Why every interior designer needs AI as their creative ally

Interior design has always been an area driven by imagination and creativity. But, although that’s still true today, designers are now also expected to be faster and more versatile than ever before. They need to produce top-quality visuals and master numerous different tools, all while staying on top of the ever-changing trends. Artificial intelligence is the assistant, who helps turn ideas into visuals quicker.

Interior design tastes are constantly evolving as one trend replaces the other.

As we approach 2026, we are seeing a move towards richer, more personal interiors and incorporation of colours, but it seems only yesterday all eyes were on beige, neutral designs. The lines between trends are increasingly blurry, so designers have the tricky job of producing fresh ideas, making them feel personalised rather than staged. 

AI allows designers to keep pace with these demands, while staying true to their own creative flair. Instead of spending hours sourcing materials and experimenting with layouts, you can prompt an AI tool to visualise an entire concept, producing dozens of variations. You may even provide it with a basic sketch, which is then turned into a realistic image. From lighting to layout, you can make adjustments to the produced visuals, until you refine it based on your initial vision. 

Therefore, AI gives designers the freedom to prototype trends and ideas rapidly, generating instant visual feedback and helping clients see how these design choices translate to their homes or workplaces. It’s about giving them more options in the same space of time, so they can make confident decisions without unanswered questions “what if?”. 

In recent years, visual AI models have improved drastically, offering high-precision, high-quality results.

For instance, the Freepik AI interior design tools provide a whole suite of powerful abilities and applications for different needs, used by some of the leading brands in the world. Here are some examples of the way they support designers work day-to-day:

• Visual prototyping: Generates interior visualisations within minutes, by simply uploading sketches, reference images or explaining an idea in spoken language. Designers can render multiple concepts in the same aesthetic or, the opposite, redesign an existing one in different aesthetics for comparison - scandi, art deco, biophilic, japandi… You name it.

• Material experimentation: AI design tools can swap out finishes and textures in seconds. Imagine previewing how a marble countertop would compare with terrazzo in a traditional kitchen or, perhaps, how different lighting moods affect perception of space in the lounge. This saves hours of manual editing and remodelling.

• Animated concepts: The platform allows you to not only transform concepts to images, but also turn them into video materials. Animated visuals allow clients to imagine how the space will feel in real life: how the light will move across the room throughout the day, how the multi-purpose layouts will be used in practice.

• Staging and photography: Once the real space is complete, AI can also enhance your post-production workflow. This is where Freepik AI photography tools come into play, offering such functionality as resizing and upscaling (without losing quality), background removals, object removals, model generators, and more. As a result, the same visuals can be repurposed across numerous assets and marketing campaigns. 

Together, these applications create a seamless workflow, where the designer can place their full focus on executing creative ideas, while the technology takes care of the time-consuming tasks. As such, AI removes the friction, allowing for a faster turnaround and higher quality all at once.

Of course, the creative partnership between designers and AI needs to have its boundaries. Technology is there to augment, not replace, the human touch. The emotional nuances of our home spaces, what evokes a feeling of warmth and happiness, still relies on a trained eye. So, AI is here to help guide the clients through your vision, with as much accuracy and precision as possible. 

Furthermore, sustainability and practicality are also key considerations. As an interior designer, your job is not just to think about the visual impact, but also the practical aspects of your designs. It’s one thing to use AI for ideas on home renovations and a whole other to make durable, sustainable decisions that make sense for that particular space and family.

The trick is to treat AI as a co-pilot - an ally who can provide options, but you are still the one who decides which ones align best with the project’s intent.

Some people are still rejecting the idea of AI tools, however, the best designers of tomorrow will be those who utilise it to their own advantage. With such powerful tools at your dispense, you gain precious time and expand your versatility. Remember, when used well, AI does not kill creativity - it multiplies it!