Could artificial intelligence help you redesign your living room before you buy a single can of paint?
A growing number of AI-powered decorating apps now promise to do just that, allowing homeowners to experiment with colours, furniture layouts and décor ideas in a matter of seconds.
But while these tools make it easier than ever to visualise a room makeover, whether technology can really replace the experience, creativity and judgement of a skilled interior designer is another matter entirely.
We discussed the advantages and limitations of artificial intelligence decorating apps with Karolina De Costa, manager at Rowe Spurling Paint Company on St John’s Road.
“Having studied colour theory at university, when AI tools first became available, I was excited about the idea of using AI for decorating, but I also had a healthy dose of skepticism regarding its accuracy,” said M. De Costa.
“I have been using AI for both professional and personal purposes for about a year, and I can say that, with some practice, AI can decrease the amount of time it takes to complete a project – not so much on the creative side, but on the planning and presentation side.
“I have been offering virtual decorating consultations since Covid, and AI has definitely reduced the amount of time I spend creating reports, guides and other materials that help my clients visualise their spaces.”
Pros and cons
“I think AI is a great resource for inspiration because it provides information quickly, concisely and, for the most part, accurately,” said Ms De Costa.
“If you need decorating suggestions for enhancing lighting with new fixtures or introducing accent pieces such as an area rug or plants to define a space, AI can provide a wealth of ideas to browse through with the click of a button.”
However, AI’s capabilities are not without limitations.
According to Ms De Costa, it can struggle when creating spaces from scratch, producing precise architectural dimensions, or accurately representing depth and perspective.
It also has difficulty rendering patterns and textures, such as tile floors, kitchen countertops and backsplashes.
“AI can help homeowners explore colour palettes they might never have considered, but selecting a paint colour is ultimately a very tactile and emotional experience,” she said.
“AI is great if you are trying to decide how to introduce a pop of colour into a space or visualise a new colour palette, but it’s important to remember that AI is still an emerging technology, and the free apps have limited features.”
In other words, AI can paint a cabinet blue, but the shade it selects may be completely random. It cannot anticipate how you will feel about that shade once you are living with it in your home.
The seemingly endless number of design options generated by AI can also make selecting a colour more challenging, leaving homeowners overwhelmed by choice and unable to make a final decision.
Natural light and surroundings
Visualising how colours will appear in Bermuda’s distinctive natural light remains one of AI’s greatest challenges.
“Light changes in warmth and tone throughout the day,” said Ms De Costa. “North-facing rooms tend to feel cooler, while west-facing rooms become warmer in the evening as the sun sets.
“We also don’t all see colour the same way and AI is not yet able to display colours exactly the same way that a person will experience them in real life.
“The surrounding objects in a room can also influence the way a colour appears. A deep burgundy area rug, for example, can cause white walls to take on a pinkish hue”
Colour swatching
Bermuda enjoys exceptional natural light, which can dramatically influence how a paint colour appears in a room.
The paint colour that looks beautiful in your friend’s living room may look completely different in your own home simply because of differences in lighting.
“Not only does AI struggle to replicate natural light, but the image displayed on your phone or computer screen may also be distorted by the device itself,” Ms De Costa said.
“That’s why I always recommend testing paint colours in your own home and observing them at different times of the day before making a final decision.”
Rowe Spurling’s Benjamin Moore 8oz brush-on paint colour samples are available in more than 3,500 colours which, according to Ms De Costa, makes it easy to evaluate how any shade will actually look in your unique environment.”
Leveraging AI effectively
For homeowners who are new to AI, Ms De Costa recommends starting with a simple project, such as changing the colour of an existing wall, floor or piece of furniture, rather than asking AI to design an entirely new kitchen or completely re-do a room layout.
“AI can create thousands of beautiful spaces, but they may not always be structurally possible or visually accurate. That’s where the knowledge and experience of engineers, architects, designers and other professionals becomes invaluable.”
She also advises homeowners to resist the temptation to follow every new colour trend.
A harvest gold refrigerator or a baby pink bathroom sink may seem like a wonderful idea this season, but you could be living with those choices for many years unless you’re prepared to invest the time and money to replace them.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the way we approach home decorating, making it easier than ever to experiment with colours, layouts and design styles before spending a dollar. But while AI may be an excellent source of inspiration, it cannot replace the experience, intuition and understanding of light, colour and personal taste that a skilled decorating professional brings to the table.
The smartest approach may be to let AI spark your imagination, and then rely on human expertise to help turn those ideas into a home you’ll love for years to come.
