I Tried Modsy And It Was Better (And Cheaper!) Than Hiring An Interior Designer

The before-and-afters speak for themselves.

Perhaps you, like me, have dreamed of hiring an interior designer to redo the layout and furnishings of your space. But perhaps you, like me, never got close to entertaining the idea because you don't have designer-hiring money. Well! Have I got some grand ol' news for you.

Bravo

There's a site called Modsy, and it's about to make your wildest interior-design dreams come true.

Modsy

Modsy is an online service that provides you with custom design plans based on photos and dimensions of a room you'd like to redesign, as well as your budget and style preferences. For $69, you'll get two initial designs (sent to you as renderings of your exact room in both 2D and 3D versions) and the ability to work with the Modsy team on unlimited design revisions until they're just right.

The cool thing about this service is that you don't have to feel obligated to buy anything once your designs are complete. Of course if you have the means to invest in a brand-new couch or area rug, go for it! But the designs can simply serve as inspiration for a room redo as well. Maybe you have no idea where to start and are just looking for a baseline ~vibe~, or maybe you'll want to purchase new pieces slowly, one by one, over a longer span of time. (That's my plan.)

Last year, I moved into a new place, bigger than my last apartment, that needed a ton of new furnishings. What ensued was a mishmash of a few new purchases (the rug, the palm plant, lol), some pieces I already owned (the Ikea entertainment unit), and some hand-me-downs (the green end table my grandfather made, the delightfully '90s overstuffed couch and chair from my mom).

Emmy Favilla / BuzzFeed

Like, it's fine for now. But there isn't really a cohesive color scheme or vibe going on...and while the couch is literally THE most comfortable thing I have ever sat on in my life, it's pretty dated (and my cat's claws are slowly murdering it).

So I decided to try out Modsy because I wanted some ideas for a refresh. They give you the option to base your redesign around your existing pieces or to go buckwild and start from scratch.

Modsy

Go big or go home! I thought, for the very first time since using dollar bills in the penny slots when I went to Vegas a few years ago, opting to go with the latter option.

After you send in photos and dimensions of the room, you fill out a bunch of fun survey questions, like the colors and styles you prefer. You'll be asked to select images of rooms that appeal to you aesthetically, and to answer things like whether you'd like the room to be pet-friendly and if you'd like to incorporate a reading nook or seating for guests.

You also select your budget for pieces of furniture and accents. Within a week or so, your designs will be sent to you via email.

Here is design #1, which I am completely OBSESSED with!

Modsy

They replicated the shape and flooring of the room perfectly and even incorporated my cute little OG vintage radiator covers! (I live in a 100-year-old house.)

When you get your designs, you're able to click on each item in the photo rendering to see where you can buy it and how much it is. If you're not super stoked on a piece, you can also click on it to view alternatives — or other color options of the same item — to swap it out for. (I actually swapped out the original area rug suggested for the one pictured above.)

The chair! The artwork! The bar cart! The pops of yellow and gold! Someone fan me.

Modsy

BTW, if you're interested, here's where you can snag some of these pieces:

• Get the chair from Minna Home by Modsy for $799 (available in four colors).

• Get the bar cart from West Elm for $399.

• Get the hanging planter from CB2 for $49.95.

• Get the record cabinet console from CB2 for $649.

• Get the coffee table from West Elm for $399.

• Get the wall art (left) from Anthropologie for $388.

This desk-slash-bookcase and sectional are what my dreams are made of. (Yes, I do dream about my ideal living room frequently.)

Modsy

Again, for inquiring minds:

• Get the couch from Joybird for $2,999 (available in 18 colors and various customization styles).

• Get the desk from CB2 for $249.

• Get the office chair from CB2 for $349 (available in cream and gray).

• Get the artwork from Minted for $668.

• Get a similar area rug from Amazon for $462.99.

Here's design #2. This one has a slightly more sophisticated theme, and I am equally obsessed.

Modsy

This couch is very Mad Men and it just makes me want to sit on it and drink whiskey. Whiskey makes me sick and I don't even care! That's how much I love this couch. Can you even deal with that gorgeous arc lamp? The way the artwork is placed on the shelf? Roll me up in that rug and bury me in it, tbh.

Don't you just want to sit around this coffee table and have scintillating conversation about the latest Teen Mom drama? Because I sure do.

Modsy

Here we go:

• Get the couch from West Elm for $988.99+ (available in 70 colors).

• Get the chairs from Minna Home by Modsy for $899 each (available in four colors).

• Get the coffee table from CB2 for $370.

• Get the faux potted monstera plant from CB2 for $69.95.

• Get the mini console from West Elm for $349.

• Get the area rug from Amazon for $339.

• Get the shelf with drawers from CB2 for $499.

• Get the large curved floor lamp from CB2 for $199+ (available in nickel and brass).

• Get the wall ledge from CB2 for $69.95.

How about a little more inspo, shall we? Check out this bedroom before...

Modsy

...and IRL after!

Modsy

Baby on the way? They've got your new nursery covered too! The room that started out like this...

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...became this!

Modsy

I mean.

NBC

Try Modsy out for yourself starting at $69 per project, and get a head start on those interior-design dreams!

You can also choose a premium plan for $149, which provides you with expedited designs as well as unlimited access to a personal designer, or a three-room plan for $349.

Looking for more stuff to help make your house a home? Check out the best places to buy inexpensive furniture online, the best places to buy couches online, cute home decor you’ll wish you knew about sooner, or check out all of our home content for even more great ideas.

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Allison Krausman / BuzzFeed