The 6 Best Interior Designers in Cork

With an eye for design, hiring an interior designer is a great investment to help you make your dream home a reality. From furniture to fixtures, interior designers are definitely the ones to call to help you make your space functional and stylish.

To help you out, we’ve listed the best interior designers in Cork along with their contact information, our truthful reviews complete with pros and cons, and more!

How Much Do Interior Designers Cost in Cork?

Since no two projects are the same, firms won’t be able to give you a flat rate as fees will depend on the scale of the project, how complicated it’ll be, the amount of work they’ll need to put in, and more. 

That said, payment schemes usually depend on the firm as some will charge by the hour while others have fixed rates and even packages that you can avail of.

In Cork, interior designers’ virtual consultations start at around €140 while their hourly rates start at around €160, which usually includes light service and consultation. Meanwhile, full interior design services start at around €300 and this includes detailed plans, shopping lists, and more.

All said, we highly recommend sitting down with your preferred designer and going over the budget and proposal before finalizing anything so that you can thoroughly discuss your options.

The Best Interior Designers in Cork

Now that you’re more acquainted with the cost of hiring an interior designer, let’s now go forward with our recommendations! 

The entries on this list have been carefully selected based on the following criteria:

Variety of Services
We eyed entries that had a wide range of services to offer.

Space
We considered entries that weren’t limited to designing a single type of room, but could do any space from bedrooms to living rooms.

Scope
We looked at entries that didn’t just give design ideas but could also help you in the installation process, too.

Customer Service
We eyed entries that went out of their way to help you completely transform your space.

Reliability
We eyed entries that were known to go above and beyond during the entire process to help you achieve the space of your dreams.

Accessibility
With how stressful it can be, we also took into consideration how easy it was to get in contact with them.

Team Expertise
We looked at entries with a team of varying design experts to give you the best advice from all areas of the design industry.

Network
We eyed entries that already had a number of partnerships with renowned names in the industry such as engineers, architects, and suppliers to ease material and product sourcing.

1. Celene Collins Interior Designer

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★★★ (5/5)
SPACE	★★★★★ (5/5)
SCOPE	★★★★★ (5/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★★ (4/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★ (3/5)
NETWORK	★★★★★ (5/5)

Celene Collins offers a very personalized service. From headboards to lamps, Celene can custom design pieces specifically made for your home.

On top of that, Celene has been in the industry for the past 20 years and has established a handful of connections not just from her clients, but from other members of the design industry such as engineers, architects, and suppliers. We think having such a wide network of resources really helps in creating a space that suits your personal style.

Her rates begin at €400 for her one-off home consultations, but she also has fixed fee packages at €500 and add-on services for a fee. If you’re not completely sold yet, she also offers a free 15-minute consultation where you can discuss how they can work around your budget.

Aside from that, she can also revamp your old furniture to suit the new design of your space so you won’t have to worry about throwing away any furniture.

Another thing to take note of is they also offer fully online services, meaning all transactions will be done remotely. In our opinion, this provides great convenience if you’d rather work on your own time or are doing everything yourself and would like a helping hand every once in a while.

Speaking of online, we also like the fact that you can also make payments through their website where you can pay via Paypal or credit card. Their website also features an extensive list of brands that you can shop from directly on their website.

All said, Celene Collins Interior Design is a great option if you’re unsure of the direction you want to go in since her years of experience and connections will help you find your personal style and help you translate that into your interior aesthetics.

Customer Reviews

She was very flexible and willing to spend as much time with us as required

“We really enjoyed working with Celene on Our new build. The outcome was fabulous! She is a consummate professional. She was very flexible and willing to spend as much time with us as required. She is very knowledgeable on all aspects of interior design as well as knowing many suppliers and trades. She took all of our ideas into consideration as well as recommending what looks good and what’s on trend at the moment. We would highly recommend using Celene” – Catherine O Driscoll, Google Reviews

She allowed us to work with our own ideas and within our own budget.

