I was asked the other day, what is online interior design? As being our leading interior design service for homeowners to get organized with their property, I decided to expand more of that information in one concise text below. It takes five to six minutes to read.
The online interior design is an interior decorating service that is gaining an advantage by offering online design services to end clients at low costs.
Clients can use the service for one or more of their rooms by paying fixed amounts. The project can be calculated based on room size, type or design style and this is making the service accessible for low budget projects.
HOW DIFFERENT IS TALLBOX’ INTERIOR DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS?
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Take a look at this video on YouTube made by
I admit, the video is funny, informational and gives you an idea of what is about. But there’s is a catch – it’s not for everybody.
I admit they’ve done well. The video is funny, informational and gives you an idea of what is about. But there’s is a catch – it’s not for everybody.
Let’s dive into online interior design and find out more.
According to Forbes, this revolution started in 2013 in New York, USA. Recently graduated in architecture Noa Santos, working for a residential design firm had a different vision.
“I wanted to work with young, upwardly mobile professionals,” who didn’t all have six-figure design budgets, he says.
Noa joined forces with one of his first clients, who was looking to spend $30,000 to re-decorate his 450 sq.ft apartment in Manhattan. While briefing over the design project, both recognised that no-one is covering that area of small design projects. Took them over eight to nine months to launch the idea as a business. By the end of 2013, their company had revenue of $1 million.
You can read the whole interview here: Forbes website
Who are online interior designers?
As part of the PropTech and Start-up boom, these online-based companies tend to be smart with expenses and technology. They find ways to outsource almost all of the work to freelancers.
Additionally, they connect clients with a specific styles and specifications with the right designers that specialize in that style, and that is genius!
Design Anthology
All outsource designers are considered as sub-contractors or partners with no equity.
Therefore they pay invoices to them and reduce taxes.
Of course, there are different setups of all of the companies out there that are working in that sector, but this is the general rule of thumb that most of them follow.
Apart from that, the core has the same structure as standard companies. Salespersons, Marketing persons, Operations, Analytics, Products and at the top are Senior Designers and CEO.
Differences from traditional interior designers.
There is one big difference aside from the fees – complexity. This is not a bespoke service.
Online interior designers work on a much simpler and smaller scale. A big part of the designing is automated by software or done by the client.
Ninety per cent of online design projects are based on decorating and stuffing, without major remodelling or changes to the layout.
Design Anthology
That is why if you are a lover of minimalism or contemporary designs and decorations are not everything for you. Your online interior designer will struggle to fulfil your desires without success.
Combinatorics (as per Wikipedia: the branch of mathematics dealing with combinations of objects belonging to a finite set in accordance with certain constraints, such as those of graph theory.) Combinatorics applies with full power.
Different combinations of mood boards (Pinterest boards), contrasty colours, fabrics, accessories, shiny stuff all arranged in a stylized photographic way.
Online design is suitable for new build places or such that are after renovation or just empty.
It is widely favourite among young couple renting or first-time buyers living in big cities as with the recent purchase of property; their budgets are depleted.
Most beneficial are for the projects of small scope and budget from £2000 to £30,000.
Pros and cons of digital interior design services?
Positives of online interior design:
- affordable for a wider audience
- low-cost service
- no minimum order (size or budget)
- fast turnaround from 5 days to 4 weeks
- unlimited revisions
- shopping lists
- small discounts with some retailers
- organised delivery by a designer
Negatives of online interior design:
- generalisation of all projects
- clients must take measurements and photos
- clients must put some work and create their project
- no change of layouts
- client to deal with third-party contractors
- client to chase and manage the project
- restrictions in the design styles
- designs without practicality
Where can I use the online design service?
New builds and empty rooms are preferable. Most demand is coming from people living in big cities.
You will get the most out of this service if your place is empty or does not require extensive renovation as knocking walls, change of electrical and plumbing installations or change of layouts.
When is the best time to use an interior designer?
Anytime you feel ready.
