Online interior design service is the best of both worlds – you get creative, professional design expertise without ever having to leave your home.

For low as $79 for one design concept and a consultation, an interior designer can create one final design for you tailored to your needs and preferences.

You’ll have access to the latest trends, materials, and products without the hassle of shopping around in person.

Your designer will put together a look that suits your lifestyle and budget while saving you time and money in the process (especially in a recession times).

With online interior design services, you can get a perfect space tailored to your unique tastes without any extra stress or work on your part.

architectural visualiser george nicola

By George Nicola (Expert Stager)

This blog post will explore how to use interior design online services from the perspective of a home owner looking to get a project done.

We’ll discuss who should use interior designer online, why they are beneficial, and offer tips for finding the right designer for your project.

We’ll also share a comparison table summary six of the best online interior design services (according to us) with various design options available online, the advantages of using them, and how to find a designer that is the perfect fit for your project.

Finally, we’ll provide tips for getting the most out of your online interior design experience.

With this guide, you’ll be able to understand how online designers work and create the perfect home of your dreams.

Let’s get started!

Definition of interior design and the role of interior designers

Interior design is the design process of shaping the built environment in ways that meet people’s needs.

Home decorating that involves floor plans, furniture arrangement, colour palettes, and selection of decorative items and even minor structural changes.

Interior designers help you choose the right furniture, fixtures, materials, colours, textures, and finishes.

“Interior Design.” British College of Interior Design, britishcollegeofinteriordesign.com. Accessed 4 Jan. 2023.

Four caveats of getting a designer online

Consultations: This type of services offer less in-person interaction than traditional consultations. This may make it harder to understand and communicate a client’s design tastes. At TALLBOX we got you covered on this one.
 
Lack of physical presence: No one is visiting you to measure the space. It is the homeowners responsibility to tackle this part of the project. At TALLBOX we got you covered with our video step-by-step guide.
 
Limited high-end designers: Some online interior design platforms may not have many high-end designers, making it harder for clients to find the right style and expertise.
 
Complex projects: Low-tier design services lack the ability to truly customise a design; consider upgrading to a higher tier. 

It’s important to carefully consider these caveats and decide if online interior design services fit your needs and budget.

Reach out to us if you have questions to ask or get a free quote.

How to use Interior designer online

online interior design service
Online Interior Design service by TALLBOX

If you need some design help, are on a modest budget  this is perfect alternative to traditional interior design services.

With these virtual design services, you can get the same professional help without having to leave the comfort of your home.

Step-by-step guide to using virtual interior designer (with TALLBOX)

The process is simple.

1. You’ll fill out a style quiz and provide details about your style and budget. (takes 1 to 2 days)

2. Our interior design team will create a customized plan based on your specifications. (it takes 3 to 4 days for a single space on the $69 tier)

3. You’ll also receive a detailed online shopping list with all the items needed to complete the project; if you request amendments, the project gets an update and is returned to you.
(takes another 2 to 4 days)

Expect to pay a fee depending on the size and scope of your project, but it’s usually less expensive than traditional interior design services.

* As low as $69 for one design concept and a consultation

Tips for effectively communicating with your interior designer online

When communicating with your interior designer online, there are a few tips to keep in mind.

  • First and foremost, outline the design process upfront. With TALLBOX, you get a welcome e-mail with a short guide on what to do next.
  • This includes discussing your ideal outcome, what existing furniture you have that can be incorporated, and what kind of decorating service you will need.
  • Additionally, provide your overall budget. Since even with the lowest tier, you get a shopping service and a personal shopping list with paint colors, fabrics, decorations, and items that need to be purchased.
  • Lastly, ensure that you provide enough information about yourself and your needs so the designer can get an idea of your style and make the best recommendations for furniture and decor.

With these tips, you can ensure a positive experience while getting the best results from their expertise.

Who can benefit from virtual interior design service

Personalized online interior design services provide customers with custom designs that can be tailored to fit their individual needs. 

Additionally, virtual interior design services are available for those who prefer to design themselves but still need guidance and advice from a professional designer.

Homeowners looking to redesign their space. 

Below is part of the questionnaire that we typically send as part of the onboarding process.

This ensures that the homeowner’s home design vision is achieved on time:

  • By making the project’s goal clear, the designer will be able to understand your needs and make a design that meets your goals.

  • If you tell the designer your budget right away, they can figure out what is possible for the project and develop a design that fits your budget.

  • Telling the designer about deadlines or time limits can help them plan their work and ensure the project is done on time.

