Downsides of AI in Home Design
Welp, Ai tools are everywhere these days. Increasingly, they’ve made their way into home design. From room styling to product suggestions, there is now an abundance of artificially created home design tools. While I love efficiency, I tend to be a little skeptical of technology in general. However, I’ve researched, experimented, and played with a variety of interior design ai tools and have developed strong opinions. While they may offer quick ideas, I think there are several downsides of AI in home design. So, before uploading your room photo, check out this list to help make an informed decision for your home.
First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit I’m a little biased on this topic. I mean, I make a living providing home design services and sharing my decor ideas here. They are my very own ideas, full of creativity and limitations. So, naturally, AI tools make me a little itchy. Will AI take away home design jobs?
I say no. I’ll share more below as to why I believe that. However, I’ll also say that AI is something I could use (and do to some extent) alongside my own ideas but it takes incredible discernment. And ultimately, I believe there are just too many downsides of AI for these tools to be widely used in a good way.
Proportion & Accuracy
First and foremost, one of the major downsides of AI in home design is that these tools notoriously make a lot of mistakes when it comes to accuracy. I’ve tried several options and have seen these common issues:
- Simply removing a key architectural features like a fireplace or door
- Completely changing the proportion of a room so the space somehow becomes wider and longer or the door moves closer to the corner
- Adding in unexpected features like two fireplaces in one room or an extra door
- Ignoring building quirks like nooks, corners, angled ceilings
In general, these tools seem to just make every room a simple rectangle and add or delete randomly. This is not at all helpful to a homeowner who may be looking for ideas on how to style a small bedroom or layout ideas for a living room with a fireplace.
AI Product Pushing
Ooh, this one really gets to me. One of the sneaky downsides of AI in home design is the product pushing. Many tools will “style” rooms by cramming all sorts of furniture, decor pieces, artwork, and more. Not with any sort of interior design judgement but simply because they get some sort of profit by suggesting these specific products.
The Wayfair Muse tool for example, creates a boho inspired living room with more macrame wall hangings on the walls than one person could possibly ever want. It’s random, terrible and each item was linked for purchase.
A few years ago, I was interviewed by an excutive at Wayfair for my thoughts as a home designer and influencer on this tool. I was extremely candid and see my feedback was not considered 🙂 I also shared my thoughts on this topic with Dwell Magazine earlier this year.
Downside of “Too Perfect”
Homes are meant to be lived in with room to grow and evolve. There is character and perhaps even what some might call flaws or quirks. These are all things that makes a home our own.
One of the major downsides of AI is that it makes home design ridiculously “perfect“. At first glance things might seem symmetrical or clean or polished, but on closer inspection it’s unrealistic and more like a showroom. Perfectly placed pillows and bland artwork with no real attention to layers of texture, color theory, or contrast. I share more about the importance of authenticity in my post, The Case for Imperfect Home Styling.
Lack of Creativity
This brings me to one of my biggest pet peeves with AI interior design – the complete lack of creativity. If these tools are creating ridiculously unrealistic spaces then they are bland showrooms. The actual creative process of room design is completely lacking.
What do I mean by this? Isn’t choosing colors and furniture pretty easy? Oh, it seems that way sometimes. Sure, throw up some popular colors and trendy furniture and call it room design. But, no, home design is a tricky, time consuming process that requires an understanding of design elements plus a knack for problem solving.
In fact, most of what I do is looking at a space and solving one problem after another. Whether it’s functionality, architectural quirks, or color theory, I go through and assess each issue, land on the best solution, and ultimately create a space that solves these problems while still aesthetically pleasing. One of the major downsides of AI is that it just doesn’t account for any of this.
FAQs of Home Design AI
AI gives instant, automated suggestions. A real virtual designer listens to your needs, considers your lifestyle and space, and creates custom, thoughtful plans—with the flexibility to pivot and adjust along the way.
Yes, it can be. AI can offer inspiration or sourcing ideas, but it won’t factor in DIY skill level, availability of materials, or how to prioritize a budget in a meaningful way. For example, it might suggest a huge new couch but overlook the fact it’s not proportionate to that space so that purchase could be wasteful.
AI tools can suggest layouts, color palettes, and furniture ideas, but they don’t understand a unique space, lifestyle, or personal preferences the way a real designer does. They’re a helpful starting point but not a full solution.
Personalized Virtual Design Services
Many people look to AI design in effort to save money. However, the cheap often comes out expensive. AI often suggests unnecessary changes or products. If you’d still like individual help with room design but at a lower commitment – check out my Virtual Design Services. I create a personalized room design plan complete with color theory, layout, and suggestions on a room by room basis at a very affordable rate and completed all by email!
Final Thoughts on AI in Home Design
I hope this post is helpful as you consider the downsides of AI in Home Design. With any new technology, it has it’s pros and cons so when it comes to real home decisions, use these tools strategically. Remember that AI can distort proportion and provides often unrealistic results. It might nudge you into buying products that don’t actually work for you home.
If you’d like to learn more about interior design technology, check out my posts on the Best Paint Visualizers and AI Interior Design Tools for more tips.
