This is the question everyone wants to ask and nobody wants to answer directly. So let’s answer it.
Interior design in Lagos has a reputation for mystery pricing — vague “it depends” responses, reluctance to publish fees, and a general sense that you’re negotiating in the dark. We don’t think that’s useful for anyone.
This post breaks down what interior design actually costs in Lagos in 2025 — by service type, by scope, and by what drives prices up or down. We’ll also tell you exactly what C. Luxe charges and what you get for it.
First: why does interior design pricing vary so much in Lagos?
The short answer: there is no standard. Unlike legal or medical fees, interior design in Nigeria is entirely unregulated. A designer in Yaba and a designer in Ikoyi may charge ten times differently for what appears to be the same service.
What actually drives the variation:
- Experience and track record of the designer
- Scope of work — a single room vs a full apartment vs a commercial space
- Whether sourcing and procurement is included, or just design advice
- Whether the designer manages contractors and vendors, or just specifies
- The neighbourhood — designers who primarily work in Lekki, VI, and Ikoyi typically charge more
Understanding what you’re actually buying — design advice, or design delivery — is the most important distinction to make before discussing price.
The four ways interior designers charge in Lagos
1. Consultation fee (per session)
A standalone consultation — typically 60 to 90 minutes — where a designer reviews your space, diagnoses problems, and gives you a clear action plan. No sourcing, no procurement, just expert guidance.
Market range in Lagos: ₦50,000 – ₦300,000 per session, depending on designer experience and project complexity.
This is the right starting point if you’re not sure what you need, or if you want clarity before committing to a larger project.
2. Flat fee (for a defined scope)
A fixed price for a specific deliverable — a floor plan, a mood board, a full design concept for one room or the entire apartment. No open-ended billing; you know what you’re paying before you start.
Market range in Lagos: ₦500,000 – ₦3,000,000 for residential design concepts, depending on the number of rooms and depth of specification.
3. Percentage of project cost
Common for full project execution — where the designer is also sourcing furniture, coordinating contractors, and managing the full delivery. The fee is calculated as a percentage of everything spent on the project.
Market range in Lagos: 10% – 25% of total project cost. On a ₦10,000,000 furniture and renovation budget, this means ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,500,000 in designer fees.
This model aligns the designer’s interests with yours — they have an incentive to manage the budget well — but requires clarity on what’s included in the ‘project cost’ calculation.
4. Full-service retainer
End-to-end management of a project from concept to completion — including design, procurement, contractor management, styling, and delivery. Priced as a total project fee.
Market range in Lagos: ₦3,000,000 – ₦15,000,000+ for residential projects, depending entirely on scope and the quality of finishes specified.
What does a full apartment redesign actually cost in Lagos in 2025?
To give you real numbers, here’s what a typical 3-bedroom apartment in Lekki or Victoria Island costs to design and furnish properly in 2025:
- Design fees: ₦500,000 – ₦2,000,000 (depending on scope and designer)
- Furniture (mid-range, well-curated): ₦4,000,000 – ₦12,000,000
- Soft furnishings (rugs, curtains, cushions, art): ₦800,000 – ₦2,500,000
- Lighting upgrades: ₦400,000 – ₦1,500,000
- Minor renovation works (if needed): ₦1,500,000 – ₦5,000,000+
Total range for a well-executed 3-bedroom: ₦7,000,000 – ₦23,000,000, excluding any structural renovation.
The wide range is because the choices within each category vary enormously — locally-made furniture vs imported, standard lighting vs designer fixtures, existing flooring vs replacement.
“The most expensive mistake is spending on the wrong things first. A consultation costs a fraction of what a wrong purchase costs.”
What C. Luxe charges — and why
We publish our service tiers clearly because we think you deserve to know what you’re paying before you book.
- Design Consultation (90 min in-person / 60 min virtual): Fixed fee, confirmed on booking
- Space Planning: Fixed fee based on room count and complexity
- Interior Styling: Fixed fee based on scope, confirmed after initial consultation
- Full Project Execution: Percentage-based, agreed upfront, with a detailed scope document before any fee is charged
Every engagement starts with a consultation. We don’t quote for full projects without first spending time in your space — because a number without a diagnosis is just a guess.
The question worth asking before you worry about price
The most useful question isn’t “how much does interior design cost?” It’s: “what is the cost of not getting this right?”
Most of the clients who come to us have already spent significant money on their space — furniture that doesn’t work, renovation decisions they regret, decor that didn’t translate. The consultation that could have redirected those decisions costs less than a single wrong furniture purchase.
Start with clarity. The rest follows.