“For our holiday let project in Ardfield, Celene agreed to step in at short notice when our original interior designer withdrew at the start of construction. She is very practical and easy to work with. While she provided plenty, she did not force any of her ideas on the project. She allowed us to work with our own ideas and within our own budget. She was quick to understand what we, as her clients, want. She has experience working from design through construction to final staging, and her ideas extended to important parts of the building phase in discussions with the building contractors. Her experience and contact network were very beneficial to us by getting on introductions to multiple suppliers for all ranges of project essentials, such as bathroom fittings, curtains, household furnishing, interior decorations, etc. All of whom were used to working with Celene.” – Mark & Felicity Grace, Google Reviews

2. CDC Interiors

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★★★ (5/5)
SPACE	★★★★★ (5/5)
SCOPE	★★★★★ (5/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★★ (4/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★ (3/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★ (3/5)
NETWORK	★★★★ (4/5)

CDC Interiors is a full-service interior design firm owned by the husband and wife team, Carolann and Dave since 2003. The award-winning interior designer, Carolann, is responsible for all things design while Dave is in charge of making it happen as the project manager overseeing all interior design and renovation projects.

Off the bat, we were happy to see that aside from getting an interior designer, you also have the help of a project manager to oversee the budgeting, execution, and schedule of the project. 

We also liked that CDC Interiors can help you from the room and color scheme planning to material and product sourcing, whether it be for a residential or commercial space.

They have a studio where clients can come to have a chat with Carolann and Dave as well as take a look at their extensive collections of wallpapers, fabrics, and paint. If you can’t visit, they’ll also be more than happy to bring their selection to you to view in your home.

When it comes to sourcing their furniture, they have an array of brand houses such as Romo, Sanderson, Cole & Son, and more. We think this makes it easier to gather reliable options and the delivery will all be taken care of for you, too.

If you’re ready to consult, they also offer email and phone consultations but make sure to have your measurements and style inspirations ready since they only allow an hour.

All said, we recommend CDC Interiors as a great all-in-one interior design service for small home projects. 

Customer Reviews

The quality of everything was incredible

“Dave, Carolann and team converted my detached garage into a high end studio apartment. Dave had excellent ideas that I wouldn’t have even thought of. He gave me a cathedral ceiling that I adore. He took his time to talk things through, took photos and then came back with drawings of great ideas. So much so if I have guests I stay there. The quality of materials used was fantastic. The team were incredible to deal with. Turning up on time and working very well together. They are an extremely professional team but really friendly and easy to deal with aswell. Carolann gave fantastic advise on interior finish.  She brought several samples of tiles, kitchen doors,  bathroom ware etc so I didn’t have to find them myself. Again the quality of everything was incredible. All high end finish..Carolann is  incredibly good at what she does. Had heard about them through a friend and so glad I chose them. The result is incredible and I’m so happy” – Maria Dennehy, Google Reviews

So professional and nothing was a problem

“Carolann, Dave and team are so professional and nothing was a problem.  Arrived on time and jobs finished to a very high standard.  LOVE everything that was  done and won’t pass CDC Interiors for next two rooms that need a makeover.” – Mary Gleeson, Google Reviews

3. Style So Simple

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★★★ (5/5)
SPACE	★★★★★ (5/5)
SCOPE	★★★★★ (5/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★★ (4/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★★★ (5/5)
NETWORK	★★★★ (4/5)

Style So Simple is an award-winning blog that offers on-site consultations starting at €160 an hour and virtual consultations at €149 an hour.

We found their rates a bit too pricey as their classic room design with their interior architect, Aoife Tobin, will set you back €999 per room. However, the same package with their So Style Simple Design team will cost you a bit less at €699 per room.

However, their packages include full-service interior design and full-scale renovation services so you’re getting everything from design conceptualization all the way to the installation of fixtures and furniture. They’ll even handle the sourcing of supplies so you won’t have to worry about looking for a reputable supplier.

If the price makes you hesitant, we recommend taking a look at their portfolio which is available on their website to see what they’re capable of. Their website also houses a number of their blogs that’ll teach you about the trends, styling tips, and guides.

Another thing we liked was they’re available 24/7 to answer any queries you may have during the project. In our opinion, this will give you great peace of mind knowing that you can get in touch with them any time of the day, especially if you have an urgent question. 

If you have money to splurge, we recommend Syle So Simple for both big and small projects given their full-service packages as well as extensive networking and portfolio. 

