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.

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.

See the Bronco Revival project →

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. 

See the Oasis Retreat project →

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.

See the Desert Interlude project →

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.

See the Victory Retreat project →

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:

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.

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. 

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.

Book Your Discovery Call →

See our completed projects →

Learn about our services →

If you have started researching a whole-home remodel in Scottsdale or Paradise Valley, you have probably noticed that almost nobody publishes real numbers. You get vague ranges, disclaimers, and a lot of “it depends.”

Every project is different so we understand why, but we also know that a client comes to us without any frame of reference, the conversation is harder for everyone. So this guide was made to give you honest numbers based on what we actually see on projects in the Scottsdale and Phoenix metro market in 2026.

We are Living with Lolo, a full-service luxury interior design and design-build firm based in Scottsdale. We hold both an interior design credential and an active Arizona Registrar of Contractors general contractor license, which means we manage both sides of a remodel under one roof. That perspective gives us a clear view of where money goes, where it gets wasted, and what drives cost up or down on a high-end project.

The Honest Answer: What a Luxury Remodel Costs in Scottsdale in 2026

For a full-home luxury remodel in Scottsdale that includes construction, finish selection, and furnishing, most of our clients invest between $200 and $500 per square foot, depending on scope, materials, and complexity.

That means:

• A 2,000 sq ft whole-home remodel: roughly $400,000 to $1,000,000
• A 3,500 sq ft remodel with full furnishing: roughly $700,000 to $1,750,000
• A 4,500 sq ft remodel at a high finish level: $900,000 to $2,250,000+

These are not worst-case numbers. They reflect what luxury actually costs in this market right now, accounting for current labor rates, material costs, and the level of finish that Scottsdale and Paradise Valley clients expect.

If you are working with a lower budget, that does not mean you cannot remodel your home, it means the scope needs to match the investment. A furnishing-only project for a home that does not need structural work starts at a different number entirely, typically $75,000 to $150,000+ for a full home depending on the size and finish level of furnishings selected.

Where the Money Actually Goes

One of the most common surprises clients experience is how the budget breaks down. Here is a realistic split for a full remodel and furnishing project:

Construction and labor: 40 to 50 percent of total project budget. This includes demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring installation, tile work, and finish carpentry. Labor in the Phoenix metro has increased significantly over the past three years. Skilled trade costs are real and yes, you can find someone cheaper, but work quality is not always the same and they might not show up to your project. 

Cabinetry and millwork: 10 to 15 percent. Custom cabinetry is one of the largest single line items on most remodels. Semi-custom runs less but still adds up quickly across a full kitchen, primary bath, and built-ins.

Fixtures, appliances, and plumbing: 8 to 12 percent. A luxury kitchen alone can run $50,000 to $100,000 in appliances before you touch a single cabinet.

Furnishings, art, and accessories: 20 to 30 percent. This is the number that surprises people most. Fully furnishing a home at a luxury level, meaning furniture, rugs, lighting, window treatments, art, and accessories, costs more than most clients initially expect. A single living room done properly can run $40,000 to $80,000 or more.

Design fees and project management: 10 to 15 percent. This covers design development, drawings, vendor coordination, procurement management, and on-site oversight.

Real Project Examples

Bronco Revival, Scottsdale

A whole-home remodel and furnishing project in Scottsdale. The scope included a full kitchen remodel, primary suite renovation, updated bathrooms, and complete furnishing of all living spaces. The design direction was Refreshed Desert Modern with Organic Warmth. Total investment fell in the [INSERT RANGE] range for approximately 3,200 square feet.

What drove cost on this project: custom cabinetry throughout, high-end stone selections, and a full furniture package that included custom upholstery and art curation.

Oasis Retreat, Scottsdale

A whole-home remodel and furnishing project in Scottsdale. The scope included a full kitchen remodel, primary suite renovation, updated bathrooms, and complete furnishing of all living spaces. The design direction was Refreshed Desert Modern with Organic Warmth. Total investment fell in the [INSERT RANGE] range for approximately 3,200 square feet.

What drove cost on this project: custom cabinetry throughout, high-end stone selections, and a full furniture package that included custom upholstery and art curation.

Desert Interlude, Scottsdale

A furnishing-only project for out-of-state clients who purchased a Scottsdale condo and needed it fully furnished before arrival. No construction. The entire scope was furniture, lighting, window treatments, art, and accessories. Completed January 2026. Total investment: [INSERT RANGE].

This project is a good example of what furnishing-only actually costs when done at a luxury level. Clients often assume it will be significantly less expensive than a full remodel. It is less. But fully furnishing a home with intention is not a small investment.

What Most Clients Underestimate

The single most underestimated cost category is furnishings.

Clients who have done construction projects before often come in with a realistic sense of what tile, cabinetry, and labor cost. But the same clients will frequently set aside $30,000 for furnishings on a 3,500 square foot home, not realizing that a single sofa from a quality trade vendor can run $8,000 to $14,000, and that a home of that size needs dozens of individual pieces.

