AI vs. My Ugly Living Room (Round 2): A Real Review of AI Interior Design Tools
- Ryan Tungseth
- May 21
- 2 min read
Some of these tools made my couch look like it belonged in a design magazine. Others… gave me floating lamps.
Why I Tried This (Again)
My living room isn’t exactly a design showpiece. It's a mash-up of hand-me-downs, leftover projects, and furniture choices I no longer stand by.
I’ve already experimented with AI room design before, and the results were surprisingly solid. So I decided to test a few top tools head-to-head — this time with a more critical eye.
Could AI actually help plan a real makeover? Here's what I found.
1. RoomGPT
What it does:Upload a photo, choose a style, and it instantly generates a redesigned version of your room. Options include modern, minimalist, Scandinavian, and more.
✅ Pros:
Very easy to use
Instant results
Great for quick style testing
⚠️ Cons:
Limited to predefined styles
Occasionally odd furniture placements
Some designs feel a little too generic
Verdict:A solid starting point for inspiration. Think of it as a mood board shortcut, not a full design solution.
2. InteriorAI
What it does:Lets you upload a photo and explore your room in dozens of styles, including Rustic, Art Deco, Industrial, Japandi, and more.
✅ Pros:
Impressive visual results
Huge variety of design styles
Useful if you're exploring major aesthetic shifts
⚠️ Cons:
Limited functionality in the free version
Paid plans required for downloads and HD images
Some outputs feel templated
Verdict:If you're willing to pay, this tool is one of the most fun and flexible to use. Great for visualizing dramatic changes.
3. REimagineHome
What it does:Goes beyond style swaps. This tool considers lighting, layout, and ambiance — delivering more realistic redesigns for serious planning.
✅ Pros:
Polished, professional-looking results
Realistic lighting and space transformations
Strong option for real renovation planning
⚠️ Cons:
Slower processing times
Requires sign-up to download images
Not as flexible for quick experiments
Verdict:If you’re considering actual remodeling, this tool offers the most complete experience. It’s not instant — but the added realism makes it worth the wait.
Final Takeaway
These tools won’t replace a professional designer, but they can help you:
Test new layouts and styles quickly
Avoid costly visual mistakes
Gain confidence before you renovate
Even if you’re not redoing your space tomorrow, it’s a fun way to explore what could be — without spending a dime (unless you want high-res downloads).
Tool Summary
Want More Like This?
Every Thursday, I share one fun, practical way to use AI — from decorating your living room to growing your business.
The emphasis on meticulous upfront planning for any spatial project truly resonates. It's often the difference between a vision realized and costly rework down the line. Visualizing layouts early helps preempt numerous challenges. While the conceptual phase is crucial, translating those ideas into precise, shareable floor plans can still be a bottleneck for many, especially without specialized software or design expertise. For those looking to streamline this process and generate professional layouts quickly, an AI-powered floor plan creator can be an invaluable asset.