what is virtual interior design?
Interior design can seem overwhelming, with the prospect of having to rearrange your entire schedule, spend over your planned budget, or commit to a full gut remodel. If you’re shying away from even considering upgrading your space to something that feels more you, guess what? You’ve got a new option with virtual interior design!
I’ve mentioned throughout my website, in other articles, and on my social media that I truly believe in making interior design accessible to everyone—and one of the ways we can ensure that’s a reality is through virtual interior design. If you’ve never heard of virtual design, I’m glad you landed here! I’d love to explain the process and hopefully inspire you to reconsider making your space your own through design.
Simply defined, virtual interior design is a quick, entirely online/electronic alternative approach if you don’t want to commit to a full-service interior design process. The steps are straightforward and the timeline is as quick as you want to make it—but we always provide our initial design concept in under two weeks!
Let’s dive in to the four easy steps!
Communication is KEY when it comes to any design project, no matter how big or small. We want to get to know you, your space & your style so we can create a tailored design concept/space plan just for you. Our questionnaire asks the following:
What space can we help you design? Bedroom, office, etc...
Where are you located?
Why are you redesigning your space? Moving, new baby, etc…
How finished is your space?
Current furniture/decor pieces you are keeping?
New furniture/decor pieces you want to add?
How soon are you looking to complete your project?
What is your budget for purchasing products?
What should the mood of the space be?
What are your favorite stores for furniture, decor, & clothes?
Share inspiration that reflect your style.
What are your color preferences?
Do you have any specific colors you’d like to see in the space?
Provide photos of the space.
Who do you share the space with?
Do you rent or own?
What kind of home do you live in?
Any final notes for your designer to consider?
How did you hear about us?
This might seem like a LOT of questions, but I promise, it’s a simple process and you’ll move through it quickly. If you’re nervous about getting everything right, don’t worry! You can go back to questions, edit answers, and even opt to choose some later after you’ve had more time to think. We just want to start the conversation!
Step two is one of the most vital steps in the process—photos and measurements are key because we build your design off of it. The more photos we have, the more we can visualize your space and get a strong feel for your floor plan. Measurements can seem daunting but it’s super easy and we can even walk you through it on a Zoom call if that makes you more comfortable!
Measurements we may need, depending on your dream:
Overall width/length of the space
Distance from any windows/doors to the walls and to any structural elements (other windows, doors, etc.)
Width/height of any windows/doors
Ceiling height, including any structural elements (beams, skylights, vaults, etc.)
Width/height of any structural elements (fireplaces, built-ins, openings, etc.)
Distance of any structural elements to walls/windows/doors/etc.
If there are any other measurements that will help us, we’ll request them as-needed and break down how to capture them, so don’t worry about missing anything—even when we’re not working full-service, we always have your back!
Welcome to the most fun and creative step! This is where we expand on the questionnaire and learn what you love; what will make your room right for you. We’ll have a more in-depth discussion, and we’ll also use inspiration photos! We will kindly ask you to share any photos of inspiration spaces, decor, or furniture that speaks to your style. You can also link any websites or Pinterest boards that reflect what you want your space to look or feel like. If you aren’t sure where to find inspiration- here’s some helpful places to begin looking:
Pinterest…..we LOVE Pinterest
Instagram
Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, or any interiors magazine
Here it is: the moment you’ve been waiting for! You’ve answered all the questions, found your style, gotten to know us, and now your unique design can come together. Using all the information you have provided, we will begin your Virtual Interior Design package and have it ready in under 2 weeks--straight to your inbox. Here’s what you’ll receive (along with a call to talk through everything, if you like!):
Design Concept
The design concept is a virtual collage that features our expert advice on sourced furniture, decor, lighting, paint selections, materials, etc. This is our visual representation so that you can see how all of the pieces work together. If you find that there are pieces you aren’t in love with, we’ll make up to two revisions to the design based upon your detailed feedback.
Floor Plan
We will lay out your floor plan, showing you the optimal layout for furniture, rugs, lighting, and more. We base this layout on the questionnaire and conversations we’ve had about how you and your family use the space, to make the room as functional as possible for your needs. It also serves as a detailed map for placement of the sourced furniture pieces we’ll also provide. This is why your room measurements are so important--we need to ensure that all of your beloved existing and exciting new furniture pieces will fit in the space and work well together!
Product List
You will also receive a detailed shopping list that coordinates with your design concept. This list contains pricing, product details (including quantities, material specifications, manufacturer, etc.), dimensions and clickable links that make purchases super quick and easy. You can even “approve/decline” specific items directly in the list, as well as provide feedback for us! Everything you need is right here.
Once you receive your e-Design package, you have direct access through the portal to chat with us, make comments on your design boards, share ideas with us, approve or decline products, or ask any other questions you may have. Or, we can set up a call to go over everything personally!
We truly believe that virtual interior design is an amazing way to work with a designer and transform your space on a budget. Did we mention that you can also be located anywhere in the world? On vacation? No problem. Out of town for work? Not an issue! It cuts out any schedule restrictions, works within any budget, and allows your home to become more personalized and tailored to YOU. We’ve “met” some incredible clients through virtual interior design, and we would love to help you next!
If you’d like to discuss further, have any questions, or want to get started on your virtual design project...we are here to chat! Send us a message at colleenberes@storiainteriors.com
We can’t wait to work with you!
— Colleen
