What is E-Design + Why You Should Use an Interior Design Online Service

Need interior design help that’s fast and affordable? An online service like e-design from DutchByDesign might be just what you’re looking for! So, what is e-design exactly? While I have a detailed explanation on my e-design page, here’s a quick overview.

E-design, or online interior design, is a way to hire a designer to work with you virtually, typically via email, instead of in-person.

Online design services are known for being more affordable and quicker compared to traditional interior design. It’s perfect for people who want help selecting items for their home but are comfortable handling the purchasing and set-up themselves.

Let it be clear that while I’m comparing e-design to traditional design, I’m not dismissing traditional interior designers. Technology has simply given us more options, and online decorating services are one of them.

Below are four reasons why e-design might be right for you, along with three virtual interior services, including my own! My goal is to help you understand the benefits of working with an online decorator and how it can help you create a more sustainable home.

Let’s begin!

Online Interior Design Can Save You Money

First, let's talk about money. It's often the main reason people avoid hiring a traditional interior designer. The Spruce estimates the average starting price for a single room is $2,000, reaching up to $10,000 or more. Some traditional designers charge by the hour, ranging from $100 to $500, making it hard to know the final cost at the start.

Similarly, online design fees vary widely. Prices can range from $20 for a simple design board to $1,000 for comprehensive packages including floor plans and 3D renderings. My e-design package is priced just under $150, making it accessible to many while still valuing the work involved.

Virtual Interior Services are More Flexible

Flexibility is something we all need. E-design offers more flexibility than traditional design because everything is done online, allowing you to interact with the designer on your own schedule.

Too tired to choose between a light blue throw pillow and a slightly lighter blue one? No problem. Close your laptop, turn off your phone, and relax. You can decide tomorrow, or even the day after.

Online Home Interior Designers are Great for Short Timelines

One of the biggest advantages of online interior design is the quick turnaround time.

The timeframe varies by designer. For example, the e-design process at DutchByDesign takes about 7-10 business days. Some designers can complete the process in just 3-5 days, which is impressive!

However, some online designers may need more time depending on the detail of their design packages, the number of projects they handle, and whether they work alone or with a team. (FYI – it’s just me at DutchByDesign!)

How E-Decorating Can Help You Create a More Sustainable Home

Affordable interior design sounds great, and so does flexibility. But for me, the most important aspect of e-design is the ability to work with someone who shares your values, like sustainability.

You can certainly find traditional designers who prioritize sustainability, but e-design often makes it more affordable and accessible. If you want to fill your home with eco-conscious, ethical items, your budget should primarily go towards the furniture and decor, not the design fee. Sustainable products can be more of an investment than cheap, unethically produced items from popular stores.

5 Interior Design Online Services to Consider

Now that you understand how e-design works, let’s look at three different online offerings.

Havenly

How it works: Choose from one of Havenly’s hundreds of designers and tell them what you’re looking for. They’ll send you a few ideas, and you select the one you like best. Then, they finalize the design and provide a shopping list.

Cost: The Online Mini package is $129 and includes access to a designer, multiple revisions, and a final design and shopping list. The Online Full package is $199 and includes everything in the Mini package plus 3D renderings and floor plans.

Timeline: Approximately 5 days from initial contact to final design, depending on your responsiveness.

Pros and Cons: Havenly is affordable and easy to use. However, being a large business, it may not suit those who prefer unique experiences, have specific tastes, or prioritize ethical and sustainable items.

Laurel & Wolf

How it works: RoomLift combines virtual and tactile elements. After discussing your ideas with a RoomLift designer, they mail you a box with a floor plan, paint/wallpaper/textile samples, and product cards for each recommended item. You decide which products to order on your own timeline.

Cost: A full RoomLift box costs $499. The AccessoryLift, at $750, includes a custom design board delivered virtually.

Timeline: It takes about 1-2 weeks for RoomLift to prepare the box, plus shipping time.

Pros and Cons: RoomLift is great for those who like to interact with samples before purchasing. It offers a personalized experience, but at a higher cost.

RoomLift

Cost: A full RoomLift box costs $1500. The AccessoryLift, at $750, includes a custom design board delivered virtually.

Timeline: It takes about 1-2 weeks for RoomLift to prepare the box, plus shipping time.

Pros and Cons: RoomLift is great for those who like to interact with samples before purchasing. It offers a personalised experience, but at a higher cost.

DutchByDesign

How it works: Of course, I recommend my own service! I’m passionate about helping people create beautiful, affordable, sustainable homes. You simply purchase a custom package, fill out a questionnaire, and I’ll send you your design.

Cost: $149 for a custom design with one full revision. Ready-made designs are available for 45 euros..

Timeline: Custom designs take approximately 7-10 days. Ready-made designs are instantaneous.

Pros and Cons: My services are affordable and sustainable. Plus, you work directly with me. If you prefer a variety of designers, other services might be a better fit.

And there you have it – four reasons why an online interior design service may be perfect for you, plus three e-decorating options. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! You can also book a free interior design consultation to chat more about your home.

Spacejoy

How it works: The most basic of Spacejoy’s three packages, called "Delight," includes working with a designer through the site’s messaging platform and guarantees the first design within 10 days. To get started, you take a “design quiz” that asks you to evaluate room and furniture images and pick your favorites. Spacejoy also inquires about your budget, preferred vendors, and which existing pieces you hope to keep.

Within a day of submitting those details, your designer will introduce themselves via message. You will receive the initial renderings within a week and a half, which include a couch, accent chair, several tables, window treatments, paint recommendations, and more. Designers source major items from your preferred vendors, ensuring the design closely matches your aesthetic. Spacejoy’s renderings feature 360-degree functionality, making it easy to visualize the room from all angles.

The Delight package includes two rounds of revisions. You can discuss details with your designer, such as fabric preferences and layout changes. For instance, if a selected couch is not to your liking, the designer might suggest alternatives like a sectional sofa with a more suitable fabric.

By the end of the process, you will have multiple renderings with 3D modeling and a shopping list. Designers' recommendations for window treatments and paint are particularly helpful, and the Spacejoy website is easy to navigate.

Cost: $269 (on sale from $499)

Timeline: Approximately 10 days to receive the initial design.

Pros and Cons: Spacejoy is affordable and offers a quick turnaround with detailed 360-degree renderings. However, it may not provide as tactile or personalised an experience as higher-cost services.