What It Really Costs to Furnish a Luxury Home in Los Angeles
- Anton Baklan
- 4 minutes ago
- 5 min read
When people begin planning a high-end interior design project, one of the first questions they quietly search online is:
“What does it actually cost to furnish a luxury home in Los Angeles?”
The answers they find are usually vague, unrealistic, or based on national averages that have nothing to do with the LA market. The reality is that furnishing a well-designed, custom, and cohesive home at a luxury level requires a very different investment than simply buying furniture room by room.
This guide breaks down real-world expectations, where the budget truly goes, and what separates a professionally designed luxury interior from a retail-furnished home.
First, What Do We Mean by “Luxury Furnishing”?
Luxury furnishing is not about filling a space with expensive items. It’s about creating a home that feels layered, intentional, and deeply comfortable — where every detail has been considered.
This typically includes:
Custom or made-to-order furniture
High-quality natural materials (solid wood, stone, wool, linen, metal)
Tailored window treatments
Professional lighting design
Rugs scaled properly for each room
Original art or curated vintage pieces
Bespoke millwork or built-ins
Styling, accessories, and finishing layers
In Los Angeles, where architecture, lifestyle, and expectations are elevated, these elements work together to create homes that feel closer to boutique hotels or editorial interiors than standard residential spaces.
The Real Investment: Room-by-Room Ranges
Every project is unique, but here are realistic furnishing investment ranges for luxury-level interiors in Los Angeles. These numbers include furniture, lighting, rugs, window treatments, and styling — not construction or major remodeling.
Living Room: $35,000 – $90,000+
Often the most visible and design-forward space in the home.
Typical elements:
Custom or designer sofa: $8,000 – $20,000+
Lounge chairs (pair): $6,000 – $18,000
Coffee + side tables: $4,000 – $15,000
Rug (properly scaled, often 10x14 or larger): $6,000 – $20,000
Lighting (decorative + lamps): $3,000 – $12,000+
Window treatments: $5,000 – $15,000
Art, styling, accessories: $3,000 – $15,000+
What drives cost here is scale, upholstery quality, custom sizing, and statement pieces that anchor the room.
Dining Room: $20,000 – $60,000+
A luxury dining space is about proportion and presence.
Typical elements:
Custom or artisan dining table: $8,000 – $25,000
Dining chairs (6–10): $6,000 – $20,000
Statement chandelier: $3,000 – $15,000
Rug (if used): $4,000 – $12,000
Sideboard or storage piece: $4,000 – $15,000
In Los Angeles homes that entertain frequently, this space often becomes a sculptural focal point.
Primary Bedroom: $25,000 – $70,000+
Luxury bedrooms are layered, calm, and highly tactile.
Typical elements:
Upholstered or custom bed: $6,000 – $18,000
Nightstands (pair): $3,000 – $10,000
Dresser or storage pieces: $6,000 – $18,000
Rug: $4,000 – $15,000
Window treatments (often blackout + decorative): $5,000 – $15,000
Lighting, bench, lounge chair, styling: $3,000 – $12,000
The investment here is heavily influenced by textiles, upholstery quality, and custom window treatments.
Home Office: $15,000 – $40,000+
In Los Angeles, home offices often double as Zoom backgrounds, creative studios, or executive workspaces.
Typical elements:
Custom desk: $5,000 – $15,000
Ergonomic yet design-forward chair: $2,000 – $6,000
Storage or built-ins: $5,000 – $15,000
Rug, lighting, styling: $3,000 – $10,000
Clients increasingly want these spaces to feel as considered as living rooms — not corporate leftovers.
Outdoor Living Spaces: $20,000 – $80,000+
With LA’s climate, patios and terraces function as true outdoor living rooms.
Typical elements:
Outdoor sofa + lounge seating: $8,000 – $25,000
Dining set: $5,000 – $18,000
Outdoor rugs, lighting, planters: $4,000 – $15,000
Shade structures or umbrellas: $3,000 – $12,000
Fire features or statement pieces: varies widely
High-quality outdoor furnishings are an investment because they must withstand sun, moisture, and temperature shifts while still looking refined.
Why Luxury Furnishing Costs More Than Retail Shopping
Many clients initially compare designer budgets to what they see online from large retailers. The difference comes down to five major factors:
1. Customization
Luxury interiors rarely rely on standard sizes. Sofas are made to fit the room. Dining tables are built to the exact dimensions needed. Finishes and fabrics are selected specifically for the project.
2. Materials
Solid hardwood frames, hand-tied springs, natural stone slabs, and performance textiles designed to last for years all cost more than mass-produced alternatives — but they also look and feel completely different.
3. Craftsmanship
Many pieces are made by skilled artisans or small workshops, not factories producing thousands of units. This results in better construction, longer lead times, and higher quality.
4. Scale
Luxury homes often require larger rugs, longer sofas, bigger tables, and custom window treatments. Simply sizing items appropriately for the architecture significantly increases the budget.
5. Cohesion
A professionally designed home isn’t a collection of individual purchases — it’s a cohesive environment. The investment reflects the fact that every piece works together in color, proportion, and materiality.
A Full-Home Perspective
For a luxury residence in Los Angeles, furnishing investments often fall into these broader ranges:
2–3 bedroom home or condo: $150,000 – $350,000+
Larger single-family home: $300,000 – $800,000+
These numbers can increase with extensive custom millwork, collectible design, or fully bespoke elements.
Where Interior Design Fees Fit In
Furnishing budgets are separate from professional interior design fees. Design fees cover:
Space planning and layouts
3D visualizations and moodboards
Finish and material selections
Custom furniture design
Sourcing and procurement management
Vendor coordination and logistics
Installation oversight and final styling
For luxury projects, this level of service ensures that the investment in furnishings translates into a home that feels effortless, cohesive, and deeply personal.
What is the cost of a full-service interior design project?
The cost of a full interior design project in Los Angeles is highly individualized, depending on the size of your space, the complexity of the design, and the quality of materials and furnishings you wish to incorporate.
SOIA Design's team tailor each proposal based on your specific needs and goals. We would love to provide you with a personal, detailed commercial proposal that aligns with your vision and investment level. Please feel free to reach out, and we can schedule a consultation to discuss the possibilities.
How are design fees structured?
As Los Angeles interior design firm, SOIA Design use various methods to charge for our services, including hourly rates, flat fees, and percentage of project cost, or combine these methods. The specific approach depends on the project scope and type, and client preferences.
Usually we charge:
Flat fee for larger design projects
Hourly rates for author's supervision
Percentage on material and FF&E procurement
Daily rates for travelling
Please feel free to reach out, and we can schedule a consultation to discuss the possibilities.
The Bottom Line
A luxury home doesn’t come from buying expensive items — it comes from thoughtful design, proper scale, quality materials, and a cohesive vision carried through every room.
Understanding realistic furnishing costs from the beginning allows projects to move forward smoothly, with fewer compromises and far better results.
If you’re planning to furnish a home in Los Angeles and want a space that feels refined, layered, and truly tailored to your lifestyle, working with a full-service interior design studio ensures your investment is translated into lasting beauty and comfort.
Interested in creating a home that feels as good as it looks?
Our studio specializes in full-service luxury interior design for distinctive Los Angeles residences. Inquire to begin the conversation.