Customer Reviews

Furnished us with a design that was near perfect

“I have had the pleasure of working with Aoife, not once but twice, in 2020. I first secured her services with the “Finishing Touches Package” for my bedroom and was so happy with the result that I immediately purchased this design package for my living room. My husband and I had moved into a new build in 2018 and had all the essentials in terms of furniture but couldn’t quite pull together the look we wanted. Aoife really understood what we were trying to achieve and after the initial telephone consultation furnished us with a design that was near perfect. What I really loved about this service is that she sources all the items so it is just a matter of placing an order online for them once everything has been agreed. We have been delighted with the result! Both rooms now feel stylish and comfortable, and reflect our tastes. Couldn’t recommend her design services more – money well spent! She is also just a lovely, genuine person to work with! Hoping to start another project with her in the near future.” – Elaine Murphy, Google Reviews

 I am extremely happy with the way my  interior has come together

“I recently had  a design consultation with Aoife  on my home interior renovations.  She gave me some great interior design ideas and followed up with detailed design notes. The consultation  gave me the confidence to move forward with the renovations as well as helping me to move away  from my usual conservative approach. I am extremely happy with the way my  interior has come together. I highly recommend a design consultation with Aoife, you will be delighted with the outcome.” – Breda Mulryan, Google Reviews

4. Contemporary Kitchens

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★ (3/5)
SPACE	★★★★★ (5/5)
SCOPE	★ (1/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★ (3/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★ (3/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★★ (4/5)
NETWORK	★★★★ (4/5)

Contemporary Kitchens specializes in, you guessed it, kitchen designs. A tricky space, but one of the things we really liked about their design process is they make sure to go every nook and cranny that occupies a space in your kitchen. 

One of the best things about them is that they can create a detailed floor plan for you, inclusive of pricing and even installation. This is a convenient service, in our opinion, since it’ll save you lots of time and energy looking for suppliers and installers.

It’s a bit disappointing that they don’t have their rates on their website, so you’re going to have to book a consultation to talk about prices. On the other hand, they do have physical kitchen showrooms full of appliances, backsplashes, and other decors you can check out. 

In case you aren’t completely sold, they do have a portfolio of recent installations that you can browse through on their website to take inspiration from. 

Keep in mind that all their kitchens are built-to-order in Germany so it may take a while before it gets to you. So we don’t recommend this for people who are looking for a quick fix with materials that are in stock.

Another thing to take note of is they only perform kitchen designs and installations, so if you’re looking for a designer to do another part of your home, you’re going to have to look elsewhere. 

Finally, we wish they offered free initial consultations like other firms. This would certainly encourage potential customers to engage with them. 

Customer Reviews

Quality and workmanship was faultless

“Paul and his team did our kitchen, utility and sliderobes throughout our new build. Couldn’t be happier with the end result. Quality and workmanship was faultless. Furthermore, any challenge was met with a positive can-do attitude – and there were many! A totally different experience to many other tradesmen I met along the way. Highly recommended!” – Donna Burtchaell, Google Reviews

No ask / demand was too big

“Paul and the guys at Contemporary Kitchens are amazing. I really couldn’t recommend them enough. They are super helpful and friendly and no ask / demand was too big. My wife and myself love our kitchen and I will definitely work with Paul again in the future.” – Aaron Kearney, Google Reviews

5. Celtic Interiors

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★★★ (5/5)
SPACE	★★★★★ (5/5)
SCOPE	★★★★★ (5/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★★ (4/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★ (3/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★ (3/5)
NETWORK	★★★★ (4/5)

Celtic Interiors is an award-winning interior design firm particularly known for their kitchens designs, but they also do living rooms, bedrooms, and other spaces.

We were happy to see that their initial consultation is free of charge. We recommend that you take on this opportunity to help you put together your budget, style preferences, and requirements for your space without any pressure. 

If you decide to push through, the design process is going to cost you €300, but this is already inclusive of discussing the fine details of the project, creating a 3D sample of the space, and a detailed quotation. 

Another thing to take note of is, since Celtic Interiors specializes in kitchens, designs of any other space will have a reduced price depending on the amount of labor and time it’ll take to complete the project.

