contracts
Interior Design Contract: Template and Key Clauses (2026)
An interior design contract is the agreement between a designer and a client for a design project, whether that is one room or a whole property. It sets out the design work, how fees are charged, how furniture and materials are bought and marked up, who owns the drawings, and what happens if the client changes their mind halfway through. Interior projects run over weeks or months and involve real money for goods, so a clear contract protects both the designer's fee and the client's budget. Here is a template you can copy, followed by a walk-through of each clause. This is general information, not legal advice. Rules on consumer rights, deposits and intellectual property vary by country and state, so confirm the local position for a large project. ## An interior design contract template you can copy ``` INTERIOR DESIGN SERVICES AGREEMENT Date: [date] Designer: [name, studio, contact] Client: [full name, contact] Property: [address and the areas in scope] 1. SCOPE OF DESIGN SERVICES The Designer will provide [concept design, mood boards, space plans, material and finish schedules, furniture selection, [number] design reviews, site visits]. Out of scope: [architectural / structural / MEP engineering, which require a licensed professional]. 2. PHASES AND DELIVERABLES Phase 1 Concept: [deliverables]. Phase 2 Detailed design: [deliverables]. Phase 3 Procurement and install support: [deliverables]. Each phase is signed off before the next begins. 3. FEES Design fee: [flat fee per phase / hourly at rate / percentage of project cost]. A deposit of [amount] is due on signing. Fees are invoiced [per phase / monthly] and due within [number] days. 4. PROCUREMENT OF GOODS Furniture, fittings and materials are [purchased by the Client on the Designer's specification] OR [purchased by the Designer with a markup of [percentage], charged to the Client]. State clearly which. Prices, lead times and stock are set by suppliers and may change. 5. REVISIONS Each phase includes [number] rounds of revisions. Further changes, or changes after sign-off, are charged at [rate]. 6. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY The Designer owns the copyright in all drawings and concepts until final payment, after which the Client receives a licence to use them for this property only. The Designer may photograph the finished work and use it in a portfolio unless the Client objects in writing. 7. CANCELLATION Either party may end the agreement with [number] days written notice. The Client pays for all work done and goods ordered up to that date. The deposit is non-refundable. 8. LIABILITY The Designer's total liability is limited to the design fees paid. The Designer is not liable for supplier delays, defects in goods, or work by contractors the Designer does not control. 9. STATUS The Designer is an independent contractor, not an employee, and is responsible for their own taxes and insurance. 10. GOVERNING LAW This agreement is governed by the law of [place]. SIGNED Designer: ____________ Date ______ Client: ____________ Date ______
Frequently asked questions
- Who owns the drawings in an interior design contract?
- By default the designer owns the copyright in the drawings and concepts. A fair arrangement is that the designer keeps copyright until the final invoice is paid, then grants the client a licence to use the design for that specific property. The designer usually also keeps the right to photograph the finished work for a portfolio unless the client objects in writing.
- How should procurement and markup be handled?
- Decide up front whether the designer buys furniture and materials and adds a markup, or whether the client buys directly on the designer's specification. State the markup percentage clearly if you use one. The biggest cause of mistrust is leaving pricing unsaid, so write it down and note that supplier prices and lead times can change.
- How many revisions should be included?
- Include a set number of revision rounds per phase, for example two, and charge an hourly or fixed rate for anything beyond that or for changes requested after a phase has been signed off. Unlimited revisions are the fastest way to lose money on an interior project, so cap them and put the cap in writing.
- Does an interior designer need professional indemnity insurance?
- It is strongly advisable. Interior design decisions can have cost consequences, and insurance plus a liability cap set at the design fees paid keeps your exposure proportionate. Make clear in the contract that structural, electrical and plumbing design are out of scope and need a separately engaged licensed professional.
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