How Online Interior Design Works for Expats Across Europe
Moving abroad comes with enough decisions already. Creating your new home should not become another source of stress.
With online interior design, you can begin planning your space before or after relocating, without waiting for home visits or being in the same country as your designer.
Studio Serrano works 100% online with expats and international homeowners in Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands and across Europe.
The process at a glance
Your project moves through a clear sequence:
You share your space, needs and budget
We meet through an online consultation
You receive two bespoke mood boards
You choose your preferred design direction
We develop the 2D furniture layout
We curate your shopping list
Signature clients receive photorealistic 3D renderings and a walkthrough video
Everything is organised in a professional digital booklet
1. Tell us about your home
Before the consultation, you provide the information needed to understand the property:
Photographs of the room
A clear video showing the entire space
Floor plans, when available
Accurate measurements
Existing furniture you would like to keep
Inspiration images
Your lifestyle and practical needs
Your furnishing budget
You do not need professional photographs. Clear phone images are usually enough when they show the room from several angles.
2. Meet your designer online
During the consultation, we discuss both the practical and emotional side of the project.
We explore:
How you use the space
What furniture you need
What currently feels unresolved
Your preferred colours and materials
Your aesthetic references
Your budget and timeline
How you would like the home to feel
Consultations and project communication are available in English, Portuguese and Spanish.
3. Compare two design directions
Essence and Signature begin with two bespoke mood boards.
Each one presents a different interpretation of your brief through:
Furniture style
Colour palette
Materials
Lighting
Textiles
Artwork
Decorative details
You select the direction that feels most aligned with you. This creates a strong foundation before individual products are chosen.
4. Understand how the space will work
The 2D space plan determines where the main pieces should be placed and what dimensions are appropriate.
It can answer questions such as:
What size sofa will fit?
Is there enough space around the dining table?
Where should storage be placed?
How should connected areas relate to one another?
Will the room remain comfortable and easy to move through?
This step helps prevent expensive purchasing mistakes.
5. Shop with a clear plan
Your curated shopping list may include:
Furniture
Lighting
Rugs and textiles
Curtains
Artwork and mirrors
Storage
Plants and planters
Decorative accessories
Outdoor items
Each product image includes a clickable link to the vendor’s website.
Selections are tailored to your location, needs and budget, using suppliers that serve Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands or your European destination.
6. See the result before purchasing
Signature Package includes:
Photorealistic 3D renderings
A walkthrough video
The renderings show the proposed furniture, materials, colours and lighting within your room.
The walkthrough offers a more immersive view, allowing you to experience how the different areas connect and how the completed space may feel.
This is especially helpful when:
You find floor plans difficult to interpret
Several people are making decisions together
You are furnishing multiple connected areas
You want more confidence before making larger purchases
7. Receive everything in one place
Your final digital booklet brings together the information needed to implement the project.
Depending on the package, it includes:
Approved mood board
2D space plan
Shopping list with clickable links
Photorealistic 3D renderings
Walkthrough video
Styling and implementation guidance
Essence and Signature also include a 30-minute implementation clarity call after delivery.
Design your home from wherever you are
Whether your new home is in Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands or elsewhere in Europe, the process can begin remotely and be implemented at your own pace.
Book your complimentary 15-minute online call to tell us about your project.