Virtual Makeovers: Redefining Interior Design with Digital Projections

Table of contents

• Historical Evolution of Interior Design
• Technology Behind Virtual Makeovers
• 6 Benefits of Virtual Makeovers in Interior Design
• Challenges in Integrating Digital Projections for Interior Design
• Case Studies of Prominent Makeover Projects
• Diverse Interior Design Career Paths for Graduates
• Future Trends of Digital Projections in Interior Design
• Explore beyond this article

For decades, the interior design and architecture industry relied heavily on the sketches and the technical precision of blueprints. While these tools undeniably had their merit, they often lacked the ability to fully translate the designer's vision into a tangible experience for the client. However, the industry is experiencing a seismic shift as innovative technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence usher in a new era of "virtual makeovers." 

We're talking cutting-edge tech that transforms your living room into a Tuscan villa or your kitchen into a Michelin-starred chef's haven – all from the comfort of your couch. This revolutionary approach pushes away static representations, offering both designers and clients an immersive journey into the envisioned dream space before the first hammer even hits a nail.

Looking to revamp your home interiors for a more eco-friendly vibe? Don’t know where to start from? Worried about how your new room will look with a particular colour scheme, furniture layout, etc? Virtual makeovers are the answer to these woes. This article delves into the evolution of virtual makeovers, the technology behind it, its benefits, trends and much more. 

Historical Evolution of Interior Design

The history of interior design can be traced to antiquity wherein humans decorated their dwellings with basic drawings. The Egyptian civilisation witnessed civilians decorating their mud homes with simple textiles, animal skins and sculptures. This art was further advanced during the era of Roman and Greek civilisations. While intricate ivory and silver embellishments adorned furniture during Greek civilization, Roman furniture was made of stone, wood, marble or bronze and marked by expressive tapestries. 

In the 19th century, interior design broke free from its aristocratic confines, opening its doors to a more democratic audience. As the 20th century dawned, functionality took the spotlight in interior design. Across the pond in the United States, Candace Wheeler emerged as a trailblazing female figure, introducing interior design as a formal discipline. Adding to this revolution was the influential 'The Decoration of Houses,' a must-read penned by Edith Wharton and architect extraordinaire Ogden Codman.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, as interior design and architecture embraced traditional European aesthetics, particularly from England and France, a subtle yet distinctive evolution began, laying the groundwork for the subsequent differentiation between interior design and architecture. Symmetry took centerstage, influencing space planning, furniture pairings, and overall layout in traditional interior design, prioritising harmony over contrast. This period celebrated neutral colour palettes, soft wall paints, and architectural accents like crown moulding and wainscoting, complemented by the richness of dark wood finishes.

On the other hand, contemporary interior design is characterised by open floor plans, the use of neutral, black and white colours accentuated by bright and bold colours, heavily textured fabrics in plain colours, bare windows and geometric wall art and sculpture.

2024 is forecast to be the year of ‘quiet luxury’ in interior design wherein dark woods, soft textured fabrics, subtle patterns on furniture and tone-on-tone décor will be dominant trends. The concept of flexible and versatile spaces will be accentuated by smart homes. Voice-controlled smart assistants and world-class automation systems will power these smart homes. Hence, 2024 is poised to be the year of innovation in making lives more accessible, convenient and efficient. 

Technology Behind Virtual Makeovers

Virtual makeovers have become a reality due to various technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and much more. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a blanket term used to connote various techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning, which analyse data, recognise patterns and enable informed decision-making. AI, coupled with the Internet of Things, is extensively used in home automation systems to automate specific tasks performed by humans, such as lighting, temperature control, etc. 

AI has also ushered personalisation into interior design by leveraging humongous data to determine individual preferences. By analysing users' lifestyles, browsing histories and design preferences, AI can recommend furniture styles, colour palettes, layouts and even product-related suggestions. 

Virtual Reality (VR) is distinguished from other technologies due to its ability to immerse users in a computer-generated environment. VR animations allow design professionals and clients to conceptualise and visualise computer-aided interior design spaces from all angles. The primary benefit of these VR animations is the clear presentation of the proposed design, which helps visualise the outcome of the project at the inception stage itself. This enables faster iterations and quick decision-making, fostering innovation and customer-centricity in design services. Similarly, VR catalogues help customers visualise design projects from the comfort of their homes. They are a great tool to enhance customer engagement and foster loyalty. 

Unreal Engine Interactive Walkthrough Virtual Reality | Apartment Interior
Video Courtesy: MYN3D Lab

Augmented Reality (AR), on the other hand, involves computer vision, which allows devices to recognise and track real-world objects, and projection technology, which introduces digital images into the real world. AR can be used to create 3D renderings of rooms and buildings that can be overlayed into the real-world environment. This allows designer professionals to experiment with layout, colours and style, eliminating the need for physical prototypes. It saves significant cost and time as design professionals and consultancies can quickly make iterations and refine their designs through feedback. Similarly, augmented reality can be used to enhance the shopping experience by enabling customers to visualise how a product would look in their homes. For instance, furniture brands are using AR to showcase how a piece of furniture would look in a customer's home before he makes a purchase. 

Another trend driving virtual makeovers is the integration of digital projection technology into appliances and devices powering smart homes. Distinct features of these smart homes include interactivity, connectivity and intelligence. Traditionally, projection was used in home theatre installations. However, smart homes are a vast, untapped opportunity for this technology. Projection technology represents a powerful and effective approach for these devices to present and interact with information using efficient and intuitive touch and gesture interfaces. 

