Interior Design vs. E-Design

In today’s world, nearly every service is going digital. So, it comes as no surprise that decorating services are following suit. But, in the world of interior design, there tends to be a divide between traditional and online services.

This article will break down interior design vs. e-design, including the benefits of working with each, the significant differences, and how to pick the right service for your project.

What Is Interior Design?

Before diving into the details, it’s essential to grasp what interior design is.

Creating an interior environment that addresses, protects, and responds to human needs as a profession and comprehensive practice is commonly referred to as interior design. While many believe it to be associated with decorating a space simply, interior design encompasses many features, including:

• Functionality

• Sustainability

• Technicality

• Creativity

• Business

• Science

• Art

The functional interior solution that results from blending these concepts together creates a space that incorporates not only style and aesthetics but also health, safety, well-being, the architecture of space, and the process and strategy.

What Are the Benefits of Working With Interior Design?

There are many benefits to working with interior design for your space, including:

In-Person Communication

Working with an interior designer is ideal for those who prefer to communicate with a person face to face. During design meetings and consultations, you may choose to have an interior design professional by your side to help you make critical decisions.

Don’t Have to Lift a Finger.

If you’re interested in recreating space and don’t want to lift a finger, having an interior designer to work with is crucial. Your designer will handle your space's photographs and measurements, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the transformation unfolding before your eyes.

Set Everything Up All at Once

For projects where you’re looking to have everything done at once for the big ah-ha moment, interior design will help. Without the help of a designer, you’ll likely be working with one element of your transformation at a time instead.

Don’t Have to Handle Orders and Deliveries.

If scheduling ordering and deliveries sound like an unnecessary headache, hire the help of interior design to managing that all on your behalf. With a designer, you can be as involved or uninvolved as you decide.

Custom Work

Whether you’ve got unique spacing to work with or prefer the touch of custom work, if you have a clue you might need custom work, you’ll want the help of an interior designer. Everything from custom construction to kitchen cabinetry will be better handled with an in-person guide.

What Is E-Design?

E-design is the electronic version of interior design offered entirely online. Because the service is performed virtually, it eliminates the need for travel and in-person meetings. As a result, e-design is a simple, affordable alternative to traditional interior design.

Without having to worry about geographic location, e-design allows you to work with any designer across the globe. Your designer never has to step foot in your home, thanks to technology and the digital age we are currently living in.

What Are the Benefits of Working With E-Design?

Much like traditional interior design comes with benefits, so does working entirely online with e-design.

More Affordable

Typically, e-design tends to be more affordable than traditional interior design. You won't have to pay your designer to do some of the simple tasks that you take on in these situations, including taking pictures, measurements, and handling orders. As a result, you get to save cash on your design process, leaving you more to contribute to your project.

Transparent Pricing

Speaking of costs, there are rarely any hidden fees or surprise totals at the end of the project because most e-designers charge a flat rate fee for their design services. Contrastingly, when you work with traditional interior design, you may be subject to several fees, including:

• Admin costs

• Travel expenses

• Hourly rate

• Project retainer

• Etc.

Shorter Timelines

E-design projects are typically handled one room at a time. Since they are smaller-scale projects, you can anticipate having shorter turnaround times for a completed design. If you’re looking to redesign a room in a pinch, e-design might be your best route.

Learn More About Design

Not only will you learn more, but you will be actively contributing to the design process when you work with e-design. From taking photos to measurements of your space to seeking out inspiration, the e-design process is a much more hands-on and DIY version of design than traditional interior design.

Work On Your Own Schedule

You’re on your own to shop for your space and set everything up once your design is complete. This open timeline allows you to buy items over time or order everything at once. Not making design decisions or purchases can affect your project's overall timeline and sometimes lead to a higher overall project cost, a common concern with traditional interior design projects.

Interior Design vs. E-Design

When it comes to choosing between interior design and e-design, you’ll want to look at a few of the key differences between the two styles, including:

• Location

• Communication

• Design Process

• Materials

• Timeframe

• Price

Location

The interior design of the past was limited to a geographic footprint. Today, thanks to the technology of e-design, homeowners across the globe can work with designers based on different continents. Not only does this open doors unheard of for project-seekers, but also for designers.

Individuals can take the time to find someone that truly fits their style and personality, rather than being restricted to local interior design options, making competition for interior design fiercer than ever.

Communication

The designer will typically tour the space in person in traditional interior design to kick off the project. A primary difference between interior design and e-design is that in working with the latter, the designer will never step foot in your home.

Communication is key. So, in choosing a design project that makes sense, consider your preferred modes of communication. If you like to explain things in-person, a traditional interior design route is likely going to be more effective. Alternatively, if you prefer the convenience of quick communication via text, phone, or video calls, you might be interested in e-design.

