Ikea’s interior design service delivers expert advice at flat-pack prices

Always dreamt of hiring an interior designer? It could be more affordable than you think

High-street favourite Ikea is making expert interior design available to everyone with its interior design service.

Starting at just £25 for 45- to 60-minute consultation, you don’t even need to worry about fighting your way through Ikea’s infamous one-way system. If you want to speak to one of their experts, it’s all done online from the comfort of your own home.

ikea employee sat at desk speaking to a customer on a screen with interior design images on second screenCredit: IKEA UK

Whether you simply need some help with furniture or lighting choices, are planning a full-room makeover or are looking for ideas for a business space, there’s a range of services. Here are the options available and what you get for your money.

1. Interior Design Advice, £25

Best for a one-off consultation

For less than the price of a Billy bookcase, Ikea offers a 45–60-minute call with an interior design expert who can help you make furnishing decisions for styling, updating or organising your home.

Including ideas on furniture and products such as lighting and storage, the consultation also gives you the chance to discuss colour schemes, textiles and how to tackle issues such as creating a sustainable home.

trio of images showing hallway storage and rugCredit: IKEA UK
Struggling to find hallway storage? A one-off consultation could help

As well as the advice given during the call, you’ll be provided with a mood board of ideas and a detailed shopping list if you want to purchase any of the items discussed.

2. Interior Design Service, £90 per room

Best for creating your dream space

Consisting of two 45-minute online meetings, this service is more suitable if you are looking to create a whole-room scheme.

On the first call, you’ll have the chance to discuss your requirements, budget and needs. The designer will then go away to work on a 2D floorplan, wall elevation, 3D views, suggestions for lighting, floor and furnishings, mood board and detailed shopping list.

a living room with navy walls, sofas and dark wood cabinetsCredit: IKEA UK
Looking for a whole room scheme? Choose the design service option

Although this is great value for money compared to the services of an independent interior designer or agency, do remember it’s for one room only and the room must be under 20 sq m (215 sq ft) in size.

If you want advice for a larger room, or multiple rooms, you will have to contact Ikea for a customised quote.

3. Business Interior Design Service, from £125

Best for bringing your business space to life

If you’re looking to transform your small business, then this is the option to choose.

With three 45-minute online meetings included, you’ll initially follow a similar process to the interior design service and can discuss your needs, brand and budget.

You’ll then receive two follow-up meetings, along with a functional analysis of the space, 2D floorplan, detailed wall elevations, 3D visuals, lighting plan, wall and floor finishes and a detailed shopping list.

There’s a small caveat as the £125 price tag only applies to Ikea Business Network members, and the space can’t exceed 100 sq m (1076 sq ft). However, joining the network is relatively easy and can be completed online. You can also use the service without joining the network, but you will pay more.

business office space with desks, chairs and a black, grey and wooden decorative schemeCredit: IKEA UK
Working with a designer can transform your office space

Another difference between the business and residential interior design services is that with the business option, you must email in advance for a quote, rather than simply booking an appointment online. This is true whether or not you are a member of the Ikea Business Network.

How to prepare for your Ikea consultation

Make sure you get the most out of your appointment

As the service is conducted online and the designer won’t ever visit your house, the key to maximising on the incredible value of this service is to do your own fact-finding and research in advance.

You’ll need to fill in a questionnaire before your appointment questionnaire and as the designer will never visit your home, it’s important you complete this with as much information as you can.

Interior design works best when the designer has an opportunity to get under the skin of their client, to understand what they really like when it comes to home aesthetics. One or two consultations won’t necessarily achieve that, so make sure you show them the styles and items you love in advance so they can learn a bit more about you.

a moodboard of interior design ideas showing colours, furniture, textiles and accessoriesCredit: Exceptional/IKEA UK
Preparing a moodboard will help you get the best out of an interior design consultation

While Ikea offers a great range of room galleries to browse through, we’d also suggest looking at Pinterest or Instagram for more inspiration.

Measure twice

Be accurate with your dimensions

There’s nothing worse than buying a piece of furniture to then discover it doesn’t fit. Always measure twice and follow the measuring guide to ensure you have all the details you need.

You’ll need to note locations of light switches and sockets, radiators and don’t forget to consider items such as skirting boards. That few extra millimetres of wood can make all the difference to a piece of furniture fitting or not.

man and woman measuring wall with tape measureCredit: Shutterstock/TommyStockProject
Every millimetre counts when investing in new furniture

Take plenty of photos

Any snaps will help your designer

Naturally, a designer will find photos of the room crucial when trying to visualise the space.

While working on an empty space is often an interior designer’s dream, when it comes to updating an existing one, it’s important you give the designer the chance to see how the space looks and what you have in it. Let the designer know which pieces of furniture must stay, and what you’re happy to relocate or replace.

Would we use the service?

Most definitely…

Let’s face it, we’ve all come back from Ikea with an item of furniture or marketplace haul of goodies that don’t look quite as good in our home as they did in store. Using this service seems a good way of letting an expert trim down the vast array of options, ensuring you buy pieces that fill you with joy and works with your space.

It’s affordable, potentially reduces waste and makes interior design accessible – what’s not to love?

We also like the fact that even though you’re provided with a shopping list of Ikea items, you’re not obliged to purchase them at the end. Simply knowing the type of items that would work in your home gives you a great starting point and a specific list to work from – letting you look at alternative retailers who might have an item more in-keeping with your personal style.

Joy Archer, Exceptional’s interior design expert, is fully in support of the scheme:

“It’s official – interior design is now fully democratised. Ikea is leading the retail pack in giving everyone the tailored experience of a one-to- consultation with an interior designer.

“I think it’s a good thing,” she says. “Furniture mistakes are expensive, and the errors could end up in landfill. Having someone to hold your hand when selecting furniture means that you are more likely to take a 360 view of the entire room, hence making choices in a more considered way. This is good for the planet.

“As an interior designer, it is my belief that good design has the power to transform lives. This latest Ikea move means that there is hardly anyone for whom a holistic interior design scheme is out of reach.

“Ikea’s innovations in the past have led to global cultural shifts. It will be interesting to watch the impact of this latest innovation unfold and to see the results that will no doubt be shared and re-shared on social media platforms.”

Personally, I’m also an Ikea fan and have been since the store arrived in the UK. Would I furnish my whole home in Ikea goods? Not necessarily, but I will always head there if I’m looking for ideas and will rarely* leave without buying something. Having someone talk me through the options would certainly help me with my impulse buys.

*Disclaimer – I’ve never left without buying something.

Sarah Harley

Written by Sarah Harley she/her

Updated:

Sarah Harley is a Staff Writer for Homes at Saga Exceptional. Since first picking up a paintbrush and experiencing the joy of re-decorating her bedroom in a questionable red, white and grey scheme as a young teenager, Sarah was hooked on the world of interior design. This obsession even led to a real life ‘Grand Designs’ project in 2005 when she donned a pink hard hat and appeared on TV screens, project managing the renovation and extension of a Grade II listed 17th century Folly in South Wales.

Throughout her career, Sarah has gained an array of experience in several different roles, ranging from copywriting, PR, events management and photography to interior design and home staging. With her two passions being the written word and the joys of a beautifully designed home, Sarah’s mission is to open the door on the world of interiors, inviting readers in to help them work their way through the vast choice of products, ideas and trends so that their own homes can reach their full potential.

Away from work, Sarah fills her Pinterest boards with more ideas, dreams of where to travel, takes photographs and loves being by the sea. She has two sons and if she absorbed everything they said would also be a football expert. The fact is she is often more interested in the colour and design of the kit – but don’t tell them that.

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