SOURCE: Pamela Lynn Interiors
Love it or hate it, AI is here to stay and has even made its way into the world on interior design. From virtual staging to 3D modellers the design industry has been overwhelmed with tools that are meant to make our lives easier but are they?
For most of us the reality of these tools has been underwhelming. Yes, they can create a furnished space but look closely and it may not be as drool-worthy as you think. The end result tends to be generic and boring with nothing elevating the space. While this may be a tool for the DIY’er it certainly isn’t ready to replace the job of interior designers anytime soon.
If you’re planning to use AI tools to help you decorate your own space here are some of the aspects of these tools that are still missing when it comes to designing your home.
Table of Contents
What’s Missing From AI Design Tools?
SOURCE: Arcadium 3D
There are several aspects to design that are overlooked when using AI tools. We immediately consider how the design looks but if you focus on the design tools alone you may be missing some important contextual clues that point to flawed designs. Here’s what to look for:
The Tools
SOURCE: Decoratly
1/ Structural Errors
The AI tools that claim they can create structural 3D renderings are widely thought to be many years away from being fully functional. There are stories everywhere of AI designs with staircases that go on through the roof of the home or load bearing walls that have been erased from the plans.
Less serious but still significant are the myriad of issues around missing electrical outlets and switches. This is an easy step to overlook for a homeowner but if you’re relying on AI tools you may be sending plans to your contractor that are missing important details in your space. If you want to learn more about how renderings and elevations can save you money, read this post.
2/ Errors in Scale
This is a significant factor when using floor plans and room rendering tools because while the design may look “normal” there are often factors that affect scale and traffic flow.
Typically, designers leave a walkway of 18” around a coffee table whereas an AI tool has been known to leave less than 6” between the coffee table and sofa.
There are also scale issues with architectural elements such as fireplaces that soar to heights of 20’ or more. I’ve also seen walls as thin as paper and mirrors as thick as the wall they sit upon. Technically, AI tools are not ready for use but consider them tools for inspiration.
3/ Layout Errors
Having a designer spend time in your home before and during a renovation is critical to ensuring project flow. We’re there to catch mistakes before they become permanent. AI tools are consistent in designing spaces that would be impractical if not impossible to live in.
Kitchen layouts are always designed with a work triangle in mind. AI tools have been known to create the triangle so far outside the work area that they could often be called part of the dining room or kitchen eating area.
Because these tools don’t have nuance they don’t understand the parameters of what’s acceptable in designing livable spaces. They can’t differentiate between the working side of the kitchen versus the eating side.
The People
SOURCE: Archvinci
1/ The Psychology of Your Space
As a designer I can walk into a living room with an oversized window and know that the space beside that window is perfect for a reading chair. This might be because the homeowner loves to read but it also may be because the sunlight enters at a perfect angle. It’s my experience and my understanding of the psychology of humans that allows me to add the overall understanding of the space.
Alternatively, AI can only comprehend what it’s fed. It doesn’t know that the soft light that flows into the space all morning is calming and makes for a peaceful retreat. It may put a bookcase in that space because you’ve made the request but it overlooks the nuance of the space and particularly the human aspect of every space.
2/ Your Human History
Maybe you lived in Japan for a year or maybe you travelled to every province in Canada collecting posters of capital cities. Maybe you have a rich cultural history that needs to be incorporated through colour, pattern and ancestral designs. Whatever your unique interests and lived experience is, it should be reflected in your home.
A good designer will always inquire about personal experiences that can infiltrate the design of your home. AI will never understand how to include those photos from Portugal because it was a special anniversary. It will estimate where art is needed and send you a link to a generic item at a big box store. The entirety of your personal history will be overlooked in favour of something ordinary and impersonal.
3/ A Lack of Emotional Intelligence
Every home has a feeling or a vibe that is exclusive to the residents of that space. It’s created through the unique aspects of being you and it should always be part of every design. A home with several young kids has an energetic vibe that should be reflected in the fabric selection, the paint colours and the layout. You may also be a person who works long hours and needs a quiet, calming space to recharge at the end of each day.
