Immersive Interiors: How Virtual and Augmented Reality are Changing the Design Industry

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We recently wrote about the growing impact of artificial intelligence on creative industries like interior design, architecture, content writing and the fine arts. Fast tracking everywhere software engineers are, this technology can both help and hurt many creatives. Today we’re looking at how augmented and virtual reality are already changing the design industry. From allowing clients to walk around spaces before they’re built to ensuring we get furniture placement just right, augmented and virtual reality applications will continue to change how we interact, create and consume. Read on.

What’s the Difference Between AI, AR, and VR?

Before we get started, let’s define artificial intelligence, virtual reality and augmented reality so we’re all on the same page. AR adds digital content to the real world, AI is technologies that enable smart decision making and interactions and VR is a fully immersive computer generated experience. While these have different characteristics they can also work together when integrated into different applications and use cases.

What is Augmented Reality?

Augmented Reality (AR) enhances the real world by overlaying digital information or objects onto it. AR bridges the physical and digital worlds—allowing users to see both the physical environment and computer generated elements simultaneously through devices like smartphones or AR glasses.

It adds context or data to our reality making it useful for applications that allow you to see furniture in your home (e.g. IKEA Place) or real time navigation information. AR transposes virtual elements onto our physical world using a VR headset, virtual reality glasses and other technology.

What is Virtual Reality?

Virtual Reality (VR) immerses users in entirely computer generated environments, cutting them off from the physical world. VR headsets create a synthetic experience that can replicate real world settings or take users to entirely fantastical places.

Unlike AR, VR doesn’t incorporate the real environment but rather replaces it with a digital one. VR is used in gaming, simulations, training and even therapy to provide users with an entirely immersive and often interactive experience. It’s also used in design and architecture to help interior design customers visualise a space that hasn’t been built yet.### What is Artificial Intelligence in AR and VR?

What is Artificial Intelligence in the Context of AR and VR?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) means computer systems that can do tasks that typically require human intelligence. AI includes various techniques like machine learning and deep learning to analyse data, recognise patterns and make decisions.

While AI isn’t a direct sensory experience like AR or VR, it plays a big role in both. AI can power AR apps by enabling object recognition and tracking and it can enhance VR environments by creating realistic simulations and intelligent interactions within virtual worlds.

Augmented Reality in Interior Design

Interior designers can use augmented reality to bring design concepts to life on site. Designers can overlay digital elements—i.e. furniture, lighting fixtures, colour schemes and all the fine details of a new project—onto real life environments.

This augmented visualization helps designers experiment and adjust until the client’s dream interior is modelled. Clients can see how their space will look and feel with different design choices which often makes it easier for them to articulate their preferences—streamlining the design process by reducing miscommunications and speeding up decision making.

AR Minimizes Human Error

Beyond the aesthetics, augmented reality interior design also minimizes human error. As we all know, precise planning is key in interior design and architecture.

Designers can use AR apps to measure spaces accurately, visualise different layouts and arrange virtual objects with precision. This means furniture and fixtures will fit perfectly in the room’s dimensions—no costly mistakes during implementation.

Homeowners and clients can also be part of the planning process—moving virtual objects around and experimenting with different layouts in real time. This interactive approach fosters co-creation and empowers clients to make more informed decisions about their living spaces.

By allowing clients to “move” around each layout, AR also ensures the flow reflects how your clients will actually use and enjoy each space. This is especially helpful when designing for large families or tall clients for whom mass produced furniture isn’t designed.

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AR Allows Designers to Expand Their Client Base Internationally

We worry about the negative impact of augmented reality on interior designers. After all there are many commercially available AR apps targeting homeowners and DIY-ers buying furniture, house paint, wallpaper and more. But AR enhances the work of professional designers by allowing them to reach new interior design clients worldwide.

It enables remote collaboration among design teams, partners and clients. Designers can share 3D models and designs through AR platforms—allowing stakeholders to review and discuss projects from different locations.

