ChatGPT has many practical applications for homeowners, especially for budgeting, and doing preliminary research during a house hunt. But how does it measure up with interior design?
For serious design enthusiasts, or homeowners who want comprehensive design inspiration with more detailed images, paid subscriptions to GPT 4.0, or AI image generator Midjourney may be better suited, as there is a limit on images generated with free ChatGPT access. There is also free AI and AR visualizer apps for real-time inspiration available from numerous retailers, paint companies and third parties.
However, for general advice, ideation, shopping and home design-related tasks, ChatGPT is helpful.
What ChatGPT Does Well in Interior Design
Determining interior design style.
Basic space planning.
Furniture placement.
Furniture, decor and accent shopping suggestions.
Color palette advice.
Asking detailed follow-up questions to guide the user to consider design elements that may have been overlooked.
Breaking down intangible design concepts (i.e. design a home office that is inviting) into actionable steps to guide further planning.
Generating basic images, helpful in conceptualizing concepts.
Limitations of ChatGPT for Interior Design
Limited number of images available with free plan. This can stall the ideation process, without being able to tweak and regenerate images in quick succession.
Limited renderings available with free ChatGPT.
Image generation and 3D rendering are decent photo quality, but scale and proportion aren’t always accurate.
Users may encounter designs that don’t accurately reflect textual prompts (i.e. adding rooms or features that aren’t requested or leaving requested items out of design).
Photos can be uploaded, but advice is language-based.
Within this framework, here is how ChatGPT can help with interior design.
Name Your Interior Design Style
Interior design is represented visually, which makes it challenging for the average person to find the most accurate words to describe their style. It’s not uncommon for homeowners to misuse design terms, or mistake one aesthetic for another. Being able to name your style is an important part of articulating your design concepts to others, such as your partner, designer and builder. It also provides a foundation from which to build your design, and assign colors, materials and decor.
Ask ChatGPT to “name my design style”. You’ll be led through a series of questions to narrow down your style.
Color Palette and Decor Inspiration
Once you have a design style or general aesthetic, ask ChatGPT for recommendations on color combinations, including accent colors. Ask it to furnish and decorate your space as well, and for a shopping list.
If you prefer, ask for color suggestions that address a different objective, such as colors that will make you happy, colors that appeal to future buyers, or colors that are timeless, but work within current trends.
Make Your Design More Sustainable
Sustainability is trending, and ChatGPT can help you do an energy audit in your existing home, or suggest ways you can make your new build more eco-friendly.
Although the bot can’t tour your home and give real-time suggestions, it can provide you with an actionable list of ways to reduce your footprint through your home design. ChatGPT can also help suggest sustainable alternatives for furnishings and decor that are stylish and eco-friendly.
Solve Common Design Dilemmas
ChatGPT is really good at offering fresh solutions to daily problems you might be having in your living space.
Kitchen too dark? Need a productive home office? Not enough storage space? Put your dilemma to ChatGPT and get a list of possible solutions. When you find something that might work, ask for more design details, or product suggestions.
Space Planning and Furniture
Old school space planning involved moving your sofa around the room until you found the optimal location. Instead, ask ChatGPT to do the heavy lifting by suggesting better furniture choices and placement.
Upload a photo of your room and ask for an optimal layout for traffic flow, entertaining guests, maximizing space, etc.
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Heather Wright
Heather Wright is a journalist with a background in real estate reporting and home design, décor and architecture. A design enthusiast and trend spotter, her work has appeared in various lifestyle publications across North America, with a focus on emerging trends and tech in design, sustainability, home renovations and new home construction. In addition to lifestyle writing, Heather's portfolio extends to personal and corporate finance and mining and resources.