

Frequently asked questions

What should an interior design proposal include?: The rooms and the brief, the overall budget, the scope in phases with deliverables, your design fee, how procurement is charged, site visits and contractor responsibilities, a timeline, and terms for payment, changes and cancellation.
How do interior designers charge?: With a flat fee, an hourly rate, a percentage of the project cost, a price per square foot or square metre, or cost-plus on furniture and materials. Many designers combine a design fee with a procurement arrangement.
What's the difference between an interior design proposal and a contract?: The proposal explains the project, scope and fee options so the client can choose. The contract or letter of agreement sets out the legal terms. Many designers combine the two into one signed document; for larger projects, have a lawyer review your terms.
Should I show markups on furniture?: Being open about it is the safest approach. Say in the proposal whether items are charged at trade price, retail price or cost plus a markup, and show prices line by line in the specification schedule.
What is e-design?: A remote service where you deliver mood boards, layouts and a shopping list online, and the client buys and installs everything. It's simplest to price per room, and the proposal is shorter because there's no procurement or site work.
Where can I find an interior design proposal sample?: The filled-in sample on this page shows a two-room project with three fee options. Use it alongside the template, replacing the details with your own client's brief and your own prices.
How do I bid for interior design work on Freelancer or Upwork?: Remote jobs suit e-design. Lead with the client's room and goal, explain your three steps, ask which pieces they're keeping and give a fixed price. Send the full proposal once they reply.

MoreGigs is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Freelancer.com. You're responsible for how you use your Freelancer account and for following Freelancer's own terms.

Proposal template

Interior design proposal template and sample

Updated 23 October 2026

Quick answer

The interior design proposal template

The interior design proposal sample further down uses fictional clients. Its names, budget and fees are illustrations, so use your own numbers.

INTERIOR DESIGN PROPOSAL

Project: [e.g. Living room and kitchen redesign, [address or area]]
Prepared for: [Client name]
Prepared by: [Your name], [Your studio name]
Date: [Date]
Valid until: [Date]

1. Overview
You'd like to [redesign / furnish / renovate] the [rooms] in your [home or workspace] at [location]. The space is about [size] and is used for [how it's used, e.g. family meals, homework and entertaining]. You want it to feel [style and feeling, e.g. warm, uncluttered and practical with two young children], and you'd like to keep [items to keep, e.g. the oak dining table]. Your budget for furniture, materials and works is [budget], separate from the design fee.

2. Goals
- A layout that [the practical goal, e.g. opens the kitchen up to the garden]
- One cohesive look across [rooms]
- Furniture and finishes that suit [children, pets, a rental, commercial use]
- The project finished by [date or event]

3. Scope of work
Phase 1, Consultation and survey: site visit, measurements and photos, brief and budget review.
Phase 2, Concept: [number] mood boards, a colour and material palette, [number] layout options.
Phase 3, Design development: final floor plan and furniture layout, lighting plan, [elevations / joinery drawings], finishes schedule.
Phase 4, Specification and procurement: a schedule of furniture, lighting, fabrics and finishes with costs and lead times [and ordering, tracking and receiving on your behalf].
Phase 5, Installation and styling: coordinating deliveries, placing furniture and accessories, final walkthrough.
Not included unless agreed in writing: structural, electrical or plumbing design that needs an engineer or other qualified professional, planning or building approvals, the construction work itself, and rooms not listed above.

4. Deliverables
- Measured floor plan of [rooms]
- Concept presentation with mood boards and palette
- Final layout, lighting plan and [elevations]
- Specification schedule showing the supplier, price and lead time of every item
- [For e-design: a shopping list the client can buy from]
- Installation and styling day [if included]

5. Timeline
- Phase 1: [week]
- Phase 2: [number] weeks after the survey
- Phase 3: [number] weeks after concept approval
- Phase 4: ordering starts once you approve the specification; delivery depends on supplier lead times
- Phase 5: [date], once all items have arrived
Site visits included: [number]. Extra visits: [price] each.

6. Fee options
Option A, E-design: concept, layout and shopping list; you buy and install. [price] per room
Option B, Full design: Phases 1 to 3 plus the specification schedule. [price]
Option C, Full service: Phases 1 to 5, including procurement and installation. [price] or [percentage]% of the project cost
Procurement: items are charged at [trade price plus [percentage]% / retail price / cost with no markup]. [Trade discounts are passed on to you / Trade discounts are kept as part of my fee.]
Work outside the scope: [hourly rate].

7. What I need from you
- Access to the property for the survey and installation
- Your budget and any must-keep pieces
- Inspiration images and a list of likes and dislikes
- Decisions within [number] working days at each phase
- Payment for items before orders are placed

8. Terms
Payment: [percentage]% retainer to start, [percentage]% at concept approval, balance at design sign-off [or installation]. Furniture and materials are paid for before ordering.
Changes: changes after a phase is approved are charged at [hourly rate] or quoted in writing first.
Suppliers and contractors: I'm not responsible for supplier delays, defects or contractors' workmanship, but I'll track orders, report problems and help resolve them. Contractors' work and warranties are agreed between you and them [unless I manage them under a separate agreement].
Returns: made-to-order items usually can't be returned; other returns follow each supplier's policy.
Drawings: design drawings remain my intellectual property; you may use them for this project.
Photography: with your permission, I may photograph the finished project for my portfolio, without personal details.
Cancellation: fees for completed phases and any committed orders remain payable.

9. Next steps
1. Choose an option and reply to confirm.
2. I'll send the agreement and the retainer invoice.
3. We book the site survey for [date].