The second most underestimated category is scope creep. What starts as a kitchen remodel often becomes a kitchen and primary bath once the walls come open. Building a contingency of 15 to 20 percent into your budget from the start protects you when this happens.

Why Hiring a Licensed GC and Interior Designer Together Saves You Money

This is worth its own section because it is genuinely one of the most important decisions you will make on a remodel.

Most homeowners hire a general contractor and an interior designer separately. That means two contracts, two schedules, two sets of drawings that may or may not align, and two professionals who may never have worked together before. When something goes wrong, and something always requires a decision mid-project, each party looks to the other for accountability.

At Living with Lolo, we hold both credentials under one roof. Lauren Lerner leads both the design and the construction, which means the person specifying your tile is the same as the one managing the crew installing it. The person selecting your cabinetry is coordinating directly with the carpenter. There is no translation layer, no miscommunication between trades and designers, and no change orders that stem from a designer specifying something a contractor later says cannot be built.

In practical terms, this saves our clients money in several ways:

Fewer change orders. Change orders are one of the most significant hidden costs in a remodel. They happen when a design decision conflicts with a construction reality. When design and construction are managed by the same team, those conflicts are caught before they become expensive. We use historical numbers to help our clients with an investment guide for construction and furniture before we start designing a single thing. There is nothing worse than designing a house, pricing it out, and our clients having sticker shock.

Faster timelines. Coordination between a designer and a separate contractor adds weeks to a project. Approvals, submittals, and revisions that pass through two separate businesses slow everything down. With one team, decisions happen faster.

Single accountability. If something is not right, there is one call to make. No finger-pointing between your designer and your contractor about whose fault a problem is. 

Better finish-level alignment. A contractor without a design eye will make field decisions that are structurally correct but aesthetically compromising. A designer without a contractor license will specify things that are beautiful but impractical or over budget. Our team holds both perspectives simultaneously, which means the decisions made on site every day reflect both the design vision and the construction reality.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire Anyone

Before you sign a contract with any firm for a luxury remodel in Scottsdale, ask these questions:

1. Do you hold an active Arizona ROC general contractor license? Ask for the license number and verify it at the Arizona Registrar of Contractors website.
2. Who specifically will be on site managing my project day to day?
3. How do you handle change orders and what is your process for communicating scope changes?
4. Can you show me completed projects at a similar scope and budget to what I am planning?
5. What does your fee structure include and what is billed separately?

So, What Should You Budget?

Here is a simple framework based on what we see in the Scottsdale and Paradise Valley market in 2026:

These are starting points. Your project may fall above or below these ranges depending on the size of your home, the finish level you are targeting, and the complexity of your scope.

The best thing you can do before setting a budget is have an honest conversation with a firm that will tell you what things actually cost, not what you want to hear.

Ready to Talk About Your Project?

Living with Lolo is a full-service luxury interior design and design-build firm serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and the greater Phoenix metro. We hold both an interior design credential and an active Arizona ROC general contractor license.

If you are planning a remodel, new construction project, or full furnishing and want a realistic conversation about scope and investment, we would love to connect. Book a complimentary 15-minute discovery call and we will come prepared.

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Related Post: Living With Lolo Named a Top Scottsdale Interior Design Firm by AD PRO 2025

Living with Lolo is a licensed interior design and design-build firm serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and the greater Phoenix metro area. Arizona ROC License 347577. 

Design That Works as Hard as You Do

When actor, author, and entrepreneur Colin Egglesfield chose one of our Scottsdale projects twice for People Magazine features, he called it:

“Serene, expansive, and effortlessly elegant.”

That feeling didn’t happen by chance. It’s the product of a signature Living with Lolo process that is designed for people whose time is precious and whose homes need to deliver more than good looks.

For our Scottsdale and Paradise Valley clients (CEOs, physicians, founders, and creatives) design is about function, flow, and feeling…all without adding another task to your plate. Scottsdale interior design at its finest. Here’s how we make that happen:

Why Scottsdale’s Top Professionals Choose Living with Lolo

We Start With How You Live, Not Just How You Want It to Look

Before we pull a single fabric or sketch a floor plan, we focus on your lifestyle as your Paradise Valley interior designer. Do you host client dinners with mountain views? Need a polished home office for high-stakes video calls? Want your mornings to feel like a spa retreat in the Sonoran Desert?

This lifestyle-first approach to a Scottsdale home remodel and furnishing ensures your space supports you in tangible, everyday ways.

We Handle Every Detail So You Can Stay Focused on Your Work

Our clients don’t have time to chase down trades, track orders, or stress over install day. We manage it all, from concept to final styling so you can keep building your business, closing deals, or catching flights…while your home quietly transforms behind the scenes.

We Integrate Beauty and ROI

Your home is your sanctuary and a major asset. We think about:

• Durable, timeless materials that thrive in the Arizona climate
• Flexible layouts for evolving lifestyles
• High-end Scottsdale interiors
• Elevated finishes that increase resale appeal in competitive Scottsdale neighborhoods

The Result? Spaces That Feel as Good as They Look

When Colin stepped into our Scottsdale project, his words, “creativity, calm, and connection” summed up our goal perfectly. We design for the feeling you want to live in every day: whether that’s focused, relaxed, inspired, or all of the above.

