Moving to Lisbon? Find out all you need to know about Interior Design in Lisbon.
Have you just arrived in Lisbon (Portugal), or are you about to move and want to transform your new home into a beautiful, functional, and stylish space?
Hiring an Interior Designer in Lisbon can be the best way to avoid making incorrect decisions, adapt to the local market, and ensure that your home reflects your unique personality. But how do Interior Design services work in Lisbon? How do you choose a studio or professional who speaks your language, literally and aesthetically?
In this essential guide for expats “Interior Design in Lisbon”, we explain everything you need to know about the Interior Design market in Lisbon: the solutions available, the most common challenges, the styles best suited to the city’s typical properties, and how to work effectively with local professionals.
If you want to save time, avoid frustration, and live in comfort and authenticity, this article is your starting point.
Sintra Home Project by Sabiina Design – an award-winning Interior Design Project near Lisbon.
Interior Design in Lisbon
The Interior Design market in Lisbon is dynamic and attentive to detail, offering solutions for various profiles and needs. These solutions cater to both those who have just arrived in the city and want to feel at home, as well as those investing in a property for the long term.
Services Offered by Interior Designers
The services offered by these professionals can include:
- One-off consultancy: one-off sessions (online or in person) to guide choices of decoration, layout, colors, or furniture. Ideal for those seeking clear direction.
- Complete interior design: detailed planning of the entire space – layout, lighting, materials, furniture, colors, etc. Includes plans, mood boards, and specifications.
- Construction or remodeling monitoring: coordination with suppliers and technical teams to ensure that the project is carried out as planned.
- Home Styling: selection and arrangement of pieces, textiles, art, and accessories to create a harmonious environment.
The process typically begins with a briefing meeting, during which the designer gains an understanding of your tastes, lifestyle, and budget. This is followed by a survey of the space, the creative proposal, technical development (including plans, materials, and furniture) where applicable, budgeting, and, finally, execution, which can include managing suppliers and coordinating the work.
The duration depends on the project’s complexity. For example, a room can take between 4 and 6 weeks, while a complete project can take several months, especially if it involves remodeling or structural work.
In contrast to decorating your home yourself, hiring an interior designer offers practical advantages. Examples include:
- Better use of space, with fluidity and comfort;
- Solving structural challenges typical of Lisbon homes (small rooms, high ceilings, lack of storage);
- Access to reliable, quality suppliers.
Villa Cascais Project by Sabiina Design – a stunning family home, designed by our Atelier, very close to Lisbon.
Why Should You Hire an Interior Designer in Lisbon?
From an aesthetic perspective, an interior designer can translate your personal style into a cohesive, balanced, and visually serene environment. For those coming from abroad, there are still some cultural differences and challenges to consider. Language can be a barrier (not all suppliers speak English), and deadlines can be longer than those expected in other markets.
In addition, Portuguese design styles tend to be more low-key and natural, which can contrast with more contemporary or eclectic tastes. Collaborating with a local designer facilitates not only communication but also cultural and aesthetic adaptation to the new home.
Ultimately, it’s worth hiring a designer in a number of situations:
- When buying your own home. To ensure that the investment yields a well-planned space.
- In long-term rentals, when you want to personalize and make a less-than-optimal property functional;
- In refurbishments, where technical planning is crucial;
- In properties for tourist rental or as a second home, where the right design can increase comfort and return – making even more sense investing in Interior Design in Lisbon.
What to Expect from Lisbon Houses?
When they arrive in Lisbon, many expats fall in love at first sight with the colorful façades, centuries-old tiles, and golden light coming through the windows. However, behind this unique charm, some particularities deserve attention.
Many houses, especially in historic neighborhoods, were built using traditional techniques and can have limitations such as a lack of storage space, small rooms, and inefficient layouts.
Despite this, Lisbon homes offer unique features that can be enhanced through good interior design, including high ceilings with plaster or wood moldings, original wood floors, bay windows that allow for abundant light, and, in many cases, small architectural details that tell stories.
