AI (artificial intelligence) has been a hot topic lately, especially in the Interior Design industry. Some see AI as a powerful tool that enhances communication between us designers and our clients, so we did a little experiment of our own!
The Human Factor
There is no denying that AI can now scour the internet and create shopping lists and generate images tailored to a specific style. This may seem that AI is encroaching on our domain, but at its core, AI is really just a communication tool… it lacks the “human element” we have as designers which is oh-so-very important.
Despite what some may think, designers do far more than source furniture, pick out pretty fabrics, and create mood boards. The true essence of interior design lies in creativity, problem solving, AND execution – all of which require the irreplaceable human touch. Clients don’t hire designers just because they feel that we have good taste; they hire us for our ability to conceptualize a space and following through with bringing the vision to life. “Bringing a vision to life” often includes:
- Envisioning entire spaces. This is the most important element. Every designer’s vision will be different and unique. But this overall vision is imperative.
- Working with Architects and Builders (on custom home plans, finish & fixture selections)
- Sourcing unique pieces (custom-made pieces, antiques, commissioning artwork).
- Creating floorplans and elevations (for room layouts, custom built-ins, decorative trimwork, etc.)
- Overseeing project execution (from procurement of selected items to installation)
- Collaborating with contractors and other trade professionals (to ensure that all details align with the overall vison)
These are elements of design that AI simply cannot replicate, reinforcing why luxury interior design is here to stay.
Using AI to Visualize
One area where AI does show promise is in helping clients better visualize designs. Many of our clients have luxe, impeccable taste, but they have trouble visualizing our proposed design in their own spaces. Typically, we create 3D renderings for our clients. This saves us a significant amount of time, but the process can still be time consuming and expensive. Because of this, we often create renderings for the main rooms only.
We wanted to see what AI can create based on some 2D furniture mood boards that we made. Could this replace the need for 3D renderings?
Round 1: Coastal-Inspired Bedroom
Step 1 was uploading the mood board into ChatGPT and asking it to generate a realistic image based on the 2D mood board we provided.
The result? Surprisingly accurate! Not perfect but definitely captured the essence.
Round 2: Bold & Eclectic Living Room
We purposely wanted to try again with a more “complex” mood board.
The result? Eh… AI struggled with creating perspective. In the 2D, we have the items layer to symbolize what objects are in the foreground and what was is the background. AI struggled with the foreground for sure. The cabinet is so oddly proportioned in the image it generated – it looks like a dollhouse piece of furniture!
We requested some adjustments saying “Make the cabinet taller and wider. Adjust the pedestals and chair to be more proportional to the sofa.” Drumroll please… wait, where did the cabinet go?
Let’s try that again. We said, “add the cabinet back into the image, make the chair and pedestals bigger and move them to the bottom of the image.” And… nada. Still wonky, and why did the side tables change out of nowhere?! They are now spotty boxes that look like they have a wood disease.
Ok, so AI will not be replacing our 3D renderings anytime soon, but maybe we could use them for some of the spaces that we do not create renderings like bedrooms and bathrooms.
Our Verdict
From our experiment, it’s clear that AI can be useful in some situations but struggles with foundational design principles. For instance, AI lacks an understanding of perspective, scale, and proportion—essential elements of a well-designed space. That said, AI could still serve as a supplementary tool that helps communicate the design with our clients.
While AI will likely improve over time, it’s clear that certain aspects of design are simply too nuanced to be automated. The human factor remains irreplaceable proving that interior design is an art, not just a set of calculations.
If you are interested in another designer’s point of view, our close friends at Brown Design Group in Mammoth Lakes, CA just posted a good take here.
What are your thoughts on AI in design? Friend or Foe?
Stay Inspired,
Margery Wedderburn Interiors