It is one of the first questions we hear on almost every discovery call. Luxury interior design in Scottsdale is a significant investment, and most firms make it nearly impossible to find real numbers before you commit to a conversation.
At Living with Lolo, we believe you should have a realistic sense of what things cost before you ever get on a call with us because the best client relationships start with honesty. When you come to us already understanding the investment, the conversation is better for everyone.
So here it is. Real numbers, real projects, real scope. Updated for 2026.
First, What Are You Actually Paying For?
Before we get into numbers, it helps to understand what luxury interior design fees actually cover, because the answer varies significantly depending on the firm and the scope.
At Living with Lolo, a full-service interior design project includes concept development, space planning, finish and material selection, furniture sourcing and procurement, vendor coordination, project management, delivery oversight, and final styling. For projects that include construction, we also hold an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license, which means we manage the build directly in house vs sending you to someone else to manage construction.
That last point matters more than most clients realize. When design and construction are managed under one roof, change orders go down, timelines compress, and the gap between what was designed and what actually gets built disappears. It is a structural difference in how the project runs, and it is one of the things that makes Living with Lolo different from most design firms in Scottsdale.
For scope purposes, our services fall into three main categories:
- Full-service design and construction, which we call design-build. This covers everything from concept through final install including all construction management.
- Full-service interior design with furnishing only, for homes that do not need structural work but need a complete interior transformation.
- New construction interior design, for clients building from the ground up who need a design partner from the finish selection phase forward.
We will break down all three below.
Karen and Bill O.
"I had no frame of reference for what luxury interior design actually costs in Scottsdale when I first reached out to Lauren. She was the only designer I spoke with who sat down and actually explained the scope tiers and what drives cost at each level. By the time we signed our contract I understood exactly what we were paying for and why. Our full-home furnishing project came out to just under $350,000 and the result is beyond anything I imagined."
How Luxury Interior Design Fees Are Structured in Scottsdale
Design firms charge in different ways. Some charge a flat fee. Some charge hourly. Some charge a percentage of the total project cost. Some charge a combination of a design fee plus a markup on furnishings and materials.
At Living with Lolo, our fee structure is transparent and tied to the project scope. We are happy to walk through exactly how our fees work on a discovery call. What we can tell you here is that for the projects below, the numbers we share represent total client investment including design fees, construction costs where applicable, and furnishings. Typically, we have a flat project based fee, we have a procuement fee on products and materials and we have a construction management fee for construction.
We present it this way because that is the number that matters to you. Not the design fee in isolation, but what you actually spend to get the finished result.
Real Project Cost Examples
Project 1: Bronco Revival, Scottsdale
Scope: Whole-home furnishing Square footage: 6,000 sq ft Design direction: Refreshed Desert Modern with Organic Warmth Total investment: $600K
This was a full-service furnishing project. The entire home was furnished from scratch including custom upholstery, art curation, window treatments, lighting, and accessories.
What drove cost on this project: the custom millwork throughout, the luxury lighting and the depth of the furnishing package. This was not a home that got a few new sofas. Every surface and every space was considered and executed intentionally.
Project 2: Desert Oasis, Scottsdale
Scope: Home renovation and furnishing, managed remotely by out-of-state clients Square footage: 4,408 sq ft Design direction: Elevated Southwest with Organic Luxury Total investment: $1,000,000
This project added complexity in two ways. The square footage was larger than average for our market, and the clients were based in the Midwest and managing the project remotely. That meant our team needed to serve as the eyes, ears, and decision-makers on site without requiring constant client availability.
Because we hold both the design and contractor license, the clients had a single point of contact throughout. They were not coordinating between a designer and a separate GC from another state. One team, one contract, one person accountable.
What drove cost here: the square footage, the level of finish consistent with a Scottsdale luxury property, and the level of high end furnishings.
Project 3: Desert Interlude, Scottsdale
Scope: Furnishing only, full condo Square footage: 2,396 Design direction: Clean Lines with Soft Desert Palette Total investment: $450,000 Completion: January 2026
This project is the clearest example we have of what furnishing-only actually costs at a luxury level. The clients were based in Wisconsin and purchased a Scottsdale condo as a second home. There was very light construction such as installing light fixtures and painting. The entire scope was furniture, lighting, window treatments, rugs, art, and accessories, sourced, procured, delivered, and installed by our team before their first visit.
This is the project we walk clients through when they say they just need a few pieces. A fully furnished home at a luxury level is not a small investment even without a single nail being driven. The clients arrived to a complete, styled home. That is the value of full-service.
Project 4: Victory Retreat, Phoenix Metro
Scope: New construction interior design Square footage: 2,236 sq ft Design direction: Warm Contemporary with Desert Organic Total investment: $250,000
This was furnishing project for Canadian clients using the home as a seasonal retreat in the Phoenix metro. We were brought in during the build phase to select all finish selections, fixture specifications, cabinetry, tile, flooring, lighting, and furnishing from the ground up.
