Ep 65: We’ve Hit the AI Tipping Point (And No, It’s Not Replacing Interior Designers)

Written By Jenna Gaidusek

Listen to the Podcast Episode for a deeper dive


Episode 65: We’ve Hit the AI Tipping Point (And No, It’s Not Replacing Interior Designers)

We have officially arrived at the moment many of us have been anticipating. AI is now "good enough" that homeowners think they can design their own spaces. With tools like Google Gemini, its image tools often called Nano Banana, and platforms like ChatGPT available to everyone, it can feel like the internet is trying to convince the world that designers are optional.

In reality, the more AI shows up in cameras, browsers, and feeds, the more obvious it becomes that professional designers are needed to interpret, refine, and correct what AI cannot understand about the real world.

🔥 The AI Tipping Point Has Arrived

Recent updates to Google Gemini brought powerful visual capabilities directly into everyday workflows. The image tools that many people refer to as Nano Banana now sit right inside the camera roll on many devices.

For a homeowner, that looks like magic. They can take a photo of their living room, tap an icon, and instantly see a different wall color, new furniture, or a completely different layout. From the outside, it feels like interior design has become a quick filter.

From a professional perspective, you can immediately see the problems. Proportions are off. Flow is wrong. Functions are unclear. Structural elements are ignored. The image might look impressive at first glance, but it does not translate into a buildable or livable design.

Social Media And The Rise Of AI Sludge

At the same time, social platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and even short form platforms many people use for scrolling are overflowing with AI generated content.

You have likely seen:

  • AI generated interiors presented as real projects
  • Step by step "AI design hacks" from people who are not designers
  • Animated room transformations that ignore scale and construction
  • Generic carousels repeating the same list of tools with no real experience behind them

It creates the feeling that everyone is an expert. In reality, most of what is being shared is unvetted experimentation, not professional guidance.

Fake AI Experts And Confused Homeowners

A new type of personality has emerged online. Someone discovers Gemini or ChatGPT, plays with a few AI features, and suddenly brands themselves as an "AI design expert." They show how to upload a floor plan into an image model, generate a walkthrough, and suggest that this process replaces designers.

To trained eyes, the output is obviously wrong. Rooms shift locations. Circulation paths disappear. Ceiling heights change. The "after" bears little relationship to the original plan. Yet to a homeowner who just wants something pretty and fast, it can look convincing enough to try to implement.

This is where danger shows up. Not because the tools exist, but because people without design training are presenting themselves as authorities and teaching others to follow them.

Real Client Examples Of AI In Practice

Inside a professional workflow, AI can still be incredibly useful. Here are three quick examples of how this shows up in real projects.

1. The Client Who Did Not Need AI At All

For one client, traditional design boards and product selections were all she needed. She understood the concept quickly and trusted the process. Introducing AI visuals would have added noise without adding value.

2. The Client Whose AI Results Turned Everything Green

Another client tried using AI on her own. She told the tool that she loved green and it gave her a room that was entirely green from top to bottom. When we worked together, I used curated AI images to show balanced, realistic concepts that honored her love of green without overwhelming the space.

3. The Bedroom Project That Closed Overnight

For a recent bedroom project, I started with two design boards. The client liked elements from both. I combined the ideas and then generated a quick AI composite of the room. Seeing all the pieces together helped her feel confident, and she was ready to move forward and order almost immediately.

In all of these scenarios, AI was either intentionally left out or guided carefully. It did not lead the project. It supported it.

The Coming Wave Of DIY AI Design Problems

Many AI tools now suggest layout changes, wall removals, or remodel ideas without any understanding of structure, codes, or construction. A suggestion to "open up the space by removing this wall" might look great in an image, but in reality that wall could be load bearing or integral to mechanical systems.

Homeowners who act on these suggestions without professional guidance can find themselves:

  • Halfway through a project with no clear plan
  • Dealing with trades who cannot execute what the AI image shows
  • Facing costly corrections to make the space safe and functional

This is where an opportunity appears for designers. A service offering that supports clients who tried to follow AI and got stuck can become a powerful part of your business. You can review what they attempted, create a realistic plan, and bring the project back into alignment with reality.

Ethics And How We Choose To Use AI

As AI expands, big tech companies will not be the ones protecting your work or your industry by default. That responsibility is on us. Clear personal boundaries are becoming essential.

Some examples of ethical choices you might adopt:

  • Not feeding other designers images into generative AI tools without permission
  • Not training models on portfolios that belong to professionals in your field
  • Being transparent with clients about when and how AI is being used

These decisions might not be visible in an algorithm, but they set a standard within the industry and help protect the value of professional work.

Your Brand Needs To Be Hard To Copy

AI predicts patterns. If your website, social media, and services look like a remix of everything else in the market, it is easier for AI and non experts to imitate what you do.

Consider how you can become more distinct in areas like:

  • Your design point of view
  • Your process and client experience
  • Your stance on ethics and AI use

When your work is clearly yours, you become less replaceable and more memorable, regardless of how advanced AI tools become.

Training For Designers Who Want To Stay Ahead

If you want structured, ethical, and practical guidance on how to use AI inside a real design business, that is exactly why I built the AI education side of my business. The main hub is AI for Interior Designers, which includes resources, workshops, and ongoing support.

The CEU focused pathway lives at aiforinteriordesigners.ai, where you will find the certificate program specifically designed for interior designers who want to integrate AI intelligently into their practice.

You can also explore live and recorded workshops inside The DAIly, which is listed at aiforinteriordesigners.com/workshops.

Other Resources Mentioned

Throughout the episode I also mentioned a few additional resources:

✨ Final Takeaway

AI is not replacing interior designers. It is exposing the gap between fast visuals and real world expertise. Use these tools as an extension of your creativity and communication, not as a replacement for what you know. Your judgment, ethics, and ability to bring designs to life in actual spaces remain the most valuable part of the process.

 
Disclaimer: This blog was written using AI as a recap from the recording then edited by the author for accuracy and details.
 
 
Jenna Gaidusek
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