Why E-Design Is the Smartest Choice for Homeowners, Vacation Rental Owners, and Apartment Dwellers
If you’ve been thinking about giving your home, vacation rental, or apartment a fresh new look but feel overwhelmed by the idea of hiring a designer in person, you’re not alone. That’s exactly why E-Design, or virtual interior design, has become one of the most popular ways to create beautiful, functional spaces.
Unlike one-time projects, E-Design gives you a clear design plan you can use again and again—whether you start with a single room or transform your entire home over time. Your first project might be a living room refresh, but once you see how easy and fun E-Design is, you can keep going, one space at a time, until every corner of your home feels like a perfect reflection of you.
At Simply Practical, we believe design should be approachable, stress-free, and tailored to your lifestyle. With E-Design, you’re not just getting professional advice—you’re joining a community of homeowners, renters, and vacation rental owners who are creating spaces they love while saving time and money along the way.
This complete guide will walk you through:
What E-Design is and how it works
Why it’s perfect for homes, vacation rentals, and apartments
Pricing transparency and what to expect
A real client case study
Who E-Design is and isn’t for
How it compares to DIY decorating
What are the key benefits to E-Design
Frequently Asked Question
What is E-Design?
E-Design is virtual interior design. Instead of meeting in person, you collaborate with your designer online through photos, video calls, and digital design boards. You receive a personalized design plan—including layouts, shopping lists, and styling tips—that you can implement at your own pace.
The end result?
A personalized mood board and color scheme
A scaled furniture layout
A curated shopping list with clickable links
Styling tips and (for vacation rentals) a budget spreadsheet that tracks essentials
Think of it as professional design made affordable, flexible, and stress-free.
Cost Transparency: How Much Does E-Design Cost?
One of the first questions people ask is: “How much does E-Design cost?”
At Simply Practical, our E-Design packages start at $750 and up, depending on the number of rooms and the size of the project. For apartments, we offer set pricing based on square footage. For homes and vacation rentals, pricing varies by scope—whether you want one room refreshed or a full property designed.
But here’s what sets us apart: you’re not just buying a design plan—you’re learning how to think like a designer. Every package comes with step-by-step tools that make future decisions easier, from how to choose paint colors to how to size furniture correctly for your space. Many of our clients tell us they use these insights again and again, long after the project is finished.
E-Design is always more affordable than traditional design, but the real savings come from avoiding costly mistakes—like ordering the wrong size sofa, choosing a rug that looks “off” in the room, or overspending on trendy décor that doesn’t actually fit your space. With our approach, you get both professional design and the know-how to keep making smart choices in the future.
Why E-Design Works for Homeowners
For homeowners, one of the best things about E-Design is the flexibility. You can take it one room at a time, spreading out purchases as your budget allows. It’s also a fantastic option for those who are handy or enjoy DIY projects. Many of our homeowner clients love that they can follow a professional plan, shop for items at their own pace, and even tackle small installation projects like accent walls or lighting updates.
Want to see how other homeowners used E-Design to save time and money? Join our design newsletter for real-life stories and tips.
Why E-Design Is Perfect for Vacation Rentals
Vacation rental owners face a unique challenge: it’s not just about furniture and décor. Guests expect a fully stocked and functional home. That means everything from barstools and sofas to silverware, linens, and extra sheets.
Most designers hand you a shopping list and stop there. We go further. Simply Practical provides a budget spreadsheet and essentials checklist that itemizes everything needed for each room. This tool keeps you organized, helps you plan costs, and makes it easy to hand the project off to a property manager or contractor—even if you live hundreds of miles away.
The result isn’t just a “pretty rental”—it’s a guest-ready property that photographs beautifully, books faster, and earns glowing reviews because nothing is missing or overlooked. In other words, it’s design that pays for itself by helping you deliver a true five-star experience.
Why E-Design Works for Apartment Living
Apartment living is often temporary, but that doesn’t mean your space shouldn’t feel amazing. With E-Design, you can:
Create a cozy, stylish apartment without committing to permanent changes
Take advantage of our set pricing for apartment sizes (studio, one-bedroom, etc.)
