An interior design contract is an agreement between a designer and a client that defines the rooms and services, how the designer is paid, how furniture and materials get ordered and paid for, and how many rounds of revisions are included. Designers use it for everything from a single living room refresh to a full-house renovation. Our free interior design contract template is in Word and PDF, and it’s written so a client can read it in one sitting.
When should a designer and client sign an interior design agreement?
Before the first mood board, ideally. Design work tends to grow. A hypothetical client hires a designer to “pull the living room together” for a flat $3,200, then asks about the adjoining dining room, then wants the designer to order a $9,000 sectional that turns out to be non-returnable. Each step is reasonable. Without a contract, each one is also a potential argument about money.
A signed interior design agreement sets the scope, the fee model and the purchasing rules first. The rest becomes a change order.
If the job is really construction (moving walls, new kitchens, rewiring), the builder should be on a construction contract, with scope changes handled through a change order form. If you’re a painter, use our painting contract. A freelance designer doing brand or graphic work wants a freelance contract instead.
Which fee model fits the project?
Our template offers three fee models, and you can combine them.
Flat fee. A set price for a defined scope, like “design concept, floor plan and shopping list for the primary bedroom.” Clients like the certainty. Designers need a tight scope to make it work.
Hourly. A rate for design time, with an estimate and a cap the designer won’t exceed without asking. Good for open-ended or advisory work.
Cost-plus on furnishings. The designer buys furniture, lighting and materials at trade cost and charges the client that cost plus a markup, say 20%. The markup is stated up front. The template asks the designer to show the vendor invoice on request, so the client can see what “cost” means.
A common pairing is a flat or hourly design fee plus cost-plus purchasing. Whatever you pick, write the percentages and rates in numbers.
What else does the template cover?
Scope and phases. Rooms included, and phases such as consultation, concept, design development, purchasing and installation. Each phase ends with the client’s written approval.
Revisions. A set number of revision rounds per phase (for example, two), with extra rounds billed hourly. This single line prevents a lot of friction.
Purchasing and deposits on furniture orders. Nothing is ordered until the client approves it in writing and pays a deposit or the full price, depending on the item. Custom and special-order pieces are usually non-cancellable once production starts, so the template makes that plain and says vendor return and restocking terms apply. Freight, delivery, receiving and sales tax are listed separately.
Delays and damaged goods. Lead times are the vendor’s, not the designer’s promise. The designer will help file a claim for damaged items but isn’t responsible for vendor or carrier failures.
Licensed-trade work. The designer doesn’t perform or take responsibility for electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural or other work that requires a licensed trade. The client hires licensed contractors directly, and the designer coordinates.
Photos and design ownership. The client gets to use the design in their home. The designer keeps the right to photograph the finished space for their portfolio, if the client agrees.
Do interior designers need a state license?
Some states regulate interior design, and the rules vary widely, so check your state’s licensing board before you put a title on the contract.
Florida is a good example of how specific these laws are. Under the 2025 Florida Statutes, section 481.223 makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly use the title “registered interior designer” without a valid state registration, but the same section says it doesn’t restrict use of the title “interior designer” or “interior design firm.” Florida’s definition of interior design in section 481.203 also excludes the design of or responsibility for architectural and engineering work, such as structural, plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems, apart from specifying fixtures and their location. That’s one reason our template carves out licensed-trade work.
Other states have their own rules. If you’re a client, it’s reasonable to ask a designer which credentials they hold.
How do you fill in an interior design contract and get it signed?
- List every room in scope, and anything specifically excluded.
- Pick the fee model, fill in the rates or flat fee, and the markup if you use cost-plus.
- Set the number of revision rounds.
- Fill in the retainer and the deposit rules for purchases.
- Both sign. Keep the signed copy with the first invoice.
An interior design contract is a normal service contract, and the federal ESIGN Act says a contract can’t be denied legal effect solely because it’s electronic. For purchase approvals later on, a signed email or e-signed approval form works well too. Our guide on how to sign a PDF online covers the basic options.
Download the template, fill in the blanks, and send it for e-signature with any tool you like. (If you’d like to try SignWren when it launches, join the waitlist.)
This template and guide are general information, not legal advice. For a specific contract or dispute, talk to a lawyer licensed where you are.
Template from signwren.com. General information, not legal advice. Check your state's rules and adapt it before you use it.
INTERIOR DESIGN CONTRACT
This Interior Design Contract ("Contract") is made on [date] between:
Client: [Client's full legal name or business name], of [address] ("Client"), and
Designer: [Designer's full legal name or business name], of [address] ("Designer"). Designer's state registration or license, if any: [type and number, or "None"].
1. Project
Project address: [street, city, state, ZIP]
Rooms and areas included: [e.g. living room, dining room, primary bedroom]
Not included: [e.g. kitchen, exterior, landscaping, or "Anything not listed above"]
Client's target budget for furnishings and materials (not including the Designer's fees): [$ amount]
Target completion: [date or season]. The Client understands that this depends on vendor lead times and on the Client's approvals.
2. Services and Phases
The Designer will provide the services ticked below. Each phase ends with the Client's written approval before the next begins.