This is especially useful when working with geographically dispersed teams or when clients can’t visit the site. AR streamlines the design process, reduces travel costs and accelerates decision making—making international collaborations and clients from around the world more feasible.

Popular Augmented Reality Apps Used by Interior Designers, Decorators, and Homeowners

If you’re an interior designer, architect, student or homeowner who hasn’t tried augmented reality yet, here are a few apps to try before investing in expensive devices. Each app allows you to place furniture in an existing space or create and edit floor plans overlaid on real rooms.

• IKEA Place
• Houzz’s View in My Room
• Amikasa 3D Floor Planner
• Autodesk’s Homestyler Interior Design App
• Sensopia’s MagicPlan
• TapMeasure
• Planner 5D
• Amber AR
• Crate & Barrel AR Rug Visualizer
• ARuler (not designed for interiors but useful nonetheless)

Many furniture, home decor and home improvement companies have AR apps on their e-commerce sites. These include West Elm, Wayfair, Pottery Barn, Williams-Sonoma and Amazon.

In theory, allowing customers to fit furniture, fixtures and other elements into their home’s existing floor plan without taking precise measurements should reduce returns and negative reviews.

Virtual Reality in Interior Design

Now let’s look at the impact of VR interior design apps and models on our industry. VR technology immerses users in entirely computer generated environments—replacing the real world with a digital one.

This full immersion allows clients and designers to explore the spatial layout, proportions and aesthetics as if they were physically in that space. While AR is good for reimagining existing spaces, VR interior design is good for creating new buildings and offering virtual tours of spaces that don’t exist yet.

VR facilitates iterative design process. Designers can create multiple virtual design iterations and explore them in depth—making real-time changes to the layout, materials, lighting and decor.

Collaboration among design teams and clients is enhanced as participants can meet in the same virtual space—no matter their physical location. This streamlines decision making and promotes creative discussions that lead to better design solutions.

Like AR, VR offers high level of realism in material and finish visualization. Designers and clients can inspect and assess materials—like flooring, wall coverings and furniture finishes—with unprecedented level of detail and realism.

This level of fidelity allows users to make informed decisions about materials and finishes based on their appearance, texture and visual impact in the virtual environment.

Virtual Reality Applications Beyond the Design Phase

VR has applications beyond the design phase. It can be used for preconstruction planning and safety assessments. Construction workers and project managers can explore the virtual construction site, identify potential hazards and plan workflows more efficiently—therefore enhancing safety and efficiency during the build phase.

Virtual Reality Apps and Software Used to Visualize Interior Designs

Professional designers might use the following to visualize three dimensional environments as they alter floor plans, furniture arrangements and more. VR applications are geared towards professionals rather than consumers—who are later “walked through” the space by their design team. This is another key difference between AR and VR.

• SketchUp Viewer VR
• IrisVR Prospect:
• Matterport VR
• Gravity Sketch
• Enscape Plugin for Revit and SketchUp
• Planner 5D VR Mode
• VRTK (Virtual Reality Toolkit)

Comparing VR and AR Applications

Both AR and VR have their uses in interior design and architecture. VR immerses users in fully simulated environments, enhancing design exploration, collaboration and material visualization. AR on the other hand enhances the physical world by overlaying digital design elements. This makes it ideal for in-home visualization, real-time design adjustments and retail integration.

A VR model doesn’t allow for real-time design adjustments and experimentation like AR does. Designers and clients can use AR apps to move virtual objects within the physical space—experimenting with layouts, placements and configurations on the spot.

VR models require more specialized hardware—think Meta Quest Pro—which can be expensive. AR is often accessible through the user’s tablet or mobile device.

Final Thoughts About the Impacts of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in Interior Design

Some designers worry about the negative impact of new technologies that change the client-creative entrepreneur relationship. But VR is used by design professionals who understand spatial planning and have the education to manipulate 3D spaces virtually. AR is aimed at consumers.

While it might cut some decorators and designers out of the picture, AR could also help designers communicate with their clients. In some cases AR will expose clients to the complexities of interior design and architecture—making them more appreciative of professionals.