What you need to know about these AI Tools for Interior Design

AI intrigued? Below we cut through the noise to bring you what’s working - and what’s not for interior designers. From AI-powered visualization tools like SketchUp Diffusion that let you generate stunning photorealistic images with simple text prompts, to color-curation platforms like Khroma AI that personalize palettes based on your unique taste, we’re diving deep into the tools that are spearheading the way for the A&D industry. But we’re not here to sugarcoat things. Not every AI tool is ready for prime time, and knowing which ones to avoid is just as crucial as knowing which to adopt.

Whether you're looking to speed up client presentations, discover unexpected color combinations, or bring abstract concepts to life, AI is the key to becoming the most productive and inspired version of yourself.

AI for Inspo

1. Midjourney – Image & Inspiration Discovery

Why It’s Great

Midjourney is an AI image-generation tool that allows designers to create high-quality, concept-driven visuals from simple text prompts. For architects and interior designers, it’s a game-changer for early-stage ideation, providing endless inspiration and concept exploration.

Pros:

• Generates high-quality, unique visual concepts quickly.
• Helps visualize ideas before committing to the next stage in the process.
• Great for exploring different aesthetics and design languages.

Where it falls short

The lack of control over what will be generated makes it difficult to be usable beyond the inspo phase. 

Cons:

• Not specifically tailored for architecture or interior design.
• Lacks precise control over output - results can be unpredictable.
• Requires some practice to craft effective prompts.

2. Sora AI

Why It’s Great

OpenAI's Sora is a powerful text-to-video AI tool. By transforming simple text prompts into dynamic, high-quality videos, Sora allows designers to quickly visualize concepts, create immersive virtual walkthroughs, and present their ideas to clients in a more engaging, interactive way. This innovative tool not only speeds up ideation but also provides a fresh approach to client presentations and project development.

Pros:

• Enhanced Storytelling: Sora enables designers to craft compelling narratives around their designs, showcasing the evolution of a space from concept to completion through engaging video content.
• Material and Lighting Simulations: Sora can simulate various materials and lighting conditions in a space, helping designers make informed decisions.
• Design Iteration Efficiency: The ability to quickly generate videos from text allows designers to explore multiple design options and iterate rapidly based on client feedback.

Where it falls short

Like many AI tools, the quality of the output is only as good as the prompt. In this case, the prompt requires lots of text and direction. 

Cons:

• Oversimplification: The AI might oversimplify intricate design concepts, failing to capture the full depth and complexity of certain architectural styles or bespoke elements
• Dependence on Text Descriptions: The quality of generated videos heavily relies on the clarity and detail of input prompts
• Rendering Inconsistencies: Since the model is generative, repeated prompts might yield slightly different results, making it hard to maintain consistency across multiple videos for the same project

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AI for Concepting

3. MattoBoard – Mood Boarding & 3D Material Library

Why It’s Great

MattoBoard is a drag and drop 3D mood boarding tool that enables designers to curate compelling material boards efficiently. MattoBoard’s online material library features over 10K branded materials, products, and paints - plus, you can upload your own, and AI converts them into 3D Virtual Samples. Designers now rely less on physical samples and are able to craft presentation-ready material boards in minutes.

Pros:

• Designers can experiment with real product samples in 3D, experiencing light and shadow, texture and tone.
• Create mood and material boards with materials, colors, and layouts in real-time without waiting for physical samples, reducing project timelines.
• MattoBoard’s virtual samples of real products and materials eliminates the need for physical materials during the design phase. 
• MattoBoard supports sustainable design practices.
• MattoBoard's intuitive interface and drag-and-drop features significantly speed up the mood board creation process, freeing up time for more creative work.
• MattoBoard allows designers to create their own virtual sample library in the cloud….accessible from anywhere. 

Cons:

• Since it’s cloud-based, a stable internet connection is crucial. 
• Exporting designs to other industry-standard software (like AutoCAD or SketchUp) is on the horizon and planned for 2025
• Virtual sampling is highly efficient, but designers may still need a physical sample before placing large orders.

‍4. Khroma - Color Personalization

Why it’s great

Imagine being able to browse and select colors tailored specifically to your client's personal preferences. With Khroma AI, that’s now possible. This smart tool uses an algorithm that learns directly from you - or your client - by analyzing preferred colors and hues. It then curates unique palettes based on those choices and even suggests unexpected color combinations you might not have considered.

