Virtual Interior Design FAQs – How Online Design Consults Work
These virtual interior design FAQs answer the most common questions homeowners ask before booking an online design consult, from new builds to room updates.
Thinking about hiring a virtual interior designer but still have questions? Youโre not alone โ and youโre in the right place. Here you’ll find answers to some of the most common virtual interior design FAQs.
This page answers the most common questions clients ask before booking a virtual interior design consult, including questions from new home build clients, renovation clients, room update clients, and those interested in my Designer Approvalโข service.
My goal is to help you feel confident, informed, and excited before getting started!

Virtual Interior Design FAQs
What is a virtual interior design consult?
A virtual interior design consult is a professional design service delivered entirely online.
Instead of meeting in person, we work together through photos, measurements, inspiration images, and a detailed design questionnaire.
You receive expert guidance, curated design recommendations, layouts, color direction, and shopping resources โ all customized to your space, lifestyle, and goals.
Virtual design offers the same professional expertise as in-person design, with added flexibility, efficiency, and accessibility.
Is virtual interior design right for me?
Virtual interior design is ideal if you want professional guidance but prefer a streamlined, flexible process. It works especially well for:
- New home builds
- Kitchen and bathroom renovations
- Full room renovations
- Room updates and refreshes
- Homeowners who want expert direction
- Need an expert opinion on one item with my Designer Approvalโข
If youโre feeling overwhelmed, unsure about selections, or worried about making costly mistakes, virtual design is often the smartest place to start.
How is virtual interior design different from in-person design?
The biggest difference is how we collaborate โ not the quality of the design.
With virtual interior design:
- You work with me remotely
- Communication happens via email
- Design deliverables are sent digitally
- You implement the plan on your timeline
This approach allows you to receive expert design guidance without geographic limitations, lengthy timelines, or the cost of full-service, in-person design.
What is your design experience?
I’m an experienced Designer and certified True Color Expertยฎ with over a decade of interior design experience!
I have completed hundreds of residential design consults for owners and renters of homes, vacation homes, airBnbs, apartments and condos.
I alsove experience designing and styling homes and rooms of all shapes and sizes, large and small!
Can you help with a new home build?
Yes โ and this is one of the best times to hire a designer!
I love working on new build homes and it takes the stress off of you during the build process.
I work with new home build clients at various stages, including before construction begins. Virtual design is ideal for helping you make confident decisions on:
- Paint colors – I’m a certified True Color Expertยฎ and love creating on trend, timeless color palettes that coordinate!
- Flooring
- Tile and stone selections
- Cabinet colors and finishes
- Overall interior color palette and cohesion
Early design guidance helps prevent expensive mistakes and ensures your entire home feels cohesive from the start.
I can design in phases and hop in, no matter where you are in the process.
If you have a looming deadline to send you builder finishing selections I can help you select finishes quickly.
I can also help you with the rest of the design decisions to create a gorgeous, cohesive whole home design that flows and is stylish.
For multiple room designs I offer a bundle discount: 15% off for 3+ spaces and 10% off for 6+ spaces.
We also have a bundled new build home design package to design the entire home.
When should I book a design consult during a new build?
The earlier, the better โ especially before finishes are finalized.
Booking a consult early allows us to:
- Establish a clear design direction
- Coordinate finishes across the entire home
- Avoid rushed decisions and regrets later
If selections have already been made, I can also review and refine them through my Designer Approvalโข service.
Do you work with renovation projects?
Yes. I regularly work with clients renovating kitchens, bathrooms, and full rooms.
Renovations involve many decisions, and virtual interior design helps you:
- Narrow down options
- Ensure finishes work together
- Avoid mismatched undertones and clashing materials
- Feel confident before ordering or installing anything
Whether youโre in the planning phase or already mid-project, I can help guide your decisions.
Can you review finishes or materials Iโve already selected?
Absolutely. This is exactly what my Designer Approvalโข service is designed for.
If youโve already chosen paint colors, tile, flooring, cabinetry, or fixtures but want professional confirmation before committing, Designer Approvalโข provides expert review and honest feedback.
What is the Designer Approvalโข service?
Designer Approvalโข is a professional design review service for clients who have already made selections but want expert reassurance.
This consult includes my professional review of a single item that you’re not sure about, or multiple items. I will give you my Designer Approvalโข and design rationale – the reasons why it’s the best choice or not the best choice.
I review your existing choices and confirm whether they work together โ and provide recommendations if adjustments are needed. Itโs ideal for:
- New home builds
- Renovations
- DIY-focused homeowners
- Clients who want confidence before ordering or installing
This service saves time, money, and second-guessing.
If the item you’ve selected isn’t the best fit, I’ll recommend one that’s the perfect fit in style, size, function and color!
A Designer Approvalโข consult is perfect for confirming:
- if a sofa or sectional will fit the space and the fabric/color is right
- if the kitchen countertop or backsplash that you are looking at is the right one
- the right type and color of flooring
- the right lighting for your space
- the right rug size, style and color
- the right paint color with the correct undertones that won’t clash!
