How to Write a Design Proposal That Gets a Yes Every Time
You’ve had a great consultation, the client is excited, and now it’s time to send your design proposal. This is the moment where many interior designers freeze—because writing a proposal can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: a great design proposal doesn’t just outline your services—it builds trust, positions your value, and makes it easy for the client to say yes. 💬✅
In this guide, I’ll show you how to write a proposal that’s clear, confident, and persuasive—plus how to structure it using my go-to Interior Design Fee Proposal Template.
🧭 Start With a Personalized Introduction
This isn’t just a formality—it’s where you remind the client why they want to work with you.
Include:
A friendly greeting and acknowledgment of your recent conversation
A summary of the client’s goals or design challenges
Your excitement about helping them bring their vision to life
✨ This shows the proposal is customized—not copied and pasted.
📦 Clearly Outline Your Services & Phases
Now’s the time to break down exactly what you’ll do—and when. This removes guesswork and makes your process feel organized.
A strong structure looks like this:
Phase 1: Concept Development – Includes mood boards, inspiration, initial layout ideas
Phase 2: Design Development – Includes materials, furnishings, and finalized layouts
Phase 3: Implementation – Site visits, procurement, styling, and install
➡️ Use bullet points to keep it clean and easy to skim.
💰 Present Your Pricing with Confidence
Whether you charge flat fees, hourly, or by project phase, your pricing should be simple to understand and free of surprises.
What to include:
Total investment or breakdown by phase
What’s included (and what’s not)
Payment terms and due dates
Retainer/deposit amount required to book the project
🎯 Pro tip: Don’t apologize for your rates—own them. Confidence sells.
📋 Add Terms, Timelines, and Client Responsibilities
Clients appreciate transparency, especially with timelines and deliverables. This section builds trust and sets realistic expectations.
Suggested elements:
Estimated project start and completion dates
Number of revisions included
What you need from the client to move forward (approvals, payments, product decisions)
🕒 This reduces back-and-forth and avoids future misunderstandings.
📎 Include a Call to Action
Once you’ve laid everything out, guide the client to take the next step. Make it easy to move forward.
Example:
“If you’re ready to move forward, simply reply to this email and I’ll send over your contract and invoice to secure your spot!”
Or even better—link directly to your booking form, contract, or payment page.
🛠 Tools That Make It Easy
Writing a proposal from scratch every time is exhausting. That’s why I recommend using a well-designed template to speed things up and stay consistent.
My Interior Design Fee Proposal Template includes:
A customizable cover page
Clear service breakdowns
Pricing layouts that make sense
Professional formatting that reflects your brand
✨ It’s designed to make your proposal look polished and persuasive.
The best design proposals don’t just explain your service—they sell your process. When you present your offer clearly, confidently, and professionally, clients feel excited and secure in saying YES.
Want to simplify your next proposal? Grab the Interior Design Fee Proposal Template and start sending proposals that convert today!
