As an interior designer—one who offers online interior design services—and as a writer who regularly blogs about interior design technologies and the industry, I’m very familiar with platforms like Decorilla and Havenly.
I’ve even gone undercover and hired a designer from Havenly, which you can read about here. I debated doing the same with Decorilla, but given the higher cost, I decided instead to dig a little deeper and research the company first. What I found—particularly in customer discussions on Reddit—was surprising enough that I felt it was worth sharing.
To be clear, I’m not trying to paint Decorilla in a negative light. However, as someone who reviews all things interior design, I believe people deserve the opportunity to make informed decisions by reading real, unfiltered experiences from other users. So, let’s dive into Decorilla—the ethics, the company itself, and what actual customers on Reddit have to say.
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Does Decorilla Really Offer The Best Remote Design Services?
When you first land on Decorilla’s website, it immediately gives off an impressive, polished vibe. This company clearly targets people who want high-end design services at a more accessible price point.
They even feature Martha Stewart on the homepage with the quote:
“We recommend Decorilla as the best online interior design service due to its comprehensive full-service offerings.”
However, is Martha Stewart’s claim truthful?
Well, first off, Martha…you’ve never hired Spaces by Dee. So, let’s keep that in mind.
Decorilla’s Pricing
Decorilla structures its pricing in tiers, starting with Bronze, then Silver and Gold. They also offer Platinum packages, as well as hourly interior design services, which range from $75 USD to $500+ USD per hour.
One thing they prominently advertise is that “two experienced designers submit design concepts for you” right from the start. That immediately caught my attention. I’m not entirely sure why someone would need two designers competing on the same project for an average home renovation or furnishing. In my opinion, it’s usually more effective to find the right fit with one designer rather than weighing multiple concepts at once. Still, who am I to question their business strategy? It must be working.
According to the platform, each project includes unlimited communication with your designer, a 3D model, concepts from multiple designers, furniture discounts, and more.
Pricing is largely based on the designer’s level of experience. On the lower end, packages start at around $679 USD (on sale price), while on the higher end, pricing can reach $1,980 USD or more.
To be fair, Decorilla does price the interior design packages reasonably, perhaps even on the higher end. From an ethical standpoint, I don’t see the same red flags here as I do with some competitors—particularly Havenly, which offers full room designs for as little as $99 USD, a price point which certainly underpays designers and undermines professionals in the industry.
Reddit Reviews On Decorilla
While browsing Decorilla’s website, the reviews are overwhelmingly positive. However, once you dig a little deeper—particularly on Reddit, which is a great corner of the internet if you’re ever bored or lonely—you start to find much more candid, unfiltered opinions.
Below, I’ll share some of the reviews I came across on r/interiordecorating.
Reading these reviews genuinely left me in shock. Of course, all online reviews should be taken with a grain of salt. That said, many of these experiences are concerning and difficult to ignore.
Overall, it seems that people’s experiences with Decorilla are very much a mixed bag. You might be matched with a highly skilled designer who truly understands your vision—or you could end up working with someone who simply doesn’t get you at all.
In terms of overall satisfaction, there appears to be a real element of uncertainty.
Comparing Popular Online Interior Design Companies
After reading through numerous reviews, a common theme emerges across both Decorilla and Havenly. Beyond concerns about designers’ skill levels, many clients report consistently long response times and poor customer service.
And listen—as a designer myself, I get it. Design work gets busy. Clients often send long lists of requests that require time, organization, and careful thought to respond to properly. Interior design demands attention, focus, and mental bandwidth.
However, from a professional standpoint, keeping projects moving is essential. In my opinion, it’s not acceptable to leave clients waiting weeks at a time for updates or design progress. I understand delays on large or complex projects, but many of these reviews suggest that designers working for these platforms may simply be taking on too much work to adequately support their clients.
Another aspect I personally struggle with is the purchasing model. These platforms encourage clients to buy products they directly profit from, which naturally limits the designer’s selections. There’s little room for customization, sourcing across multiple vendors, or truly hunting for the right piece—the process becomes more about choosing from a predefined catalogue.
This is where ethics and business practices start to blur. When you choose a large platform over an independent interior designer, you’re often sacrificing personalization for a brand name.
Working with an independent designer not only directly supports the designer but also allows for a far more tailored experience. And interior design is a personalized service—it shouldn’t feel cookie-cutter.
So while it’s clear that many people have worked with very talented designers on Decorilla, the volume of mixed reviews raises valid questions about their vetting process and overall business model.
Final Thoughts on Decorilla
Here’s my final two cents on these popular, big-box online interior design platforms. Havenly feels like the Walmart of interior design services, while Decorilla comes across as the Erewhon of online interior design. Hiring an independent online interior designer, on the other hand, is like visiting the mom-and-pop shop down the street that makes the best apple pies.
And the truth is, Walmart, Erewhon, and the mom-and-pop shop all have their customers. In the interior design industry, different people will naturally gravitate toward different types of services—and that’s okay.
My platform is about giving you the information you need to make the best interior design decisions for you. Let me know in the comments below if you have an experience to share on Decorilla.
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