What is E-Design?! Everything You Need To Know About Hiring A Virtual Interior Designer
Hey friends, welcome back to the blog! Or if you’re new, nice to meet you! I’ve been super busy the past couple of weeks, between setting up my new space, updating the website, and working on projects for clients, so I haven’t been keeping up with my blog posts. Buuut, I’m back and I’ve got loads of content to share with y’all! Updates on my new apartment will be up next month and I just finished updating my portfolio with new projects. Go checkout some of the rooms I’ve been working on and let me know what you think! These projects were SO much fun to work on and make the perfect examples for the main point of today's post, E-Design!
Here’s everything you need to know about virtual interior design/e-design!
What is E-design?
On the surface, E-design is just what it sounds like— interior design services offered completely online! E-design is a simple, affordable alternative to traditional interior design because the service is performed virtually, cutting out the need for in-person meetings & travel. Anyone, anywhere around the world can work with an e-designer *cough cough, me!* without having to worry about location. Thanks to technology and the digital age, interior design services can now be completed without a designer ever even having to set foot in your home. E-design is also typically a much simpler, laid back process, with a quicker turnaround time than traditional interior design.
What makes E-design so great?
I’m probably a little biased, but I personally don’t see any cons of hiring a virtual designer, as long as it suits your project. Here are my reasons for being pro e-design:
DIY - E-design provides great opportunities for you, the client, to do some things your self and learn about design in the process. You’ll take photos and measurements of your home to share with your designer before the project and usually provide them with some examples of your inspiration for your home. After your design is complete, you’ll follow the provided images, guides, and/or shopping lists to purchase your items and set up your space.
Quick turnaround - Because e-design projects are done on a smaller scale, usually one room at a time, the turnaround time for a completed design is much quicker. I complete room designs in less than a month so my clients can get started setting up their space sooner.
Flat rate fees - Most e-designers charge a flat rate fee for design services so there’s no hidden fees or surprise total at the end of the project. With traditional interior design services, you may have to pay your designer a project retainer, hourly rate, and reimburse travel expenses and other admin costs.
Affordable - In addition to only having to pay a single fee for your design, e-design is typically more affordable than traditional interior design. Because you are doing some of the legwork for the project (taking measurements, handling orders, etc.), you won't have to pay your designer to do those things. You end up saving a ton of money, which can then be spent on items for your home.
No pressure timelines - Once your design is complete, you’re on your own to shop for your space & set everything up. This means it’s entirely up to you whether you want to order everything at once or buy your items over time. With traditional interior design projects, not making design decisions or purchases can really affect the overall timeline of your project and sometimes lead to a higher overall project cost.
Is E-design right for me?
Every project is different, so there is no one-fits-all answer. However, here’s how you can determine if e-design will work for you:
You should hire an e-designer if:
You’re comfortable only communicating virtually. You know how to text/email/call/video chat to communicate with your designer.
You don’t mind a little DIY. You can measure your space accurately, take photographs, have no problem shopping, and can set up your space on your own. (Before you get freaked out by any of those tasks, know that I provide detailed guides on how to do all of those things in my design packages! You don’t have to be a pro, you just have to know how to follow directions!)
You can articulate what you want your design to look/feel like. You already have inspiration and just need someone to put it together in a way the makes sense, but is still unique.
You would like to save money. You’re working with a tight budget and want as much money as possible to go toward the actual design.
You want to get started quickly. You’d like to get your completed design in your hand sooner rather than later.
You can hire help on your own. You have no issue hiring contractors you may need, like painters or installers, to get your project done.
You should hire a local designer if:
You’d prefer in-person communication with your designer. You want someone to walk through your home during consultations and design meetings.*
You want the measurements and photographs done for you.*
You need custom work like cabinetry or construction done for your project.
You want your designer to handle ordering and deliveries.*
You want your designer to set up your space for you all at once.*
*I offer this service as an add-on to my virtual design packages for local clients (greater Austin, TX area), just ask!
myths about e-design
Interior design has traditionally been done in-person (or at least mainly in person), so a lot of people—clients and designers alike—are a bit wary of this new way of working on projects. E-design is new and different, and as with most things that shake up the status quo, there are some common misconceptions about it.
E-design is easier for designers.
Au contraire. E-design is no easier (or harder) for the designer than traditional interior design services, just different. E-designers may not have to handle orders/returns or full days of install, but we still do put a lot of time and effort into making sure our clients design is exactly what they were hoping for. On top of that, communicating exclusively via technology can present a small challenge at times, as we still have to make sure the products we recommend are right for the space without ever having been inside the client’s home.
E-design isn’t as client-focused/unique.
For some reason, some people have this idea that e-design = pre-made designs. This is 100% not the case, at least when it comes to Kayla Simone Home. I work with my clients to determine their individual style & project needs before creating a unique design, tailored specifically to them. Some of the products used in e-designs may be repeated, as they are usually retail items as opposed to custom/to-the-trade only, but my designs are never duplicated!
E-design is like HGTV.
I can’t deliver a full room design from scratch with only a $1000 budget and 2 days to complete it so that you can order everything and set it up in time for your dinner party on Friday. I’m sorry, I’m good, but I’m not that good. And like all good things, e-design still takes time. On that same note, while I’m willing to work with whatever (reasonable) budget you present to me, things cost what they cost & you get what you pay for. ‘Nuff said.
What E-design services does Kayla Simone Home offer?
*Updated as of 01/21: Kayla Simone Home is not currently offering design services. I’m focusing on DIY & design in own my newly built home—you can follow along with the projects and progress right here & on Instagram!
