AI in Interior Design: Inspiring, But Not Always the Final Answer

AI has taken the interior design world by storm—and it's easy to see why. With AI, we can now visualize dreamy living rooms, perfectly styled kitchens, or calming bedrooms that feel like they came right out of a magazine. These tools are incredible for sparking creativity and helping clients and designers get a sense of what could be. But here’s the thing, while AI-generated interiors are a fantastic source of inspiration, relying on them too heavily can actually hold us back from creating truly personal, lived-in spaces.

Let’s talk about what AI does really well. It’s great at offering options. Whether you’re stuck on a color palette or curious how a Scandinavian-meets-boho aesthetic might look, AI can generate beautifully polished concepts in seconds. For clients who struggle to visualize design ideas, AI can bridge that gap and get everyone on the same page.

But here’s the catch: AI design is often too perfect.

The lighting is always just right. The pillows are always fluffed and perfectly square. The furniture is pristine and symmetrical with no signs of wear and tear. There’s no clutter, no antiques your grandmother gave you or that you found at your local thrift store, no awkward angles or quirky nooks. And while that perfection can be visually satisfying, it’s not real life.

Real homes evolve over time with mismatched chairs, beloved-but-worn rugs, and books that don’t all match the color scheme. And that’s what makes them beautiful. Life is imperfect, and our spaces should reflect that. AI can’t fully grasp the emotional impact of a home—the way a room feels when it’s filled with natural light on a Sunday morning, or how a slightly crooked photo on the wall can make you smile because your kid hung it there.

As designers, we can use AI as a starting point, not a blueprint. Let it inspire you, guide you, and spark ideas. But let’s not forget that humans are so important for design. Design should tell a story not just follow a flawless algorithm.

So by all means, explore those perfect spaces and enjoy the possibilities. But when it’s time to create your real space, leave room a little messy or cluttered. Leave it meaningful and lived-in. That’s where true design lives.

AI generated image of the primary bedroom at our Heber Hideaway project

Original photo of primary bedroom at our Heber Hideaway project