Imagine transforming your home into a space you genuinely love without breaking the bank. That possibility comes to life in our conversation with Lara Larko, founder of Lara Larko Designs, who's revolutionizing interior design through her affordable, transparent approach.
When most people consider hiring an interior designer, they immediately assume it's a luxury they can't afford. Lara shatters this misconception with her flat-rate package model that eliminates hidden fees and uncertainty. "There's working parents, working moms that just want their home to look nice... and they don't have the time or money," she explains. "So my whole thing is why spend all this money?"
Lara's journey from middle school teacher to sought-after designer began organically in 2017 when family members kept requesting her decorating help. With her husband's encouragement and support from her network of Bergen County moms, her business flourished through word-of-mouth referrals. What started as simple requests—"I just need paint color for the dining room"—often blossomed into whole-house transformations as clients discovered the value and accessibility of her services.
What makes Lara's approach special is her commitment to creating spaces that truly reflect her clients' personalities and preferences. She uses sophisticated visualization tools to create mood boards and digital designs so clients can see exactly what they're getting before making any decisions. "I will tell you what's in style... but at the end of the day, I'm not waking up and staring at it every single day. You have to love it," she emphasizes.
The emotional impact of her work becomes evident when she describes the reaction of triplet girls seeing their newly designed bedroom: "They were like 'Mama, it's beautiful!' One little girl was crying, the other was so happy... hugging me." These moments of connection and transformation are what drive her passion.
Ready to reimagine your space without the designer price tag? Connect with Lara on Instagram @laralarkodesigns or visit her website laralarkodesigns.com to see her portfolio and learn how affordable beautiful design can truly be.
Lara Larko Designs
Lara Larko
(201) 927-9779
raLarkoDesigns@gmail.com
laralarkodesigns.com
