Every week someone calls us and asks the same question: “Bhai, apartment interior design-e koto taka lagbe?” Honestly, there is no single answer — and anyone who quotes you a price without visiting your flat is guessing. But after completing 500+ residential projects across Dhaka, we can tell you exactly what drives the cost, what to expect at each tier, and how to get the most out of whatever budget you have.
Why Apartment Interior Design Costs Vary So Much in Dhaka?
Walk into two apartments in the same building in Bashundhara. One owner spent BDT 18 lakh. The other spent BDT 55 lakh. Both are 1,400 square feet. Both look “done.” The difference? Materials, customization, ceiling complexity, and whether they chose a turnkey service or managed it themselves with day-labour.
The four things that move the number more than anything else:
- Material grade — the gap between standard MDF laminates and Italian-finish plywood is enormous
- False ceiling complexity — a simple flat gypsum ceiling costs very differently from a multi-level tray ceiling with cove lighting
- Furniture scope — are you buying off-the-shelf or getting everything custom-made?
- Project management — full turnkey vs. design-only engagement
Apartment Design Cost Tier-by-Tier Breakdown
Here is how we typically categorize projects. These are real ranges from projects we have completed in Dhaka over the last three years — not estimates pulled from thin air.
Standard Finish — BDT 800 to 1,500 per SFT
This is for a clean, functional apartment that looks good but uses cost-efficient materials. Think 18mm MDF with laminate finish, PVC false ceiling in common areas, ceramic tile flooring, and ready-made furniture where possible. We see this budget most often in Mirpur, Mohammadpur, and Uttara projects where the primary goal is a livable, tidy space.
For a 1,200 SFT 3-bedroom apartment, expect BDT 9.6 lakh to BDT 18 lakh total for this tier.
Mid-Range Finish — BDT 1,500 to 2,800 per SFT
This is the sweet spot for most families we work with. You get moisture-resistant plywood carcasses, veneer or high-gloss laminate shutters, gypsum false ceiling with cove LED lighting, vitrified or porcelain tile flooring (800×800 or larger), semi-custom furniture, and proper under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen. The space genuinely looks designed — not just furnished.
Most Banani, Dhanmondi, and East Bashundhara projects fall here. A 1,400 SFT apartment at mid-range typically costs BDT 21 lakh to BDT 39 lakh.
Premium Finish — BDT 2,800 to 4,500+ per SFT
At this level, materials shift considerably. We are talking imported Italian porcelain, solid Shegun or Mehogoni timber for feature furniture, backlit onyx or stone feature walls, Blum or Hettich hardware throughout, built-in wardrobes with soft-close systems, smart home wiring, and decorative lighting from proper fixtures — not just recessed LEDs.
Premium projects are common in Gulshan 1 and 2, Baridhara, and high-rises like Navana or Rangs developments. A 2,000 SFT apartment here can comfortably run BDT 56 lakh to BDT 90 lakh.
Room-by-Room Cost Guide
If you are doing a partial renovation rather than full interior design, here is a rough per-room cost guide at mid-range finish in Dhaka (2024–2025 pricing):
| Room | Mid-Range Cost (BDT) |
|---|---|
| Living + Drawing Room | 3.5 lakh – 6 lakh |
| Master Bedroom | 2.5 lakh – 5 lakh |
| Kids Room | 1.5 lakh – 3 lakh |
| Modular Kitchen | 2 lakh – 4.5 lakh |
| Bathroom (per unit) | 80,000 – 1.8 lakh |
| False Ceiling (full flat) | 1.5 lakh – 3.5 lakh |
These are estimates. The actual figure depends on room dimensions, your material choices, and whether you are changing existing tiles or building over them. For getting the more accurate pricing and consultancy contact Imagine Interiors
What People Often Forget to Budget For?
This catches clients off-guard more than anything. You plan the design, get a quotation, and then three things come up that were not in the original scope:
- Electrical rewiring — most older Dhaka apartments have outdated wiring. Adding proper light circuits, fan points, and AC points during the interior work almost always adds BDT 50,000–1.5 lakh depending on the flat size.
- Waterproofing — bathroom and kitchen floors that are being retiled should always get a waterproofing membrane first. Skipping this saves BDT 15,000 upfront and costs BDT 2–3 lakh in water damage later.
- Décor and accessories — plants, cushions, rugs, artwork, curtains. Most clients budget zero for this, then spend BDT 80,000–2 lakh furnishing the flat after handover. Factor it in from day one.
How to Get the Most From Your Budget?
The single most effective thing you can do: invest in ceilings and lighting, and be cost-conscious on flooring. Here is why – lighting transforms how a space feels more dramatically than almost any other element. A flat with mid-grade flooring but a well-designed tray ceiling and layered LED lighting consistently photographs better and feels more expensive than the reverse.
A few other things we tell every client at the first meeting:
- Do not mix too many wood finishes. Two, maximum three tones throughout the whole flat.
- Spend on the kitchen cabinets — you open them every day. This is not where to cut corners.
- Wardrobe interiors matter more than exteriors. A plain shutter with a well-organized internal layout beats a fancy door on a chaotic interior.
- If budget is tight, do the living room and master bedroom to full spec. Leave the guest room simple. Nobody notices an undesigned guest room; everyone notices an undesigned living room.
Design Fee vs. Turnkey Cost – What is the Difference?
Some firms charge a separate design fee (floor plans, 3D renders, material board) and then quote separately for execution. Others — including Imagine Interiors — work on a turnkey model where design and execution are one integrated contract.
The turnkey model is almost always cheaper and less stressful for the client. You do not pay a designer who then hands you off to a contractor who has no relationship with the design intent. One team, one responsibility, one point of contact.
Ready to Get an Accurate Quote for Your Apartment?
The only way to get a real number is a site visit. We come to your apartment, take measurements, understand your requirements, and give you a full itemized quotation — no vague “per square feet” estimate, but an actual breakdown by room, by trade, by material.
There is no charge for the consultation and no obligation. If you like what you see, we proceed. If not, the quote is yours to keep.
