These Online Interior Design Services Turn Your Dream Home Into Reality (2024)

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Havenly earns our top spot because it's an affordable way to work directly with a designer and our panel unanimously had great experiences using Havenly. Whether it was the bedroom, living room or dining room, users told us the interface was easy to use and worth the cost. They also said the designers were professional and understood their style.

How it works: You fill out a series of questions ranging from your style preferences, budget and any pieces you want to incorporate. Havenly then recommends designers for your project, but you get to pick which designer you work with based on their portfolios (which was a huge plus for our panel!).

Your designer will communicate with you throughout the process, which could take days or weeks depending on how in-depth your requests are and the designer's availability (which you're informed on before the project begins). Communication is surprisingly convenient here; there's even instant messaging right on the site for easy chatting access.

The full package gives you layout visualizations and floor plans, and it's recommended for complete makeovers or if you're starting from scratch. If you splurge for in-person, you'll have an in-home meeting with your designer and they'll help measure and photograph your space. Initially, you receive design ideas to give feedback on, then the designer sends a final concept and layout with shoppable items. If you don't love it, Havenly says you can have multiple revisions until it's perfect.

What it costs: You can pick your package: Mini for $99, Full for $159 or In-Person for $499.

What we like:

• The ability to choose your interior designer
• Happiness Guarantee: If you're unhappy with your interior designer's work, Havenly can recommend someone new
• Your design fee never expires, so it can be used at any time

Take note:

• Due to the demand, there can be delays throughout the design process
• Ordering and returning furniture isn't always easy

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With IKEA, you can always expect low prices and incredible value — and their online interior design service is no different. For only $99 per room, you'll receive 1:1 sessions with a designer, plus 3D renderings, floor plan and more.

How it works: Start by filling out the questionnaire online, describing your dream space and adding to your wishlist. Based on your region, you'll be paired with a designer. You'll receive three virtual, 1:1 sessions with the designer, who helps create your mood board, floor plan, 3D renderings and lighting plan. They will also suggest materials, curate a product list and offer home furnishing tips.

One you've settled on a final design, IKEA helps to coordinate delivery, assembly and installation of your furniture. Just be cautious that you may feel pressure to buy products from IKEA, since product suggestions will be limited to its brand.

What it costs: $99 per room

What we like:

• It's affordable!
• Receive three virtual 1:1 sessions with a designer

Take note:

• You may feel pressure to buy products from IKEA

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Decorilla is popular for being fast, affordable and easy. You'll receive custom proposal from two different designers and every package includes realistic 3D renderings, plus access to trade discounts on furniture and decor items.

How it works: Complete a quick questionnaire, attach photos of your space, choose inspiration you love and set your budget. You'll then receive proposals from two designers, giving you the opportunity to choose a favorite. Communicate with your designer, who will consider a combination of new and existing pieces for your home until you're content with the custom-made 3D model, floor plan and color palette.

You will also receive a shopping list from your designer, who helps find the best deals on decor items and offers trade pricing. And, there's no pressure to buy the items immediately, since the white-glove shopping concierge service never expires.

Package prices vary based on the type of room. While hallways start at $549, living rooms start at $699 and kitchens start at $899. The bronze package (the least expensive) includes two concepts from experienced designers, and the designers' level of experience increases with the silver and bronze packages — but, everything you receive remains the same. If you don't want to pay for a package, you can pay between $75-$500 per hour to speak with a design professional.

What it costs: Hourly rates start at $75 per hour and packages range from $549 to $1,849

What we like:

• You receive concepts from two designers
  
• All packages include a 3D model
• Enjoy trade discounts on furniture

Take note:

• Prices vary based on room, and some rooms are a bit expensive
  

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For a fair price, Collov will connect you 1:1 with a designer and share a fully shoppable mood board and allow you to purchase everything direct from its site. Popular designer brands include Anthropologie, West Elm, CB2, Society6 and more.

How it works: Browse a gallery of inspirational interiors, selecting spaces that represent your personal style. Set your budget and share details about your lifestyle. You can then measure your room using Collov's AR app, which entails taking a video of your space. After connecting 1:1 with a designer over the phone, you'll receive a mood board, 360-walking tour of your design and 3D rendering. Your designer will also provide floor, window and paint suggestions.

Once you're happy with your mood board, you can easily buy the items you love and access furniture from over 200 brands direct through Collov.

The main difference between the two package options, Classic and Luxe, is that the cheaper package allows you to revise your mood board three times within 30 days, while Luxe allows for unlimited redesigns. The Luxe package will also provide access to the brand's most senior designers. If you're designing on a budget, the brand also lets you to create an AI-generated mood board or 3D renderings yourself for free.

What it costs: Choose from two packages: Classic ($199) and Luxe ($299). There are also free, AI-generated interior design options.

What we like:

• Free options available, including AI-generated mood boards and renderings
• Shop furniture and decor items from over 200 brands

Take note:

• Your designer consultation does not include video

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The Expert gives you complete freedom to select and schedule a 1:1 video consultation with top interior designers, including well-known designers like Martyn Lawrence Bullard and "Queer Eye" resident designer Bobby Berk.

