How does an online interior design service work?

Client Onboarding

• I start by guiding clients through a detailed questionnaire or consultation call to understand their design goals, style preferences, budget, and the space's functionality.
• Clients share room dimensions, photos, and any inspiration or reference ideas.

Defining the Design Style

• Based on the client's inputs, I identify their preferred aesthetic (e.g., contemporary, minimalist, eclectic) and create a design brief.
• I often use mood boards or curated inspiration images to ensure alignment with the client’s vision.

Space Planning

• Using the room dimensions provided, I create a layout plan that maximizes space efficiency and flow.
• This step involves balancing functionality with the client’s desired style.

Design Concept Development

• I design a custom proposal that includes mood boards, material recommendations, furniture selections, and décor ideas.
• I also consider practical aspects like lighting, storage needs, and budget constraints.

Interactive Revisions

• After sharing the initial concept, I collaborate with the client to incorporate their feedback.
• Revisions ensure the design reflects their preferences and works seamlessly in their space.

3D Renderings and Visualizations

• I create detailed 3D renderings or virtual mockups to help clients visualize the final outcome.
• This includes lighting effects, textures, and precise furniture placement for an immersive experience.

Curated Shopping List

• I prepare a shopping list with links to recommended products that align with the design and budget.
• If requested, I also suggest alternatives to provide flexibility.

Implementation Support

• I provide a step-by-step guide for setting up the space, including furniture arrangement, décor placement, and styling tips.
• I remain available to address client queries or troubleshoot during the execution phase.

Post-Design Follow-Up

• After the design is implemented, I check in to ensure everything meets the client’s expectations.
• Additional tweaks or consultations may be offered as part of the service package.

This process allows me to deliver tailored, high-quality designs remotely, ensuring a seamless and collaborative experience for the client.

An online interior design service typically works like this:

Consultation: You share your design preferences, budget, and space details through a form or call.

Design Concept: The designer creates a concept based on your input, including color schemes, layouts, and décor.

Feedback and Revisions: You review the design, and adjustments are made as needed.

Final Design Package: Once approved, you receive the final package, which may include floor plans, shopping lists, and 3D visuals.

Optional Support: Some services offer help with sourcing furniture or setting up the design.

This process offers professional design services with flexibility and convenience, all at a lower cost than traditional methods.

How do we work? Well, without giving too much away, a good designer will have their own process that works for them. We are artists and every one of us is different - but should follow some simple core rules. That is knowing:

• Have a good understanding of your space.
• Where you live (for shopping lists).
• What your budget is.
• Knowing your limitations and overall style preferences.

You need to be clear what you are paying for.  If you are not clear, ask question. It should be very transparent what is on offer, as I mentioned  -  each interior designer/decorator is different.

Example:

• Is it a simple two page booklet of a Design Board & Shopping list with links?

Or 

• Is it a full design plan  - with lots of pages & with loads of ideas that covers not only furniture and decor shopping list and design board,  but also window treatments, paint & feature wall ideas, carpet/rugs/flooring suggestions, decor lighting, matching plant ideas, artworks that match and space planning with tips and ideas along with 3D renders?   Wow that's a lot right?  But very helpful.. 

This 'should' also will reflect in the price you are paying, the amount of time that goes into your plan and the more experienced designer. Also find out if your plan will involve a free revision to iron out any dislikes in the plan (many of us are good but we are not mind readers). 

Regards to process also can be vary from designer to designer. It could start with a zoom meeting but that's not always needed. What you also provide is important. Don't give the designer a 4 page essay. This can really be difficult for the designer to understand your goals and most designers/Artists don't work well with a ton of info that goes into your daily life. Summing it up into a quick breakdown is what every designer loves. These are some of the important factors: 

• Have a floor plan with dimensions. 
• Have some photos of the space so they can see details.
• Have a style in mind. 3 or 5 images from Pinterest is good enough. Too many and the style focus can be lost. 
• Did you need paint ideas? 
• Have a list in bullet-points of requirements .
• Have a list of bullet-points of dislikes .
• Take photos of your existing furnishings.
• Do you need the design to be pet or child friendly? 
• How many will the sofa  and dining table sit?

Lastly, designers have several projects at once, so keep in-mind they are not only working on your project. We deal with a lot of info and demands. 

If you are stuck with an interior design project, check out my gigs. I might be the perfect Designer for you! 

See you soon, 

Kelly-Marie

DutchByDesign

Many claim that the project discussion process starts with a consultation. In a sense, that's true. However, we believe the interaction begins even earlier – when a potential client unconsciously browses the company’s services and portfolio while choosing a designer. This means that, as a design studio, you must uphold high standards, explaining complex concepts in simple terms while also being unique in your storytelling. If the process is conducted remotely, making it both efficient and flexible, you effectively demonstrate your professionalism, which is always appealing to clients.

Only then comes the consultation. During this phase, the client outlines their ideas and shares their preferences, particularly focusing on the budget aspects of the project. To streamline the process, these details can be captured in a questionnaire for the client to fill out. This questionnaire can also include parameters that will help the designer gain an initial understanding of the project scope, which will later serve as the foundation for creating a mood board or interior concept (including color schemes, furniture, and decor).

Many online design services also offer 3D visualizations and detailed floor plans, which help clients visualize the space more clearly and comprehensively. At this stage, clients can provide feedback, request revisions, or ask questions. Most services allow for several rounds of revisions to ensure that the final design perfectly meets the client’s expectations.

Online work collaboration is based on trust. To gain trust it is fundamental to establish great communication between the designer and the client. I recommend having constant design reviews to check the progress of the design and make sure both, the designer and client, are on the right track. The objectives of the interior design are two: 1. create the right atmosphere, 2. provide the correct set of drawings and information to the contractor. Both objectives are achievable by working remotely as long as there will be always a qualified person onsite to check the construction progress. The designer can check the progress by a series of revisions or shop drawings.