Raj - What you say is true that a lot of interior design's margin is in furniture. I will not sugar coat it. And many designers may seem to be more interested in that when you bring them in. But I have had several clients call me over the years saying they are building a new home and would like to consult primarily on layout. When you speak to someone is tell them you are not ready to order furnishings or window treatments, but that you would like a contract that focuses on layout, planning, and interior detailing (i.e. doors, trims, floors) - i.e. the bones of the house. What I would suggest is when you call for a designer, you be prepared to pay a good consultation fee. A good rule of thumb is that you can expect to pay between $3-$10 per square foot of your home depending on the area of your country and the expertise/experience of the designer. If you are not averse to paying this type of fee, and communicate to the designer that your interest is in getting the best solutions, not in purchasing furniture at this time, I'm sure you will be able to get the level of service you desire. If someone you talk to doesn't seem thrilled to provide this kind of service, move on to the next person. Don't rely on "fame" or how well known someone is. They may be well known for doing show houses or just because they've been in the field the longest in your area. Not because they're the right fit for you. You could also check the Houzz directory for good designers in your area. The difficulty is that there are often decorators whose expertise and focus is really just on furnishings not so much on construction - and they serve a purpose for their clients. But there are other designers who provide more of a wholistic approach and have more familiarity with building a new home. These are the people you should seek out. Houzz is a fantastic community - and as I said you may get good advice here but there's really no replacement for someone to work with you in person. Sorry for the super long post but I feel passionately about this and I think this advice will best suit your needs.

Dear Mr. Amal, I am Ravi Prakash and I am an Architect. Congrats, You are fortunate to have a 1790sqft. 3bhk unit keeping in mind that its gurgaon. Just a little query; is it built-up area or carpet area? Built-up area is everything while carpet area is area we get excluding the walls (or simply the floor area). As you have not mentioned much of your requirement, i am assuming you are looking for complete work including kitchen, ceiling, paints, furniture's and more. Just for a tentative idea, a decent (basic to moderate) interior work may vary from Rs. 800/sqft.-1500sqft). And if its a high end work it may cost Rs.2000/sqft and higher. For your help, based on my experience and observation i would say, its safer to keep the budget around Rs.1000/sqft.- Rs.1200/sqft. to get the best quality work. So, roughly it may cost you around Rs.18 Lacs (or Rs.15lacs for lower side). Also Keeping in the mind that its an apartment, your builder must have provided you with some basic works like flooring, electrical, plumbing and such thing, these things may help to cut down and reduce the cost up to certain level. Hope this will help you a bit. :) I would request you to go thru my profile. For any further information or for any professional assistance, you may contact me. Thanks and Regards, Ar. Ravi Prakash

you can get a scrap pine wood in shipyards which you can use for openings or wall panels..and you get the scrap containers where you can create interesting furniture.Even you can use scrap tyres to design anything you like for example you can hang tyres for the slab and provide lights inside it .In Mumbai it's easy for you to get a scrap plastic like tetrapacks or even bottles which you can use it for partition walls.actually you can do anything with whatever you find .But most important give proper treatment for scrapaterials to last for long time ..

Hi Pranav, Here are a few suggestions: 1] Modular Office furnitureThis would be easy to move around if and when you need to relocate in the future. Avoid fixed furniture wherever possible. 2] Kid's BedThese days you get convertible cots that "grow" with you child. The are a good investment and take lesser vertical space as compared to bunker beds. You may find these online as well as in stores selling kid's stuff. 3] Study TableThe study table can serve you as well you child if you want. Since, you child is pretty young you may use it for your own work, storage, devices and printers. In the image below the study is designed to serve both kids and adults. 4] WardrobeSince this is going to be a fixed and lasting furniture unit, invest well. You may make it sustainable by cladding it with wallpaper which can subsequently change as per your child's requirements. Kids grow fast and with them their choices and muses change rapidly. Wallpapers come handy in such a case as compared to laminates which are more permanent. Alternatively, you may opt for chalkboard laminates. These are low maintenance and can be written or drawn upon while being easily cleaned. The wardrobe can serve as a writing board for you too. This way both the purposes are served - yours and your kid's. Hope these ideas inspire you. All the best! Regards, RnD Atelier Nagpur