How Interior Designers Are Actually Using AI Without Sounding Like Robots

Ever feel like you’re churning out Instagram posts, writing blog content and trying to keep your email list alive... but it all feels a bit... relentless? 😫

You start off with good intentions, but then life happens. A couple of weeks go by, and suddenly your Instagram grid looks abandoned, your blog’s collecting dust, and your email list has practically forgotten your name.

Sound familiar?

You’re definitely not alone.

If keeping up with marketing feels like a full-time job, then it might be time to let AI - Artificial Intelligence - lend a hand.

Why Most Interior Designers Are Getting AI All Wrong

AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney and Gemini are popping up everywhere at the moment. But here’s what I’ve noticed: most interior designers fall into one of two camps.

Camp 1: The AI-Avoiders. They’re worried it’s going to make their content sound dull or robotic. Some even feel like using it is a bit of a cheat.

Camp 2: The Cut-and-Pasters. They’re using AI, but they’re copying and pasting straight from the screen without adding any of their own flair. So everything ends up sounding like... well, everyone else.

Both approaches are missing the point. AI isn’t meant to replace you. It’s meant to support you!

I once worked with a designer who was spending two whole days a week on content. Two days! She was totally drained, her posts weren’t consistent, and the results just didn’t match the effort.

But here’s the thing. The designers who are seeing results right now aren’t spending more time on content. They’re the ones using AI smartly,  and still sounding like themselves.

The AI Crossroads: Keep Struggling or Get Smart?

Let’s be honest. If you keep trying to do it all yourself, you’ll probably burn out. Marketing will get pushed to the bottom of your to-do list again. And you’ll watch other designers – possibly with less experience than you – winning dream clients, simply because they’ve got their content sorted.

But if you do decide to let AI support you? You’ll get your marketing done in a fraction of the time, with your personality still front and centre.

And that means more time to focus on what you’re actually here to do…  the designing!

What’s the One Task You’d Love AI to Help With?

And if you’d like a shortcut to get going, I’ve put together 30 ChatGPT prompts written specifically for interior designers. They’ll help you create a full month of content in just one sitting. Just click the image below to grab yours.

You really don’t have to do it all alone. AI can take the pressure off, without taking away your voice.

Five Ways Designers Are Using AI Well

1. Using AI to Shape, Not Replace Your Content

AI isn’t a magic wand. It’s more like a co-writer. If you give it your expertise to work with, it can help you shape it into something clear, engaging and actually useful.

So rather than typing “Write an Instagram post about living room lighting,” try something more like this:

“I’m an interior designer who works with listed properties. Can you help me write three caption ideas about how to light period homes effectively? But before you start, ask me what my key advice would be so you can include that in the tone and structure.”

That way, the content still comes from you, but AI helps bring it together in a polished way. Think of it like an assistant who’s very fast with words, but still needs your brain to make it all sing.

2. Smarter SEO Without the Guesswork

Lots of designers have a blog, but they’re not always sure what to write about. That’s where AI can help you stop guessing and start getting found on Google.

Instead of vague keywords like “interior design London,” use AI to find the longer, more specific phrases your ideal clients are actually typing in. Things like “best paint colours for north-facing rooms” or “how to create a spa-like en suite on a budget”.

This kind of content isn’t just more helpful, it’s also far more likely to rank in search results, which means more eyeballs on your website.

3. Pinpointing What Your Clients Really Care About

Here’s something I love using AI for: identifying the specific worries and questions your clients are carrying around in their heads.

Try asking:

“What are the top five frustrations high-end clients face when planning a kitchen renovation?”

The results can help spark ideas for blog posts, Instagram captions or even FAQs on your website.

You can also use AI to help generate ideas for project content. Upload a photo of a room before you designed it, ask AI to suggest a few layout or styling ideas, and use that to explain your thought process to your audience. It’s a great way to pull back the curtain on your creative thinking.

It’s not about letting AI do the designing. It’s about using it to help show the value of your design.

4. Easier Email Newsletters That People Actually Read

Email can be one of your most powerful marketing tools, but only if it gets sent. And let’s be honest, writing newsletters can be one of those things that never quite gets done.

With AI, you can plan and write email content much faster. You still need to add your own voice and experience, but AI can help structure your ideas and keep things flowing.

For example, if someone downloads your free guide to choosing colour palettes, you could ask AI to help you write a five-part email series on colour psychology. Then all you have to do is add your own examples and tips.

Suddenly your newsletter isn’t a stressful afterthought, it’s a consistent, helpful part of your marketing.

5. Caption Writing That Doesn’t Steal Your Afternoon

Coming up with social captions can be one of the most time-consuming parts of content creation. AI can speed things up by giving you frameworks to work from.

Let’s say you’re posting about a finished project. Ask AI for a caption structure that talks through the transformation. Then add your own insight about the design process, client brief, or unexpected challenges you worked through.

You’re still the one telling the story. AI just helps you get started faster.

Not Sure Where to Start? Try This!

If AI still feels a bit daunting, start small. You’re probably already using it without realising; Google’s own search tools are AI-powered these days.

Try this:

1. Choose one marketing task that’s taking up too much time. Maybe it’s captions. Maybe it’s your newsletter.
2. Set up a free ChatGPT account if you don’t already have one.
3. Create a one-page ‘playbook’ to help train the AI. Include:
• Your design niche and style
• Your ideal client profile
• Your tone of voice (e.g. polished but friendly, high-end and approachable)
• Common problems your clients face
• What makes your approach different

Every time you start a new conversation with AI, paste that in first. It gives the tool a baseline to work from so that what it produces feels like you.

Then try a prompt like:

“Ask me five questions to help me understand my ideal client’s biggest interior design challenges.”

From there, you can use your answers to shape everything from blog topics to social media posts.

Putting It Into Practice: A Quick Example

Let’s say you want to post something helpful on Instagram. You’d start by writing down your own thoughts about paint colours for home offices. Then ask AI:

“Based on my brand voice and client profile, suggest three Instagram post ideas that explain how colour affects productivity in home offices.”

Choose the one that feels most aligned, and follow up with:

“Give me a caption framework for the post about using calming blues in a home office.”

Then add your own line, like:

“In my experience, soft slate blues are brilliant for home offices. They’re calming without feeling cold, and they work especially well with oak flooring and natural light.”

Just like that, you’ve got a thoughtful, helpful caption that sounds like you.

Quick AI Audit: Are You Using It Well?

Ask yourself:

• Does your content still sound like you?
• Are you adding in real stories and examples from your work?
• Is it genuinely helpful for your ideal client?
• Would you be happy to read this if it landed in your inbox?

If it’s a no to any of these, the answer’s simple: add more you to the mix.

And if you liked this blog post, check out The Power of Blogging for Interior Designers!