AI in Interior Design: Do you still need an interior designer?
It wasn’t that long ago that all plans were drafted by hand
There was a time when every drawing in architecture and design was done by hand. Firms had rooms filled with people drafting floorplans with rulers and ink. If a mistake was made, you started again. When design went digital, everything changed. Drawings could be edited instantly, ideas refined, and projects moved faster. Did computers replace designers? Not at all. They freed up time for creativity, problem-solving, and detail.
AI is today’s version of that shift. And just like a calculator doesn’t replace a mathematician, AI doesn’t replace an interior designer. It’s a tool — powerful, yes — but still just a tool.
Do You Still Need an Interior Designer in the Age of AI?
It’s the question, everyone is quietly thinking. If AI can generate images of kitchens or living rooms in seconds, why hire a designer?
Because design is more than an image. AI doesn’t know your family, your lifestyle, or your home. It can’t walk through your hallway and see that it’s too narrow for standard joinery. It doesn’t realise your living room needs more storage or that afternoon light makes your walls glow a certain way.
An interior designer does. We interpret who you are and how you live, and then turn that into a space that’s both functional and beautiful. That’s something no algorithm can replicate.
How We Use AI to Benefit Our Clients at Miri Interiors
I’ve always offered 3D views so clients could see their designs, but at the early conceptual stages these were sketch-like — useful for understanding layout and flow, but not very realistic. The fully rendered, photorealistic images were usually reserved for the later stages once decisions had been made, because they were time-consuming and expensive to produce.
With AI, that process has been transformed. Now I can:
Show photorealistic previews at the very beginning
Clients don’t have to wait until the end to see their space come to life — they can visualise it clearly right from the first concepts.Explore different options faster
Whether it’s comparing cabinetry colours, trying out different stone selections, or experimenting with layouts, AI allows me to generate variations quickly and give clients more confidence in their decisions.More time for detail and service
Because AI speeds up the visual side, I can spend more of my time on what truly matters: refining layouts, coordinating with builders, and ensuring every joinery detail and material selection works in real life.
An initial design developed in SketchUp, then rendered into a photorealistic image for client review.
AI vs. Pinterest: Why More Ideas Don’t Equal Better Design
In many ways, AI is like Pinterest on steroids. It can serve up endless inspiration, but more ideas don’t necessarily lead to a better design. If anything, they can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what will actually work in your home.
In fact, this is often the point when clients reach out to me — after they’ve collected hundreds of images, only to feel more confused than when they started.
That’s where a designer makes the difference. We filter the noise, refine the vision, and translate inspiration into a home that reflects your lifestyle, suits your budget, and works seamlessly in your space.
The Future of Interior Design
The future isn’t about choosing between AI or an interior designer. It’s about combining the best of both.
Working with a designer who embraces AI means you get:
The speed and clarity of technology.
The creativity, intuition, and coordination that only a human can bring.
So do you still need a designer? Absolutely. And now, with AI in the mix, you get something even better: design that’s both inspired and deeply personal.
From SketchUp concept to photorealistic AI render — showing clients how their bathroom design materials and lighting come to life
Need support on your next project?
Designer. Educator. Advocate for relatable luxury.
If you’re a builder, designer or homeowner looking for clarity on your joinery, stone selections or overall space planning, I’d love to help. The right advice early on can save time, reduce stress and help you avoid costly mistakes.
At Miri Interiors, we offer:
Full-service interior design, from concept through to completion
One-off design sessions and 90-minute Design Intensives to help you make confident decisions on specific elements of your project
Get in touch to discuss your project, or follow along on Instagram for more design insights and inspiration.
“Luxury isn’t about excess — it’s about intention. Every finish, every joinery line, every material should feel like it belongs”