Pros:

• Extensive Search and Filter Options: Designers can search and filter color combinations by hue, tint, value, and specific color codes, allowing for precise palette customization
• Unlimited Palette Storage: Designers can save an unlimited number of favorite color combinations for future reference, streamlining the design process
• Accessibility Information: Khroma provides color names, hex codes, RGB values, CSS codes, and WCAG accessibility ratings for every color, ensuring designs are both beautiful and accessible

Where it falls short

It’s relatively limited in terms of how it can be applied to interior design projects as the colors provided are digital and do not give specific paint and material color solutions.

Cons: 

• Initial Setup Time: Training the AI requires selecting a set of 50 colors, which may be time-consuming for some users
• Limited Collaborative Features: Khroma does not currently offer collaborative tools, which could be a drawback for design teams working together on projects
• No Direct Integration with Design Software: Khroma does not offer direct integration with popular design software, necessitating manual transfer of color information, which could be less efficient

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AI for Visualization

5. Coohom - Designing, Modeling, and Visualizing

Why It’s Great

Coohom simplifies 3D design with fast rendering, detailed floor plans, and an extensive model library. It offers drag-and-drop functionality for easy furniture placement, customizable lighting simulations, and automatic dimensioning for precise layouts. With features like virtual walkthroughs, real-time design previews, and AI-assisted space planning, Coohom helps designers visualize and adjust their projects effortlessly. The platform also includes advanced tools for material selection, texture mapping, and detailed 3D renderings that bring designs to life.

Pros:

• Rapid Rendering: Coohom offers fast rendering capabilities, allowing designers to visualize their ideas in a short time frame.
• Extensive Model Library: The platform boasts a vast library of 3D models, including furniture, decor, and appliances from various brands, enabling designers to create realistic and diverse interiors.
• Regular Updates: The platform is continually updated with new features and improvements, ensuring users have access to the latest tools and technologies.

Where it falls short

The customization capabilities are not as advanced as desired, especially considering the learning curve.

Cons:

• Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic functions are user-friendly, mastering advanced features may require time and practice.
• Limited Architectural Tools: Coohom lacks some advanced architectural features found in other design software, such as detailed structural modelling.
• Customization Limitations: Some users have reported limitations in custom modelling capabilities, which can restrict design flexibility.

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6. SketchUp Diffusion - Photorealistic Renders 

Why It’s Great

SketchUp Diffusion is an experimental feature in SketchUp that integrates generative AI to create photorealistic images from your 3D models. By using text prompts combined with your active model’s viewport, it generates AI-enhanced visuals, helping designers quickly produce high-quality renderings without needing advanced rendering software or skills.

Pros

• Direct Integration with SketchUp: The generated images are layered over your model in SketchUp, making it seamless to toggle between your original design and the AI-enhanced render.
• Text-to-Image Generation: You can describe the desired style or mood using simple text prompts, and Diffusion will enhance your SketchUp model accordingly.
• Accelerated Concept Development: Speeds up early-stage design by providing quick, photorealistic visuals.

Where it falls short

The design details intended don’t always translate to the room output. 

Cons:

• Limited Control: AI-generated images may not fully capture specific design details or intentions, leading to less precise results. Outputs can sometimes be inconsistent.
• Subscription Requirement: Available only to users with an active SketchUp Pro subscription, adding to software costs for some users.

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AI isn’t just an optional tool in your design toolkit - it’s rapidly becoming a necessity. From generating photorealistic renders with SketchUp Diffusion to curating personalized color palettes with Khroma AI, the possibilities are endless. Tools like MattoBoard and Coohom are transforming how we visualize, iterate, and present designs, while Sora AI takes storytelling to a whole new level with dynamic, text-to-video transformations. Companies that deliver accurate results, allow for rapid iteration, and empower designers to ideate quickly will dominate this space. 

But remember, not every AI tool is a one-size-fits-all solution. Some will streamline your workflow and spark creativity, while others might fall short of your expectations. The key is knowing which tools align with your unique design process and when to implement them for maximum impact.

As AI continues to evolve, so should your approach to design. Stay curious, stay informed, and most importantly, stay ahead.

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