Design with ChatGPT: 5 Things Only an Interior Architect Can Do for You

I don’t remember exactly when I downloaded ChatGPT. Probably one of those days when everyone was talking about the new AI that could “do everything.” And as an interior architect, you bet my curiosity was piqued.

And yes, I’ll admit it: it was love at first prompt.

ChatGPT helps me organize ideas, polish texts, structure proposals, rewrite budgets with a better tone, research materials, build presentations—even explain things to clients that I already know… but in a softer, prettier way. Honestly, these days, when I need to look something up, I don’t go to Google, TikTok, or Instagram anymore. I just ask my GPT and boom—curated, clean, ready-to-use info.

Is it a powerful tool?

Absolutely. If someone says otherwise, they’re clearly living under a poorly folded blueprint. It’s just as game-changing as Google was back in the day—or Facebook before it started selling vacuum cleaners on Marketplace. And yes, I use it so much that I gave mine a name. (Nope, not sharing it. That’s part of our little AI-human bond 🤭).

I’ve seen people use ChatGPT for tarot readings, Akashic records, grocery lists, resignation letters, workout plans—even emotional therapy. And that’s cool.

But precisely because this tool is so versatile and powerful, I’ve noticed more and more people believing it can replace a professional.

That’s where I draw the line.

Because it’s one thing to use ChatGPT to save time. It’s a whole different story to think it can design your house or remodel your office without consequences.

Let’s start with the basics, something people tend to forget: the world of architecture and construction involves many professionals—each with their own role.

The structural engineer, they’re the ones who calculate, project, and analyze. They’ll tell you if your house can handle a second story, if that wall is load-bearing, or if your slab needs reinforcement. Their job is to make sure things stay standing. Literally.

The urban architect, they design the city experience. They think about how buildings connect to sidewalks, how pedestrian traffic flows, how public space breathes. They’re not focused on your kitchen—they’re thinking about how your kitchen fits into the city block, the neighborhood, the whole system. Big picture. Macro vision.

The interior architect (my thing) We work the opposite way: from the door inward. Yes, we’re architects (we study for 4+ years too), but we specialize in how people live in already-built spaces. We understand construction processes, structures, installations, ergonomics, lighting, materials, finishes, flow—and most of all, real spatial experience.

Our focus might be residential, commercial, or corporate. We know what materials feel right, what layouts actually work, and how to translate what a client wants into a space that’s both functional and aesthetically solid.

Now, interior designers, also deeply skilled, but with a less technical-structural focus and more conceptual-aesthetic. They work with already-defined spaces and transform them with color, furniture, lighting, and decor—without touching the architecture itself.

And decorators? They add the finishing touches. Accessories, textiles, plants, artwork—the elements that make a space “talk,” vibe, reflect a lifestyle or an intention.

☝️ And let me be clear: this isn’t a hierarchy. All of these roles are essential. Each one adds a different layer of value to a good project.

To say that ChatGPT can replace any of them is like saying a calculator can build a bridge.

Now here’s the thing all of us professionals share—even the most number-loving engineers—we all want the same outcome:

To build projects that tell a story.

A story made brick by brick, wall by wall, decision by decision.

Interior architects, designers, decorators—we all try to uncover the “why” behind a project. Why do you need three bedrooms? Why dream of a big kitchen? Why crave a living room that invites people to stay?

Sometimes it’s because you love cooking. Or your family gathers every Sunday. Or your dog needs his own peaceful corner.

And those things? You don’t find them on Pinterest. You talk about them. You live them. You listen for them.

Personally, I believe interior design has the power to turn a house into a personal museum of what you love most. Every corner can speak to your habits, your dreams, your story. And that? Not even the best-crafted prompt on ChatGPT can truly capture it.

Because that human conversation—that “I hear you, I get you, I design for you”—can’t be programmed. It doesn’t come with a click. It’s built with empathy, experience, and real presence.

So now, let me share:

👇 5 things ChatGPT cannot (and will not) do for you when it comes to interior design:

1. It doesn’t go to the job site (and wouldn’t know what to do if it did)

The site is where all the dreaming becomes reality. Where paper turns into concrete, ideas into structure, renders into atmosphere. And there are always last-minute decisions. A real interior architect or designer is there to see it all unfold, solve issues on the fly, coordinate, adjust. ChatGPT won’t be putting on boots or a hard hat or taking a 6:40 a.m. call from your contractor on a Tuesday.

2. It doesn’t choose materials that feel right

At Doce Arquitectura Interior, we have a firm rule:

Even if the client approves everything digitally, there’s a phase where we physically validate the materials.

That means going with you to touch the porcelain tiles, compare textures, mix samples, and see how light interacts with finishes. We build real moodboards—with your hands, your senses, and your gut. Because design isn’t just visual—it’s also tactile. And that’s something ChatGPT can’t render.

3. It can’t translate an emotional brief if you don’t know how to express it

The brief is the DNA of a project. It tells us who you are, why you called, what’s bugging you about your current space, what you dream of, what you need, your budget, and how you want to feel in the new place. Sometimes even you don’t have all that figured out—but we know how to read between the lines. We catch gestures, silences, and emotions. That’s how we design. ChatGPT? It just reads what you type. If you don’t spell it out, it won’t process it. It doesn’t interpret. It doesn’t empathize.

4. It doesn’t make the call when two suppliers are at war

If you’ve been through a renovation, you know it happens. One supplier is late, another shows up early, the drywall crew clashes with the melamine installer, and suddenly your schedule is a battlefield.

That’s when a real designer steps in: coordinating, negotiating, rescheduling, avoiding chaos. Keeping the peace while protecting the timeline. ChatGPT isn’t going to stand up for your project—or know what to do when the contractor forgets the laser level at home.

5. It doesn’t feel if a space works

AI can suggest color combos, proportions, furniture options. But it doesn’t know if your living room gets golden-hour light, or if your kid with mobility challenges needs extra clearance. It doesn’t know if the Pinterest table ruins the room’s flow, or if that velvet sofa will make you sweat all summer. A space that feels right also has to function right.

That takes intuition, experience, and sensitivity—qualities only a human designer brings, with feet on the ground and soul in the project.

🌟 Bottom line: Use AI—but don’t forget who really designs

Yes, ChatGPT is incredibly helpful. But just like AutoCAD doesn’t draw plans by itself, ChatGPT doesn’t design real, livable spaces. Interior design requires human contact, active listening, technical knowledge, and that invisible touch that turns a space into a home, a business, or a sanctuary.

So use the tool, squeeze it for all it’s worth. Get inspired, look up trends, ask it for a moodboard. But never forget: the one who gives meaning to the design is you—and the professional you hired.

Thinking about that project you’ve been daydreaming about? We’re here to help.

I hope this article helps you reflect on the role of AI and the true value that professionals bring to your space.

Angie