Havenly or Spacejoy for decorating a rental apartment
If you’re decorating a rental apartment, Havenly is the better choice for most renters who want a simple, flexible design plan, while Spacejoy is the stronger option if detailed 3D visuals are your top priority. Both offer online design help, shopping lists, and room-specific plans, but their packages and collaboration styles differ.
Renting changes the decorating game. You may not be able to paint, drill into walls, replace fixtures, or make permanent changes. At the same time, you still want your apartment to feel like your own.
That makes the choice between Havenly and Spacejoy less about which service looks better and more about which one fits your rental rules, budget, room size, and level of design help.
Quick comparison
| Factor | Havenly | Spacejoy |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Simple, flexible room design | Detailed visual planning |
| Online design | Yes | Yes |
| 3D visualization | Available with current full-service design | Included across current packages |
| Shopping list | Yes | Yes |
| Rental-friendly ideas | Yes | Yes |
| Starting online price | $159 per room on current standard pricing | Packages currently start around $299 on its pricing page |
| Design revisions | Unlimited on Havenly Full | Multiple revisions depending on package |
| Video collaboration | Current Full package includes live calls | Available in higher packages |
| Best renter advantage | Easy room-by-room approach | Strong visual planning before buying |
Pricing can change, and Spacejoy’s own pages currently show different promotional/package prices, so check the live pricing page before ordering. Havenly’s current official pages also show promotional pricing in some places.
Havenly vs. Spacejoy for a Rental: Which One Fits Better?
For most renters, Havenly gets the edge if you mainly need help choosing furniture, arranging a room, and creating a cohesive look without making permanent changes. Havenly has also specifically published guidance and examples for rental apartments, including temporary wall treatments, rugs, lighting, artwork, and other renter-friendly updates.
Spacejoy makes more sense if you have trouble imagining how the finished apartment will look. Its online packages emphasize photorealistic 3D images, layouts, and shoppable designs, which can be useful when you are working with a small or awkward rental space.
So the short version is:
- Choose Havenly for straightforward decorating help and a room-by-room plan.
- Choose Spacejoy if seeing your proposed room in 3D is especially important.
- Choose neither yet if your landlord’s rules are unclear or you are not ready to buy furniture.
Why Havenly Can Be a Good Fit for Renters
Havenly’s online service is built around individual rooms. Its current Full package covers one room up to 400 square feet and includes designer help, a design concept, and 3D visualization.
That setup works well for renters because you do not need to redesign your entire apartment at once.
You could start with the living room, for example, and later work on the bedroom.
Havenly is useful when you need furniture and layout help
A rental apartment often has limitations you cannot change. The room may be narrow, the windows may be in an awkward spot, or the existing lighting may be poor.
A designer can work around those limits instead of trying to redesign the building itself.
For example, a renter with a small living room might need to decide between:
- A standard sofa and separate chairs
- A compact sectional
- A smaller coffee table
- A storage ottoman
- A narrow media console
The important part is not simply finding attractive products. It is making sure the pieces fit the room and work together.
Havenly has renter-focused decorating guidance
Havenly has published rental decorating advice covering ideas such as rugs, artwork, removable wallpaper, curtains, lighting, and accessories. It also has an older published example of a Chicago rental apartment designed through its service.
That does not mean every Havenly design will automatically be renter-friendly. You should still tell the designer exactly what your lease allows.
Why Spacejoy Can Be a Good Fit for Renters
Spacejoy’s main advantage for this type of project is visualization.
Its current service emphasizes 3D room designs, layouts, personalized shopping lists, and designer collaboration. Its pricing page says every package includes a photorealistic 3D rendering.
That can be especially useful in a rental apartment where every inch matters.
Spacejoy can help you see the layout before shopping
Imagine you have a 10-by-12-foot living room.
You like a large sectional online, but you are not sure whether it will overwhelm the room. A 3D design can make the proposed arrangement easier to understand before you spend money on furniture.
This is one of the strongest reasons to consider Spacejoy.
Spacejoy has a renter-oriented package description
Spacejoy has previously described its entry-level package as suitable for renters and first apartments, with a single-room concept, revisions, 3D visuals, and a shopping list. Its current pricing pages list packages such as Delight, Bliss, and Euphoria, although the displayed pricing has changed across Spacejoy pages.
For a rental, you generally do not need the most renovation-focused package. You mainly need help with furniture, layout, color, lighting, textiles, and removable decor.
Which Service Is Better for a Small Rental Apartment?
Spacejoy has an advantage if the apartment is small or has a difficult layout.
Small apartments leave less room for mistakes. A sofa that is slightly too large can make the entire living room feel cramped. A poorly placed desk can block a walkway. A large dining table can make an open-plan apartment feel crowded.
3D visualization can help you spot these issues before buying.
That said, Havenly can also provide floor plans and 3D renderings through its current full-service design offering.
So the difference is not that Havenly cannot visualize your room. The difference is that Spacejoy makes 3D visualization a central part of its current online offering.
Which Is Better for a Renter on a Budget?
Havenly is generally the easier starting point if you only need one room designed.
Havenly’s current online Full package is listed at $159 per room on its help and service pages, while its public pricing page currently displays a promotional price of $99 from a regular $199 price.
Spacejoy’s current pricing page says packages start at $299, while other Spacejoy pages show older or alternate package pricing.
Because promotions and package structures change, compare the exact package you are buying rather than relying on an old review.
Also remember that the design fee is only part of your decorating budget.
You still have to pay for furniture, rugs, lamps, curtains, artwork, storage, and other items you choose to purchase.
What About Renter-Friendly Design?
