Simple Ways to Start Implementing AI and What’s Coming Next
Listen to the Podcast Episode for a deeper dive
Smart, Simple Ways to Use AI in Your Interior Design Business Without the Overwhelm
Hey there, fellow designers! I’m Jenna Gaidusek and If you're still jotting down client notes by hand, bouncing between multiple apps to stay organized, or retyping every client call recap, you're probably spending more time on admin than necessary. And as designers, we know how valuable time is when you're managing clients, sourcing materials, and overseeing installs.
In this post, I want to share real, approachable ways you can begin using AI in your interior design business. These tools are not theoretical or overly complex. They're practical solutions you can apply immediately to streamline your workflow, save hours each week, and focus more on the design work you actually love.
Why Now Is the Time to Start Using AI
Many of the AI tools that can improve your workflow have been available for a while, and they’ve come a long way. They’re smarter, more user-friendly, and increasingly built into the platforms we already use every day.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the AI updates and apps, you’re not alone. Even as someone who works with these tools daily, I still find the pace of change surprising. The good news is that you don’t have to understand everything or change your whole system overnight. The best approach is to start with simple tools that fit into your current process and build from there.
Start with AI-Powered Note-Taking
One of the easiest and most impactful changes you can make is using an AI tool to record and transcribe your meetings. Whether you meet clients in person or on Zoom, having a record of those conversations makes everything else easier.
Tools like Fathom, Loom, and Plod (which works as both a device and an app) automatically record meetings, provide transcripts, and generate summaries. Your client conversations become searchable, shareable, and easy to review when you need them.
If you prefer taking notes by hand, just snap a photo and use your phone’s text extraction tool or ChatGPT to digitize them. Either way, your notes become usable digital assets that save you time and reduce follow-up work.
Turn Transcripts into Actionable Deliverables
Once your meetings are transcribed, you can start putting that information to work.
Let’s say you’ve just completed a client onboarding call or received a filled-out form through Typeform. You can use ChatGPT or a custom GPT to generate:
A complete task list for you and your team
Subtasks with deadlines and dependencies
A CSV or spreadsheet that syncs with your calendar or project management system
A branded client proposal based on your templates and tone of voice
If you already have proposal templates set up in Canva, this step becomes even faster. You’re just plugging in the information that AI helped organize. What used to take a few hours now takes a few minutes, and everything stays on brand.
Build Your Canva Template Library
Having a ready-to-use set of branded templates in Canva has been one of the biggest time-savers in my own business.
Templates for proposals, mood boards, client presentations, and process documents not only save time, they also help you deliver a consistent and professional experience at every stage of a project.
Canva’s AI tools make this even more efficient. You can generate layouts, rewrite content, and resize materials quickly. You’re not spending time formatting documents. You’re simply applying your creative direction to work that’s already in motion.
Use AI to Create Concept Visuals Based on Client Input
Visuals are our language as designers, and now you can take client feedback and turn it into custom visual inspiration faster than ever.
Using tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or ChatGPT’s image generation capabilities, you can generate mood boards or early concept images based on what your client says during onboarding or in conversation. Instead of scrolling endlessly through Pinterest, you can create something original that reflects your client’s style and preferences.
It’s still your vision, but with a head start. And because the visuals are based on actual client input, they feel more aligned from the beginning.
Choose Your Tools Carefully
With so many platforms labeling themselves as AI, it’s important to be selective. Not every tool offers true artificial intelligence. Some are just automations with new branding, and others might not stick around long-term.
Before investing in a tool, ask yourself:
Does this solve a real problem in my workflow?
Is it built on a trusted platform like ChatGPT or another major provider?
Does it integrate smoothly with the systems I already use?
Avoid locking into expensive subscriptions unless the tool offers long-term value and has a solid track record. Focus on solutions that are built to support your process and grow with your business.
What’s Next: The Rise of Agentic AI
Right now, we are still guiding AI tools step by step. But what’s coming next is known as agentic AI, and it is designed to take full workflows and handle them from start to finish.
In the near future, you’ll be able to upload a client conversation and have the AI:
Identify client goals and project details
Generate a timeline and task list
Draft a proposal and a follow-up email
Create a concept board
Package it all in a branded PDF ready to send
Instead of needing to activate each task individually, the system will handle everything as a connected sequence. This will reduce even more of the repetitive work, allowing you to focus entirely on creativity, design development, and client relationships.
This shift is coming quickly, so building familiarity with today’s tools will help you stay ahead as new features roll out.
Five Ways to Start Using AI Today
If you're ready to bring AI into your workflow, here are five practical ways to start:
Record and transcribe all client meetings
Use AI to generate proposals, tasks, and schedules
Build a Canva template library to standardize documents
Explore AI image generation tools for concept development
Be intentional about which AI platforms you invest in
Remember, the value you bring to your clients is rooted in your creativity, your eye for detail, and your ability to guide them through the design process. AI supports these strengths by helping you do the behind-the-scenes work faster and more efficiently.
Final Thoughts
AI is no longer just a buzzword. It is a real, accessible tool that can simplify your workflow, reduce time spent on admin, and help you deliver a better client experience. You do not need to adopt every tool at once. Start small, stay curious, and look for ways to use AI to support the work you already do well.
If you want more training, tutorials, or tools, check out The DAIly, which now includes more than 120 videos on how to use AI in your design business. Or tune into the next episode of the AI for Interior Designers™ Podcast where I’ll be sharing more hands-on strategies and featuring conversations with designers who are using AI in inspiring ways.
Let’s simplify the busywork so we can focus on the design work that truly matters.
Until then, stay informed, stay inspired, and keep designing with intention.
Jenna Gaidusek
CEO, AI for Interior Designers™️
Disclaimer: This blog was written using AI as a recap from the recording then edited by the author for accuracy and details.