New construction design is a different kind of project than a remodel. There is no demolition, but the decision-making is intense and time-sensitive because finish selections have to be made in sequence with the build schedule. A delayed decision on tile can push back an entire phase. Our team managed that sequencing directly with the builder.
What drove cost here: the furnishing package for a complete home and the coordination complexity of managing a project for clients traveling from another country.
Scott and Diane M.
"Lauren was upfront with us from day one about what full-service luxury interior design costs in this market. She gave us a real scope estimate on our first call without knowing whether we would hire her. That confidence and transparency told us everything we needed to know about how she runs her business. Our project was fully furnished and move-in ready in six months."
What Luxury Interior Design Costs by Scope in Scottsdale
Based on current market conditions and our own completed projects, here is a realistic framework for 2026:
| Scope | Starting Investment |
|---|---|
| Furnishing only, 1,500 to 2,500 sq ft | $75,000 to $150,000+ |
| Furnishing only, 2,500 to 4,000 sq ft | $150,000 to $300,000+ |
| Full remodel with furnishing, under 3,000 sq ft | $400,000 to $800,000+ |
| Full remodel with furnishing, 3,000 to 5,000 sq ft | $700,000 to $1,500,000+ |
| New construction interior design | $200,000 to $600,000+ |
| Design-build, full scope | $500,000 to $2,000,000+ |
These are starting points based on real projects. Your number will depend on the size of your home, the finish level you are targeting, and the scope of work involved.
One thing we will say directly: if you are expecting a full-home transformation at a luxury level in Scottsdale for under $75,000, that is not something we can deliver honestly. We would rather tell you that now than take a project we cannot execute at the standard you deserve.
The Number Most Clients Get Wrong
Most clients have no idea what it costs to furnish a home. This is most often the area clients underestimate, and we see this consistently when we talk to clients for the first time.
A client may have a realistic sense of construction costs from a previous project, but then set aside $25,000 for furniture on a 3,500 square foot home. At a luxury level, a single sectional from a quality trade vendor runs $12,000 to $22,000. A primary bedroom package including bed, nightstands, dresser, lighting, and window treatments runs $30,000 to $60,000 or more.
Multiply that across every room in a home and you understand quickly why furnishing budgets need to be set realistically from the start.
We have a signature process where we do a furniture investment guide with clients before we start sourcing a single product, so that we can make sure we’re aligned on the quality, overall investment, and general client expectations so clients are never surprised. If the budget does not support the scope, we say so early and adjust the plan rather than letting expectations outpace reality.
Laura T.
"I was surprised to learn that hiring a design-build firm actually cost less than hiring a designer and contractor separately. Lauren walked us through the math and it made sense immediately. Fewer change orders, tighter timeline, one point of accountability. Our project came in under the budget we had originally set with two separate firms and the result is on a completely different level."
Why the Firm You Choose Changes the Final Number
Hiring a firm that holds both a design credential and a contractor license does not cost more than hiring two separate firms. In most cases it costs less, because the coordination waste that happens between two separate businesses disappears.
We have written about this in detail here. Change orders, timeline delays, and field decisions made without design input are the three biggest drivers of budget overruns on a remodel. All three are dramatically reduced when one licensed team holds both responsibilities.
For clients in Scottsdale and Paradise Valley who are investing $450,000 or more in their home, this makes all the difference.
What to Do Before You Set a Budget
Before you decide on a number, do two things.
Walk your home and write down every space you want designed and furnished and what you want to results to be in each one. Be honest about the scope. If you want the kitchen, primary suite, two guest rooms, living room, dining room, and outdoor space done, that is a different project than just the kitchen.
Then have a real conversation with a firm that will give you honest numbers. So often we see firms and contractors giving unrealistic low number just to land a job, so do your own research to make sure you are getting accurate information upfront.
Jennifer A.
"We had done one interior design project before with a designer who had no contractor relationship. The coordination was a nightmare. Lauren's model is completely different. She manages design and construction under one contract and her pricing was actually more competitive than the two-firm approach we tried before. We spent around $750,000 on our Scottsdale remodel and furnishing and would do it again exactly the same way."
Ready to Talk Through Your Project?
Living with Lolo is a full-service luxury interior design and design-build firm serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and the greater Phoenix metro. We hold an active Arizona ROC general contractor license and an interior design credential, which means we manage your entire project under one roof.
If you are planning a remodel, new construction project, or full furnishing and want honest numbers before you commit to anything, book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call.
Lauren Lerner is the founder of Living With Lolo, a nationally recognized Scottsdale interior designer and an Arizona licensed general contractor. She is celebrated for creating luxury homes that are warm, livable, and deeply personal, blending thoughtful design with seamless construction and curated furnishings. Recognized as one of Arizona’s top interior designers, Lauren has worked with celebrities, athletes, and executives across the country. Her work, known for its elevated yet inviting style, has been featured in multiple national publications. Guided by the belief that great design should feel as good as it looks, Lauren transforms houses into homes that truly reflect her clients’ lives.