You find yourself ensnared in a Pinterest vortex, unable to escape. Eager to explore interior design, you possess a clear understanding of effective design principles, a wealth of ideas (along with TikTok tutorials), and an array of stylish furniture or artwork. Yet, before you realize it, you have plunged into an endless stream of concepts and inspirations.
This creative entanglement highlights the reasons many individuals opt for a full-service interior design firm to manage their projects comprehensively. “There is an abundance of inspiration available, but many people struggle to translate it into reality,” explains Monica Stewart, a designer from Athens, Georgia, associated with The Misfit House and The Expert, a platform offering virtual consultations with 130 designers.
If your project is small-scale and budget-conscious, hiring a full-service designer may not be feasible. Nevertheless, scheduling a one-time consultation with a decorator or home stager can effectively address your design dilemmas.
Homeowners and renovators can receive tailored expert guidance at a fraction of the cost of a complete project. Hourly design services provide clients with access to busy designers who may be unavailable for extensive renovations for months.
During an in-person, in-store, or video consultation, the design professional will offer insights and a proposal for furnishings and accessories. You may also benefit from their trade discounts if they handle orders for materials, fixtures, or fabrics on your behalf.
We assist individuals in transforming their ideas into a cohesive vision, enabling them to leave with both confidence and a strategic plan,” states Sarah Zames, designer and co-owner of General Assembly design studio and its new physical location, Assembly Line, in Brooklyn.
We guide clients towards valuable resources, allowing them to implement their projects. The hourly rates vary depending on the type of service, location, and expertise level, generally starting around $50. Here are several interior design advisory services worth considering.
Seek advice from your local furniture store
Visit an independent furniture, antique, or home goods store to receive complimentary and practical design insights from experienced owners. Some designers may operate their own shops and provide in-store consultations, similar to what Zames and co-owner Colin Steif offer.
These design discussions are perfect for determining details such as the optimal placement for a mirror or the best style of coffee table to complement a new sofa. A recent client of Zames, who had never previously engaged an interior designer, scheduled an in-store session to seek guidance for her newly constructed, white-box condo.
The client arrived with a focused action list, and the designers suggested light fixtures, paint colors, and an area rug that would support the ample floor playtime integral to the client’s lifestyle.
This type of design help is meant for people looking to update a few spots that don’t justify hiring a firm. Customers may also benefit from trade prices, just as they would if they hired a full-time designer.
Book a session with a home stager in your area
Home stagers typically offer a more budget-friendly option compared to full-service interior decorators while still providing valuable insights, particularly regarding furniture dimensions, lighting choices, and art arrangement. Kyra Frankel, a designer and stager at Angle Poise Design in Brooklyn, notes, “My design clients are often young families who have explored decorators but find them too costly.
They have a distinct style and certain items that need to remain, so I create a design strategy that blends those existing pieces with new additions.” Frankel observes that her clients tend to be quite self-sufficient. “Some clients simply require assistance with rug sizing and placement or determining the appropriate flooring finishes.” She supplies her clients with a PDF detailing specific items for scale and style—like a Lucite coffee table suitable for a compact living room—along with recommendations for where to buy them.
Book a virtual consultation
Designers nationwide provide virtual hourly consultations through platforms such as Modsy, Havenly, and The Expert. These services assist in envisioning your space, managing item orders (often with trade discounts), and even facilitating sample requests and delivery tracking.
Recently, Stewart collaborated with a couple who utilized The Expert to design a gender-neutral nursery in an attic room featuring a fireplace and vintage plaster walls.
The clients submitted their ideas and floor plan to the platform, and Stewart developed an inspiration board that encompassed all relevant sources, brand names, and color options for her clients to review. “Even small projects require time, but this approach allows me to assist clients in selecting wallpaper or tile as a starting point,” Stewart explains.
Hire a paint consultant
A paint consultant can assist you whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to refresh your current palette. They can help refine your options, create a cohesive color scheme, suggest the most suitable paint finish, and provide guidance on complementary colors for ceilings and trim.
Their knowledge can also help you avoid common painting mistakes, such as the unintended effects of lighting on color perception and ensuring that the paint harmonizes with your existing decor. “Clients reach out to me to clarify their vision,” explains Amy Krane, founder of Amy Krane Color.
When she receives a request for a green kitchen, she doesn’t show every shade of green available. Instead, Krane reviews the fan deck and narrows it down to six to ten potential options. She then shares her findings and sends paper samples to clients, who can subsequently purchase the paint independently.