☐ Consultation: site visit, measurements, and discussion of needs, style and budget.
☐ Concept: mood board or concept presentation and a preliminary layout.
☐ Design development: furniture plan, finishes, lighting plan (fixture selection and location only), window treatments and a detailed shopping list or specification.
☐ Purchasing: ordering, tracking and receiving approved items under Section 5.
☐ Installation and styling: placing furniture and accessories on an agreed install day.
☐ Coordination with contractors: meetings with the Client's licensed contractors about design intent.
☐ Other: [describe]
3. Design Fees
Tick all that apply:
☐ Flat design fee of [$ amount] for the services ticked in Section 2.
☐ Hourly rate of [$ amount] per hour for [design time / all services / services outside the flat fee], estimated at [number] hours. The Designer will not exceed [number] hours without the Client's written approval.
☐ Cost-plus on furnishings: the Client pays the Designer's net cost for items purchased through the Designer, plus a markup of [percentage]%. The Designer will show the vendor invoice for any item on request.
☐ Retail pricing: items purchased through the Designer are charged at the vendor's published retail price, and the Designer keeps any trade discount.
Retainer. The Client will pay a retainer of [$ amount] on signing. It is applied to ☐ the first invoice ☐ the final invoice. It is refundable only for services not yet performed if the Designer ends this Contract without cause.
Invoices are due within [number] days, by [payment method]. Hourly time is billed ☐ every two weeks ☐ monthly, with a description of the work.
4. Revisions
Each phase includes [number] rounds of revisions. Further revisions, or changes after the Client has approved a phase, are billed at the hourly rate above. Changing the scope, such as adding a room, requires a written change signed by both parties.
5. Purchasing, Deposits and Orders
Approval first. The Designer will not order anything until the Client approves the item, its price and its lead time in writing (a signed approval form or a confirming email is enough).
Payment before ordering. For each approved order, the Client will pay:
☐ 100% of the item price before the Designer places the order.
☐ A deposit of [percentage]% before ordering, with the balance due before delivery.
Custom and special orders. Custom, made-to-order and special-order items are usually non-cancellable and non-returnable once the vendor accepts the order or starts production. The Client accepts that once such an order is placed, the Client pays for it even if the Client changes their mind.
Returns. Returns and exchanges follow each vendor's policy, including any restocking fee, which the Client pays unless the item arrived defective or not as ordered.
Additional costs. Freight, delivery, receiving, storage, installation and sales tax are ☐ charged to the Client at cost ☐ included in the cost-plus markup ☐ other: [describe].
Delays and damage. Lead times and delivery dates are set by vendors and carriers, and the Designer does not control them. If an item arrives damaged, the Designer will help the Client file a claim with the vendor or carrier. The Designer is not responsible for vendor or carrier delay, damage or failure, but will make reasonable efforts to find alternatives.
Ownership. Items pass to the Client when paid in full. The Client is responsible for insuring items once delivered to the project address.
6. Licensed Trade and Construction Work
The Designer's services do not include electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, fire safety or other work that requires a licensed architect, engineer or contractor, and the Designer does not take responsibility for that work. The Client will hire and pay licensed professionals directly for any such work, and they are responsible for its design, permits, code compliance and quality. The Designer may share design intent and coordinate with them.
7. Client's Responsibilities
The Client will give the Designer reasonable access to the project, make decisions and approvals within [number] business days, provide accurate information about the space (including any building or HOA rules), and tell the Designer about any known hazards.
8. Design Ownership and Photos
The Designer keeps ownership of its drawings, plans and presentations. Once paid in full, the Client may use the design for this project address. The Client may not use the Designer's drawings for another property or publish them as their own.
☐ The Designer may photograph the finished project for its portfolio and marketing without showing the address or identifying the Client.
☐ The Designer may not photograph or publish the project without the Client's written approval.
9. Ending the Contract
Either party may end this Contract with [number] days' written notice. The Client will pay for services performed, and for all items already ordered or non-cancellable, up to the end date. The Designer will hand over any items the Client has paid for and the design documents completed and paid for.
10. Limits of Liability
Except for losses caused by the Designer's gross negligence or intentional misconduct, or where the law does not allow a limit, the Designer's total liability under this Contract will not exceed the design fees the Client paid the Designer. This does not reduce any warranty a vendor or manufacturer gives on its products.
11. Independent Business
The Designer is an independent business, not the Client's employee, and controls how it performs its services.
12. Notices
Notices must be in writing and sent by email or mail to:
- Client: [email, phone, address]
- Designer: [email, phone, address]
13. General Terms
Entire agreement. This Contract and any signed change or purchase approvals are the entire agreement between the parties about the design services.
Amendments. Any change must be in writing and signed by both parties.
Governing law. This Contract is governed by the laws of the State of [State].
Severability. If any part of this Contract is found invalid, the rest stays in effect.
Counterparts and electronic signatures. The parties agree this agreement may be signed electronically and in counterparts, and an electronic signature has the same effect as a handwritten one.
Signatures
Client
Signature: ______________________________
Name: [full name]
Date: [date]
Designer
Signature: ______________________________
Name: [full name]
Date: [date]