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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.