A local designer can help maximize these elements for your Interior Design in Lisbon, respecting the existing structure while adapting the space to a modern lifestyle. Incorporating traditional elements, such as handmade tiles, natural stones, or local fibers, can enrich the environment without compromising its identity. The secret lies in balance: keeping the soul of the house while reflecting your personal style with comfort, functionality, and good taste.
Suite Lisboa Project by Sabiina Design – A stylish and modern suite right in the heart of Lisbon.
Lisbon’s most common Interior Design Styles
Interior Design in Lisbon tends to respect the city’s cultural and climatic heritage. Lisbon’s decorating styles combine simplicity with texture and luminosity.
The minimalist style with natural touches is a frequent choice, as is the sophisticated Boho, which combines handcrafted pieces and global influences with a light touch. The Mediterranean style, with its light tones and natural materials, also adapts well to the city’s lifestyle and intense sunlight.
There is also a growing tendency to blend contemporary elements with traditional Portuguese styles, thus creating modern yet soulful environments. Examples include open-plan kitchens with exposed beams or modern bathrooms with hydraulic tile floors. This fusion gives the space authenticity while making it both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
The most effective design solutions for Interior Design in Lisbon involve adapting to the local climate, such as using light insulation, breathable fabrics, and light colors. Spaces are optimized with integrated storage, modular furniture, and tailor-made solutions that take advantage of corners or areas with irregular geometry.
Our CEO & Creative Director, Leila Monteiro.
How to Find an Interior Designer in Lisbon?
Lisbon boasts a growing and diverse range of Interior Design professionals, encompassing well-established studios and independent designers. Some practical ways to find an Interior Design professional or studio in Lisbon include using social media and Pinterest, as well as expat groups, forums, and local communities, searching for Interior Design in Lisbon.
When evaluating portfolios, look for projects with similar characteristics to your own (type of property, style, size) and attention to detail. Don’t hesitate to ask for an initial meeting to see if there is empathy and good communication.
Finally, it’s worth considering whether you’d prefer to work with a local studio, with in-depth knowledge of Portuguese suppliers and styles, or with an international studio with a presence in Lisbon, which may have processes more familiar to foreign clients.
You may not have to look far to find a local studio with international experience. Many professionals offering Interior Design in Lisbon already have experience working with expats and are fluent in English, which makes the entire process easier and ensures that your new home reflects both the local context and your personality.
Collaboration with Interior Designers in Portugal
Collaborating with an interior designer in Portugal is, first and foremost, an experience of co-creation, in order to align aesthetics, emotion, and functionality with your vision.
To ensure a smooth experience when it comes to Interior Design in Lisbon, it is essential to align expectations from the outset. Prepare a list of your needs, tastes, available budget, and deadlines. During the first meeting, ask about the process, average deadlines, outputs, and forms of communication. A good professional will explain everything in a transparent manner and tailor the service to your specific needs, whether in person or remotely.
As in any country, cultural and linguistic challenges can arise. Although many Interior Design professionals in Lisbon speak English (especially those used to work with foreigners and abroad), there can be subtle differences in the way they work or communicate. To avoid misunderstandings:
- Always confirm in writing what is and isn’t included.
- Ask for visual examples (photos, references) to illustrate ideas.
- Clarify how suppliers and budgets will be managed.
How can Atelier Sabiina Design help you?
At Sabiina Design, we combine the best of both worlds: in-depth knowledge of the city, context with solid international experience, allowing us to truly understand the expectations of those who come from abroad and want to create a home with a distinct identity.
We offer Interior Design and Interior Styling services, integrating local elements, functional solutions, and a personalized style that respects your taste and lifestyle.
Would you like a partner with aesthetic sensitivity and strategic vision to transform your new home with high-end Interior Design in Lisbon? Explore more of our work in our Portfolio or on our social media.
