Technology and mobile apps have transformed the interior design industry, helping to inspire consumers and designers with new ideas.
Some interior design mobile apps can help people to make better decisions and visualise furniture, paint or products in their home before buying it and making the commitment.
Richard Misso, director at The Stylesmiths, a interior design service, embraces interior design mobile apps, but said it won’t replace reality.
“Technology and apps are an incredible way to help decorate and experience interior design virtually through your phone and tablet.
“But there is nothing like feeling the texture and testing the comfort of the products you’re interested in,” Mr Misso said.
Mr Misso shares his top picks for design apps.
“One app coming soon, which we think is a great place to start, is The StyleSourcebook, an online mood board creation app that has a fantastic range of the products in your local stores. We’ve tested it and can’t wait to see designers create beautiful and inspirational designs with it,” he said.
Mr Misso said another great app is RoomFlick, which is similar to Tinder but for rooms.
“You can share room ideas and designs, then swipe left if you hate it, or right if you rate it! When you swipe you can share it with everyone else, a great way to emerge yourself further into a conversation about design,” he said.
Chris Riddell, leading digital futurist and expert on all things technology, said he believes these interior design apps have paved the way for more advanced technology.
“The ability to superimpose and create design ideas for people when styling their home is great. We want more immersive experiences. It has started a future phenomenon that we’re going to see take off in the real estate industry and interior design with a virtual reality experience,” Mr Riddell said.
He said soon, people will be able to create their own virtual house so they can feel it before it gets built.
“There’s a group of people at Melbourne University who are currently working on this. It shows us it's the start for a much bigger trend in people wanting to experience design.
“I predict within the next four to five years, you'll struggle to tell what is real and what is virtual,” Mr Riddell said.
But he also said that technology will not replace designers, and that it could benefit professionals.
“It can be another tool to help the designers give their customers an experience in a completely different way,” Mr Riddell said.