No matter how solid your DIY room design skills are, sometimes there’s a room that you can’t just quite nail. That’s when you know it’s time to call in the pros. But did you know that you can “call in the pros” virtually in the form of an online interior designer? Well, my friend, you totally can! There’s actually quite a few to choose from and I’ve been reading up on each of them because I intend to get some professional help with my own house (specifically my basement that flooded and had to be demo’d).
Our top picks for virtual interior designers:
- Decorilla: Best Overall
- Havenly: Best on a Budget
- roomLift: Best All-in-One Package
- Stuccco: Best 3D Room Designs
- Spacejoy: Best for Furniture and Decor Shopping
Choosing the Best Online Interior Designer for Your Needs
When it comes to bedroom design, finding a service that captures your unique essence is vital. Here are the key factors I considered:
- Price: While a professional touch is appreciated, it shouldn’t break the bank. Flexibility in budgeting is essential.
- Variety of Style: A wide range of style options ensures your bedroom doesn’t end up looking like it belongs in someone else’s home.
- User Experience: An intuitive, easy-to-navigate platform minimizes back-and-forth communication and work.
Here are our top picks for the best online interior design services right now:
Decorilla: Best Overall
Decorilla is our top choice for the best overall online interior design service because it offers a comprehensive and flexible service that caters to tastes and preferences. Decorilla works with a network of experienced and vetted designers who can create custom designs for any room in your home.
Initial Reaction to Decorilla
They have a video that explains the process for getting your room designed and it’s great. It makes the process clear and I have to say Decorilla does this better than any of the other sites I looked at.
How it works
When you sign up for Decorilla, you’ll fill out a style quiz and a design brief, where you can share your vision, goals, budget, and preferences. You’ll also upload photos and measurements of your space. Then, you’ll get to choose two designers from a list of matches based on their portfolios and ratings.
Each designer will send you two initial design concepts within a few days. You can review them and provide feedback, and then select your favorite one. The chosen designer will then create a final design with a floor plan, a 3D rendering, a shopping list, and design instructions. You can also request revisions until you’re satisfied.
Pros
You can get access to industry-leading designers.
You can get some serious personalized white glove service.
The pictures of client examples are gorgeous!
Decorilla also offers an optional in-home consultation service for an additional fee ($350), where a local designer will visit your space and take measurements, photos, and notes. This service is only available in select cities in the US.
If you only need a little bit of help, you can pay an hourly rate.
One of the advantages of Decorilla is that you get to work with two designers and compare their ideas before choosing one. This way, you can get different perspectives and find the best fit for your style. Another benefit is that Decorilla provides phone and email support throughout the process, as well as access to an online platform where you can track your project’s progress.
Cons
Then came the bummer. The pricing.
Decorilla offers three design packages: For example, the pricing for your living room would be Bronze ($699 per room), Silver ($849 per room), and Gold ($1,549 per room). The higher the package, the more experienced the designer.
Decorilla starts at $549, even if you’re just wanting to do a hallway! That’s outside of many people’s price range for a hallway or entryway!
Some of the drawbacks of Decorilla are that the project closes automatically after 90 days of inactivity, so you need to be proactive and responsive to avoid losing your work.
Also, the in-home consultation service is not available in all cities, so you might have to rely on your own measurements if you live outside their service area.
Bottom Line
Overall, Decorilla is a great option for anyone who wants a high-quality and personalized online interior design service that covers all aspects of their project.
Havenly: Best on a Budget
Havenly is our top choice for the best online interior design service on a budget because it offers a simple and affordable service that can help you refresh your space without spending too much. Havenly works with a team of talented and friendly designers who can create beautiful designs for any room in your home.
Initial Reaction
Havenly caught my eye first. They are budget-friendly both in the cost of their service and they take your budget into account when it comes time to make purchases for decor items, too. The pictures look amaze and it’s very user-friendly.
How it works
You can choose between three design packages: Havenly Mini ($99 per room), Havenly Full ($159 per room), or In-person ($499 for the first room and $199 for each additional room). However, in my zip code, the in-person consultation was not available.
Havenly is a breeze to use. I walked through the process of finding my style by clicking on images of rooms with interior designs “that make me swoon”. You’ll also share some details about your space, such as its size, shape, layout, existing furniture, budget, and goals. That allows it to pair me with a designer that specializes in my style and budget, which happened to be bohemian.
Once you’re ready to commit, you purchase your package and send along some images and measurements to your design and await your design.
