Apartment interior design cost Dubai: 2026 price per sq ft
Apartment interior design cost in Dubai runs from about AED 160 to AED 330 per sq ft for a full fit-out in 2026, plus a design fee of AED 6,000 to AED 25,000. A 1,100 sq ft two bedroom apartment usually lands between AED 200,000 and AED 350,000 handover ready, before furniture.
Why work with A&B Design & Build
- Fixed price quotation, itemised line by line before site work starts
- One in-house team handling design, joinery and fit-out under a single contract
- Residential apartment interiors only, from studio to three bedroom
- Permit and Dubai Municipality submission paperwork managed as part of the scope
- Direct WhatsApp line for quotes and site updates on 971585538660
- We do our best work for Dubai owners and tenants who want a fixed number before they commit and one point of contact until handover
What apartment interior design cost actually includes
Most people searching for apartment interior design cost Dubai are pricing three different things at once, which is why quotes for the same unit can differ by hundreds of thousands of dirhams.
Design fee
Drawings, space planning, elevations, joinery detailing, material and lighting selection, plus one or two revision rounds. On a Dubai apartment this is AED 6,000 to AED 25,000, or roughly 5 to 8 percent of the fit-out value. Studios sit at the low end, three bedroom units at the high end.
Fit-out cost
Demolition, MEP, plastering, screed, tiling, false ceiling, painting, kitchen and bathroom work, and custom joinery. This is the number quoted per sq ft, and it is the bulk of your budget.
Furniture and appliances
Sofas, beds, dining, curtains, art, white goods. AED 25,000 to AED 90,000 depending on how much you already own.
When you speak to an interior designer for apartment work in Dubai, ask which of the three their number covers. A quote of AED 150,000 and a quote of AED 400,000 for the same two bedroom can both be honest.
Real 2026 AED price bands for Dubai apartments
These ranges assume the existing layout is kept, mid to premium finishes, and no structural changes. The design fee sits on top and is listed separately.
| Unit | Typical area | Design fee | Fit-out per sq ft | Fit-out total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | 400 to 550 sq ft | AED 6,000 to 12,000 | AED 220 to 330 | AED 110,000 to 190,000 |
| 1 bedroom | 700 to 900 sq ft | AED 8,000 to 16,000 | AED 190 to 300 | AED 155,000 to 275,000 |
| 2 bedroom | 1,000 to 1,300 sq ft | AED 10,000 to 20,000 | AED 175 to 280 | AED 200,000 to 350,000 |
| 3 bedroom | 1,500 to 2,000 sq ft | AED 12,000 to 25,000 | AED 160 to 260 | AED 270,000 to 480,000 |
Per sq ft falls as the apartment grows. Fixed costs like permits, site setup, protection and supervision spread across more area, so the interior design cost per sq ft Dubai apartment owners pay on a studio is often 30 to 40 percent higher than on a three bedroom.
Worked example. A 1,100 sq ft two bedroom with two bathrooms and a closed kitchen:
- Design fee: AED 15,000
- Fit-out at AED 210 per sq ft: AED 231,000
- Loose furniture package: AED 45,000
- Total: AED 291,000
Keep only wardrobes and a TV unit in the joinery scope and keep the existing kitchen, and the same apartment comes in near AED 225,000. Add a full kitchen replacement and imported sanitaryware and it moves past AED 340,000.
Wall moulding going in on site. Detail work is where per sq ft pricing quietly separates.
What changes the price
The fit-out cost for apartment projects in Dubai moves on six things, roughly in this order of impact.
- Kitchen and bathroom scope. A new kitchen is AED 35,000 to AED 120,000. A full bathroom rebuild with waterproofing, tiles and sanitaryware is AED 25,000 to AED 60,000.
- Joinery volume. Custom wardrobes, TV units and vanities are quoted per linear metre, typically AED 1,200 to AED 3,500 per metre depending on board, veneer and hardware.
- False ceiling and lighting. A plain perimeter bulkhead runs AED 90 to AED 140 per sq ft of ceiling area. Add cove lighting, profile spots and smart controls and it climbs quickly.
- MEP and approvals. Moving a kitchen sink, adding a bathroom or changing AC ducting needs drawings, a DET or Dubai Municipality permit and often a building NOC. Budget AED 1,500 to AED 6,000 in fees plus drawing costs, and 1 to 3 weeks of time.
- Imported against locally made. An imported Italian kitchen can be three times the price of a well built local one. The finish gap is smaller than the price gap.
- Layout changes. Removing a wall or relocating a bathroom adds demolition, structural review and reinstatement.