Invest in furniture and décor that you can bring with you to your next home
Even if you’re renting, you deserve a space that feels like your own. E-Design makes it easy to achieve that without overspending.
What if my style isn’t the same as the designer’s?
E-Design is completely customized to your personal style. Whether you love coastal, modern, farmhouse, mid-century, or eclectic, your plan will reflect your unique taste—not a one-size-fits-all look.
We use your questionnaire answers, photos, and feedback to ensure the design feels authentically you.
Why not just use Pinterest or shop on my own?
DIY decorating can be fun, but it often leads to common frustrations: buying furniture that doesn’t fit, overspending on mismatched pieces, or ending up with a space that feels unfinished. E-Design eliminates the guesswork by giving you a cohesive plan from the start.
It saves you money in the long run and ensures that every purchase fits into the bigger picture.
Case Study: Designing a 4-Bedroom Home from Scratch
One of our past clients had just moved into a 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home with a large open floor plan—2,675 square feet plus a spacious outdoor area. With no furniture at all, the task of designing and furnishing everything felt overwhelming and costly.
We started by breaking the project into manageable phases. The first priority was the great room, which included the living room, dining room, kitchen, bar area, and entry. Within 3–4 weeks, we created a full design plan complete with layouts, product lists, and styling recommendations.
The client loved DIY and tackled much of the setup themselves—installing an accent wall, swapping out lighting, and assembling furniture. Because the design plan was in place, they were able to purchase items at their own pace, knowing everything would fit and work together.
Once the big pieces were installed, we worked together again to refine the details—adding finishing touches and making adjustments where needed.
Your first project might be a living room refresh—but once you see how easy and fun E-Design is, you can keep going, one room at a time, until your entire home feels like a perfect reflection of you.
Who E-Design Is For (and Who It’s Not For)
After reading this, you may be wondering: “Is E-Design for me?” The truth is, E-Design is incredibly versatile, but like any service, it shines brightest when used by the right people. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you decide:
E-Design Is Perfect For You If You…
Want a professional design plan but prefer the flexibility to implement it on your own timeline
Love shopping online (or don’t mind it) and want direct product links for easy ordering
Are a homeowner updating one room at a time
Own a vacation rental and need a fully stocked, guest-ready property with every detail covered
Rent an apartment and want a stylish space without overspending or making permanent changes
Enjoy a little DIY—like hanging art, assembling furniture, or swapping out lighting—when guided by a clear plan
E-Design May Not Be the Best Choice If You…
Need full project management for a large remodel (construction, contractors, etc.)
Want your designer to order, deliver, install, and style everything in person
Prefer to shop with your designer at showrooms and stores rather than working online
Don’t want any involvement in setup or DIY tasks, even small ones
If that sounds like you, a traditional full-service design approach may be better suited. But if you want affordability, flexibility, and a professional plan that removes the overwhelm, E-Design could be your smartest choice.
Final Thoughts + Next Steps
E-Design isn’t just another way to decorate—it’s a smarter, more practical approach to creating spaces you’ll love. At Simply Practical, we combine professional interior design with step-by-step tools, budget tracking, and ongoing support so your project doesn’t just look amazing, it works beautifully for your lifestyle, budget, and long-term needs.
Unlike most E-Design services, we don’t stop at sending you a shopping list. We teach you how to think like a designer, giving you the confidence to make decisions now and in the future. We track the details most people overlook—like spreadsheets for vacation rental essentials and room-by-room budget planning—so you never feel overwhelmed or unprepared. And because every plan is customized, your space will reflect your style, not a cookie-cutter look.
Ready to get started? Schedule a call with us today and let’s begin planning your project.
Not quite ready? Join the Simply Practical Insiders List to get early access to design resources, exclusive discounts on E-Design packages, and behind-the-scenes looks at client transformations.
Become part of a growing community of homeowners, renters, and vacation rental owners who are designing smarter, saving money, and creating spaces they truly love.
Until next time, happy designing!