[Your name]
[Email] | [Portfolio link]

Replace every [bracket] with your own details. Want a version written for a specific client brief? Paste it into the free proposal generator.

What to include in an interior design proposal

A good proposal lets the client picture the whole project: the rooms, the stages, the decisions they'll be asked to make and every cost involved.

The project: rooms or areas, approximate sizes, how they're used and who lives or works there.
The brief: style, priorities, pieces to keep and the overall budget for furniture and works.
Scope by phase, with the deliverables of each: mood boards, floor plans, elevations, lighting plans, specifications and shopping lists.
Your design fee, how it's structured and what it excludes.
Procurement: whether you buy furniture and materials for the client, and how that's charged.
Site visits, contractor coordination, the timeline and terms for changes and cancellation.

Scope by phase: from concept to installation

Consultation and survey: site visit, measurements, photos, brief and budget.
Concept: mood boards, a colour and material palette and initial layout options.
Design development: final floor plan and furniture layout, lighting and electrical plan, elevations, finishes and joinery drawings if included.
Specification and procurement: a schedule of every item with its supplier, cost and lead time, then ordering, tracking and receiving if you handle it.
Installation and styling: coordinating deliveries, placing furniture and accessories, and a final walkthrough.
E-design alternative: a digital concept, a scaled floor plan and a shopping list for the client to buy from.

Interior design fee structures explained

Contractors, permissions and changes

Changes after a phase is signed off are quoted in writing before work goes ahead.
Supplier delays and defects: you'll track orders and help resolve problems, but you can't control lead times.
The number of site visits included, and the rate for extra visits.

Interior design proposal example

Sample only: fictional clients with made-up budgets and fees.

INTERIOR DESIGN PROPOSAL: Living room and home office, 14 Elm Road
Prepared for: Grace and Tom Adeyemi
Prepared by: Lena Fischer Interiors

Overview
Grace and Tom both work from home. They want the spare bedroom turned into a calm home office for two, and a living room that feels less cluttered. They're keeping the green velvet sofa. Budget for furniture and works: $18,000, separate from the design fee.

Scope
Survey and brief; two mood boards; two layout options per room; final layout, lighting plan and a built-in shelving drawing; specification schedule; ordering and an installation day.

Timeline
Survey in week 1, concept in week 3, final design in week 5. Installation once all items have arrived, with lead times confirmed in the schedule.

Fee options
Option A, e-design: $650 per room
Option B, full design without procurement: $3,200
Option C, full service with ordering and installation: $4,800
Furniture charged at trade price plus 15%, shown line by line in the schedule.

Terms
40% retainer, 30% at concept approval, 30% at design sign-off. Two site visits included. The shelving carpenter is hired directly by the clients.

Use your own real work, numbers and prices in yours.

Short interior design bid for Freelancer.com or Upwork

Marketplace clients read short bids, not documents. Send this first, and the full proposal once they reply.

Hi [client name],

You want [room] to feel [the style they described] while still working for [how it's used], and you'd like a clear plan you can [buy and install yourself / hand to your builder].

Here's how I'd approach it:
1. Review your photos, measurements and inspiration images, then send a mood board and colour palette
2. Create a scaled layout with [number] options and a lighting plan
3. Deliver a final design board and a shopping list with prices, within your [budget]

[Proof: a similar room you've designed, with before-and-after images in your portfolio]

One question: which pieces are you keeping, and which can go?

I can deliver the full design in [timeline] for [price].

[Your name]

More on bids in our Freelancer proposal template and how to bid on Freelancer.

Mistakes that lose interior design clients

Hiding procurement markups or trade discounts. Explain how furniture is charged, in writing, before anything is ordered.
Not separating the design fee from the budget for furniture and works.
Offering unlimited site visits or design changes. Set a number and a rate for extras.
Ordering without the client's signed approval and payment for the items.
Taking on structural, electrical or plumbing design that needs a qualified professional or formal approval.
Promising an installation date before measurements are confirmed and long-lead items are known.

More proposal templates

Frequently asked questions

What should an interior design proposal include?: The rooms and the brief, the overall budget, the scope in phases with deliverables, your design fee, how procurement is charged, site visits and contractor responsibilities, a timeline, and terms for payment, changes and cancellation.
How do interior designers charge?: With a flat fee, an hourly rate, a percentage of the project cost, a price per square foot or square metre, or cost-plus on furniture and materials. Many designers combine a design fee with a procurement arrangement.
What's the difference between an interior design proposal and a contract?: The proposal explains the project, scope and fee options so the client can choose. The contract or letter of agreement sets out the legal terms. Many designers combine the two into one signed document; for larger projects, have a lawyer review your terms.
Should I show markups on furniture?: Being open about it is the safest approach. Say in the proposal whether items are charged at trade price, retail price or cost plus a markup, and show prices line by line in the specification schedule.
What is e-design?: A remote service where you deliver mood boards, layouts and a shopping list online, and the client buys and installs everything. It's simplest to price per room, and the proposal is shorter because there's no procurement or site work.
Where can I find an interior design proposal sample?: The filled-in sample on this page shows a two-room project with three fee options. Use it alongside the template, replacing the details with your own client's brief and your own prices.
How do I bid for interior design work on Freelancer or Upwork?: Remote jobs suit e-design. Lead with the client's room and goal, explain your three steps, ask which pieces they're keeping and give a fixed price. Send the full proposal once they reply.

MoreGigs is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Freelancer.com. You're responsible for how you use your Freelancer account and for following Freelancer's own terms.