You’ll have 1:1 time with your designer via chat or phone calls. And once the design is delivered, you get multiple revisions til it’s perfect.
The Mini package is ideal for small updates or finishing touches. You’re not starting from scratch, but you need to kind of get the finishing touches that really pull a room together. It includes one initial concept board with three revisions, one final concept board with a curated shopping list of up to 10 items from various retailers (you can buy them directly through Havenly), and online chat support with your designer.
The Full package is ideal for complete makeovers or new spaces. It includes everything in the Mini package plus two initial concept boards with unlimited revisions (you can mix and match elements from both concepts), one final concept board with a detailed floor plan and layout visualization (no 3D rendering), a curated shopping list of up to 50 items from various retailers (you can buy them directly through Havenly), online chat support with your designer plus one phone call consultation.
Pros
One of the advantages of Havenly is that it’s very affordable and accessible. You can get a professional design for your space for about $100, and you can shop for everything you need from one place. Another benefit is that Havenly has a user-friendly and intuitive website and app, where you can easily communicate with your designer, review your concepts, and track your orders.
Cons
Some of the drawbacks of Havenly are that it doesn’t offer 3D renderings, so you have to rely on your own measurements and imagination. Also, the shopping list is limited to the items that Havenly partners with, so you might not find everything you want or need.
Also, at the end when it shows the designer you are paired with, it shows you a slideshow of three home decor pictures. I’m assuming they’re trying to show you examples of that designer’s work (they aren’t real-life pictures, they look like 3d renderings).
And I was not blown away nor did any of them look boho to me. I guess I would expect them to use pictures that are more enticing in order to get you to sign up! But, it does let you scroll down and choose any designer you want so that’s good!
Bottom Line
Overall, Havenly is a great option for anyone who wants a simple and affordable online interior design service that can help them spruce up their space with minimal hassle.
roomLift: Best Designed Rooms
roomLift is our top choice for the best online interior design service that offers an all-in-one package because it combines the convenience of online design with the tangibility of physical samples. roomLift works with a group of skilled and creative designers who can create custom designs for any room in your home.
Initial Reaction
Browsing through the before and afters at roomLift was a joy. Like, seriously, I loved what I saw and it was so beneficial to see it in a “before & after” format. Really unique rooms that did not look “designed” at all. They looked like someone with really good, unique taste lived in them. That’s the feeling that I want. I also loved how they showcased some little corners of rooms with some basic updates done really well.
How it works
When you sign up for roomLift, you’ll fill out a questionnaire and upload photos and measurements of your space. You’ll also select your preferred style, color palette, textiles, budget, and goals. Then, you’ll be assigned a designer who will create two design options for your space.
Unlike other online interior design services, roomLift doesn’t send you digital concepts or renderings. Instead, they mail you two physical boxes (one for each design option) that contain everything you need to visualize your new space. Each box includes a mood board with fabric swatches, paint chips, wallpaper samples, furniture and decor recommendations; a floor plan with furniture placement; a shopping list with links to purchase the items; and personalized notes from your designer.
You can choose between two design packages: Single ($695 per room) or Double ($1,195 per room). The Single package includes one box with two design options. The Double package includes two boxes with four design options (two per box). You can also add extra boxes for $250 each if you want more design options.
Pros
Where roomLift really stands out is you’ll actually get a curated, customized box with inspiration for your design! So if you’re an “I need to see it, touch it” kind of person, this is great! You can compare the colors, and see how everything looks together in real life.
Another benefit is that roomLift offers a flat fee for their service, regardless of the size or type of your space.
The “Before & After” pictures were awesome. It really gives you an idea of what you can actually expect.
Cons
It’s pricey!
Some of the drawbacks of roomLift are that it doesn’t offer 3D renderings or online chat support with your designer.
You also have to wait for the boxes to arrive in the mail, which can take up to three weeks. Additionally, the shopping list is limited to the items that roomLift partners with, so you might not find everything you want or need.
Bottom Line
Overall, roomLift is a great option for anyone who wants an online interior design service that offers a unique and comprehensive package that covers all aspects of their project.
If you can afford it, I would probably pick roomLift. I loved the makeovers I saw there that much.
Stuccco: Best 3D Room Designs
Stuccco is our top choice for the best online interior design service that offers 3D room designs because it uses cutting-edge technology to create realistic and interactive renderings of your space. Stuccco works with a pool of qualified and verified designers who can create custom designs for any room in your home.
