How Much Does Interior Design Cost in Dubai?

Nobody wants to ask about price first. But everyone is thinking about it.

After 15 years of projects across Dubai, we have had this conversation hundreds of times. Here is the honest answer — with real numbers, not ranges designed to avoid commitment.

What actually drives the cost

Interior design pricing in Dubai depends on four things: the size of the space, the quality of materials specified, the complexity of the joinery and custom work, and whether the project includes fitout (construction and installation) or design only.

A studio that charges you AED 150 per square foot and a studio that charges AED 400 are not always doing different work. Sometimes they are using different materials. Sometimes one includes project management and the other does not. Sometimes one has a 30-person team behind the designer you meet and the other is a freelancer with a Canva subscription.

Residential projects — real numbers

For a standard apartment in Dubai — 1,000 to 1,500 square feet — a full interior design and fitout typically runs between AED 150,000 and AED 350,000 depending on finish level. This includes design fees, materials, furniture, joinery, and installation.

For a villa in communities like Dubai Hills, Arabian Ranches, or Palm Jumeirah — 4,000 to 8,000 square feet — expect AED 600,000 to AED 2,000,000 for a complete project. The range is wide because a villa in Arabian Ranches with standard finishes and a villa on Palm Jumeirah with Italian marble throughout are genuinely different projects.

Commercial projects

Office fitout in Dubai typically runs AED 200 to AED 500 per square foot for a quality finish. A 2,000 square foot office in Business Bay or DIFC would be AED 400,000 to AED 1,000,000 fully fitted.

Restaurant fitout is more complex because of kitchen infrastructure, acoustic requirements, and licensing compliance. Budget AED 300 to AED 700 per square foot as a starting point.

What the design fee covers

At Naz Interiors, the design fee covers the full process: initial consultation, space planning, concept development, 3D renders, material specification, furniture schedules, and project management through handover. We do not charge separately for revisions within scope.

Some studios charge design fees separately and then charge again for project management. Ask the question before you sign anything.

What to watch out for

The lowest quote is rarely the best value. We have taken over projects that started with another studio and run into problems — specification errors, materials that do not match renders, subcontractors who do not show up. Fixing someone else's work always costs more than doing it right the first time.

Ask any studio you speak to: who manages the contractors on site? What happens if there is a delay? Do you have a fixed price contract or is it subject to variation?

Getting a real number for your project

The only way to give you an accurate number is to visit your space, understand what you want to achieve, and put together a proper scope. We offer a free initial consultation — no commitment, no sales pressure.

If you want to start that conversation, WhatsApp us at +971 50 175 8730 or fill in the contact form on our website.