With the wide variety of interior design apps to choose from, the answer may be something in between.
If you’re planning out how to design the inside of your home, luckily, there’s an app or virtual tool for just about every part of the process you could think of — from organizing your mood boards and visualizing your ideal room, to getting advice on which wallpaper pattern to choose. But sometimes, an interior design app can only get you so far, and you’ll want to consult with a live professional. Some projects may even call for a mix of both approaches, depending on factors like your budget and the scale of what you’re hoping to achieve.
Because the last thing you need in a sea of decisions is another tough decision, we created a guide to help you know when to DIY, and the types of interior design apps that can support your endeavors, and the four signs it might be the right move to hand your project over to a professional.
When to DIY
The reasons for choosing to DIY can vary: you’re not on a strict schedule, you want to be more directly involved with transforming your home, you need to be mindful of your budget, or just because.
One of the biggest benefits of using an interior design app is that they are often more affordable compared to hiring a pro, which on average costs $85 to $100 an hour, according to Thumbtack, a home management platform that enables people to fix, maintain and improve their homes. These virtual, AI-powered tools are also a good option if you’re experimenting with a new design for your space, or aren’t ready to commit to any big changes just yet.
Types of interior design apps
App stores are filled with resources for interior design, and they each have different purposes and features to help you create your space in a number of ways. Tired of your home’s exterior design? There are apps that let you experiment with curb appeal. Need help figuring out the perfect piece of furniture for that awkward corner in your living room? Some apps have ways to explore that, too.
They’re not all free to use, but many allow you a good amount of use free of charge. You can create AI renderings of your rooms in a different style, use augmented reality to see a virtual piece of furniture in your real space, and even play with the colors of your home’s roofing.
Here’s a breakdown of the different interior design apps and why you’d use them:
For the floor plan fans
Most of the apps that fall into this category are especially helpful if you’re looking to either refresh your whole space, or you’re moving into a new home and want to create a decor game plan from scratch. If you are the type of person that likes to get into the details, Apps like Planner 5D — where you can recreate your entire home, room by room, to its real specifications — are good if you like to get real specific with the details and map things out before you get going. You can decorate from a blank slate, where you can do everything from arranging your kitchen appliances, down to virtually hanging art on the wall and choosing your favorite flooring.
Planner 5d allows users to create 3D floor plans and add details like flooring and decor.
When you need to see it on a mood board
There are some mood board apps out there made specifically for interior design. You’ll usually have a blank background, and can insert products from the app’s library (full of either generic furniture or real brands they’ve partnered with). This is similar to the time-worn tradition of cutting out pictures from a magazine and sticking them on a poster board. This approach is meant to inspire you and help you figure out the vibe you’re going for, rather than help you visualize where anything would go in your home or what color would work best in what room. The apps in this category have some features that let you choose furniture from real brands, allow you to connect your Pinterest account, or insert your own photos — in case you have a piece of decor that really inspires you.
If you’re looking for before-and-after inspiration
Sometimes you may need an idea of what other people are doing with their home’s design. Apps like Houzz are set up to provide endless inspiration for whatever project you’ve set out to do. You can browse before-and-after projects done by both professionals and every-day folks, or you can scroll through specific categories, like “kitchen island lights.” Some apps let you specify your preferred home design styles, then present you with a stream of photos you can use for inspiration.
If you want an AI advisor
If you feel like you need advice, but aren’t ready to reach out to a professional just yet, some apps include an AI chatbot you can pose questions to, or they can give you an idea of what your home would look like if you made certain changes. Apps like Homestyler let you upload photos of your own space, then ask the AI bot to recreate the image into your desired interior design style, like boho-chic or Victorian.
Homestyler offers AI technology so users can redesign their home’s exteriors.
When it may be time to hire a pro
But what if you still want that professional touch? There may be times when bringing in an interior designer would be the right call.
Taylor Gold West is an interior designer and owner of Gold West Interiors. She said an app can help you get off to a strong start and give you inspiration if you’re looking at the best color palettes for your furniture or fabrics against a new wall color.
Here are some cases when a human expert may be better for you:
When you want to work with a human
It can be helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off of and who may bring a different perspective to your project. Say you were thinking about installing a new chandelier in the dining room. A pro might look at your space, see you don’t have high ceilings, and suggest something that doesn’t hang as low, as to not crowd the room.
A professional will probably also have some connections to get you discounts on decor or other home design services. They could also introduce you to contractors who you might want to work with again in the future.
When you are short on time
There are a couple of ways to approach interior design: slow-paced and low pressure, or racing against some sort of deadline. Gold West said a pro may be the best move if you have a busy life between work, hobbies, and family. If you just bought your home and you have a big housewarming coming up, a professional designer can help cut out a lot of the time spent looking through motifs, furniture, and layouts.
“Having someone who is hired and dedicated 24/7 to your project and just helping you assemble a source list and think of every little thing you might need, I think that’s where they can help you out the most,” she said.
When you have the budget
Oftentimes people use apps because they’re more affordable, but Gold West said hiring a pro doesn’t have to be expensive.
“If you can find someone local who maybe isn’t a part of a design firm, but seems very educated in the space and has great projects that they’ve done, I think that is a great opportunity for folks with lower budgets,” she said.
Some design firms have minimums in the thousands of dollars to work with them. Others, usually smaller businesses, have lower minimums or none at all.
“[Apps like] Havenly, and even services that I provide, and individual designers, are really starting to bridge that gap between what used to be very unaffordable and now what is actually affordable,” she said.
If this approach is more your speed, Thumbtack is one place where you can browse local pros and check if anyone has a rate you’re comfortable with.
When you need help starting or finishing
Interior design apps may be helpful for figuring out what you’d like to do in your home, but actually making those changes is another thing. Or maybe you’ve even started to decorate your space, but you’re running out of ideas. A professional interior designer can bring in some fresh perspective and help you reach that finish line.
“I think that’s where we really shine — cohesiveness and bringing all the different textures, patterns, colors together,” Gold West said
Plus, when you’re really focused on the bigger picture, you may miss the little things. Gold West said that’s something the pros can help you keep track of. “You might buy a sofa and be like, ‘Oh wow, I might want pillows with this, a lamp, or a throw,’” she said.
Keep in mind that you can call in a professional if you need help with one thing. Not everyone has a minimum spending amount or other requirements.
“I’m helping someone reconsider the color of the outside of their house,” Gold West said. “I’ve been pulled in for color consultations and I’ve also been pulled into things where folks need every room in their house redesigned.”