The Affordable Way To Use An Interior Designer

“Traditionally, hiring an interior designer has been something only certain people could afford. However, you can use an online interior design service for a fraction of the cost. Once the design is complete and sent over to the client, it’s really in their hands to bring it to life, so they can embrace as little or as much of the vision as they want. Essentially, you are in control of the end result. It’s a myth that all interior designers corner you into making certain decisions – online designers just give client that little bit of confidence to be in control.” – Athina Bluff, founder & senior designer, Topology 

“Online interior design makes the process simple and easy. After the initial call your designer gets to work, interpreting your ideas and turning them into reality. It’s their job to sift through the endless options of furniture, accessories and paint colours, and present back to you in an easy-to-understand way. From there, you’ll be able to understand how the room will look, where to buy everything and exactly how much everything will cost. You can also choose from various packages depending on the amount of help you need and the size of the room. Plus, it’s a flat fee – you know how much it will cost to use us upfront and there are no hidden surprises along the way.” – Catherine Seagrave, creative director & founder, The Living House

“Traditionally, professional interior design has been very expensive. It’s usually a complete service where the designer manages the project for you, sources tradespeople and creates one-off beautiful pieces at eye-watering prices. But if you just want to shop on the high street, and are happy to get your own decorator and do your own ordering, then online interior design services are the answer. All the unnecessary extras fall away, making it accessible for everyone. We can work to any budget big or small, and can use the money you do have to maximum effect.” – Catherine

“Offering our services online means we can keep our overheads low and charge a lower fee. And, if you hire us, we offer several ways to save money. Sometimes, our clients can make back our fee – and more – through the savings we can access through trade accounts. A 10% saving with Loaf on a £3,000 sofa is £300 back in your pocket; if you think about the number of purchases made across several rooms, it adds up quickly.” – Athina

“Typically, the initial stage is ‘client discovery’ – from analysing Pinterest boards to answering questionnaires. Once we have a clear idea of your vision, we draw up a layout for each space, although you’ll have the opportunity to tweak, revise and provide feedback until you’re ready to sign it off. The next stage is ‘concepts’ – essentially, we put together a moodboard indicating the style direction. We might highlight the colour scheme and a few key items to help the client understand the vision further. Again, you can make tweaks if needed, then sign off. From there, we’ll put together a detailed presentation, so you know how to bring the design to life, including styling tips, supplier information, flooring and window treatment advice and, of course, an interactive shopping list that totals up the costs. We also send you all the samples so you can check they’re right before you buy anything.” – Athina