AI can’t accommodate or understand the requirements that are sometimes subtle and hard to outline. A designer’s role includes asking questions that will reveal the personal needs and wants of the home’s residents. AI will never be able to make that accommodation for you so your home will never truly feel like a reflection of you.
The Execution and Management
SOURCE: Minnaro Interiors
1/ Compliance with Codes
While AI may be familiar with the technical information related to local building codes they aren’t producing code compliant designs at this time. The issue becomes significant when these non-compliant designs are submitted for permits. They will be sent back for revisions and this will ultimately lead to delays that can put your project on hold for weeks or months.
When it comes to planning for permits, it’s imperative that the designs are created by a designer, architect or draftsperson who is qualified to create and submit designs. Delays in permitting are often responsible for trades moving to another project thereby abandoning you in the process. This is a mistake with a tremendous impact on your budget and timeline so never use AI for important drawings. Read this post for a complete list of projects that should be left to the professionals.
2/ Managing the Work Site
The cost of replacing your interior designer with AI tools may seem tempting to those on a tight budget but the money you saved may end up costing you a lot more.
Designers work as part of the larger team and can effectively act as a middleman between the trades and the homeowners. Being present on site is imperative to catch mistakes, answer questions, follow up on missing trades and take note of product issues like delays or out-of-stock products. No AI tool will ever compensate for the eyes and ears of your designer who visits the site to deal with real life issues.
3/ Problem Solving in Real Time
Designers are problem solvers and part of our role is to be able to navigate the flurry of questions and issues that inevitably arise on every job site. The plumbing fixtures that were incorrectly installed needs to be addressed, the leak in the window frame that let water seep into the space needs to be sealed and the tile that is 100 square feet short needs to be returned and a new tile selected and ordered. These are the real life situations that occur and are dealt with quickly because there is a team working hard to get it right.
AI can’t understand or predict any of the issues. They are tools for design only and can’t help when the inevitable errors occur. Relying too heavily on AI tools means you’re going to be on call for all the issues that occur throughout the renovation process.
Product Placement
SOURCE: Estate Agent Today
1/ Soulless Designs
AI tools use online aggregators to recommend products but they tend to create picture-perfect spaces that resemble showrooms instead of homes. AI tools tend to be extremely generic in their selections and pull images that are specific to the trends of today.
The result of this type of recommendation is that the designs look cold and artificial and lack the warmth of a home. Instead, use AI tools to help you create mood boards and floor plans but leave the product selections to the designers. Read this post for suggestions on how to elevate your home and achieve a luxe look on a budget.
2/ Suggesting Non-Existent Pieces
As mentioned above, the aggregators used by AI collect thousands of images online. AI tools will use mathematical averages of what a chair looks like based on the images they’ve collected. When AI provides you with images they’ve selected for you there is a chance that the product doesn’t really exist.
These products are referred to as “ghost images” because they never existed but instead are a creation of your AI tool. This can be extremely disappointing when you fall in love only to realize the products aren’t real or available.
Avoid using AI selections and instead do the shopping on your own after you’ve established the correct sizing for each product to be purchased.
3/ Lack of Technical Knowledge
I recently came across an AI generated room design that included a dozen pillows on a small condo-sized sofa. Not only did the image look visually confusing but in reality it’s an example of the lack of understanding in these AI tools. As humans we understand that a sofa with 12 pillows will leave no room for sitting but AI doesn’t consider functionality.
The other important aspect to consider is the materials themselves. AI tools can’t understand texture and quality. It can’t understand how a fabric will feel to sit on or how a fabric stands up to kids and pets. It only considers the aesthetics and completely overlooks the lifestyles of the home’s residents.
We’re not quite ready to pass our design projects over to AI quite yet but it can be a useful tool to give you inspiration for your upcoming project. It’s possible to use these tools as the starting point to give you some comfort around design and budget. As for the implementation of the design, leave that to the designers for now.
If you have an upcoming project and you’d like to discuss it with a designer, reach out to me. I’d love to hear about what you’re planning.