This is one of the most important parts of the decision.
An online designer can recommend a beautiful room that does not fit your lease. You need to clearly explain your restrictions before the design begins.
Tell your designer if you:
- Cannot paint
- Cannot drill holes
- Cannot replace ceiling lights
- Cannot change flooring
- Cannot install permanent shelves
- Cannot use adhesive products
- Need to protect your security deposit
- Expect to move within a year or two
Havenly’s rental decorating guidance includes removable wallpaper and temporary hanging solutions, while Spacejoy has also published renter-focused decorating ideas designed around avoiding permanent changes.
Still, always check your lease before installing anything. A product marketed as removable is not automatically safe for every wall or paint finish.
What Should You Ask for in Your Design?
The best rental design is not simply attractive. It should be easy to undo when you move.
Ask for a plan built around:
Furniture you can take with you
Prioritize pieces that can work in another apartment.
A sofa, bed, dresser, dining table, rug, floor lamp, and storage cabinet can all move with you.
This makes your decorating money more useful over time.
Flexible lighting
Instead of making permanent electrical changes, consider floor lamps, table lamps, plug-in lighting, and other options allowed by your lease.
Havenly specifically highlights plug-in wall sconces as one option for renters who want a more finished lighting look without major electrical work.
Removable decor
Rugs, curtains, artwork, mirrors, cushions, throws, and freestanding storage can change the feel of a room without changing the property itself.
Smart furniture placement
This matters even more than decoration in a small rental.
A good layout can improve:
- Walking space
- Storage
- Natural light
- Seating
- Work areas
- TV viewing
- Room separation
Two Rental Scenarios: Which Service Would I Pick?
Scenario 1: A first apartment with basic furniture
Imagine a renter has a one-bedroom apartment with a sofa, bed, and dining table. The furniture works, but everything looks mismatched.
The main goal is to create a more finished look without spending heavily.
Havenly would be my first choice.
The renter can work on one room at a time and ask for a cohesive furniture and decor plan that works with pieces they already own.
Scenario 2: A tiny apartment with an awkward living room
Now imagine a renter has a narrow living room with one large window, a doorway on one side, and very little usable wall space.
The renter is unsure whether a sofa, desk, TV stand, and storage unit will fit.
Spacejoy would be worth considering because the 3D visualization can make the proposed layout easier to judge before buying.
Havenly or Spacejoy: Pros and Cons for Renters
| Service | Main strengths | Potential drawback |
|---|---|---|
| Havenly | Simple room-by-room design, designer help, floor plans, shopping list, 3D rendering | Current pricing and package details can vary by offer |
| Spacejoy | Strong 3D visualization, detailed room concepts, shopping list, multiple package levels | Higher starting price on its current pricing page |
| Havenly | Good fit for decorating around existing furniture | You still need to communicate rental restrictions clearly |
| Spacejoy | Useful for visualizing difficult layouts | Package prices and inclusions have changed across published pages |
What Havenly and Spacejoy Do Not Solve
Neither service can change the basic rules of your rental.
If your lease says no painting, a design service cannot make painting acceptable.
If the apartment has poor natural light, a designer can suggest better lighting and furniture placement, but they cannot add another window.
If the room is too small for a large sectional, a beautiful 3D rendering does not create extra floor space.
This is why measurements and rental restrictions should come before the design style.
You should also avoid buying furniture solely because it looks good in a rendering. Check the actual dimensions, doorway clearance, elevator or stair access, return policy, and delivery requirements.
Which One Should You Choose?
For most people searching for Havenly or Spacejoy for decorating a rental apartment, I would choose based on the main problem you are trying to solve.
Pick Havenly if:
- You want a practical room design.
- You already own some furniture.
- You want to decorate one room at a time.
- You want help selecting products and arranging them.
- You want a simpler starting point.
Pick Spacejoy if:
- You want detailed 3D visualization.
- Your apartment has a difficult layout.
- You want to compare design concepts.
- Seeing furniture in the proposed room matters a lot to you.
- You want a more visual design process.
The biggest factor is not the brand name. It is how well the designer understands your rental restrictions and existing furniture.
Is Havenly or Spacejoy Better for Decorating a Rental Apartment?
Havenly is the better overall pick for most renters who want practical, room-by-room decorating help, while Spacejoy is the better fit for renters who care most about detailed 3D visualization and seeing the layout before shopping. Before choosing, check the current package price, tell the designer about your lease restrictions, and measure the room carefully.
FAQs
Can Havenly design a rental apartment?
Yes. Havenly has specifically featured rental apartment projects and publishes renter-focused decorating advice. Its online service can create room plans, layouts, product recommendations, and 3D visualizations, depending on the package.
Is Spacejoy good for renters?
Spacejoy can be a good option for renters who want to visualize furniture and room layouts before buying. Its online packages emphasize 3D designs, shopping lists, and personalized room plans, and Spacejoy has published guidance specifically for rented spaces.
Do I need to tell the designer that I rent?
Yes. Tell the designer about every important restriction before the design starts. This helps keep recommendations focused on movable furniture, temporary decor, and other changes that fit your lease.
Final Verdict
For a typical rental apartment, Havenly is my overall pick for straightforward decorating help, especially if you want to work room by room and use furniture and decor you can take with you when you move.
Choose Spacejoy instead if 3D visualization is the deciding factor or your apartment has a layout that is hard to picture.
One practical tip: before paying for either service, make a list of your rental rules, measure the room, photograph the existing furniture, and set your total decorating budget. That gives the designer much better information and reduces the chance of getting a plan that looks great but does not work in your actual apartment.