They also have a showroom where you can browse through their wide collection of furniture, appliances, fixtures, and more. And if you can’t visit their showroom in person, you’ll be glad to know that they have some videos of their showrooms on their website. 

In our opinion, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit their showrooms since they have a team of in-house designers ready to walk you through the different rooms, appliances, and furniture on display.

Overall, we think that Celtic Interiors is a great choice if you want an all-around service at a reasonable price point. 

Customer Reviews

The quality is superb and the fitters did an amazing job onsite

“I worked very closely with Karen in Celtic Interiors throughout our kitchen design process, she was full of great ideas and even resolved a pretty disastrous issue onsite for us. I couldn’t recommend Karen and Celtic Interiors more highly.  The kitchen is supper, I felt like I got exactly what I wished for. The quality is superb and the fitters did an amazing job onsite. They were very efficient and dependable. Great service from start to finish!” – Susan Ronan, Google Reviews

They followed through on everything I asked for

“My experience with Celtic Interiors was a truly enjoyable one. The professionalism shown by Aiden and his team throughout my dealings with them was second to none. I had a vision for what I wanted in my new home and they followed through on everything I asked for. I couldn’t be happier with the end results for my new kitchen and I’m delighted I chose Celtic Interiors.” – Simon O’Leary, Google Reviews

6. RJ O’Brien Building Contractors Ltd.

CRITERIA	RATING
VARIETY OF SERVICES	★★★★ (4/5)
SPACE	★★★★ (4/5)
SCOPE	★★★★ (4/5)
CUSTOMER SERVICE	★★★★★ (5/5)
RELIABILITY	★★★★★ (5/5)
ACCESSIBILITY	★★★★ (4/5)
TEAM EXPERTISE	★★★★ (4/5)
NETWORK	★★★★ (4/5)

RJ O’Brien Building Contractors Ltd. is one of the most reliable options for the best interior designers in Cork – they have over 5 decades of experience!

What we like about them is that they have a complete set of people to ensure quality work. These are their in-house professional tradespeople, including carpenters, decorators, electricians, plumbers, and specialty trades.

Their social media posts show their diverse previous works too. We appreciate that their projects aren’t always about total renovation but rather enhancing what prospects already have, saving both effort and resources.

Since their physical location is at Lios Cross, which has lots of greenery and may be challenging to drive to, we find it convenient that they offer consultations via phone or video call. 

This lets their team help prospects create and style a space unique to them, whether casually in a cafe or comfortably at home.

To encourage an organized discussion, their 6-step plan on their website also seems valuable. By reviewing this, the client would know what needs to be discussed, and the consultation would go more smoothly.

If interested, note that RJ O’Brien Building Contractors Ltd. is reachable 5 days a week, except on weekends.

Customer Reviews

Best money I’ve spent

“Having bought my first home I was excited to get started decorating but didn’t know where to start. Our house has so much potential but I didn’t want to waste space, time or money. I have followed Dave for a little while and was delighted to see he offered a concept consultation. It is the best piece of money I’ve spent so far. During his visit, he gave us so much helpful advice and followed up with an email with suggestions. We are doing most work ourselves and I was worried about where to start and what to do. After meeting Dave I felt so much more confident to begin. Dave answered all my questions and helped alleviate all my concerns. I 100 % recommend engaging with Dave and I can’t wait to show him the progress we’ve made so far.” – Eithne Kavanagh, Google Reviews

Delightful experience

“We recently had a walk through consultation with Dave which we were delighted with. It is well worth spending the time with Dave before construction phase as he offered some excellent ideas and improvements. We will definitely be engaging with Dave again to assist with the interior once we begin construction.” – Shane Moloney, Google Reviews

FAQs About Interior Designers 

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And that’s it for our list of the best interior designers in Cork! Whether it be a kitchen renovation or a complete room remodeling, we hope that our list was able to help you source an interior designer to help transform your space! 

Know of any top-notch interior designers that deserve to be on our list? Leave us a message and we’ll make sure to take a look! 

Need more resources for a project you’re working on? Check out our other articles:

• Best Construction Companies in Ireland
• Best Painters in Cork
• Best Flooring Companies in Cork

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