How to Hire an Interior Designer on a Budget

Havenly, another flat-fee service, is the most affordable of the bunch, but its designers seem to be a bit greener. The platform offers two tiers: a $79-per-room package (which includes custom concept boards, product suggestions, and a purchasing service) and a $129-per-room package, which additionally includes a final room layout and furniture placement suggestions. There are no in-home consultations and installations, and all work is done online.

Great for clients who wish to visualize their finished design before committing to a certain layout or furnishings, three-dimensional renderings allow Modsy to stand out from the pack. Clients begin by uploading eight photos of their room, which are then transformed into a 3D model and decorated by Modsy’s team to suit the client’s style and budget.

Modsy’s three flat-rate packages—Classic ($79), Premium ($149), or Luxe ($499)—are priced per room, with a Multi-Room package available for $229. Rates reflect a designer’s experience level and include one-on-one correspondence, at least two revisions, and a customized shopping list. Turnaround time from start to draft is no more than eight days.

With flat-rate packages starting at $449, Decorilla is one of the pricier options of the bunch, but its services are the most robust: The packages include multiple design proposals by two top interior designers, plus 3D renderings, itemized shopping lists to exact products and furnishings, and paint color recommendations.

Rates are based on the room to be designed (choose from patio, home office, nursery, and nine other options) and the designer’s experience level (Bronze, Silver, or Gold). Clients seeking a more customized experience can opt for hourly rates ($75–$500/hr), and in-home consultations are available in select cities.

Founded in 2018 by interior designer Megan Hersch, roomLift is an affordable online design service with a mail-order twist: In lieu of an online rendering, clients receive their design proposals in the form of a customized box—delivered to their doorstep—for a tangible preview of their finished room. Each box comes with a floor plan and a curated selection of designer-suggested buys for the space—think paint chips and/or wallpaper samples and paper cards featuring furnishings and decorative pieces, complete with where-to-buy info. The roomLift box arrives within three weeks of the client answering a questionnaire and uploading photos of their room(s) to a Dropbox.

The per-room price starts at $695 and includes two design proposals, a 15-minute email or phone consultation, and a roomLift box.