Initial Reaction
Their website is geared towards real estate agents and homeowners looking to virtual stage their homes in order to sell (which is pretty genius actually). But, it doesn’t mean that you couldn’t use it. I was already thinking about how I would love to see different wall colors in my bedroom or different kitchen cabinets. It basically seems like interior designer photoshopping!
How it works
When you sign up for Stuccco, you’ll choose a designer from their marketplace based on their portfolio, ratings, reviews, and availability. You’ll also provide some information about your space, such as its size, shape, layout, existing furniture, budget, and goals.
You can choose between two design packages: Basic ($199 per room) or Premium ($399 per room). The Basic package includes one initial concept board with one correction (you can request more revisions for an extra fee), one final concept board with a shopping list (you can buy the items directly through Stuccco or from other sources), and online chat support with your designer.
The Premium package includes everything in the Basic package plus one 3D rendering of your space with one revision (you can request more revisions for an extra fee), one final 3D rendering with a floor plan and layout visualization (you can view it on any device or in virtual reality), and phone or video call support with your designer.
Pros
One of the advantages of Stuccco is that it offers 3D renderings that are photo-realistic and interactive. You can see how your space will look from different angles, zoom in and out, change the lighting and time of day, and even walk around in virtual reality.
Another benefit is that Stuccco has a fast turnaround time and a transparent pricing system. You can see the estimated delivery date and the total cost of your project before you start working with your designer.
This could really come in handy, even if you’re not selling your home.
Cons
Some of the drawbacks of Stuccco are that it doesn’t offer in-home consultations or physical samples, so you have to rely on your own measurements and imagination (but most of the places didn’t offer it in my particular area).
Also, the shopping list is limited to the items that Stuccco partners with, so you might not find everything you want or need.
Unless you know exactly what you want already, I feel this could get pricey because you pay by what you edit in the photo. And, I could see myself wanting to see a navy blue wall or “no, wait, I want to see it as a pale blue…or maybe black”.
Bottom Line
Overall, Stuccco is a great option for anyone who wants an online interior design service that offers 3D renderings that are realistic and interactive. But, it may be better suited for the professional crowd in the real estate game, which is their target market.
Spacejoy: Best for Furniture and Decor Shopping
Spacejoy is our top choice for the best online interior design service that offers furniture and decor shopping because it has a large and diverse selection of products from various brands and retailers. Spacejoy works with a team of professional and passionate designers who can create custom designs for any room in your home.
Initial Reaction
I liked that it shows household brands that they recommend that are recognizable like Wayfair and Crate & Barrel. Also, it shows the turnaround time is 7-10 days which is the only website I really saw that mentioned.
How it works
When you sign up for Spacejoy, you’ll take a short style quiz and upload photos and measurements of your space. You’ll also select your preferred budget, style, color scheme, and goals. Then, you’ll be matched with a designer who will create a design proposal for your space.
You can choose between three design packages: Delight ($299 per room), Bliss ($399 per room), or Euphoria ($ 599 per room). The Delight package includes one initial concept board with two revisions, one final concept board with a shopping list (you can buy the items directly through Spacejoy or from other sources), and online chat support with your designer.
The Bliss package includes everything in the Delight package plus one 3D rendering of your space with two revisions, one final 3D rendering with a floor plan and layout visualization (you can view it on any device or in augmented reality), and phone or video call support with your designer.
The Euphoria package includes everything in the Bliss package plus two initial concept boards with 4 LIVE design revisions (you can mix and match elements from both concepts), two final 3D renderings with floor plans and layout visualizations (you can view them on any device or in augmented reality), and phone or video call support with your designer.
Pros
One of the advantages of Spacejoy is that it offers a large and diverse selection of furniture and decor products from various brands and retailers, such as Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Wayfair, Target, Amazon, and more. You can browse through thousands of products in different styles, colors, sizes, and prices, and see how they look in your space in 3D or augmented reality.
Another benefit is that Spacejoy offers free shipping and returns for the items you buy through their platform.
Cons
Some of the drawbacks of Spacejoy are that it doesn’t offer in-home consultations or physical samples.
This can be time-consuming and tedious, especially if you are not very handy or have a busy schedule. You also have to rely on your own judgment and taste when making changes or adjustments to the design, as you don’t have direct communication with your designer after the final delivery.
Bottom Line
Overall, Spacejoy is a great option for anyone who wants an online interior design service that offers furniture and decor shopping from various brands and retailers. You can check out some of their previous projects here.
