Fee model: some designers charge hourly, others a flat project fee or a percentage of the total project budget (often 15-25%), hourly figures here are typical for consultation-style work.
Scope: full room redesigns with sourcing and vendor management price much higher than a single consultation session.
Trade discounts: designers who pass through furniture/vendor discounts sometimes price hourly lower and make margin on procurement instead.
Market: high-end residential and commercial hospitality design command premiums over budget-conscious residential work.
Starting out vs. established
New independent interior designer typically land near the $40/hr end while building a client base and reputation. Once you have proof of results and repeat or referred clients, the $65/hr median becomes realistic. Specialists with a strong track record and reputation routinely reach $175/hr or more.