- bathroom tile and fixtures
- anything you want me to review from a design and True Color Expertยฎ point of view!
Can you help with room updates and decorating (not full renovations)?
Yes. I help clients update and refresh rooms through:
- Furniture layout and furniture selection
- Paint and color guidance
- Decor and styling recommendations
- Lighting, rug, curtains, mirror and wall art suggestions
- Cohesive design direction
If your space feels unfinished, outdated, or not quite right, I can help you create a room you’ll love!
Do you offer virtual kitchen design services?
Yes. Kitchens are one of the most common spaces I help clients design virtually.
I work with kitchen projects at many stages, including new builds, full renovations, and layout or finish updates. Virtual kitchen design is especially effective for guiding decisions on:
- Cabinet colors and finishes
- Countertops and backsplash selections
- Flooring coordination
- Paint colors and undertones
- Overall kitchen color palette and cohesion
Because kitchens involve multiple permanent elements, professional guidance helps ensure everything works together before final decisions are made.
Can you help with bathroom design and finish selections?
Absolutely. Bathrooms are another space where design decisions have a big impact โ and little room for error.
I help bathroom clients with:
- Tile and flooring selections
- Vanity and cabinet color direction
- Paint colors
- Overall finish coordination and cohesion
Whether youโre planning a full bathroom renovation or updating finishes, virtual interior design helps you avoid clashing materials and ensures your bathroom feels intentional, balanced, and timeless.
Can you help me choose paint colors for walls and kitchen cabinets?
Yes โ paint color selection is one of the most important (and most requested) parts of my virtual interior design services.
I help clients select paint colors for walls, kitchen cabinets, vanities, and other painted elements by carefully considering undertones, lighting, existing finishes, and the overall design of the home. As a Designer and certified True Color Expertยฎ, I focus on choosing colors that look cohesive, intentional, and timeless โ not trendy or risky.
Paint colors can look very different depending on natural light, artificial lighting, and surrounding materials. My process helps you avoid colors that feel too dark, too yellow, too gray, or โoffโ once theyโre on the wall or cabinets.
Whether youโre updating one room, renovating a kitchen, or building a new home, professional paint guidance can make all the difference in how finished and polished your space feels.
Will my design still feel personal if itโs done virtually?
Yes โ personalization is central to my process!
Your design is based on:
- Your photos and measurements
- Your style preferences
- Your lifestyle and needs
- The functions you want the space to have
- Your budget and goals
Virtual design allows me to focus deeply on your space and selections while giving you clear, customized direction.
What brands do you source furniture, decor, and finishes from?
I source from a wide range of trusted, well-known brands to ensure each design is tailored to your style, budget, and project scope.
Depending on the project and budget, recommendations may include retailers and manufacturers such as:
- Crate & Barrel / Crate & Kids
- Pottery Barn / PB Teen / PB Kids
- Sherwin Williams / Benjamin Moore
- West Elm
- Rejuvination
- Lulu and Georgia
- Wayfair / All Modern
- Amazon / Walmart / Target
- CB2
- Arhaus, Restoration Hardware
- McGee and Co
- Ballard Designs
- Etsy
- Floor & Decor
- Online tile, kitchen and bathroom suppliers
- Other online furniture and home brands
- Any online retailer that you’d like me to source from
For finishes and materials, I reference established brands commonly used in residential design, including paint manufacturers, tile suppliers, and plumbing and lighting brands.
I am not limited to a single retailer. Every recommendation is selected based on quality, availability, price point, and how well it works within your overall design โ not brand loyalty.
What if I donโt know my style or feel overwhelmed?
Thatโs very common โ and you donโt need to have it all figured out.
As a Designer and certified True Color Expertยฎ, I help clients uncover their design style as well as what works best for their home, lighting, and existing elements.
My role is to simplify decisions, clarify direction, and guide you with confidence.
How does your virtual design services compare to the large Big Box online design services or other virtual design companies?
I love this question!
I combine affordability with professional design expertise and personalization. You can read about my design experience here to learn more about my background and interior design experience.
I’m a True Color Expertยฎ – I provide design and color recommendations based on the correct undertones your space needs, and I provide color palettes to ensure a cohesive home. Other virtual design companies don’t offer True Color Expert color expertise.
I specialize in pairing design trends with timeless looks for spaces that look fresh for years to come. I also provide common sense design solutions for real people.
I can also include pieces you already have, some other virtual designers don’t.
I provide unlimited revisions, thorough design questionnaires to lock in all the details, consistent communication and no hidden fees.
Some of the bigger online design services have many hidden fees.
For example – required upgrades once the consult has begun, fees to utilize your existing pieces, fees for revisions etc). This results in a design you won’t love and money wasted.
Most of my clients already know and love my clean, polished design aesthetic having seen my interior designs on Instagram, LiketoKnow.it and Pinterest, and want that look in their own home.
You can see my portfolio here to see examples of spaces I’ve designed.
I also offer bundled room discounts that others don’t offer.
