Many jobs are getting either enhanced or replaced by AI and when it comes to interior design and decorating, many homeowners are turning to AI to DIY images with the intention to visualize how the space will look. Many clients are showing me their AI generated images for furnishing rooms, adding curb appeal to their home or creating a coloured rendering for a new construction project.
While utilizing AI may save you some money and be helpful in certain instances, a couple things to keep in mind though when working with AI for Interior Design.
- AI will not get to know you and your needs on the same level as a person will, it may not be able to tell you where to find the options it is proposing to you, or fully understand how you and your family will use and move through the space.
- The scale, when using AI to furnish a room might be off. I recently had a client show me her AI concept to furnish her sunroom. I immediately could pick-up that the room in the AI image made the space much bigger than it actually is. Why? The scale of the furnishings put in were too small and thus creating an illusion that more can fit than what really would.
- You get a rather generic look, if you are relying on AI and want a one of a kind look, you likely won’t get that. I find the AI generated “designs” have a generic look to them, this might be good if you are staging to sell, or simply want a simple and on trend look, but if you want a unique space designed to reflect your style you may not get that from AI.
There are so many benefits to working with an Interior Designer or Decorator, but I will share what I feel are the top three ones:
1. Avoid potential errors, imagine you use AI to furnish a space and it creates a room with a sofa and a pair of chairs, you go and select the sofa and chairs you like and then they arrive and it’s too big for the space. A professional will not only take the time to get to know what you like and don’t like, they will also advise you on what scale of items to buy. They will design within your budget as well.
2. Working with an expert will reduce stress. Home updates have a lot of moving parts and working with a designer will help with prioritizing and managing those parts. Everything from trades and vendors to purchasing and scheduling to allow you to keep living your life while your home renovations are being well planned and managed to create a cohesive and useful space.
3. Problem solving skills that keep the design in focus. Making changes to your home can often have some unexpected challenges and sometimes on the spot decisions or solutions need to be worked out. And when it is a design or focused renovation, an Interior Designer will help with finding you solutions without compromising the original design vision.
There is space within the industry for AI as a complimentary tool, but when it comes to making your home personal and creating a usable well thought out design concept, working with an actual Interior Designer or Interior Decorator will ensure your space functions for your needs and reflects your own style.
