Some people have an eye for interior design. They can look at a blank space or, even more challenging, a half-decorated space and know upfront how to evenly weight the practicalities of life and objects and personal style in one design.

Not everyone has this skill – I certainly don’t. And I certainly don’t have the means to hire an interior designer either. For everyone who’s in the same boat, luckily, there are cheap or free services available online.

Startups and major retailers offer free or relatively inexpensive services to help you figure out what to do with your space. Paint startup Clare has a quiz to help determine the right shades for your walls and cabinets, while places like Modsy and Havenly have in-house designers that will help design your dream space with consultations, mockups, mood boards, and even product suggestions.

Here are 8 free or inexpensive interior design services to help maximize your space:


Modsy

Foto: Source: Modsy

Shop Modsy

Find a full Modsy review here

Modsy makes a 3D model of rooms in your home and fills them with shoppable products handpicked for your budget and taste by an interior designer. There are four pricing options, and the basic plan (currently $89) means you'll get two drafts of different designs for your room, and two rounds of updates that you can request from an interior designer. I've used the service twice, and I highly recommend it - here's my full review.


Havenly

Foto: Source: Havenly

Shop Havenly

Like Modsy, Havenly will connect you with an interior designer who designs a mockup of your space and fills it with shoppable products specifically selected for your needs, budget, and style. Its lowest Havenly Mini package is currently $79 and gets you design inspiration and custom solutions for a room refresh. The $99 Havenly Full option lets you collaborate with a designer from start to finish for makeovers of entire rooms.


Clare

Foto: Source: Clare

Shop Clare

Clare is a paint startup founded by interior designer Nicole Gibbons that sells safe and eco-conscious paints ($54/gallon) in a tightly curated variety of colors, as well as paint supplies like brushes and rollers.

The company has features like Clare Color Genius, the Paint Calculator, and inexpensive peel-and-stick swatches to make sure you wind up with the best possible selection. You can also email them for everything from help choosing a paint color to questions about the products. We profiled the brand previously over here.


The Inside

Foto: Source: The Inside

Shop The Inside

The Inside, a digital furniture startup cofounded by interior designer Christiane Lemieux, makes customized furniture pieces on-demand. With over 100 fabric options - from sleek white to exuberant pops of color - it focuses on making wild, beautiful patterns more accessibly priced.

The team is lean but matched by a generous customer service offering. If you love the look of The Inside furniture but don't know how to make it work for your home, email The Inside for interior design advice. They'll answer your questions, even if it means sending a query directly to an in-house designer.


Framebridge

Foto: Source: Framebridge

Shop Framebridge

Framebridge makes professional framing relatively more affordable. In terms of interior design help, there are a few options.

If you're looking to create a gallery wall, Framebridge offers five free presets for gallery walls, and for $199, you can opt for a gallery wall consultation that includes working with the team to design the perfect gallery wall for your space. If you choose this option, you'll get $39 in framing credit towards your purchase.

If you're looking for frames but don't know where to start, a designer will send you four frame style recommendations to choose from based on your style.


West Elm

Foto: Source: West Elm

Book a free design service

West Elm offers free design services that will help you do everything from laying out floor plans to putting the finishing touches on your decor. The company offers consultations online, but the first appointment will need to be done in-store. You can book it online here, but keep in mind that your local store might have adjusted hours due to the novel coronavirus so we suggest calling ahead.


Crate and Barrel

Foto: Source: Crate and Barrel

Book a free design service

Crate and Barrel has several free design services. You can send a question to a designer via chat or email. If you want more guidance, you can connect with a designer online and someone will help with floor plans, 3D renderings of your space, design, and more. It comes with a $99 design fee, but once your design is complete, you'll receive a code for $99 off any single purchase at Crate and Barrel, which you can use either online or in the store.


Pottery Barn

Foto: Source: Pottery Barn

Book a free design service

You can chat one of the brand's design experts with questions or book a free one-on-one virtual consultation with a designer. The designer will recommend products based on your style, needs, and space, and can also help you place the orders, coordinate delivery, and arrange installation services (which have varied costs) if you want.