Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, and many other scientific terms are now making the rounds. While we might hear everyone talking about these technological advancements, wouldn't it be easier to get a comprehensive guide containing all of them on a single page? You're in the right place. 

This article delves into the ten major trends in interior design technologies that have been taking the world by storm. While interior design software is mostly used by inquisitive students looking to improve their skills and working professionals in the industry, they are exciting to read about. Here are ten major trends in interior design technologies:

Online-Based Browsers - Planner 5D, Cedreo

Starting simple, the first and most common trend in interior design software is the resurgence of online-based browsers that make designing and rendering super easy. Gone are the days when interior designers would have to lug around an unnecessary amount of gigabytes on their systems. Now, all you need to do to bring your interior design vision to life is register on your choice's software and create the room (or house) of your dreams. 

Right now, there are two incredible options available in the market. One is Planner 5D, a freemium platform with extensive features and an intuitive navigation system. Two is Cedreo which provides remodelers, designers, and home builders with a library of furniture and other items they can use to build the perfect space, all virtually and online!

Intuitive Navigation - Planner 5D, SmartDraw

A proper interface on a design platform can make a designer's life easy. If figuring out the software is a problem, worry not. Numerous guides and tutorials are available to help beginner designers, just as lord of paper assists students new to writing papers. As a user, the one thing you might expect from software you use regularly is a usable, easy-to-navigate interface. Intuitive navigation can improve user experience and help them develop more intricate and thoroughly-designed layouts. 

The user must be naturally able to adjust to the software, even if they are used to designing on a different platform. A standard navigation system across different designing platforms helps users and software developers. While intuitive navigation is trending nowadays in the interior design industry, it has existed for ages. Smart 3D design platforms such as Planner 5D and SmartDraw are two great examples of software with intuitive interfaces.

3D Visualization - Houzz, Cylindo

One of the more common interior design technology trends these days is 3D visualization. How can one design a 3D space without 3D elements? That's right, it's impossible to get a sense of how your real-life space will look with only 2D drawings. Hence, 3D visualization of rooms, outdoor spaces, houses, and products is an important feature of interior designing software. 

Some extremely resourceful and popular 3D design software with visualization features are Houzz and Cylindo. While the former focuses on providing users with 3D visuals of interiors and allows them to place objects directly within the confines, the latter allows users to design 3D objects like furniture from scratch.

User-Friendly Virtual Home Planning Tools - Ikea, Homestyler, HomeByMe

What good is a home planning tool if it isn't designed in a way that enables easy usage? User-friendly virtual home planning tools are grabbing everyone's attention as more home stylers rely on easy-to-use tools. Anyone who understands the interior design process knows that user-friendly software has more accessibility to a wider group of people. While slightly complicated software is used by interior designers or students currently pursuing the course, user-friendly software can be used by anyone. 

That's why companies like IKEA have developed variations of space enhancement tools for customers to use. Like most of their products, the Swedish company's home planning tools work on a self-explanatory basis that needs no expert help. Customers can configure floor plans for kitchens, living rooms, wardrobes, and offices and add furniture. Other user-friendly space enhancement tools are HomeByMe and Autodesk Homestyler which both boast various space planning features.

2D to 3D Designing - HomeByMe

Another recent technological trend in the interior design world that's turning heads is the 2D to 3D designing feature. Home planners can start with the basic outline, update it to a detailed floor plan, add spaces for objects, and finally convert it to 3D. Of course, you will need to carefully select your items, customize them, and render them to see the final 3D image of your space. As users will start from scratch while working on a 2D to 3D design, they have a lot more creative freedom that allows them to experiment and try out different things before settling on a design. HomeByMe boasts a great 2D to 3D design feature that home designers can use to bring their sketches alive.

Template-Based Rendering - Chief Architect

While blank pages are great for a fresh start, not everyone has the ability or skill to start anew. Beginners in interior design or novices can use all the help they need while designing a space. This is why software such as Chief Architect hopes to minimize extra work with its efficient template-based rendering feature. 

Taking advantage of Chief Architect or CADdetails.com, users can bring their design projects to life, no matter how basic or complex they are. The platform provides designers with well-designed templates they can customize and rearrange for the perfect interior design. Automated building tools are available to design entire homes or specific rooms such as bathrooms or kitchens.

Mobile Interior Design Software - Planner 5D

An awesome new development in the interior design world is how easy designing homes has gotten. This latest trend makes interior designing easy and accessible to everyone in more than one way. Besides being extremely user-friendly and easy to use, many software developers are coming out with fully mobile interior design platforms. One of these immersive apps is Planner 5D which boasts all the characteristics of SketchUp for free. Starting with a thorough exploration of the different spaces in a house, the iOS and Android-compatible software allows users to experiment freely. There is a small fee for customers to pay for high-quality, realistic renders, which are worth it for the amazing job done.

Augmented Reality to Personalize Interiors

As we've mentioned above, augmented reality is the future. Whatever industry you're in, you're sure to have come across this prominent technology that is transforming the world of interior design. The concept establishes a virtual landscape consisting of your real-life interiors and seamlessly visualizes products in the environment. 

This highly-personalized shopping experience leaves customers feeling fulfilled as they can fully witness the usability and appearance of the product in real life without actually having to drive to the store, buy the product, and move it to the space at home. Augmented Reality has revolutionized interior design technology and will continue to do so with more upcoming trends in the future.

3D Printing And Product Design

For consumers, the last decade has been an interesting challenge to adapt to as companies have experimented with a variety of technologically-advanced tools. One of these is 3D printing, a futuristic design practice that can be used to customize, personalize, and completely revolutionize interior design. Decor as a concept has been taken away from mass-producing companies and thrust into the hands of the consumer, who is now believed to be smart and capable enough to make his own decisions. Hence, 3D printing and product design has become more accessible for individuals to use, making it more fashionable than ever.

Programmable Control Of Settings

Another cool little technological leap that directly correlates to interior design is automation. The automation and remote control of systems such as Wi-Fi, lighting, and other electricity-based settings have created a life of comfort for the consumer that he has never seen before. Making life easier, smart lighting control and other settings have taken the world by storm as more and more modern customers are opting to design their homes with this feature in mind.

To Conclude

While the fleeting nature of these dynamic tech advancements can make you feel a little out of control, it is important to understand the advantages that come along with them. In the interior design industry, where numerous designers spend hundreds of hours doing the same repetitive tasks, developments in the field could benefit them and improve the overall quality of housing all over the world.

Author: Jodi Williams is an interior designer and a self-proclaimed science nerd who has authored numerous books on 3D design technology. The Parsons graduate takes inspiration from nature and her surroundings and loves to garden. With her work, Jodi hopes to educate younger interior designers and keep them abreast of the technological advancements in the industry.