Decorating an apartment typically costs $2,000-$15,000, with an average near $7,000 for furnishings, lighting, window treatments, and finishing touches. Apartment size, furniture quality, delivery needs, and whether a decorator is hired have the biggest effect on the price.
| Item | Low | Average | High | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio apartment | $1,500 | $4,000 | $8,000 | Basic furniture and decor |
| One-bedroom apartment | $2,500 | $7,000 | $14,000 | Living room, bedroom, and window coverings |
| Two-bedroom apartment | $4,500 | $11,000 | $22,000 | More furniture and additional room styling |
| Decorator or designer | $500 | $2,000 | $6,000+ | Planning, sourcing, or full-service help |
Assumptions: U.S. prices for movable furnishings and decor; painting, major repairs, and renovation are excluded.
What apartment decorating usually costs by size
A studio can be furnished and styled for about $1,500-$8,000, while a one-bedroom often runs $2,500-$14,000. A two-bedroom commonly reaches $4,500-$22,000 because it needs more seating, beds, rugs, lamps, and window coverings. These ranges include a mix of budget and midrange purchases, not structural work or custom built-ins.
For a comfortable midrange setup, budget roughly $4,000-$7,000 for a studio, $6,000-$10,000 for a one-bedroom, and $9,000-$16,000 for a two-bedroom. Higher-end furniture or extensive room-by-room styling can exceed these amounts.
Furniture, lighting, and textiles in the quote
Furniture usually takes the largest share, followed by rugs, curtains, lighting, and smaller decorative items. Costs below describe typical purchases for a standard one-bedroom apartment; quantities and quality change the total.
| Cost component | Low | Average | High | Typical scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furniture | $1,500 | $3,800 | $7,500 | Sofa, bed, dining set, storage |
| Rugs and textiles | $250 | $800 | $1,800 | Rugs, bedding, pillows, throws |
| Lighting and accessories | $200 | $650 | $1,500 | Lamps, mirrors, art, decor |
| Window treatments | $150 | $600 | $1,500 | Ready-made or custom curtains |
| Delivery and assembly | $100 | $400 | $1,000 | Fees vary by retailer and access |
For a one-bedroom, furniture and delivery together commonly account for $1,600-$8,500 of the overall budget. Ready-made curtains may cost $20-$100 per window, compared with roughly $150-$500 per window for custom options.
Room count and furniture quality change the budget
Apartment size matters, but the number of spaces being furnished is a better guide than square footage alone. A 500-square-foot studio may need fewer pieces than a larger open-plan unit that includes a dining area or work-from-home setup.
At a basic level, a sofa may cost $300-$900, a mattress and bed frame $400-$1,200, and a dining set $150-$600. Midrange versions can run $900-$2,500, $1,200-$3,000, and $600-$1,500, respectively. Replacing several budget pieces with durable midrange furniture can add $2,000-$6,000 to a one-bedroom furnishing plan.
Designer fees and setup labor for apartment projects
Interior decorators may charge $75-$200 per hour, a flat project fee of $500-$6,000+, or a percentage of purchased furnishings, often around 10%-25%. A consultation or room plan costs less than full-service sourcing, ordering, delivery coordination, and installation. Some designers also require a minimum project fee or charge separately for shopping and site visits.
Basic furniture assembly may cost $40-$100 per hour or $75-$250 per item, depending on complexity. For example, 8-15 hours of decorator support at $100-$175 per hour adds $800-$2,625 before purchases.
Three apartment decorating quotes with different scopes
A studio quote of $2,800 might include a $700 sofa, $600 bed and mattress, $450 dining setup, $500 rug and curtains, and $550 in lighting, accessories, delivery, and assembly. It assumes economical ready-made items and limited styling.
A one-bedroom midrange package at $8,200 could include $3,700 in furniture, $1,100 in rugs and bedding, $900 in window treatments and lighting, $1,000 in delivery and assembly, and $1,500 for design help. A two-bedroom plan totaling $15,500 could allocate $7,200 to furniture, $2,300 to textiles and window coverings, $2,000 to delivery and setup, and $4,000 to design and accessories. These examples show how service fees and delivery can materially raise the final quote even when furniture choices are similar.
When delivery, assembly, and custom curtains add expense
Delivery may be free for larger orders, but small orders or multiple retailers can create separate fees of $50-$200 per delivery. Stair carries, narrow elevators, long walks from parking, and scheduled building access can add labor charges. Assembly commonly adds $75-$250 for a bed or dining table and $100-$400 for a complex shelving system.
Custom curtains, oversized rugs, and made-to-order furniture can extend timelines and raise costs. Confirm whether delivery, haul-away packaging, assembly, and building access fees are included before comparing quotes.
How apartment decorating prices vary by U.S. region
Labor and delivery rates tend to be higher in major coastal cities and dense urban areas than in many smaller markets. As a planning estimate, decorator and installation charges may run 10%-25% above national midrange in high-cost cities such as New York, San Francisco, or Boston, while some rural and lower-cost markets may come in 5%-15% below.
Furniture prices are less regional when ordered online, but freight, delivery access, and local sales tax affect the final bill. Use the same item list and service scope when comparing local quotes, then account separately for tax and delivery.
Where to cut apartment decorating costs without losing function
Prioritize a mattress, sofa, and essential storage, then add art, accent tables, and decorative lighting over time. Measure doorways and rooms before ordering to reduce return and restocking charges. Ready-made curtains, secondhand tables, and flat-pack storage can lower the initial outlay, while a quality rug or sofa may be worth buying new for fit and condition.
Ask designers for a room plan or hourly consultation instead of full-service purchasing, and compare at least three quotes with the same item list. Keeping existing usable furniture and limiting custom pieces can save hundreds to several thousand dollars on an apartment project.