The scoop on e-decorating services

Staring at a wall hoping decorating inspiration will come can only take a person so far--sometimes professional help is in order. But the task of finding the right decorator (if you can even afford one) can be daunting. Now, with the growing popularity of e-decorating services, traditional challenges of budget, time and access restraints are no longer an issue. Even the least aesthetically savvy can create beautiful living spaces in no time.

Indeed, e-decorating can be the quickest and most cost-effective way to modernize a kitchen or revamp a whole house. The process generally works in this way: submit photos and measurements of your space, fill out a questionnaire detailing your needs and inspirations, pay upfront, and then within 3-6 weeks, you receive computer-rendered images, floor plans and moodboards (inspiration boards with fabric samples and furniture pictures). We did some searching and found the following top-notch services:

Who: Turquoise, a Los Angeles-based design firm run by designer Vanessa De Vargas.
What you do: Complete an information form, submit photos of your room along with room dimension, disclose your budget (how much you want to spend on furnishings) and a couple links to inspirational images you like.
What you get: Links to all of the products she suggests (with options in different price ranges), paint chips or wallpaper suggestions and tips for reusing what you already own.
What it costs: Smaller rooms, such as bathrooms and hallways, cost $500 each. Bedrooms, dens, living rooms and other larger spaces run $1050 each.

Who: Instant Space, an online firm started by designers Betsy Burnham and Max Humphrey.
What you do: Take measurements of your room, submit photos, fill out a questionnaire and upload inspiration photos.
What you get: A linen-wrapped "presentation box," complete with personalized books of fabric and tile samples, resource lists, sketches, and step-by-step instructions on how to execute the design.
What it costs: Prices range from $895 to $1795 per room.

Who: Interior Design Service Online, an online service from California designer Michelle Davidson.
What you do: Fill out an email questionnaire and answer questions about the room, project budget, your tastes, style and color preferences. Then, measure and photograph your room.
What you get: The services are a la carte, so you can pick and choose from paint consultations, furniture layout reviews, room reviews and hourly online decorating.
What it costs: Prices range from $25 for a paint consultation to $150 for a furniture layout review.