Online design firms are opening up a world of creative services that were once reserved for clients who could afford to pay high prices for blue-chip designers. These online firms are making home design affordable and connecting their audience to up-and-coming designers as well as celebrity names. With 3D renderings and personalized shopping lists of products tailored for your individual style, online firms are ready to bring your custom design dreams to life. Here are some of the leaders breaking new ground with services that are accessible, approachable and fun.
Hutch
Ideal for: Millennials and renters.
There’s no surprise if Hutch users feel as though they are playing a fun online game. The app’s founders took inspiration from design games when they created templates that offer styles popular with millennials. The templates are free and range from Midcentury Modern to Hygge and California Cool. Users upload a photo of their room and get back a rendering of the space. Instead of working with a designer, they swipe through filters to pick a style. Customers then select furniture and accessories offered for sale from their favorite template. Hutch doesn’t charge a fee for access to designers but makes money through those sales.
Decorist
Ideal for: Fairly design-savvy clients on a budget who want to work with a high-profile designer.
It’s not unusual for discerning clients who are attracted by blue-chip designers to come equipped with Pinterest boards and magazine layouts. Upload photos of your room and provide info about your style and your budget. Decorist will match you with either an up-and-coming designer, a seasoned designer or a celebrity designer based on your budget. Your designer will provide two initial design ideas for consideration and then deliver a complete room design and floor plan based on your response. You’ll choose décor from a personalized shopping list at the best wholesale prices.
Homepolish
Ideal for: Those who prefer young, up-and-coming designers.
You’ll be matched with a designer or you can pick a Homepolish designer you already love. Then you’ll have a free consultation with your choice. In-home consultations with designers are available in 15 cities or by remote video conferencing. Homepolish pricing is a little different from other design services that offer per-room deals. You’ll pay an hourly rate with design fees that vary based on the designer you choose and the scope of the project. You can be as involved—or not—as you wish. so that you can tailor your own design needs and priorities. Homepolish can connect with you with a contractor if needed.
Modsy
Ideal for: Design neophytes who want to see a furniture change rendered in 3D rather than a schematic design.
The Modsy vibe is minimalist, mid-century modern. The service offers designs laid out in a 3D mockup of your room so you can see how your furniture choices fit your dream décor. Top-down and 360-degree views are included in the portfolio of life-like images you receive for each design concept.
The Basic package shows you two custom 3D designs tailored to your style and budget staged in a template room while the Classic package puts the design team to work on your space. You’ll work one-on-one with a designer if you choose the Premium package. The Multi-Room package allows you and your designer to refresh three rooms. You’ll have unlimited revisions to polish your design.
Havenly
Ideal for: Clients with big dreams and small budgets.
Havenly offers three tiers of design that cater to the non-committal and those desiring full service. The first tier is a free service including furniture, decor and paint recommendations as well as a curated shopping list. A mini service includes three mood board ideas, one design concept with a 30-minute chat with a designer and one revision. The full service provides three mood board ideas, one concept and two revisions. The full-on service offers room makeovers or designing a room from scratch along with a custom floor plan and layout visualizations. Havenly also features a shopping section with curated items If you don’t want a designer’s input. These services cater to the non-committal and those desiring full service.