Decorating your home can be an exciting yet daunting task. With so many options and ideas to consider, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This is where an online decorator can help. Online decorating services provide convenient access to professional design advice without the high costs of traditional interior designers. But is an online decorator right for you? Here’s what you need to know to decide if using an online decorating service makes sense for your next home decor project.
What is an Online Decorator?
An online decorator is an interior design service that connects you with a professional decorator online. Rather than meeting in person for consultations, the entire process is handled remotely through video calls, emails, online mood boards, and mobile apps.
Online decorators typically charge more affordable fees compared to traditional interior designers. Packages start as low as $99 for one-time consultations up to several hundred dollars for more comprehensive design services.
While online decorators are not legally certified interior designers, they do have relevant training and expertise in interior decorating principles and best practices. Many have degrees in interior design or related fields.
Key Benefits of Using an Online Decorator
Convenience
The number one perk of using an online decorator is the sheer convenience it provides. There’s no need to schedule in-person meetings, drive to appointments, or take time off work for consultations.
Everything can be done on your own schedule, whenever and wherever is most convenient for you. Most communication takes place via email, text, video chat, or through online client portals that allow you to exchange inspiration photos and design ideas.
Cost Savings
Since online decorators don’t have the overhead costs of a physical design studio, they are able to offer their services at a fraction of the cost of a traditional interior designer.
According to HomeAdvisor, the average hourly rate for an interior designer ranges from $50-$200 per hour. Most charge 20-40% project management fees on top of their hourly rates. This means you could easily spend $5,000 or more for a whole home design package.
Online decorating services cost just a few hundred dollars by comparison. For example, online decorator Havenly offers custom room designs starting at just $79 per room.
Access to Talent Worldwide
With an online service, you’re not limited to decorators in your immediate geographical area. You can work with talented professionals from anywhere in the world.
Online platforms allow you to view decorator profiles with credentials, portfolios, customer reviews, and design specialties. This transparency makes it easy to pick the perfect match for your style and project needs.
Ease of Collaboration
Online decorators utilize tools and apps that simplify the design and collaboration process.
Using digital mood boards, you can easily swap inspiration images and material samples back and forth. Messaging apps allow seamless communication. And project management platforms let you track progress and share feedback in real-time.
When is an Online Decorator the Right Choice?
If you relate to any of the scenarios below, then an online decorator is likely a good fit:
You Have a Small Budget
Online decorating is ideal if you have a set decorating budget you need to stick to. Because their fees are significantly lower, online decorators allow you to maximize your existing funds.
They can provide expert guidance to help you decorate affordably and avoid costly mistakes. Their access to wholesale trade accounts also helps keep material costs down.
You Want Design Guidance Only
Perhaps you don’t need or can’t afford full-service interior design, but could benefit from some professional design direction. Many online services offer virtual consultations to provide personalized decorating advice and planning.
A one-time design consultation is an affordable way to get expert recommendations that you can then implement yourself at your own pace. Online decorators can help refine your vision for a space, edit your decor plans, suggest layouts, or assist with furniture placement.
You Have a Small Project
Online decorating services are a smart solution for small home projects like designing a single room makeover, giving your home office a refresh, or revamping an outdoor living space. You’ll reap the benefits of working with a professional without high minimum design fees.
You Want Access to Trade Discounts
One perk of hiring a decorator rather than decorating solo is gaining access to wholesale trade accounts. Online decorators can purchase products for you from these trade accounts that offer discounts of up to 50%. This perk alone can offset much of the design fee while allowing you to afford higher end furnishings.
You Have a Hectic Schedule
If your schedule rarely allows time to shop for home furnishings or meet with designers, then the flexibility of online decorating is highly appealing. You can collaborate and make progress at whatever pace your schedule permits.
Many online services also offer turnkey packages where they purchase and handle all product sourcing for you. This saves you time as well as research effort trying to find items yourself.
Questions to Ask an Online Decorator Before Hiring
Before choosing an online decorator, ask the following questions to determine if they’re the right fit:
What is your background and credentials?
Look for training from accredited interior design degree programs or equivalent qualifications. While certification is not required, you want confidence they have the proper foundation in technical design skills as well as stylistic knowledge.
How long have you been decorating professionally?
More experienced decorators will have greater exposure working on a wide breadth of styles and projects. You want someone well-versed in different aesthetics with a solid understanding of decorating fundamentals.
What services do you offer and what is your process?
Look for services like design consultations, custom room designs, floor plans, furniture layouts, lighting plans, sourcing, purchasing, project management, and installation coordination. Also ask how they approach the design process from initial consultation through to project completion.
What is your design style?
