Designing a budget for interiors is about turning vague costs into a structured plan so you don’t overspend. The method is systematic:
Step 1: Define Your Scope
- Full interiors (civil + furniture + lighting + décor)?
- Or partial (kitchen only, wardrobes, painting)?
- This sets the boundaries of your budget.
Step 2: Fix a Percentage of Property Value
- For homes: Interiors usually cost 10–20% of property value.
- Example: If house is ₹80 lakhs, keep ₹8–16 lakhs for interiors.
Step 3: Break Down into Categories
Allocate money across key components. For a home:
- Modular kitchen: 15–20%
- Wardrobes/storage: 15–20%
- Furniture: 20–25%
- Lighting/electrical: 5–10%
- Flooring/false ceiling/paint: 15–20%
- Décor & soft furnishings: 10%
- Professional fees & contingency: 5–10%
Step 4: Choose Finish Level (decides rates)
- Basic: ₹1,200–₹1,800 per sq ft
- Mid: ₹2,000–₹3,000 per sq ft
- Premium: ₹3,500+ per sq ft
Multiply by house area to see realistic range.
Step 5: Collect Quotes
- Get at least 3 estimates from designers/contractors.
- Check inclusions: appliances, GST, labor, site supervision.
- Compare not only totals but quality of material.
Step 6: Add a Buffer
Always keep 10–15% extra for last-minute upgrades or hidden costs.
Step 7: Track & Control
- Use a simple Excel sheet with categories, estimated cost, actual spend, and balance.
- Update regularly as bills come.
- Avoid impulse purchases outside of plan.
✅ Formula for Quick Budget
Budget = (Built-up area × rate per sq ft)
+ furniture & décor
+ designer fees
+ 10% buffer
Do you want me to prepare a ready-to-use budget template in Excel/Google Sheets where you can input your sq. ft. and priorities (basic/mid/luxury) to get a customized interior budget?
