31 Expenses for Interior Designers

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This content has been reviewed by our qualified chartered accountants. However, you should always check with a professional. If you have any questions at all, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

As an interior designer, you manage a range of creative and administrative tasks—from sourcing fabrics and planning layouts to marketing your services and meeting clients. Each of these activities can come with costs that may be claimed as allowable expenses on your tax return. HMRC stipulates that expenses must be wholly and exclusively for your trade, so always consult an accountant or tax professional if you’re unsure.

Below, we’ve outlined potential expenses you could consider for your interior design accounting.

Design Tools & Software

💻 Digital Design Packages

Expenses for CAD programs, photo editing software, or 3D modelling tools specifically used for client work.

🛠️ Productivity & Project Management Tools

Costs for apps that help schedule tasks, track time, or manage client projects.

And more…

If you rely on it purely for your design business, keep those receipts.

Materials & Samples

🧶 Fabric & Sample Swatches

Costs for upholstery, curtain, or carpet samples purchased to present design options to clients.

🔨 Prototype Items & Finishes

Paint samples, flooring prototypes, or hardware you acquire to show clients or use in conceptual mock-ups.

And more…

If it enhances your skills or knowledge to benefit your clients, keep the receipts.

Professional Development

🎓 Workshops & Courses

Fees for seminars, masterclasses, or continuing professional development to stay current in design trends.

📚 Reference Books & Trade Journals

Costs for books, magazines, and subscriptions that keep you updated on interior design, architecture, or related fields.

And more…

Any resource or training that enhances your skill set could be tax-deductible.

Marketing & Promotion

🌐 Online Advertising

Costs for Google Ads, social media promotions, or sponsored blog posts to attract clients.

🖨️ Printed Materials

Business cards, brochures, and flyers used to promote your services.

📸 Professional Photography

Fees for photographing completed projects to showcase your portfolio.

And more…

If it helps market your interior design services, note it down.

Travel & Transport

🚗 Mileage & Vehicle Costs

If you use your personal car for business-related travel (e.g., visiting suppliers or client sites), you can often claim a mileage allowance.

🚇 Public Transport & Taxis

Expenses for trains, buses, or taxis used to attend meetings or purchase materials.

✈️ Out-of-Town Projects

Flights, accommodation, and subsistence for projects or conferences outside your usual working area.

And more…

Keep detailed records, including dates, destinations, and reasons for travel.

Office & Administration

🏠 Use of Home as Office

A portion of rent or mortgage interest, utilities, and insurance if you regularly work from a home office.

🏢 Studio or Office Rent

Costs for renting an external workspace or studio where you meet clients or store design materials.

🖨️ Office Supplies

Paper, ink, stationery, and postage expenses for client communications or printing design proposals.

And more…

Maintain thorough records distinguishing personal from business use.

Professional Services

📑 Accountancy & Bookkeeping

Fees for preparing tax returns, managing payroll (if applicable), or general financial advice.

⚖️ Legal Advice

Costs for contract reviews, intellectual property issues, or legal disputes related to design projects.

🛡️ Insurance

Professional indemnity or public liability insurance to safeguard against design-related claims.

And more…

Expert support can prevent costly mistakes and is often tax-deductible.

Subcontracting & Personnel Costs

🎨 Freelance Creatives

Payments to other designers, illustrators, or photographers who contribute to your projects.

👩‍💻 Virtual Assistants & Admin Help

Fees for administrative support with scheduling, invoicing, or client follow-ups.

And more…

Track all invoices and ensure they’re solely for business tasks.

Recharged Expenses

🪑 Client Purchases on Their Behalf

When you buy furniture or décor items for a client and then invoice them, these are known as “recharged” or “disbursements.” Keep all receipts and a clear record of each purchase.

And more…

Properly separate these from your own business expenses to remain compliant.

Knowledge Resources & Industry Memberships

📖 Trade Magazine Subscriptions

Costs for periodicals focusing on décor trends, architecture, or interior design.

🪑 Professional Memberships

Annual dues for organisations like BIID (British Institute of Interior Design) or RIBA (if relevant).

And more…

Staying informed can help you deliver better services and is often allowable.

Website & Online Presence

🌐 Domain & Hosting

Fees for your professional website’s domain name and hosting services.

🛒 E-commerce Tools

If you sell design-related products or have an online store for décor items.

👩‍💻 Web Development & SEO

Costs to build or optimise your website for better visibility.

And more…

If it’s used to promote and run your business, keep track of expenses.

Consumables & Presentation Materials

🖼️ Mood Boards

Foam boards, adhesives, and printing costs for client presentations.

💐 Staging Props

Plants, decorative items, or accessories you use strictly for staging or concept photography (and not for personal use).

And more…

Be sure to clarify which items are for demonstration only versus personal benefit.

Miscellaneous

🎁 Client Gifts & Hospitality

Reasonable expenses for small gifts or refreshments provided during meetings (within HMRC’s guidelines).

💻 Data Backup & Cloud Storage

Subscriptions for software or cloud services where you store design files and client data.

💪 Health & Safety

Protective gear, if needed on certain construction sites or during project installs.

And more…

Any costs incurred solely for business can qualify—just keep proper records.

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