Review their portfolio for projects similar to yours so you can assess if their style is cohesive with your vision. Some decorators specialize in certain aesthetics like modern, traditional, or eclectic. Be sure their design sensibility is harmonious with your own taste preferences.
What do you charge and what is included?
Ask for a detailed breakdown of their fee structure. Many charge hourly or by the room. Also inquire about add-on costs for extras like sourcing or project management to avoid surprise fees.
Can you provide referrals from past clients?
First-hand reviews can provide valuable insight into their service quality and overall expertise. Look for consistently positive feedback across multiple reviews. Beware decorators with little or no client references.
Do you have liability insurance?
Reputable online decorators will carry liability insurance to protect you financially in the unlikely event of a legal dispute down the road. Verify they have adequate active coverage before signing any contract.
5 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Online Decorator
Follow these tips to maximize the benefits from your virtual design partnership:
Provide Detailed Inspiration and Feedback
Compile inspiration photos and product links that exemplify your preferred style, color palette, and overall vision. Provide abundant feedback on your decorator’s proposed ideas so they can zero in on your perfect style.
Take Measurements Upfront
Provide your exact room dimensions, furniture sizes, window measurements, and floor plans. Accurate information will prevent issues like specifications being off when purchasing new items.
Stick to Your Budget
Be honest about your budget restraints. Frustration can happen when clients continue adding on expensive upgrades exceeding the agreed upon spending cap.
Honor Their Expertise
While it’s fine to give input, make sure to also trust your designer’s expertise. They may guide you away from some personal favorites for good reasons like proportions being off.
Manage Your Expectations
An online decorator provides design expertise, not miracles. Understand improvements will take effort, compromises, and phases over future years. Maintain realistic expectations about what’s achievable within your budget and timeline.
Mistakes to Avoid When Working with an Online Decorator
Steer clear of the following mistakes to ensure decorating success:
- Making drastic changes mid-project that derail the initial design plan
- Insisting on favoring your own ideas over the guidance of your designer
- Skipping providing adequate design direction then later being unhappy with the results
- Not providing enough flexibility on preferences like being unwilling to compromise at all on style or color scheme
- Holding back on expressing budget constraints then feeling remorse about spending overages
- Failing to properly measure existing furniture and architectural elements ahead of time
Is an Online Decorator Right for You?
Pros of Online Decorators
- More affordable cost
- Total convenience
- Increased accessibility
- Easy online collaboration
- Style guidance from the comfort of home
Cons to Consider
- Less hands-on service than traditional designers
- No ability to form in-person rapport
- Potential communication challenges
- No legal certification
- More self-management required on your part
For many homeowners, the advantages afforded by online decorating services heavily outweigh the drawbacks. The lower cost and flexibility provided can make professional design guidance much more accessible.
However, traditional full-service interior designers may still be preferred for very large scale renovation projects requiring extensive technical expertise. Yet for most average home decorating needs, an online decorator can provide tremendous value and satisfying outcomes with less effort on your end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Decorators
How Much Do Online Decorators Charge?
Costs vary among individual designers and services, but average from $99 to $399 per room depending on project scope. Packages frequently include free 30-minute initial design consults. Project management fees typically range $500-$1500.
What’s the Difference Between an Interior Designer and Decorator?
Interior designers undergo formal training, pass a certification exam, and must adhere to building codes. Their services center around architectural elements. Decorators focus more on furnishings and finishes to style spaces.
Are Online Decorators Licensed Professionals?
Most online decorators lack official interior design certification, but many have vocational degrees or equivalent training in interior decorating. Always verify credentials and insurance coverage.
Can an Online Decorator Purchase Items for Me?
Many online decorators offer turnkey services where they purchase products on your behalf from wholesale accounts not accessible to the public to save you money.
How Long Does it Take to Work With an Online Decorator?
The timeline varies case-by-case. Simple one room updates may take 2-3 weeks. Whole home designs often require 2-3 months for finish selections, custom furniture orders, installations, etc.
Final Thoughts on Hiring the Right Online Decorator for You
Choosing an online decorating service can provide an affordable, convenient way to give your home an attractive makeover. Partnering with a skilled virtual decorator saves you time, money, and effort compared to decorating on your own or hiring a traditional interior designer.
Before selecting an online pro, compare multiple providers. Analyze portfolios, credentials, costs, and reviews. Look for an established company with specialists that suit your particular style needs and budget.
Maximize a successful collaboration by clearly communicating your vision, providing abundant inspiration, trusting your designer’s guidance, and aligning expectations upfront. Ongoing transparent communication coupled with reasonable flexibility on your part can result in a space you’ll love coming home to for years to come.
