How AI can help switch up your living space
An interior designer tells LISA SALMON the pros and cons of using artificial intelligence to revamp your pad
DO YOU have creative ideas for how you’d like the interior of your home to look, but they’re all in your head and likely to remain there?
Artificial intelligence (AI) could be the help you need. AI design tools can redesign your rooms for you in seconds – all you need to do is upload a photo of your room, or supply the measurements.
Ai-powered design services like Homedesignsai, the nuie 3D Design Tool, and ROOMGPT can also suggest how much the design will cost.
Here, interior designer Anna Straw outlines the pros and cons of redesigning your interiors with AI...
Benefits of AI design tools
■ They can incorporate your own style: Anna says: “They offer personalised recommendations that match your personal style, and they can also assess the practicality of recreating a certain aesthetic in the space you’re working with, providing tailored inspiration for each room of the house.”
■ Use your space efficiently: It’s hard to know whether any ideas you have for your rooms will work in the space. But Anna says clever AI algorithms will take spatial constraints and user preferences into account when generating layout suggestions.
“Automated layout suggestions are a great way to save time and ensure fixtures and furniture are placed in the most user-friendly position,” she explains.
■ Visualise your ideas: You may want to combine certain colcost ours, textures, prints and materials in the room, but be unsure whether the finished look will come together.
But that’s where Ai-driven virtual reality (VR) simulations are ideal, says Anna. “These allow users to experience a virtual representation of their design before it comes to life, helping you to make more informed decisions about the layout and decor before committing to certain products.”
■ Make the most of your budget: “AI tools that allow you to input data like photos, dimensions and other essential details to test your ideas, can help to prevent hiccups, ensuring your project stays on budget,” says Anna.
Some AI apps can even provide
breakdowns and suggest the best products and materials for your budget.
Weaknesses of AI design tools
■ Many tools have limited functions: Since AI technology is still in its infancy, Anna says many of the current design tools are limited in the capabilities they offer.
■ Ease of use varies: This depends on how intuitive and accessible the program is. Anna says: “Some require months of training to master, while others are suitable for beginners.”
■ AI can’t replace an expert: “AI tools don’t have the instincts and empathy of humans, which means they can often overlook the intuitive and creative thinking that goes into creating a dream home,” says Anna.
“Designing a space involves more than just arranging elements – it requires an understanding of the user’s lifestyle, considering structural constraints and creating the desired mood, and AI can’t understand these complexities.”
■ AI output is artificial: “The imagery created by artificial intelligence is... well – artificial. That means the rooms you design could be unachievable in real life, whether that’s because of restrictions on space, budget, or product availability.”
Anna uses the nuie 3D Design Tool to give clients a realistic image of what they can achieve.