I have been using AI for interior design and architecture as well as for my business for quite some time now, but since writing my AI for interior design course, I’ve been taking more time to research deeper into the topic to see how we can use AI at all stages of the design process.  Most of the content I’ve seen online around this topic seems to only focus on the concept phase, but as a working interior designer, architect and mentor, I’ve been looking into how AI can quite literally change my life.

I’m a busy mum who also runs an interior design studio here in London, and I have projects at all stages of the design process at any one time (in fact that is why I can easily balance multiple projects when most of the time I work solo). But, when I was looking for AI for interior design tools, all I kept on finding was more of the same regurgitated (and AI-written) content regarding Midjourney, ArchSynth, ChatGPT, Canva, etc. These are great tools, and yes, I use them almost daily, but there is more to AI for interior design than generating ideas and concept imagery.

We all know that AI is transforming industries around the world, but for interior designers, AI has the power to revolutionise how we approach design. Yes, it does allow us to create fresh, inspiring ideas, but for me the life changing aspect comes from automation and the ability to create faster, more precise work, which is why every interior designer needs to understand how to use AI for interior design.

One of the biggest fears everyone has around AI for interior design is that it will take over our profession and interior designers will lose their jobs. The truth is, that I can see many industries linked to interiors where this might be true. Rendering, for example, is a fast-dying industry, especially as AI interior design tools improve, the technical and specific skills required to learn rendering software like VRay, Lumion, Corona Renderer, Twinmotion and Enscape are no longer required.

In the past, you would need to be an advanced user of 3D modelling software, and also need additional knowledge around photography and lighting in order to create a realistic-looking render, not to mention an expensive gaming machine with a high-level graphics card (and lots of time) to do one render! These days, anyone can upload an image, like this SketchUp model I did for a kitchen design and create a realistic rendering within seconds.

So yes, there are some professions connected to our industry, especially those that are especially technical that I have no doubt will disappear due to the AI revolution. In the same way that machinery replaced labour during the Industrial Revolution, we will see a decline in people offering rendering services. But will interior design get replaced by AI? No, but interior designers who do embrace AI technology will end up getting replaced by interior designers who do use it.

But this is nothing new for our industry! Interior design as a profession is still relatively young (when you compare it to architecture, for example), so as a whole, we’re used to this fast-paced and ever-changing industry, which, because it’s trend-driven requires you to stay up to date regularly anyway. So this is just the latest thing we need to learn to stay relevant, and the good news is that it is fun, and once you do start using it, you’ll feel like you’ve just added some superpowers to your career game.

AI can assist in each part of the design process, from automating repetitive tasks to analysing data. Imagine having a tool that could help manage your project schedules, organise design assets, or even streamline the drafting process, all with a few clicks. By reducing the administrative load, AI allows us to spend more time on the creative and client-centred aspects of our work, which increases our skillset, allowing us to create much more value for our clients.

I can instantly narrow down options that comply with certain ISO 14001 certifications instead of spending hours trawling through websites and researching companies. This means that what used to take me weeks or months (if not years to build databases of knowledge), I can make fast, confident and more sustainable decisions in seconds.

AI also adds a layer of personalisation that would otherwise require hours of research and client meetings. There are AI tools that can analyse client preferences by scanning images, mood boards, or even social media profiles, instantly analysing a client’s design or décor style. So instead of spending hours trying to figure out how to merge our client’s differing interior design styles or painstakingly trawling through Pinterest boards, we can input information into AI and use the analysed data to make instant decisions.

One of the biggest fears my mentees have is that they will misinterpret a client’s style, especially when they’re just starting out, but using AI to analyse stylistic preferences, we can confidently showcase concepts that align with a client’s tastes from day one!

My approach with our AI for Interior Design Course is to align the abilities of AI with the interior design process. I found that this is the best way to simultaneously see the benefits of AI in all aspects of our work rather than simply focusing on the generic conceptual uses that we’re seeing online. So, keeping the design process in mind, I wanted to share AI processes that align with them.

If you would like to see the full interior design process list with specific AI sources with examples and prompts, have a look at our AI for Interior Design course.

As AI technology continues to evolve, so will the possibilities it brings, so instead of feeling threatened or afraid of AI, it’s time to embrace it and gain a super power! As AI technology continues to advance, it’s clear that the design industry is on the brink of a major transformation, which means there is no better time to get started with AI for Interior Design.

This course offers a hands-on, practical approach to integrating AI into your design process from concept to completion! It’s ideal for both beginner designers as well as seasoned professionals including architects, looking to expand their digital toolkit. The goal is to equip you with the tools and confidence to leverage AI in your work, empowering you to make the most of this transformative technology, regardless of your experience level.

You can access this course as part of our IntoDesign Platform – our digital workspace for interior designers to start and grow their interior design careers with support, mentorship and skills - IntoDesign Membership