How it works: The Expert allows you to browse award-winning and expert designers, take a look at their recent work and schedule a 1:1 video consultation. You get to choose your consult length (the most popular is 55 minutes) and an available time slot. Interior designers can advise on furniture selection, paint treatments, floor plan layouts, remodel ideas, styling and more. But, note that every designer can offer a unique set of skills, so it's important to take a careful look at their profile.

Prices can range drastically, with some 55-minute sessions costing around $400 and others costing $2,000. Keep in mind, you won't have access to your designer before or after the consult time, so you'll need to do research and prep beforehand to get the most out of your video call.

What it costs: Video consults start at $250, increasing in price (up to $1,500-2,000) depending on the length of the call and expertise of the designer

What we like:

• Access to top interior designers
• Hire your own designer and choose consult length based on your needs

Take note:

• You will not have contact with experts before or after the video consult
  
• You will not receive any design deliverables

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RoomLift's process is less computerized for people who like to see things in person when they're designing their spaces. It's more expensive than others, but it also feels more personal (i.e. less automated), with a small team instead of a large network of designers.

How it works: First, you answer questions about yourself and what you're looking for. Unlike most of the others that are more like a quiz (i.e. you select options from multiple choices), this one has open-ended questions for you to write out. You also send in dimensions and several photos of your space.

The pricing depends on how many rooms you'd like to be addressed. One room starts at $1,500 and includes a customized box sent to you with design options, which you'll receive in about two to three weeks. You receive a floor plan, paint or wallpaper samples, and suggested items to purchase. You also participate in a 15-minute call to discuss your designs. A more cost-friendly alternative is the accessoryLift for $750. With this package, you'll get a design board that highlights accessories and design ideas. For only $100, you can access a designer, who offers tips during a virtual consult, reviews your project and delivers a proposal.

Any items of interest can be purchased directly from the retailer. This might sound like more work, but it's often easier to cut out the middleman when scheduling deliveries and making any necessary returns. It also means that the recommendations aren't based on commission.

What it costs: There are various options: access a designer ($100), accessoryLift ($750), roomLift ($750) and houseLIFT (consult for a price).

What we like:

• You receive your RoomLift box in just 2 - 3 weeks
• Purchase furnishings directly from retailers, which streamlines the design process
• RoomLift gives back by planting a tree for every box ordered

Take note:

• Calls with your designer are limited to 15 minutes

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At Spacejoy, you'll receive 1:1 access to a designer and 3D renderings of your concept. And while some of the other online interior design services work best on a computer, this one's designed as an app for iPhones and iPads. The company says you'll receive designs in 7 to 10 days and it'll give you your money back if you don't love the process.

How it works: After you let them know what you're looking for, a designer creates a concept with products you can buy. You also get a 3D view of the room and can even move products around within the space.

With the lowest priced package, you get one design concept with two revisions from the designer, plus realistic 3D models, paint recommendations, designer curated shopping list and more. It typically takes 10 days to get your design with this package.

The Bliss packages include two design concepts with two revisions, plus a 30-minute video consultation with a designer and assistance with product alternates for up to two months. They also come with window treatments, paint and flooring recommendations. For the most expensive package, you can work on revisions with a top-tier designer in real time and expect to receive your design a bit faster.

What it costs: There are three different packages: Delight ($299), Bliss ($399), and Euphoria ($599).

What we like:

• Direct access to an in-house Spacejoy interior designer
• Receive designs fast, in about 7 to 10 days

Take note:

• Returning damaged furniture is a process, as you have to provide three photos: an entire shot of the product, a close-up image of the damage as well as a photo of the package
  

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Pottery Barn offers one-on-one design services that will help you create your space at no cost. You'll only get product recommendations from the company, but it includes sister brands like Pottery Barn Kids and Teen, West Elm, Williams Sonoma, Mark & Graham and Rejuvenation.

How it works: Instead of submitting surveys, you set up an appointment to speak directly with a design consultant. The company offers free virtual or in-person design services. A pottery barn expert will meet you at your local store, or an expert will visit your home, as long as you live within 60 miles of a Pottery Barn store.

After you chat about what you're looking for, the designer creates a floor plan with product suggestions. You get access to its Room Planner technology, which has realistic images of the furniture and accents. They're all shown to scale so you can see how everything looks together. There's no set timeframe for this process, but it typically takes about a week.

If you just have quick design questions and don't want to go through the whole process, you can instantly chat with a designer through the Pottery Barn site (similar to how you would with customer service).

What it costs: $0

What we like:

• It's free!
• Ability to book an appointment with a Pottery Barn design expert, whether it's virtually, in a Pottery Barn store or right in the comfort of your home

Take note:

• You might feel pressure to buy Pottery Barn products

Many online interior design services work in a similar way: you answer questions about things like your budget and style preferences, then an interior designer creates a virtual room with furniture and decor that you can purchase. Beyond that, the services vary in how closely you work with the designer, product offerings, tech features and pricing.

With most sites, you can decorate any room in your home, from your living room, dining room and bedroom to more unique spaces like home offices, nurseries and entryways. Some services are ideal for starting from scratch, while others are better if you're just updating your space. One thing to keep in mind: Some online interior design services let you purchase the products directly through them. This may be convenient if you are buying many items from a variety of retailers, but you can certainly purchase products on your own as well. Some users on our panel found the process of ordering, setting up deliveries and handling returns through the design service to be a bigger headache than buying directly from the stores and retail websites.