What Our Scottsdale Clients Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Work With Scottsdale’s Trusted Luxury Design Team

If you’re a Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, or Phoenix-area professional ready for a home that works as hard as you do (without the endless to-do lists), we’d love to help.

Serving Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Arcadia, and nationwide luxury clients. Schedule your consultation today.

📞 Call us at 480-702-1189 and book your consultation.

A Whole-Home Transformation Rooted in Clarity, Comfort, and Wow in Arizona’s Most Prestigious Community

When this Paradise Valley family in the 85253 zip code reached out to us, they weren’t chasing Pinterest perfection, they were craving peace. Their luxury home had great bones, sweeping views of iconic Camelback Mountain, and plenty of square footage typical of homes in this exclusive Arizona community, but no flow, no identity, and no real sense of comfort.

With three kids, a demanding career, and a space full of leftover furniture that didn’t match Paradise Valley’s sophisticated standards, they needed more than a makeover. They needed a comprehensive design strategy that would work for their busy family lifestyle while elevating their home to match the caliber expected in Paradise Valley’s luxury real estate market.

Here’s how we transformed their Paradise Valley home into a calming, cohesive sanctuary they never want to leave, while building significant equity in Arizona’s most exclusive residential community.

The Challenges We Solved in This 85253 Paradise Valley Home

• Disjointed layout with rooms that felt visually and emotionally disconnected, despite the home’s premium Paradise Valley location and Camelback Mountain views.
• Furniture from a past life that was undersized, outdated, and lacking the intentional design that luxury homes demand.
• Unclear design direction, despite knowing they loved “warm” and “transitional” styles that complement Arizona’s desert environment.
• Sensory overload from mismatched finishes, poor lighting that didn’t work with Arizona’s intense sun, and no softness to balance Paradise Valley’s dramatic landscape views. 

They didn’t need more stuff. They needed a cohesive vision that honored their lifestyle and a skilled Arizona design team to bring it to life while building long-term value in the 85253 luxury market.

The Living With Lolo Process for Paradise Valley Luxury Homes

Step 1: Deep Listening & In-Home Discovery

We started with a comprehensive one-hour consultation at this Paradise Valley home, virtually walking the space with Camelback Mountain views in mind, listening deeply to understand how this family wanted to live in Arizona’s most prestigious community, and aligning on their priorities: calm, elevated, livable luxury that matches Paradise Valley standards.

No chasing trends. No overwhelm. Just clarity that works for desert living 

Step 2: Strategic Space Planning + Investment Clarity

We reimagined the floor plans with scale, flow, and function specifically designed for Paradise Valley’s luxury lifestyle. Then we delivered a customized Minimum Furniture Investment Plan (starting at $75K+) tailored to maximize ROI in the competitive 85253 luxury real estate market and guide smart decision-making across the entire home.

Step 3: Layered, Intentional Design for Arizona Desert Living

Our Arizona design team created a tonal, textural palette that softened the entire home while complementing the natural desert surroundings.

• Custom drapery designed to filter Arizona’s intense sunlight while framing Camelback Mountain views created visual calm throughout the home.
• Statement lighting replaced harsh glare with warm glow, perfect for Paradise Valley’s bright environment.
• Curated furnishings brought sophisticated elegance without clutter, matching the refined taste of 85253 residents.
• Hidden storage and multifunctional spaces honored this busy family’s real life while maintaining the luxury aesthetic expected in Arizona’s premier community.

Before & After Highlights: Paradise Valley Home Transformation

The Living Room Renovation

Before: Oversized sectional, clunky media console, and no clear personality despite the home’s prime Paradise Valley location and stunning Camelback Mountain views.

The Dining Room Transformation

Before: Dark, cramped, and forgettable space that didn’t match the caliber expected in luxury homes with stunning views.

After: A stylish dual-purpose dining room designed for the entertaining lifestyle, featuring elegant grasscloth wallpaper, hidden storage that works for busy families, and sophisticated design that creates the perfect atmosphere for both dinner parties and after-school projects.

What the Client Said About Their Paradise Valley Home Transformation

We love to hear feedback from our clients, and here’s what this particular client had to say:

Want to Understand What Your Paradise Valley Home Investment Could Look Like?

These are the typical investment ranges for a high-end Paradise Valley home furnishings, from $13K entryway transformations and $40K living room renovations to $30K+ outdoor desert retreats, all designed for lasting luxury that matches Paradise Valley’s exclusive standards and creates a cohesive, elevated look that appeals to discerning buyers.

Frequently Asked Questions: Paradise Valley Interior Design

The Takeaway: Paradise Valley Home Design That Transforms Lives

Great design doesn’t just fill a Paradise Valley home with beautiful things, it grounds a family in a space that supports their lifestyle and reflects their future in one of the state’s most desirable communities.

If you’re living in visual chaos in your North Scottsdale or Paradise Valley home, or just craving more cohesion, our experienced design team specializing in luxury homes can help you go from scattered to serene.