Areas we serve · Nairobi
Interior designers across every Nairobi neighbourhood
We are interior designers in Nairobi working on homes, offices and businesses in every corner of the city, from the apartment belt of Kilimani and Kileleshwa to the family homes of Karen and Runda and the offices of Westlands. Wherever you are, you get a local studio that knows your area, your building type and what a finish should really cost in KES.
This page is the local home of Interior Design Nairobi. For the work itself, see residential and commercial interior design. We cover full design, decoration, joinery and fit-out; we do not sell furniture as a standalone shop and we do not take on structural rebuilds or new construction.
What interior designers in Nairobi actually do
A good Nairobi designer does three things: plan the space so it works for how you live, choose materials and furniture that survive local conditions and your budget, and run the trades on site so it gets built right. Some clients only want the first part, a design pack to hand to their own fundi. Most want the whole job managed by one team.
- Space planning and concept. Layouts, mood direction, 2D and 3D drawings so you see the room before money is spent.
- Material and furniture selection. Flooring, paint, joinery, lighting, soft furnishings, sourced at trade prices.
- Fit-out and project management. Joinery, painting, electrical, plumbing fixtures and the furniture install, scheduled and supervised.
- Decoration and styling. The final layer of art, rugs, plants and accessories that makes a room feel finished.
Interior design by Nairobi area
Different neighbourhoods mean different homes, budgets and rules. Knowing them is how a local designer saves you time and money.
Westlands & Parklands
Apartments and commercial spaces near the business core. Our studio is here, so visits and installation are tightly managed.
Kilimani & Kileleshwa
Nairobi's apartment belt. We make compact, new-build units feel generous with built-in storage, feature walls and layered lighting.
Lavington
A mix of apartments and townhouses. Popular for full furnish-and-fit and for short-let styling that earns its keep.
Karen & Runda
Standalone homes and maisonettes where the brief is usually a complete, cohesive interior across many rooms.
Muthaiga & Kitisuru
Larger family residences calling for a refined, consistent scheme and statement entertaining spaces.
Syokimau & Kiambu
Growing suburbs of new homes and apartments, ideal for first-time full-home design on a planned budget.
Why a Nairobi-based studio matters
- We know which finishes survive Nairobi's dust, sun and short rains, and which fail.
- We work with local trades and suppliers we trust, and buy at prices you usually can't.
- We plan around apartment management approvals, deposits and permitted working hours.
- Site visits and installation are fast because we're across town, not across the country.
How much interior design costs in Nairobi
Fees and budgets are the same wherever you are in the city; the variable is scope and finish. Two numbers matter: the design fee and the project total. The design fee is usually 10–15% of the project, or a flat package for small jobs.
- Concept package, one room: KES 35,000–60,000 for layout, mood and a shopping list you action yourself.
- Light refresh (paint, lighting, soft furnishings, styling): KES 150,000–400,000 for a typical living room or bedroom.
- Full design and fit-out, per square metre: KES 8,000–25,000 furnished and fitted, finish-dependent.
- 3-bed apartment, end to end: KES 800,000–2.5M including furniture, joinery and labour.
- Standalone home in Karen or Runda: KES 2.5M and up, since the brief usually covers many rooms and bigger spaces.
For the full breakdown by tier and room see the interior design cost in Kenya guide, or our packages for starting prices.
Interior design styles popular in Nairobi
Most briefs we get land in one of four directions. Modern, with clean lines and neutral walls. Contemporary, which follows current trends and softer shapes. Minimalist, very few pieces and lots of natural light, which suits compact Kilimani apartments. And traditional or Afro-classic, with richer woods, patterned fabrics and layered detail that reads well in larger Karen and Muthaiga homes. A modern-contemporary base with a few Kenyan craft pieces, baskets, carved stools, local art, is the most-requested mix.
Room by room: where Nairobi homes need the most help
- Living room: usually the first project. Layered lighting, a proper TV and storage wall, and seating sized to the room, not to the showroom.
- Kitchen: joinery that handles humidity, sensible counter heights and lighting under the cabinets. The single biggest value-adder in a resale.
- Primary bedroom: fitted wardrobes that use the full ceiling height, blackout treatment, and a calm palette.