FAQ: Virtual Home Design Services
How does an online interior design process work?
- You sign up for the service and choose a design package that suits your needs and budget.
- You fill out a questionnaire or take a quiz to share some details about your space, such as its size, shape, layout, existing furniture, budget, style, color scheme, goals, etc.
- You upload photos and measurements of your space.
- You get matched with a designer who specializes in your style and project type.
- You communicate with your designer via phone, email, chat, or video call to discuss your vision and preferences.
- Your designer creates one or more initial design concepts for your space based on your input.
- You review the concepts and provide feedback to your designer.
- Your designer creates a final design for your space based on your feedback. The final design may include a floor plan, a 3D rendering, a shopping list, design instructions, etc.
- You approve the final design and purchase the items from the shopping list (either through the service or from other sources).
- You implement the design in your space following the instructions from your designer.
What are the benefits of using an online interior design service?
- You can save time and money by working with a professional designer remotely instead of hiring one in person.
- You can access a wide range of designers from different backgrounds, styles, and locations, and choose the one that best fits your project.
- You can get a customized design for your space that reflects your personality, taste, and lifestyle.
- You can get a realistic and interactive visualization of your space before you buy anything or make any changes.
- You can shop for furniture and decor from various brands and retailers from one place, and get discounts and deals from the service.
- You can enjoy a flexible and convenient process that allows you to work at your own pace and schedule.
What are the drawbacks of using an online interior design service?
- You have to rely on your own measurements and photos of your space, which may not be accurate or clear enough for the designer to work with.
- You have to trust the designer’s judgment and expertise without meeting them in person or seeing their work in real life.
- You have to communicate with the designer via online platforms, which may not be as effective or personal as face-to-face communication.
- You have to wait for the designer to deliver the concepts and the final design, which may take longer than expected depending on the complexity of your project and the availability of your designer.
- You have to implement the design in your space by yourself, which may require some DIY skills and tools.
How to choose the best online interior design services for your project?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different online interior design services may suit different projects, budgets, styles, and preferences. However, some general factors to consider when choosing the best online interior design service for your project are:
- The price: How much are you willing to spend on an online interior design service? Compare the prices of different services and see what they include in their packages. Look for services that offer transparent and flat fees, as well as discounts and deals on furniture and decor.
- The quality: How good are the designs and the renderings that the service provides? Check out the portfolios and reviews of different designers and services, and see if they match your style and expectations. Look for services that offer high-quality and realistic renderings, as well as floor plans and layout visualizations.
- The style: What is your preferred style for your space? Do you want a modern, traditional, eclectic, bohemian, or something else? Find a service that offers a variety of styles and designers who specialize in them. Look for services that offer a style quiz or a design brief to help you define your style and preferences.
- The process: How easy and convenient is it to use the service? How long does it take to get the concepts and the final design? How do you communicate with the designer? How do you shop for the items? Find a service that offers a user-friendly and intuitive website or app, where you can easily upload your photos and measurements, review your concepts and final design, chat with your designer, track your orders, etc. Look for services that offer fast turnaround times and flexible communication options.
- Customer service: How responsive and helpful is the service? How do they handle revisions, returns, refunds, complaints, etc.? Find a service that offers phone and email support throughout the process, as well as access to an online platform where you can track your project’s progress. Look for services that offer free revisions, returns, refunds, etc., as well as guarantees and warranties on their work.
Is Modsy still in business?
Modsy is no longer in business as of July 2022. Modsy offered online design services for customers’ spaces, with furniture and accessories from various brands.
Is Decorist still in business?
Decorist is no longer in business as of September 2022. Decorist was an online interior design service that was acquired by Bed Bath & Beyond in 2017. However, the company abruptly announced its closure on its website, saying that it would not accept new orders or bookings and would wind down existing projects by October 12, 2022.
Conclusion
Online interior design services are a great way to transform your space without breaking the bank or hiring a full-time interior designer. You can work with a professional designer remotely via an online platform, and get personalized design concepts, shopping lists, floor plans, 3D renderings, etc.
However, not all online interior design services are created equal. Some may offer better features, benefits, prices, quality, styles, processes, or customer service than others. That’s why we’ve reviewed some of the best online interior design services out there right now based on these factors.
We hope this blog post has helped you find the best online interior design service for your project. If you have any questions or comments about online interior design services or our reviews, feel free to leave them below. We’d love to hear from you!