This Affordable Design Service Helped Me Solve My No-Storage Crises

As a former home editor and interior design junkie, I'm rarely stumped by decorating decisions, but my 2-year-old son's bedroom has been trapped in decorating limbo since we moved into our home last year. Finding a solution for toy storage, let alone a system for keeping clothes, books, and baby gear organized, felt too overwhelming to deal with, so I avoided it.

It wasn't until I discovered Modsy that I realized a handy shortcut existed. While digital interior design services aren't exactly a new phenomenon, Modsy takes it a step further. Like most digital design services, it creates a design plan based on answers gleaned from questions about your taste and where you like to shop. What really sets it apart is its custom 3D renderings, which offer a 360-degree peek into the possibilities of what your revamped room could look like. You can actually visualize how to rearrange a room to make it more beautiful and efficient — something I desperately needed help with.

How it works

How it works

● Step 1: Take Modsy's style quiz and share any Pinterest or mood boards to tip off Modsy designers to your design tastes and preferences.
● Step 2: Upload eight photos and measurements for the room you want to redecorate.
● Step 3: Wait seven to 10 days for the design magic to happen. You'll get an empty 3D version of your room along with two design concepts, each with layout and product suggestions.
● Step 4: Give any feedback for things you'd like to tweak.
● Step 5: Purchase any of the products in your designs from the retailers Modsy has partnered with.

How much it costs

How much it costs

Modsy offers a couple of design packages: a basic option and the Modsy Plus option. For $59, the basic package offers two 3D custom mock-ups of what your finished room could look like, with a shopping list of all the suggested products included in your designs. For $149, the Modsy Plus package gives you one-on-one access to your interior designer so you can chat on the phone, via Instant Message, or on video to ask really specific design questions, get personalized design tips, and more.

My experience

My experience

Modsy allowed me to test out the Modsy Plus package, which came in handy for picking my designer's brain about everything from attractive storage ideas to toddler-friendly wall art. Because she had all of the dimensions of the pieces I wanted to keep, along with my room's measurements, she was able to suggest viable layout solutions I hadn't thought of. I realized I could actually squeeze more storage-friendly pieces into the room simply by rearranging the layout and taking advantage of vertical wall space while still maintaining an airy and minimal aesthetic. She even suggested low-maintenance design tips, like hanging realistic faux plants that I'd never have to worry about watering. Score!

Have I executed everything in my design plan? Definitely not, but I've made so much progress. The beauty of this guided DIY route is that I can chip away at my design plan at my own pace. Just knowing that I have a solid plan to follow has freed up so much mental space. And boy did I need it. If you're tired of feeling stuck and don't have the time or vision to get yourself out of a design rut, I recommend giving this route a try.