Interior Design Career Pay: What You Really Earn in the UK

When you think about an interior design career, a profession focused on planning and enhancing indoor spaces for function and aesthetics. Also known as interior decorating, it’s more than picking paint colors—it’s about understanding space, structure, materials, and human behavior. But here’s the real question: how much does it actually pay? If you’re considering this path, or you’re already in it and wondering if you’re being paid fairly, you’re not alone.

The average interior designer salary in the UK starts around £25,000 for entry-level roles, but that’s just the beginning. With three to five years of experience, most professionals hit £35,000 to £45,000. Senior designers, especially those running their own firms or working on high-end residential or commercial projects, regularly earn £60,000 or more. Location matters too—London and the South East pay noticeably more than other regions, but so do specializations like kitchen and bathroom design, or sustainable interiors. If you’re good at client management and can build a strong portfolio, your income can grow faster than your job title suggests.

It’s not just about hours worked—it’s about value. A designer who knows how to source materials efficiently, manage contractors, and navigate building regulations adds real financial value to a project. That’s why some freelance designers charge hourly rates between £50 and £150, while others take a percentage of the total project cost. The best earners aren’t always the most artistic—they’re the ones who understand budgets, timelines, and how to communicate clearly with clients and tradespeople. You’ll also see that many top designers in the UK combine their work with product sales, teaching, or content creation to boost income beyond traditional design fees.

There’s a big difference between what you see on TV and what happens in real life. Most interior designers don’t work on million-pound penthouses every week. Many spend their days helping middle-income families redesign small kitchens, choose bathroom tiles, or organize cluttered living rooms. But even those projects add up—especially when you’re efficient and repeatable. The most successful designers build systems: a standard client process, a set of trusted suppliers, and a clear pricing structure. They don’t guess what to charge—they calculate it based on time, materials, and overhead.

What’s missing from most salary charts is the reality of freelance life. No pension. No sick pay. No guaranteed work. But also no boss. Many designers in the UK work independently, and they manage their own taxes, insurance, and marketing. That’s why some make less on paper but end up with more take-home pay after cutting out corporate overhead. Others work for design studios or architectural firms, where benefits come with less control over projects.

There’s no single path to a high-paying interior design career, but there are patterns. Those who earn the most tend to specialize early—whether in kitchens, lighting, accessibility, or commercial spaces. They invest in software like AutoCAD or SketchUp. They learn how to write proposals that close clients. And they don’t wait for inspiration—they show up, even on slow days. The posts below show real examples of what designers actually do, how they price their work, and what skills move the needle on income. You’ll see stories from people who started with zero experience and built profitable businesses. No magic tricks. Just practical steps.