Handover-ready or furnished: the two budget tiers
Handover-ready means the apartment is finished and functional. Flooring, paint, ceilings, lighting, kitchen, bathrooms, built-in wardrobes. You move your own furniture in.
Furnished means handover-ready plus everything loose: beds, sofas, dining table, curtains, rugs, TV and usually small appliances. In Dubai the difference is AED 25,000 to AED 90,000 on a one or two bedroom, and most short-let and rental owners choose this tier because a furnished apartment rents for more per month and starts earning sooner.
If you already own furniture, put the saving into joinery and lighting instead. That is where an apartment starts to feel finished.
Build versus buy: custom joinery against off the shelf in Dubai
Custom joinery is worth it when the wall is an awkward size, when you want storage to the ceiling, or when the apartment is a rental that has to survive tenants. Expect AED 1,800 to AED 3,500 per linear metre for a fitted wardrobe with soft close hardware.
Off the shelf works for a second bedroom, a study, or a rental you plan to sell in two years. A flat pack wardrobe is AED 1,200 to AED 3,500 delivered, and it will not fit the alcove properly.
The working rule: build custom in the rooms a buyer or tenant will photograph. Buy the rest.
Mid fit-out. Plumbing and tub are set, tiling and finishes come next.
From design sign-off to handover, and how to compare three quotes
Typical timeline for a two bedroom apartment in Dubai:
- Concept and layout options: 5 to 10 working days.
- Detailed drawings, material selection and fixed quotation: 10 to 15 working days.
- Permit and building NOC submission: 1 to 3 weeks, run in parallel with step 2 where possible.
- Site protection, demolition and MEP first fix: 2 to 3 weeks.
- Wet works, tiling and waterproofing: 3 to 5 weeks.
- False ceiling, joinery installation and painting: 3 to 4 weeks.
- Snagging, touch ups and handover: 1 week.
That is 8 to 12 weeks on site for a standard apartment, plus design and permit time. Fit-outs that stall almost always stall on approvals or on late material choices, not on labour.
When you compare three quotes, check five points. All three should be DET registered or working under a DET registered contractor, with the licence number shown on the quote. Payment should be staged, typically 30 percent on mobilisation, 40 percent on progress, 25 percent near completion and 5 percent after the snag list closes. The quote should name brands or at least board types and hardware, not standard finishes. It should state what is excluded. And it should include a snagging process with a defect liability period, usually 12 months on workmanship.
Cheap quotes usually win on exclusions, not on price. Read the exclusions page first.
See apartment interior design projects in Dubai we have completed, or request an apartment interior design quote on WhatsApp and we will price your unit room by room. If you are weighing a larger property, our villa interior design cost Dubai guide covers the same numbers at villa scale, and choosing a residential interior design studio in Dubai explains what to check before you sign anything.
Frequently asked questions
How much does apartment interior design cost in Dubai in 2026?
Fit-out runs AED 160 to AED 330 per sq ft, with a design fee of AED 6,000 to AED 25,000 on top. A one bedroom typically totals AED 155,000 to AED 275,000 and a two bedroom AED 200,000 to AED 350,000 handover ready. Furniture adds AED 25,000 to AED 90,000 if you want the apartment furnished.
Is studio apartment interior design cost Dubai lower than a one bedroom?
The total is lower, the rate is higher. A studio of 400 to 550 sq ft is usually AED 110,000 to AED 190,000, which works out at AED 220 to AED 330 per sq ft. Fixed costs such as permits, site setup and supervision do not shrink with the unit, so small apartments always carry a higher rate.
Do I need a DET or Dubai Municipality permit for an apartment fit-out?
If you are changing plumbing, electrical layouts, AC ducting, the kitchen position or a bathroom, yes. Permit fees are typically AED 1,500 to AED 6,000 plus drawing costs, and most buildings also require an NOC from the developer or owners association. Cosmetic work such as painting and flooring usually does not need a permit.
How long does an apartment fit-out take in Dubai?
Allow 8 to 12 weeks on site for a one or two bedroom apartment once drawings and permits are approved. Design and pricing take another 3 to 5 weeks, and permits 1 to 3 weeks. Late material selection is the most common cause of delay, not labour.
Can I live in the apartment during the fit-out?
Not for a full fit-out. Dust, screed, tiling and MEP work make the unit unusable for most of the programme. For partial work such as joinery, painting or a single bathroom, phased work is possible if the building allows it.
What is usually not included in a per sq ft fit-out quote?
Loose furniture, appliances, curtains, rugs, art and sometimes AC units and light fittings. Building NOC fees, DEWA charges and owners association charges are often excluded too. Ask for the exclusions list in writing before you compare numbers.
