- Room-by-Room Interior Design Cost Guide for Indian Homes
Planning to redo just one room? Or trying to figure out where your budget should go? Here’s what each space in an Indian home actually costs – from kitchen to bathroom – plus the hidden costs that catch everyone off guard.
Kitchen (Usually the Most Expensive Room)
The kitchen eats the biggest chunk of any interior budget, per square foot.
- L-shaped, basic laminate: ₹1.5-₹3 lakh
- U-shaped, mid-range with chimney and appliances: ₹3-₹6 lakh
- Island kitchen, premium finishes: ₹6-₹12 lakh+
What drives kitchen costs:
countertop material (granite vs quartz vs Corian), cabinet finish (laminate vs acrylic vs PU), hardware brand (local vs Hettich vs Blum), and whether appliances are included.
One thing worth knowing – an open kitchen looks great on Pinterest but creates real problems with Indian cooking. Oil, spice, and smoke travel. If you’re spending serious money on a kitchen, budget for proper ventilation or a glass partition system. The aesthetics mean nothing if your living room smells like yesterday’s tadka.
Bedrooms
- Basic (wardrobe + bed + side tables + paint): ₹1.5-₹3 lakh
- Mid-range (custom wardrobe, false ceiling, accent wall, lighting): ₹3-₹6 lakh
- Premium (walk-in wardrobe, integrated study, designer lighting): ₹6-₹10 lakh+
The wardrobe is where most bedroom budget goes. A sliding-door wardrobe in laminate starts at ₹60,000. The same wardrobe in veneer with PU finish, internal fittings, and soft-close mechanisms can cross ₹2 lakh easily.
Pro tip: spend more on your master bedroom wardrobe and go simpler on guest rooms. Nobody judges your guest room wardrobe hardware.
Living Room
- Basic (TV unit, sofa, paint, curtains): ₹2-₹4 lakh
- Mid-range (false ceiling, accent lighting, custom furniture, wall panelling): ₹4-₹8 lakh
- Premium (designer furniture, imported finishes, home automation): ₹8-₹15 lakh+
The sofa is the single most expensive piece of furniture most people buy – and the one they get wrong most often. A sofa that looks great in a showroom but has the wrong seat depth or back angle for your body will become the most expensive mistake in your home. Ergonomics matter more than fabric here.
Bathrooms
- Basic renovation (tiles, fixtures, vanity): ₹1-₹2 lakh
- Mid-range (premium tiles, rain shower, designer vanity): ₹2-₹4 lakh
- Premium (imported fittings, freestanding bath, heated flooring): ₹4-₹8 lakh+
Bathroom renovations are disproportionately expensive because they involve waterproofing, plumbing, tiling, and fixtures – all labour-intensive trades. If your bathroom needs a full redo, budget more than you think.
Hidden Costs Nobody Tells You About
Even with a detailed quote, these catch homeowners off guard:
- Civil and structural work – demolishing walls, waterproofing, balcony enclosure, plumbing rerouting. Not always included in “interior design” quotes. Can add ₹1-₹5 lakh.
- Electrical rewiring – older homes often need it for modern loads (AC, geyser, appliances). ₹50,000-₹2 lakh.
- Soft furnishings – curtains, blinds, rugs, cushions, bed linen. Rarely included in the per-sq-ft quote. ₹50,000-₹1.5 lakh for a full home.
- Appliances – chimney, hob, oven, dishwasher, washing machine. Often assumed to be “your purchase.” Clarify upfront.
- GST – interior design services attract 18% GST. Some designers include it; others add it on top.
- Revision charges – multiple design iterations beyond contract can attract extra fees.
- Site delays – contractor delays, material issues, monsoon interruptions. Build a 10%-15% contingency buffer into your budget. Always.
This guide is published by the studio of Mrunalini Nikte – an interior and furniture designer based in India, working across residential and commercial projects since 2014