Melbourne’s Best Interior Designers: Creating Beautiful and Functional Spaces

Melbourne has a well-deserved reputation for elegance and style with interior design, and with so many to choose from (especially if money is no object!) we thought a short list of the best interior designers, was needed. Please note, these are in no particular order, because everyone is quite frankly, fabulous.

Simone Haag

An impressive portfolio of stand-out projects is the calling card for Simone Haag. Her website opens with a quote from editor of Vogue Living, which is pretty impressive. Young, enthusiastic, brave. Her studio core values are Discovery, Connection, Significance and Belief. Her “Art House” is a firm personal fav.

Christopher Elliott Design

The Richmond base designer has an elevated contemporary style, that transforms spaces in a thoughtful, memorable and meticulous manner using bold colours, clever use of light and interesting textures.

Flack Studio

Just flip through The Elwood House pictures to see the breadth of design expression that comes out of this studio, both residential and commercial. They master the contemporary elegance brief with ease, while still allowing a ‘touch of daring’ as they say, to create a holistic design.

Megan Hounslow

Is it okay to say Megan Hounslow’s paintings are in fact what attracted me first? A bit off topic, but then again maybe not. The Hounslow touch is pictorial and nuanced. The Netherby House project is a study in rapport between contemporary and heritage aesthetics.

Nickolas Gurtler Office

With studio values, such as ‘transportive, immersive and thought-provoking’ , it is no wonder the studio has such an impressive following in residential and commercial design. Their talented curation of items is an art form in itself.

Heartly

This Abbotsford studio, which offers full architectural services, has an unpretentious honesty that creates happy spaces. Their profile says “interiors created by Heartly are creative, confident, practical and beautiful”, and that’s true. They were shortlisted in the 2022 Australian Interior Design Awards for Canning Street Cottage.

Mr. Mitchell

If repeat and referral business is a signpost to a good studio, then Mr Mitchell deserves to be right up there. Twenty-three years in business, and still producing vital, magazine worthy spaces that will outlast fads and trends – because as we all know, elegance is forever in style. His Mittagong project?  To die for.

Alexander Pollock

Aaron Wong leads the award-winning Alexander Pollock team as they create outstanding interiors for private residential and commercial residential projects. While all the homes are Insta worthy, their command of eclectic design is outstanding – the Kew House, for example, is brilliant.

Six Pieces Interior Design

Finding the perfect piece for the space is a drawcard to this full-service design studio. Although mentioned in other studios, the quality of 2D and 3D renders is fantastic here, guided by the fully qualified and experienced principals Caroline Lawton and Titia Huggard.

Camilla Molders Design

Not just a great place for design, but also a strong advocate for environmental responsibility. But back to interior design, with 20 years’ experience under her belt, contacts and resources are no issue for the studios informed, bespoke designs – from lofts to mansions, this practice is a go to.

Is it better to hire an interior designer?

Interior designers can be a better option if you’re designing a whole house because they can oversee the entire project for a more cohesive look. Interior designers also have access to trade prices, and often have longstanding relationships with trades and suppliers that can lead to lower costs, a smoother project and a better outcome in the long run.

How much does an interior designer cost in Melbourne?

Like most things, you get what you pay for. An inexperienced designer may charge between $50 to $90 per hour, but the average cost is between $100 and $300 per hour. It’s best to discuss budgets and expectations upfront to avoid disappointment or confusion.

At what stage should I hire an interior designer?

If you’re building a house, it’s wise to get an interior designer on board as early as possible, ideally during the planning stage. Often, they can help with critical details such as kitchen layout, storage options and materials selection, which will give you a realistic idea of budget.

How do I find the right interior designer?

Social media is your friend here. Many interior designers are active on Instagram, posting progress images, as well as finished spaces. Just be careful to check that the images they post are their own work. Alternatively, word of mouth is still a valuable source. If you visit a house, a restaurant or even a boutique hotel you like, ask who designed it. Be sure to create your own portfolio of images to take to your first meeting to help convey your ideas.