  • Sharing your design style and preferences with the designer can help them create a design that reflects your taste and fits the overall aesthetic of your home.

  • Think about any specific needs or requirements that the design must meet, like the need for storage or a place to work.

  • By being clear about what you want the project to accomplish, you can help the designer develop a design that meets your needs and helps you reach your home design goals.

  • Consider saving money on the project, such as using budget-friendly materials or shopping for furniture and decor at thrift stores or online marketplaces.

  • Adding personal touches to the design, such as family heirlooms or artwork, can help make the space feel more like home and add character without breaking the budget.

Small business owners looking to refresh their storefront or office can benefit from the service and available options.

Since business and office designs require different approaches, we advise you before contacting an interior designer online to:

  • The project’s goal – Define the project’s purpose so the designer can meet your needs. 

  • Project budget – The designer can create a design that fits your budget by knowing your budget upfront. 

  • Project timeline – Communicating deadlines helps the designer plan and finish the project on time.
    On average commercial projects take from 14 to 28 days, depending on the size of your project.

  • Design style – Sharing your design style and preferences can help them create a design that matches your taste and business’s aesthetic.

  • How should the space function – Decide roughly on accessibility, storage, and workspace needs for your business

  • Who’s the space’s audience – Knowing your target audience helps the designer create a welcoming and appealing design. 

  • Who implements the design – at TALLBOX, we do not implement designs, but we can advise you on how to do that most efficiently. Determine who will implement the design and give them access to the design project.

Creating a design plan based on a well-developed style quiz will ensure your project is successful.

For those that are uncertain of the best way to proceed, you can add one-on-one consultations.

Whether it be via virtual consultation or an in-person visit, this is valuable insight and provides you with answers to create a design plan for your space.

With their help, small business owners will get access to a vast list of products and know exactly what they need to do to achieve the desired look for their storefront or office.

Online interior design services work for a small businesses not only because of their cost-effectiveness.

It allows the firms to switch and update their interiors more often without overspending

Landlords looking to stage rental properties should consider the cost of online interior decorating services.

However, the digital design comes with many advantages, tailored for rental properties. Rental properties require a different approach, style quiz, and decorating services.

That helps landlords create a beautiful and functional space that will attract tenants and increase their rental returns cost-effectively.

Before approaching a designer, these 10 questions need to be answered:

  • Scope – Define the project’s purpose so the designer can meet your needs. 

  • Take proper photos and measurements of the spaces.

  • Costs – The designer can create a design that fits your budget by knowing your budget upfront.

  • Time – Telling the designer about deadlines helps them plan and finish the project on time. 

  • The designer can create a design that attracts your target renters by knowing who they are, for example, a custom floor plan.

  • Consider accessibility, storage, and workspace needs when designing.

  • Clearly defining the desired project outcome can help the designer create a design that meets your expectations and enables you to achieve your rental property goals.

  • If you plan to keep the property for a long time, invest in higher-quality, longer-lasting designer experience elements.

  • Focus on a cost-effective design if you plan to flip the property soon.

  • Communicate your design involvement to the designer.  This ensures the final design matches your vision and needs.

Based on the above information and questionnaire, you get a personalized design recommendations on furnishing and decorating your space (the project).

* There are also add-on revision services available if you need help with fine-tuning the design plan or making changes.

With a clear scope, we can easily achieve personalized designs and incorporate them into their existing spaces.

With our design packages, no matter what option is chosen, our clients can access a wide range of add-on services and resources to help them create the perfect space for their project.

Why use TALLBOX's online interior design services

virtual interior designer
Bedroom in minimalistic style / Image by TALLBOX

Cost and time savings compared to traditional in-person design services

  • Using TALLBOX’s online interior design service can be beneficial in many ways.

    Firstly, the cost of online interior design service is often much less (as low as $69 per space) than in-person services, saving you money and time.

    We offer three design tiers $69 – $145 – $299

Convenience of being able to access design assistance from anywhere

  • Additionally, with online interior design services, you can access design assistance from anywhere with an internet connection – this makes it a very convenient option for those who may need more time or resources to hire a designer in person.

Ability to work with a wider range of designers and styles

Bespoke and flexible design choices

  • With our most expensive online interior designer tier (as low as $299 per space), you can get a complete design package tailored to your needs.

    Including Bathroom design and Stylized 3D Rendered floor plan.


Even on the lowest package (as low as $69 per space) you receive a scaled floor plan with furniture and design ideas for décor placement and fabric, furniture, and paint selections.