Design Process

Consider how hands-on you want to be with your design project. On one end, you have the DIY seeker who should look into e-design. On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find the white glove service of traditional interior design.

If taking measurements and photos and handling the ordering sounds like fun to you, the e-design process is ideal. You’ll even get to save some cash by taking these tasks off the hands of your designer.

But, if you’re looking for a no-fuss project. It might be worth dishing out the extra cash for that helpful service.

Materials

Another difference that is easy to overlook has to do with the materials and finishes used during the design process. While it may seem obvious when working with traditional interior design, you’ll often have the opportunity to see and even touch some of the materials you select for your home.

On the other hand, you don’t have the luxury of seeing the materials in person because everything is virtual. While you’ll be able to view them online, things can look different when they arrive at your doorstep.

Timeframe

The timeframe is another significant difference between traditional interior design and e-design.

Depending on the project, traditional interior design can take a couple of months up to a year. The extended timeline is because traditional interior design is usually more involved. If you’re entirely re-arranging the floor plan or changing out important details like countertops, lighting, or flooring, you’re going to want to work with a traditional interior designer.

For smaller projects, e-designers work great to get things done quickly. You can typically get a space completed in a matter of weeks, depending on the project, when you work with an e-designer.

Price

Cost is another huge difference between traditional interior design and e-design. As previously mentioned, when in-person meetings are a part of your design experience, you can expect to pay for travel fees and hourly rates for each meeting. Additionally, many interior designers will charge additional fees, such as admin fees and project retainers, and may even have minimums you are committed to.

E-design works much differently than traditional interior design as it is typically priced at one flat rate. You don’t have to worry about last-minute fees adding up at the end of your project.

E-Design Myths

A lot of clients and designers may be apprehensive about this new way of working on projects since interior design has traditionally been done in person. There are some common misconceptions about e-design. As with most things that shake up the status quo, it is new and different. Let’s take a moment to debunk some of the e-design myths.

E-Design Is Like TV

“Reality” TV shows around design often fill clients' minds with unrealistic expectations. Unlike what the shows want you to believe, you can’t wholly redo a room in 48 hours with a minimal budget just in time to have the family over for your niece’s birthday party.

While all clients and designers would love for that to be true, it’s just make-believe. The expectation that e-design is faster is the truth but within reasonable limitations. E-design still takes time. With The Hauss E-Design Services, you will get your results within 30 days. That time frame can be much shorter, but it also depends on the availability of the clients.

E-Design Isn’t as Unique.

Another common misconception about e-design is that designers are working on pre-made templates. While this might be the truth for some designers, ideally, you will find one that creates 100% unique creations each time, like The Hauss. At The Hauss, we are always using unique designs for every customer.

Your designer should always incorporate your individual style and project needs with each design. That means that having templates to work off of is likely not going to lead to much success for an e-designer. Some products might be duplicated in e-design, but that could also be the case when working with a traditional interior designer who found a product they like and fits the space.

E-Design Is Easier for Designers

Traditional interior design is by no means more difficult than e-design. In the end, the two are simply just different services. Although e-design is not as hands-on when taking measurements, photos, and orders, there is still dedicated time committed to designing a functional and aesthetically pleasing space for the client.

Some might even argue that e-design is more challenging than traditional interior design because technology can sometimes present challenges with communication.

What’s the Verdict?

Now that you better understand both traditional interior design and e-design services, it’s time to decide - which is better for you.

If you ask either type of designer, you will likely get a biased response. Traditional interior designers are often passionate about their in-person and in-depth services. E-designers feel the same way about their services.

Here’s how you can make the decision for yourself:

When to Work With Traditional Interior Design

• You want everything set up at one time

• You don’t want to handle orders and deliveries

• You are in need of custom work

• You don’t want to deal with pictures or measurements

• You prefer in-person communication

• You have a bigger budget to work with

• You have 2 months to 6 Month time frame to get your project done. Or maybe longer.

When to Work With E-Design

• You are able to sketch and measure your rooms

• You are able to hire the help you need from anywhere in the world

• You don't need custom cabinets, windows, doors, or construction work.

• It is imperative that you get results quickly

• You have a tight budget

• You already have an idea in mind; you know your style.

• You can handle virtual communication

Ultimately, You Have to Decide for Yourself

Thankfully, you've come to the right place if you’re in need of professional help. THE HAUSS offers excellent service combined with talented interior designers for a reasonable price.

Please check out our How it works or FAQ pages for more information about us and how we work. Learn more about our ready-to-buy packages on our E-Design page.