An interior designer from Crate and Barrel gave my living room a virtual $21,000 makeover. Photos show the dramatic difference.

Talia LakritzMay 29, 2024, 02:12 IST

The new-and-improved living room design.Crate & Barrel

I booked a consultation with Crate & Barrel's Design Desk to revamp my living room.
Crate & Barrel's CEO credits the Design Desk with driving more business to the brand.

When I visited a Crate & Barrel store for the first time in March, I found the retailer excels at elevated home basics like whiteware dishes and furniture in polished neutrals.

I also learned about the Design Desk service offering free interior design consultations, which Crate & Barrel's CEO, Janet Hayes, has credited with driving more business to the brand.

I decided to give the Design Desk a try to see why it's been such a success for the company — and to help revamp my living space. I booked a virtual consultation with a designer on Crate & Barrel's website.

Take a look at how the Design Desk reimagined my New York City apartment.

The Design Desk offers in-store, in-home, and virtual appointments with interior designers.

Crate & Barrel in New York City.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

I booked a meeting with an interior designer to see how they could help me improve my living space.

The Design Desk at Crate & Barrel.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The online booking form asked me questions about which rooms I wanted help with, as well as my color and design preferences.

A question on Crate & Barrel's Design Desk booking form.Crate & Barrel

Abbey Walker, the Crate & Barrel designer I was paired with, asked for lots of photos of my apartment from various angles.

The author's foyer.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The large foyer leads right into the sunken living room, a layout I've never been quite sure how to furnish.

The author's living room viewed from the foyer.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

The living room features bookshelves, a TV, a sectional couch, an expandable dining table, and lots of empty space on the walls and floor.

The author's living room.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

Walker also requested measurements in order to create a three-dimensional model of the space and fill it with items from Crate & Barrel.

The measurements of the south wall of the living room.Coren Feldman

After I sent everything in, Walker and I met for our virtual consultation.

Crate and Barrel interior designer Abbey Walker (left) in a consultation with the author.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

A few days later, the 3D rendering of my apartment appeared in my inbox. I couldn't believe how amazing it looked and that I hadn't paid a cent for it.

The new-and-improved living room design.Crate & Barrel

She recommended swapping the positions of the bookshelves and dining table to open up the room.

The Design Desk's rendering of the author's living room.Crate & Barrel

In the virtual entryway, she replaced my small storage bench with a much larger one that also included hooks.

The reimagined entryway.Crate & Barrel

She also reimagined the entryway table as a canvas for pieces of decor and floral displays.

The entryway as envisioned by Crate & Barrel's Design Desk.Crate & Barrel

Altogether, the Crate & Barrel products chosen by the Design Desk for my apartment totaled $21,802.44.

The Crate & Barrel product list.Crate & Barrel

One simple change I did make, inspired by the 3D model, was adding more art to the wall where my TV is.

The author's living room with additional art.Talia Lakritz/Business Insider

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