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The short answer
Interior decorators in Nigeria usually charge a design fee, a flat project fee, a percentage of the furnishing budget, or cost plus a margin on items they buy. Whatever the model, the client should pay a design fee and a purchase deposit before anything is ordered, with the balance at handover.
What an interior decorator does
An interior decorator plans and finishes the look of a space: colours, curtains, lighting, furniture, rugs, wall art, wallpaper and accessories. Interior designers go further, into layouts, partitions and ceilings, sometimes working with architects. In Nigeria the two often overlap, and many decorators also handle event and shortlet styling. Being clear about what you do and do not do helps you price.
The main ways decorators charge
| Fee model | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Design fee only | A fixed fee for a mood board, colour plan and shopping list; the client buys and installs | Clients on a budget, or who like to shop |
| Flat project fee | One price for design plus overseeing the work | Single rooms and small flats |
| Percentage of budget | A share of the agreed spend on furnishing, for example 10% to 20% | Larger homes and offices |
| Cost plus margin | You buy the items and add a margin on top | Clients who want you to handle everything |
| Per square metre | A rate per square metre of space | Offices, shortlets and repeat commercial work |
Whatever model you use, show it clearly in writing. Clients get upset not because a decorator earns a margin, but because they find out about it later. If you take a margin on items you buy, say so in the agreement.
Sourcing: furniture, fabrics and finishes
A decorator's value is often in knowing where to get things: carpenters and upholsterers, curtain makers, lighting sellers, paint shops, art makers and importers. Build a supplier list for each category, with lead times and prices, and keep it updated.
- Carpenters and upholsterers: custom pieces often cost less than imported ones and can be made to fit the space.
- Fabrics and curtains: compare fabric quality and the maker's finishing before you commit a client's money.
- Paint: a manufacturer's rule of thumb is that emulsion covers around 90 square feet per litre (about 8.4 square metres) for each coat; check the product's own data sheet and plan for two coats. Our guide on quoting a painting job covers paint quantities.
- Imported pieces: prices move with the exchange rate, so quote with an expiry date.
Client deposits and stage payments
Decor jobs tie up money in materials before the client sees the result. Ask for payment in stages and never fund a client's furnishing from your own pocket.
- Design fee paid before you start the mood board.
- Purchase deposit, often most of the furnishing budget, paid before you order or commission items.
- Balance on completion and handover, with a snag list agreed and fixed.
A living room project (example)
Example only. A client agrees a ₦3,000,000 furnishing budget for a living and dining room, and a design fee of 15% of that budget, which is ₦450,000. The decorator asks for ₦150,000 of the fee upfront, then 70% of the furnishing budget (₦2,100,000) before ordering, then the remaining ₦900,000 of budget plus ₦300,000 of fee at handover. Total paid: ₦150,000 + ₦2,100,000 + ₦900,000 + ₦300,000 = ₦3,450,000, which is the budget plus the fee.
If the client asks for changes that add cost, put them in writing with the new price before you buy.
Building a portfolio when you are new
- Decorate your own room, a friend's flat or a family business, and photograph it well in daylight.
- Take before and after photos from the same angle.
- Offer a small paid design-only job to build reviews.
- Post finished rooms with the budget range so people can see what their money buys.
- Work with shortlet owners and estate agents, who need furnished spaces that photograph well.
Photography matters as much as the work. If you hire a photographer, see how photographers price a shoot. For partners on fit-out jobs, see POP ceiling pricing.
Starting costs and paperwork
Decor can start with a laptop, a phone with a good camera, a measuring tape, colour and fabric samples, and transport money. Registering a business name helps with corporate and estate clients; the CAC fee schedule dated 29 May 2025 lists ₦20,000 for business name registration plus ₦1,000 for name reservation. A simple written agreement for every job should cover scope, fee model, payment stages, timelines, who owns leftover materials, and what happens if the client cancels.
What to check first
- Choose one fee model you can explain in a sentence.
- Build a supplier list with lead times.
- Write a one-page agreement template.
- Photograph two finished spaces for your portfolio.
- Set your rule on deposits and stick to it.
Where Pryme fits
Stage payments are easier to follow when client money lands in a separate account. A Pryme Business Account gives you account details for deposits and balances, and invoicing lets you bill each stage separately.
Questions people ask
How much do interior decorators charge in Nigeria?
There is no fixed rate. Decorators use a design fee, a flat project fee, a percentage of the furnishing budget, cost plus margin, or a rate per square metre. Agree the model in writing.
How do I start an interior decoration business with little money?
Start with design-only jobs that need no stock: a laptop, phone camera, tape measure and samples. Build a portfolio from your own space or a friend's, then take on full projects.
Should an interior decorator collect a deposit?
Yes. Ask for a design fee upfront and a purchase deposit before ordering items, then a balance at handover, so you never fund a client's furnishing yourself.
What is the difference between an interior designer and a decorator?
A decorator mainly handles finishes and furnishings. A designer also works on layout, partitions and ceilings. In Nigeria the roles often overlap, so say clearly what your service covers.
Sources
- Nerolac: What is paint coverage? (modified 11 Sep 2025) · accessed Oct 2026
- Corporate Affairs Commission: New Schedule of Fees, 29 May 2025 · accessed Oct 2026
This article is general information, not financial, legal or tax advice. Products described are provided under the terms on this site and are subject to regulation and eligibility.