The $69 per space is much lower than working with an in-person designer, making it an affordable option for many people.

Plus, you’ll have access to the same expertise and experience as if you were working directly with the designer.

This makes it easier to receive the design look you desire without compromising on quality or style.

6 best online interior design + a Bespoke online designer

To be fair we’ve decided to compare the best online interior design services with pricing, packages, pros, and cons:

PlatformPricingPackagesProsCons
TALLBOX$69-$145-$299Single room design, Full home designFlexible prices, wide range of design styles, Add-ons, Bespoke serviceLimited availability, Realistic 3D rendering, Suitable for more complex design projects
Havenly$79-$299Single room design, full home designAffordable prices, wide range of design styles, convenient online platformLimited availability of high-end designers, may not be suitable for more complex design projects
Modsy$79-$499Single room design, full home design3D renderings, wide range of design styles, convenient online platformPricier than some other online design platforms, may not be suitable for more complex design projects
Homepolish$50-$500+ per hourHourly design consultations, full home design packagesHighly personalized service, wide range of design styles, ability to work with top-tier designersPricier than some other online design platforms, hourly pricing model may not be suitable for those with a limited budget
Laurel & Wolf$79-$499Single room design, full home designAffordable prices, wide range of design styles, convenient online platformLimited availability of high-end designers, may not be suitable for more complex design projects
RoomsketcherFree-$99/yearDIY design tools, design consultation servicesAffordable prices, wide range of design tools, ability to work with a designer or on your ownDIY design tools may not be suitable for those without design experience, limited availability of professional design consultation services

We’ve compared six online interior design platforms in terms of pricing, packages offered, pros, and cons. And these this is the summary and results:

TALLBOX, Havenly, Modsy, Laurel & Wolf, Homepolish, and Roomsketcher all offer single room and full home design services at various price points ranging from $69-$499.

Homepolish also offers hourly design consultations and full home design packages, with prices ranging from $50-$500+ per hour.

Roomsketcher offers both DIY design tools and design consultation services, with prices ranging from free to $99 per year.

The pros of these platforms include affordable prices, a wide range of design styles, and convenient online platforms.

TALLBOX also offer add-ons and bespoke services, high-quality 3D renderings, and the ability to work with top-tier designers.

The cons include limited availability of high-end designers and potential limitations in terms of the complexity of design projects that can be handled.

Some platforms may also be pricier than others, and the hourly pricing model used by Homepolish may not be suitable for those with a limited budget.

Tips for success with online interior design services

When it comes to success with online interior services, there are a few tips and tricks you should keep in mind.

Clear design goals and budget: First and foremost, it’s important to set clear design goals and budgets from the start.

simple-minimalistic-small-kitchen
Simple minimalistic style / Image by Online Interior Designer - TALLBOX

Measurements and photos: Providing detailed measurements and photos of your space is essential for the best results

contemporary-minimalistic-small-kitchen
Contemporary style / Image by Online Interior Designer - TALLBOX

Trust the expert and be open to suggestions: Give your interior designer the benefit of the doubt and consider their advice.

Rustic-small-kitchens-style
Rustic style /Image by Online Interior Designer - TALLBOX

Ask: Don’t be afraid to ask questions and provide feedback if something doesn’t feel right.

Use online tools: Additionally, creating a design board or Pinterest boards can be beneficial when trying to find the best furniture, window treatments, and other decor items for your space.

Double check: Ensure you investigate various vendors, as services vary significantly in cost, quality, and turnaround times.
With these tips in mind, you should have no trouble finding the perfect online services.

In this post we’ve also discuss ideas for a budget home renovation.

Benefits and considerations of using online interior design services

Homeowners who utilize these services can receive expert design guidance from talented interior designers via an online platform. This allows them to virtually shop for furniture and accessories and benefit from a designer’s experience when looking for ideas and inspiration.

Furthermore, with 3d renderings, room designs can be seen realistically before any purchases are made. Two design concepts are usually provided to the client, so they can have options to choose from.

Overall, using online interior design services is an efficient way of getting the assistance needed to create the perfect home space.

Try out online interior design for your own space

Online interior design is a great way to go if you’re looking for design help to decorate and design your own space.

With online interior design, you can get professional advice and guidance from experienced designers who can help you create a beautiful living space that fits your style and needs.

You also have access to a wide range of products and services that can help you transform any room in your home.

Not only that, but online interior design services are typically more affordable than traditional methods, making them the perfect option for anyone looking to spruce up their home on a budget.

If you have a modest budget this is the interior design service to try!