How AI is Remodeling the Interior Design Journey

Recent improvements in AI technology have made it possible to effortlessly bring your boldest interior design visions to life. Rather than spending hours browsing for decor or creating multiple renderings when changing a design detail, you can receive tailored furniture recommendations and photorealistic mockups in seconds. These increasingly popular tools are helping even the most novice designers create gorgeous spaces, and we're here to help you build yours.

In this article, you’ll discover what AI technologies to keep a close eye on, how they can support your design journey, and why Onton (formerly Deft), an AI-powered search and inspiration engine, is your go-to resource for building your dream home.

3 AI technologies every interior designer should know about

The usefulness of AI goes far beyond everyday conversations with tools like ChatGPT and Claude AI — it’s transforming entire industries, including interior design. Here are three AI  technologies that every aspiring or established interior designer should have on their radar.

AI-generated images

This technology helps you visualize your design ideas, from rough concepts to elaborate room layouts. Just type in what you’re looking for — like a “shabby chic kitchen with floral window curtains” — and the tool will tap into its extensive database to create a detailed rendering based on your input. Plus, tools like Onton Imagine make it easy to refine the design and tweak specific elements by simply adjusting your prompt.

Reverse image search

Discover new products and learn more about different aesthetics by simply uploading a relevant picture to an AI-powered search engine like Onton. The tool analyzes the features of the image to find matches or related visuals online, helping you identify the items in the photo and explore the style and trends they align with. This quick search process saves you all the time you once spent browsing so you can focus on creating the perfect room layout.

AI Virtual Assistants

AI-powered virtual assistants (like Onton Concierge) can answer all your interior design questions in seconds. These tools understand natural language, so you can type detailed questions with useful context instead of relying on keyword searches. Once you’ve shared your request, your AI assistant will sift through hundreds of web results to provide you with the most relevant information. You can even ask follow-up questions about the results, just as you would with a human interior designer.

How AI can help you envision and design your dream home

With AI-powered tools becoming more accessible than ever, you can easily use them to improve your interior design journey and unleash your creativity — here’s how. 

Visualize your fantasy home with AI virtual staging

Some designers create multiple sketches, visit several retail stores, and go through many furniture installations, only to find out their layout doesn’t work within their space. AI virtual staging makes similar interior design challenges a thing of the past, empowering you to fully envision your new space without the manual workload. 

Say you want to refresh your living room with a new sofa, but you don't know what accents you prefer — metal or natural wood. AI virtual staging can visualize both in seconds, so you can choose the option that fits your space and style. 

Similarly, if a layout appeals to you but you’re not quite sure about certain pieces, you can easily remove and swap furniture to find the combination that resonates with your personality, needs, and room specifications. Best of all, you can let your imagination roam free and explore all the different styles you’ve been dying to incorporate into your space. Seamlessly switch from Hollywood Glam to Bauhaus and Japandi in minutes to see which option accentuates your home. 

Find the furniture pieces you’ve been searching for in mere minutes

Having trouble hunting down the marble counter you saw in a kitchen renovation photoshoot? With reverse image search, finding the pieces that inspire you has never been easier.

This AI technology allows you to easily locate specific products online, learn more about their materials and dimensions, and compare prices across different stores. You can also browse the results to find related items, such as a stylish lamp that matches your colonial kitchen layout.

AI-powered search engines help you reimagine your space in ways you might have never considered before. For instance, if you upload an image of a table you've been eyeing, you might see the same table design in a different material or a color that brightens up your space. This effortless discovery process not only brings fresh ideas for your home but also makes design rendering even more fun and creative.

Design your dream layout without breaking the bank 

Suppose you just created the ideal layout for your home, but the items are just too expensive. With AI interior design tools, you no longer have to choose between your dream design and your budget. For example, you can reverse image search your desired furniture to find different dupe options and low-cost white-label furniture pieces that deliver the same style for a fraction of the price. If you need more specific brand suggestions within your budget, you can ask an AI virtual assistant for personalized assistance.  

Get expert-level advice throughout your interior design journey

AI virtual assistants provide novice designers with expert-level advice, from color schemes and materials to furniture selection and layout optimization. Imagine you've found the perfect wooden flooring for your home, but you are unsure what fabrics and materials would complement it best. Share your questions with an AI virtual assistant, and it will provide tailored suggestions based on your idealized vision.

What’s more, AI interior design tools help you translate abstract ideas into tangible designs. For example, you can ask for texture and color recommendations that would make a room “feel like summer” or “add a sophisticated nuance” — rather than trying to pinpoint the exact materials, shapes, and finishes to create your desired effects.

Even without specific questions, your AI assistant sparks inspiration by letting you freely explore global trends and niche styles alike. All you need to do is type an open-ended question — such as "What are the leading interior design trends in California," and let your creative juices flow.  

Why Onton is the ultimate AI interior design tool

While there are many AI interior design tools available to both novice and seasoned designers, Onton is one of the few that offers the features needed to take your interior design journey to the next level. Here's a breakdown of the tools our users love the most.

Onton Search 

Onton Search helps you shop for furniture that truly elevates your space. Simply type what you’re looking for or upload an image of your desired decor and let Onton analyze millions of web results to locate identical items. 

As you browse, you can easily compare prices and learn more about the products to pick the ones that resonate with your style. Once you’ve made your selection, you can navigate to the brand’s website to make a purchase with a single click.

Onton Imagine

Looking to test new designs and layouts? Onton Imagine is the place to start. Its powerful AI technology enables you to generate realistic renderings using text prompts and images of your design space.

Visualize every design idea and experiment with different styles in just a few clicks. Or, tweak elements in your layout to achieve the perfect balance of beauty and functionality for your room. 

Onton Concierge 

Looking for some expert-level advice? Use Onton Concierge, our AI-powered virtual assistant, to get personalized design assistance and hone in on your vision. Onton Concierge is also available directly within Onton Search to make your design journey as efficient as possible. 

Onton Discover 

With Onton Discover, you can browse a collection of tastefully crafted spaces from over 40 unique styles to find inspiration for your design projects. Once an item catches your eye, you can shop for it by simply clicking on the piece itself.

Turn your dream home into reality with Onton

From AI-powered search engines to photorealistic virtual staging, Onton has everything you need to design the home of your dreams.

Sign up for free today!