Summer should be a good time for you. Unless your work does not allows it or perhaps you have a long-planned holiday trip.
This is not surprising though as many people’s routine changes during the summer.
The second best time is from Autumn through December, just before Christmas. It’s always fell nice to celebrate Christmas in a new home environment.
Before you hire your online designer, plan wisely your time, as your presence is required at all stages of the project.
How to hire an online interior designer?
Before you go and hire some of the online interior designers, I would advise you to have a plan in place.
When was the last time when you changed those wallpapers in the living room?
What about that old and rubbed sofa that occupies 30 per cent of your living room.
Maybe you despise the current design of your home or perhaps just-moved-in into new development property.
Design Anthology
I know how it feels, but don’t fall for that part where online interior design is affordable.
Because after when you get done your design project, payments for all furniture, decorations and sub-contractors has to be placed.
First step
Open google and type Online or Digital Interior designers.
Go and check all available options up to the second and third pages of the search engine. Sometimes by clicking on the results on the first page, we might miss some opportunities that are not well ranked on google.
Second step
Declutter your space and decide if you are going to re-use some of the furniture and existing decors. Put in place a Pinterest board with reference images or inspirations.
Third step
Check your budget in place. Check your budget in place.
The service may be low cost, but the following orders of furniture, sub-contractors fees and your absence of work, e.g. missed opportunities should be taken into account when budgeting.
If this is your first time using such a service, the best you could do is to check what budget you are ready to spend.
Many clients fail to cover the initial set budget as they are not well prepared.
You should be careful what you approve during the design stage as well, as designers tend to overdo the project with unnecessary decors which are only dust traps in the end without any practical function and drain the budget.
Fourth step
Check your availability and timings
Plan your time away. As you as a client will be the most critical person in this project. Without you, your design project will not become a reality as you will be the manager and supervisor. Which is one of the negatives of that service as I noted above.
Fifth step
Most of the online designers have checklists available on their websites.
Make sure you fill those with correct answers, as all online designers use these for their assessment.
Sixth step
Whenever you feel ready, enquire or fill out some of their forms.
Most of the companies have different levels of packages for the service.
Read what they offer for each package and choose according to your needs and budget.
Costs of online interior design
As this is a low-cost service, you should expect prices from $79 ( £62) up to $900 ( £700)
Some of the companies may charge per room or project.
Almost all design websites provide or work with a loan company, where you can purchase upfront and re-pay later monthly.
Most of them offer a refund for your design project if you are dissatisfied.
No shipping and Handling fees, although you might expect to pay some shipping fees if your order is oversized (which no one knows what their threshold is).
Limits
Have you ever heard the Expression: the sky is the limit? As expected this is not the case, low-budget services come with limits.
If you have a plan, to remodel your house and put extension additionally. Or maybe you plan the change 80 per cent of the layout in your apartment, by knocking down walls, changing hights of the windows and doors.
Or your project requires bespoke furniture and craftsmanship, so then this service is not for you.
You should be looking to hire an interior designer or architect that is capable of putting in place all necessary drawings, specifications and supervision for the project to be done at complete detail.
List of online interior designers in the UK
https://tallboxproperty.co.uk
https://roomlab.co.uk
https://homewings.co.uk
https://www.mybespokeroom.com
https://decology.com
https://www.topologyinteriors.com
List of online interior designers in the US
https://homepolish.com
https://www.modsy.com
https://havenly.com
https://www.laurelandwolf.com
https://www.decorilla.com
The list is not full, but these are one of the well presented and proven websites.
How online design agencies earn money?
Most of their earning come from the commissions paid by the vendors and retailers recommended to you for your shopping list.
Should I hire an online interior designer for my new house?
The choice is yours. I would be glad If I was able to help you somehow to make your decision.
I have stumbled on an excellent article by Apartmenttherapy, where they conduct a real-life comparison of three of the biggest brands in the US.
Link to
If you are a first-time home buyer or seller, looking for help? We have a service, tailored to help called INTERIOR DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS (link).
Or give us a call, we love to give free advice.