Can I keep existing furniture or decor items I already own?
Absolutely. Keeping existing furniture, decor, or finishes can be included in the design.
My goal is to help you make the most of what you already have while improving the overall look and feel of your space. During the design process, I take your existing pieces into account and recommend ways to incorporate them thoughtfully into the new design.
This might include:
- Styling existing furniture in a new layout
- Updating surrounding elements like paint, lighting, or textiles
- Layering in new pieces where they make the biggest impact
You are never required to replace everything. The focus is always on creating a cohesive, intentional space that works for your home, lifestyle, and budget.
What if Iโm not happy with the design recommendations?
Your satisfaction and confidence are extremely important to me.
My design process is built around gathering detailed information upfront โ including your photos, preferences, lifestyle needs, and goals โ so the recommendations feel aligned and intentional from the start. As a Designer and certified True Color Expertยฎ, I also carefully consider undertones, lighting, and existing elements to avoid common (and costly) design mistakes.
That said, design is a collaborative process. If something doesnโt feel quite right, I welcome your feedback. Small refinements are a normal part of design, and my goal is always to deliver guidance that you feel confident implementing in your home.
Most clients come to me specifically because they want clarity, reassurance, and professional confirmation โ and thatโs exactly what I aim to provide.
There is no limit to revisions with my design services as long as they are completed within the allotted revision time frame, so you are guaranteed to be completely in happy with the finished space.
Still unsure? My Designer Approvalโข service is a great option if you want professional confirmation before committing to major decisions.
What do I need to provide for my virtual interior design consult?
Before the consult, youโll be asked to provide (thorough instructions are sent to you so you know what’s needed):
- Photos of your space
- Basic measurements
- Inspiration images (if available)
- A completed design questionnaire
This information allows me to create thoughtful, accurate recommendations tailored specifically to your home.
How long does a virtual design consult take?
Timelines vary based on the service selected, but youโll receive clear expectations upfront.
All design deliverables are thoughtfully prepared and delivered via email, allowing you to review everything at your own pace.
How do I receive my design plan?
All design recommendations and resources are delivered digitally via email. Depending on your service, this may include:
- Design boards
- Layout plans
- Color and finish guidance
- Shopping resources and links
- 2D and/or 3D renders
This keeps everything organized, easy to reference, and accessible whenever you need it.
Do you offer 3D renderings as part of your virtual interior design services?
Yes. 3D renderings are available as a premium add-on service.
Because 3D renderings are highly detailed and time-intensive, they are offered at an additional cost and are not included in standard virtual design consults. Each 3D rendering provides one thoughtfully composed view of the room, designed to help you visualize the overall layout, finishes, and design direction.
The 3D render consult includes a realistic 3D view of the room from one angle. Multiple camera angles and full walk-throughs can be provided for additional fees. One clear, well-considered 3D view is typically all thatโs needed to understand how the space will come together.
For most clients, 2D design boards are more than enough to understand the overall look, feel, and direction of the space. These boards clearly communicate color palettes, materials, furniture scale, and styling details, allowing clients to move forward with confidence.
Is virtual interior design more affordable than in-person design?
Virtual interior design is typically more affordable than full-service, in-person design while still offering professional expertise.
It allows you to invest where it matters most โ clear direction, confident decisions, and a cohesive result โ without paying for services you may not need.
Are phone calls included as part of the virtual design consult?
Virtual interior design consults are conducted via email, not phone calls.
This approach allows me to carefully review your photos, measurements, inspiration, and questions, and provide thoughtful, well-considered design recommendations tailored specifically to your space. Communicating by email also gives you time to review everything at your own pace and refer back to details whenever needed.
By keeping the process streamlined and documented, Iโm able to deliver clear guidance, maintain efficiency, and provide consistent, high-quality design support for every client.
Why are your virtual interior design services so affordable?
Virtual interior design allows me to deliver professional, high-level design guidance in a streamlined and efficient way โ without the overhead associated with full-service, in-person design.
Because the process is conducted online and design deliverables are provided digitally, Iโm able to focus my time and expertise where it matters most: helping you make confident, cohesive design decisions for your home.
In some designs, I may include shopping links to recommended furniture, decor, or materials. When a client chooses to purchase an item through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This does not affect pricing, product recommendations, or your experience โ and I only recommend items that align with your design, needs, and budget. (Because after all I want the design consult to be a success for you!)
This approach allows me to keep my services accessible while continuing to provide thoughtful, professional design expertise.
Do you offer different virtual design packages?
Yes. I offer multiple virtual interior design consult options based on your project scope, from single item reviews with my Designer Approvalโข consults to full home design.
How do I get started?
Getting started is simple.
Contact Me Here and include a description of your design project, your needs, and I’ll email you a quote with the consult information!
Still have questions?
If youโre planning a new build, renovation, room update, or simply want professional reassurance through a Designer Approvalโข consult, contact me – Iโd love to help you!
Thoughtful design is built on confident decisions, and my virtual interior design services help guide those decisions with clarity and expertise.
