Prices and facts on this page were checked in September 2026.
Interior designers and architects in Malta
Dapperlance lists independent interior design studios in Malta and Gozo, working from Għargħur, Swieqi and elsewhere on homes, offices, restaurants and hotels. Between them they cover space planning, concept design, material and furniture sourcing, project management from concept to completion, and virtual design packages for clients who want the plans without a site visit. Message any of them for free from their listing.
What does interior design cost in Malta?
None of the interior design studios we checked publish a price list: a design fee in Malta is quoted after the designer has seen the space and discussed the brief. We checked five Malta interior design studios' own websites in September 2026 and found consultation forms and "get in touch" pages, not rates. The table below shows how the fee is usually structured so you can compare quotes on the same basis.
| Fee model | How it works |
|---|---|
| Hourly consultation | Charged for site visits, layout advice and material selection, billed by the hour |
| Fixed project fee | One price for a defined scope, such as a single room or a full home |
| Percentage of project cost | A share of the renovation or furniture spend, common on larger jobs |
| Virtual or e-design package | A fixed fee for a design plan and mood board with no site visit, cheaper than a full-service project |
Three things move the price. Scope: a single room costs far less than a full-service project that runs from concept to installation and project management. Site visits: a designer who visits, measures and supervises on site charges more than a virtual or e-design package based on photos and video calls. VAT: a VAT registered studio adds 18 percent to its fee, so confirm whether a quote includes it.
How to choose an interior designer in Malta
Interior design is not a regulated profession in Malta, so anyone can call themselves an interior designer. Architects and civil engineers are regulated: only a warranted perit can sign planning applications. Interior design does not appear on the Malta Further and Higher Education Authority's list of regulated professions, while architects and civil engineers do. Under the Periti Act, only a warranted perit, registered with Kamra tal-Periti, can sign and submit an application to the Planning Authority. If a project only involves finishes, furniture and layout within the existing walls, an interior designer can usually handle it alone. If it involves moving a wall, changing an opening or anything structural, ask whether the studio works with a perit or has one on the project, because the Planning Authority paperwork needs one either way.
Ask early whether the planned changes need Planning Authority paperwork. Some minor works, including certain internal alterations, can go through a Development Notification instead of a full planning application. It is quicker, but it is still submitted by a perit with plans and photographs. Works that change the structure, the footprint or the outside of the building usually need a full permit. Your perit decides which route applies, so ask the designer whether they work with one.
Common mistakes to avoid: assuming a design fee also covers permits and the perit, agreeing furniture and material sourcing without asking whether the designer earns a commission from suppliers, and skipping a written scope of work, which is the only way to know what a fixed fee actually includes. Ask to see photos of a studio's completed projects that match your property type, whether that is an apartment, a restaurant or an office.
Browse the interior designers listed above and message them directly, it is free. Related categories: Carpentry & Furniture, Painting & Plastering and Tiling & Flooring.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to redecorate a room in Malta?
Redecorating, changing finishes or moving furniture within the existing walls does not need Planning Authority involvement. Structural changes, such as moving a wall or altering an opening, may fall under a Development Notification or a full permit, and either route needs a warranted perit to submit it.
Is interior design a regulated profession in Malta?
No. Interior design has no warrant or licensing requirement in Malta, unlike architecture and civil engineering, which require a warranted perit under the Periti Act. Anyone can offer interior design services, so ask to see a studio's past work before booking.
Can an interior designer submit my Planning Authority application?
No. Only a warranted perit, registered with Kamra tal-Periti, can sign and submit a Planning Authority application or a Development Notification. An interior design studio that plans structural changes will work alongside a perit for that part of the project.
How much does it cost to hire an interior designer in Malta?
Malta studios do not publish rates, so the fee depends on the scope, whether the designer visits the site, and whether it is a fixed project fee, an hourly rate or an e-design package. Ask for a written quote once you have discussed the brief, and confirm whether VAT is included.
What is the difference between a virtual design package and a full-service project?
A virtual or e-design package gives you a design plan, mood board and shopping list based on photos and video calls, with no site visit, and usually costs less. A full-service project includes site visits, sourcing, ordering and on-site supervision through to completion.