It’s time to make your home more functional and beautiful to meet your needs. If you’ve fallen out of love with a room (or two) in your home, or your life has changed, and it’s no longer functional, an interior designer can help.

You can choose between a virtual interior designer and a traditional interior designer. Both are equally qualified to help you redesign your home, but how they work and what they require from you are vastly different.

In this article, we’ll explore the differences between these two types of interior designers and help you pick the right one for your project.

What is a traditional interior designer?

A traditional interior designer uses their expertise in home decor, function, and design to help you design a space you’ll love. You can hire an interior designer to help make your space match your style without sacrificing function and usability. Traditional interior designers will often visit your space in person and be physically hands-on with the whole process, including helping install or set up items in your home.

What is a virtual interior designer?

A virtual interior designer provides design services virtually, usually over the phone or a video platform like Zoom or Facetime. All communication is done without the designer stepping foot in your space. Virtual interior designers can still do all the same things a traditional interior designer does but relies more on digital tools to convey the vision and plans. Implementing the designer’s plans is usually the client's responsibility.

Key differences between virtual and traditional interior designers

The first and most obvious difference between traditional and virtual interior designers is how they perform their services. Virtual designers do their work virtually (over Zoom or phone), and traditional designers are more hands-on and will visit your space in person.

Here’s a chart that compares the difference between both types of designers:

	Virtual interior designers	Traditional interior designers
How services are provided	All services provided virtually	In-person and virtual/phone
Design process	The designer will schedule a discovery call to understand your needs, style, and budget. If the client chooses to proceed, the designer will schedule a more in depth design consultation, including a virtual walk-through of the space and discussion about the project. The designer creates your plan and product suggestions. You can view these products and materials in a PDF or virtual format rather than in real life. You often get a set number of revisions included in your pricing. This usually takes several weeks, depending on the requirements. The client can purchase items and implement the plan on their own. *Note: Some virtual interior designers may offer add-on packages of hands-on design concierge services to help with the implementation.	The designer will interview you and schedule a discovery call to understand your needs, style, and budget. If the client chooses to proceed, the designer will schedule a more in depth design consultation by visiting your home, walking through the space, and discussing project scope and what’s most important to you. The designer usually comes on-site to do measurements. The designer will create your plan and work with you to refine and finalize it. The designer will bring samples of materials and items for you to see in real life. The designer will then begin purchasing items as requested. The designer will begin the implementation of the plan.
Client commitment	Clients need to be more hands-on by taking measurements and implementing the designer’s plan.	Clients can be less hands-on, only needing to provide approvals because the designer will handle the planning and implementation.
Costs	Can be more cost-effective as you’re paying only for consultation and planning. You can then choose which aspects of the design to buy and implement on your own	Usually more expensive as these all-inclusive packages include consultations, planning, purchasing, and implementation.
Timeframe	The design process is usually much quicker as only planning and potentially product sourcing is done by the designer. Purchasing and implementation can then be done on your timeframe.	The traditional interior designer process is usually more lengthy as it includes the whole process from conception to implementation.
Limitations	The designer will rely on you to take accurate dimensions. The designer usually won’t do any purchasing or implementation (that will be your responsibility). You won’t get to see any materials for finishes in person (unless you go to a store)	Your choice of designer may be limited due to geographical requirements. Due to travel time required for all their client projects, they may have less availability for appointments due to travel time.
Best for…	Self-service: Clients who would like guidance, but prefer to renovate their own home project and are looking to save on costs	White Glove: Clients who want an all-inclusive, done-for-you service and have the budget to support that.

How to choose the right interior designer

At a high level, if you want to control costs and be part of the renovation of the project, a virtual designer is often your best choice. If you want to pay someone to do it all for you (and consult you for approvals as needed), a traditional designer might be for you…but it comes at a higher cost.

Aside from these differences, choosing the right interior designer is a much more personal process. For example, You wouldn’t want to hire a designer specializing in dark-goth style homes if you’re a more free spirit who loves bright colours and patterns.

When choosing your interior designer, here are a few things to consider:

Ask to see their portfolio: While any good designer can design to your style, look for one that closely matches what you’re looking for.
Be clear about your needs and wants: Your designer needs to know how you use the space, how it’s not meeting your needs (or style), your budget range, and any other expectations about the project.
Ask about implementation support: If you hire a virtual interior designer, ask about their options for implementation support for some of your project if you require it. Understand what that entails, the hourly rate, and costs.

At Ariane Design Co., we create beautiful, timeless, and functional spaces that suit your lifestyle through both virtual and traditional design concepts. Through our four-step process you have the choice of being part of as much - or as little - of the renovation of your home as you like. Throughout it all, we emphasize clear communication, so you fully understand the entire process and have space to ask questions.