- Home office: demand jumped after 2020. Good task lighting, acoustic softening and a backdrop that works on video calls.
- Balcony and outdoor: shade, weatherproof seating and planting that copes with Nairobi sun and the short rains.
How we work
A typical Nairobi project runs in five steps. We keep it simple so you always know what happens next.
- 1. Site visit and brief. We measure, photograph and talk through how you use the space and your budget.
- 2. Concept and 3D. Layout options and 3D views so you approve the look before anything is bought.
- 3. Itemised quote. Design fee, furniture, fittings and labour listed separately so nothing is hidden.
- 4. Build and install. We schedule trades, handle apartment-management approvals and supervise on site.
- 5. Styling and handover. The final decoration layer, a snag list, and the keys back to you.
How to choose interior designers in Nairobi
The Nairobi market is crowded and a render is not a finished room. Before you commit, ask for completed projects you can see in person or on video, get an itemised quote so you can compare designers like for like, and confirm who actually manages the contractors on site. Agree upfront how changes mid-project are priced, since that is where budgets usually slip. Our guide to the best interior designers in Kenya walks through the full checklist.
Common mistakes we fix
- Buying furniture before the layout is set, then finding nothing fits the room.
- One bright ceiling light instead of three or four layers of lighting.
- Finishes chosen for looks, not for Nairobi dust, hard water and strong afternoon sun.
- Skipping management approval and getting works stopped on day one.
- No itemised quote, so the budget creeps with every untracked change.
Nairobi interior design FAQ
How much do interior designers in Nairobi charge?
Design fees in Nairobi generally run KES 1,500–10,000 per square metre depending on the designer's experience and the scope. A concept-only package for one room often starts around KES 35,000–60,000, while full design and project management of a 3-bedroom apartment usually lands between KES 250,000 and KES 1.2M including furniture, fittings and labour. See our interior design cost guide for the full breakdown.
What is a normal budget for interior design in Nairobi?
A useful planning figure is KES 8,000–25,000 per square metre for a furnished, fitted finish, so a 100 sqm apartment commonly sits between KES 800,000 and KES 2.5M all-in. A light refresh (paint, soft furnishings, lighting and styling) can be done from KES 150,000–400,000. The design fee is usually 10–15% of the total project cost.
What are the four types of interior design?
The four styles most asked for in Nairobi are modern (clean lines, neutral palettes), contemporary (current trends, soft curves), minimalist (very few pieces, lots of light) and traditional/Afro-classic (richer woods, patterned fabrics, layered detail). Most of our clients land on a modern-contemporary mix with a few Kenyan craft pieces.
What is the 3-5-7 rule in interior design?
It is a guide for grouping decor: arrange items in odd numbers, like 3, 5 or 7, because odd groupings read as more natural and balanced than even ones. We use it for coffee-table styling, shelf vignettes and mantel arrangements. It is a styling habit, not a strict rule, so we break it when a symmetrical look suits the room.
Which areas of Nairobi do you cover?
All of Nairobi and the metro: Westlands, Kilimani, Kileleshwa, Lavington, Karen, Runda, Muthaiga, Parklands, Kitisuru, Syokimau, Kiambu and beyond. Our studio is in Westlands, so site visits across the city are quick.
Do you understand apartment management rules?
Yes. Many Nairobi blocks require management approval and a refundable deposit before works, and restrict noisy work to weekday hours. We handle the paperwork and schedule around it so your project doesn't stall.
Can you design just one room?
Yes. Many Nairobi clients start with a living room, primary bedroom or office reception and expand once they see the result. One room is a low-risk way to test how we work together.
How do I choose a good interior designer in Nairobi?
Ask to see completed projects in person or by video, not just renders. Check that the quote is itemised (design fee, furniture, fittings, labour) so you can compare like for like. Confirm who manages the contractors on site and how variations are priced. Read more in our guide to the best interior designers in Kenya.
Do you handle the building work, or just the design?
Both. We can hand you a design pack to build yourself, or run the full job: joinery, painting, electrical, plumbing fixtures, flooring and the furniture install. Most Nairobi clients want one team accountable from concept to handover, which is what we do.
Free consultation
Designing a space in Nairobi?
Send us your space and budget, we'll reply with a free concept direction and quote.