“Low-budget” in 2025 still varies a lot by city, materials, labour, and complexity. But here’s a more grounded estimate + guidance:
Recent benchmarks
- NearMe Interiors (2025) lists basic interiors in India at ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 / sq ft (nearmeinteriors.com)
- DesignCafé says a basic living room + furniture can be done in ₹20,000 – ₹50,000 in a simple setup (DesignCafe)
- YFDecor mentions entry-level interior work in India between ₹250 to ₹500 / sq ft (for very minimalistic scope) (YF Decor)
These ranges reflect different scopes (just finishing + minimal furniture vs. full interiors including custom joinery).
Low-budget 2025 estimate
To define “low budget” in today’s terms, assume you accept:
- Basic materials (plywood / laminated boards, standard paint, off-the-shelf fittings)
- Minimal structural changes
- Local (standard) labour rates
- Limited custom work
Under those assumptions, a useful ballpark:
- ₹800 to ₹1,500 / sq ft for modest interiors (mid to lower end of basic)
- For a 500 sq ft 1BHK, that gives ₹4,00,000 to ₹7,50,000
- If you go ultra-minimal (do much yourself, use budget finishes), perhaps ₹500 to ₹1,200 / sq ft might be achieved in some areas
If you tell me your city and flat size in sq ft (or dimensions), I can give a sharper “low-budget for your case” estimate.