The outcomes of integrating digital projection with smart home technology include a virtual display on any surface via projection mapping, on-demand display, high optical efficiency, small form factor and high resolution. The projection technology can herald a paradigm shift in the manner in which smart devices are used. For instance, on-demand display-based projection mapping can enhance the functionality and effectiveness of devices. A microwave displaying a picture of the food being cooked on the front glass, along with any notifications, will improve the utility of the microwave. These new-age technologies have redefined how we create, visualise and present interior design spaces and how we live. 

6 Benefits of Virtual Makeovers in Interior Design

The virtual makeovers have lent a new dimension to interior design and architecture, which earlier heavily relied on sketches, drawings and physical models for visualisation. Today, leveraging virtual reality, designers are able to make the most of this design discipline. Here’s how: 

1. Real-time Visualisation: 3D models facilitate instant visualisation of interior spaces, enabling customers to provide immediate feedback and make faster design decisions.


2. Tailored Design Solutions: Virtual makeovers allow customers to see proposed modifications, empowering design professionals to customise solutions based on individual preferences.


3. Immersive Customer Experience: Presenting 3D renderings in an immersive and interactive manner enhances the overall customer experience, fostering collaboration and effective feedback.


4. Cost-Efficiency: By eliminating the need for physical prototypes, virtual makeovers reduce travel and associated costs, making the design process more economical.


5. Sustainable Design: Virtual makeovers enable designers to assess energy efficiency, thermal comfort, and lighting performance, leading to environmentally friendly and sustainable designs.


6. Market Opportunities: Leveraging virtual makeovers positions design professionals and consultancies to tap into new market opportunities, gaining a competitive advantage in the industry.

Challenges in Integrating Digital Projections for Interior Design

Nevertheless, the process of digitalisation in interior design is fraught with challenges. The foremost challenge in developing virtual makeovers is the huge cost implications of creating and managing them. Hence, these may not be the appropriate tools for design consultancies constrained by limited budgets. 

Virtual makeovers also pose significant privacy and ethical concerns. The technologies powering these makeovers require vast amounts of data to yield desired results. This data usually contains sensitive information relating to the customer's preferences and demography. How this data is collected, stored and utilised by various technological platforms is paramount as it raises serious issues of consent and privacy.    

The integration of digital images into real-world interior design also questions the authenticity of the design process. The need of the hour is to balance the creativity and individual expression of interior designers with the efficiency and cost-effectiveness posed by these technologies.

Case Studies of Prominent Makeover Projects

Despite these drawbacks, several brands are effectively using the concept of virtual makeovers to redefine customer experience. 

1. Ikea , a Swedish furniture brand, features an AR app- IKEA Place, which allows users to visualise IKEA furniture in their home before making a purchase. This app provides a realistic experience and enables informed decision-making.
2. Houzz, an American e-commerce company for home design and improvement, includes an AR feature which allows users to see how a particular product will look in their home. 



3. Decorilla is an interior design platform that connects customers with interior designers who create VR- and AR-powered interior spaces tailored to customers' preferences.






Diverse Interior Design Career Paths for Graduates



The tremendous successful use cases of virtual makeovers reaffirm the growing scope of career paths in interior design. Pursuing a career in interior design requires skills such as creativity, attention to detail, project management skills, knowledge of design trends, proficiency in the latest design tools and software, familiarisation with building codes and analytical thinking. 

Some of the prominent career paths for interior design graduates are discussed below: 




Residential Design



Residential designers conceptualise and design functional home spaces tailored to the requirements and preferences of homeowners. Their role involves planning spatial layouts and providing interior design recommendations after understanding the preferences, requirements and budgets of their clients. 




Commercial Design

Commercial design encompasses the design and layout of spaces such as offices, restaurants, industrial units, malls and shopping complexes. Commercial designers conceptualise layout, furniture, lighting, and colour schemes while considering clients' objectives and brand guidelines to improve functionality, ensure well-being, and foster productivity. 




Kitchen and Bath Design

The kitchen and bath designer's role focuses on enhancing these spaces' functionality by creating sufficient storage units and spaces to install appliances. Their key responsibility is also to ensure that the design is consistent with the overall theme of the property and ensures optimum lighting and accessibility.




Furniture Design

Furniture designers conceptualise, design, and test pieces to ensure that they are not only aesthetic but also ergonomically sound, durable and comfortable. They work with various kinds of raw materials besides wood to craft visually appealing furniture with improved functionality.




Exhibition Design

Exhibition designers work on large-scale commercial exhibitions, showcase events, trade shows and conferences for trade, industry or education, exhibitions for museums, libraries and galleries and temporary displays for businesses and retailers. The role of an exhibition designer is to ensure that his work communicates a desired message to the target audience, has aesthetic appeal, and meets constraints imposed by budget, time and space.




Set Design

Set designers conceptualise and design the scenery for plays, music concerts, films and television dramas. They work closely with the director. They work closely with the director and other members of the creative team to design and construct the physical environment in which a particular scene takes place. This can include set pieces, lighting, props, and special effects. The sets they create should be in sync with the overall goals of production and must tell a story in a convincing and immersive environment. 

Besides the above career paths, interior designers are highly sought-after by architectural firms, retailers, business houses, construction and real estate companies, set designing firms, event management companies, hospitals, educational institutions and travel and hospitality sectors. They may choose to work in interior design consultancies that offer design services to clientele from diverse industries or as entrepreneurs providing their expertise to various businesses. 




Future Trends of Digital Projections in Interior Design

As technology advances, it is foreseen that the future of interior design will focus more on maintaining harmony with the natural environment. Trends such as biophilic design, use of sustainable materials and green buildings will gain traction.

According to the Allied Market Research report, the global augmented and virtual reality market size was valued at $27.6 billion in 2021, and is projected to reach $856.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 41.1% from 2022 to 2031. This significant growth indicates the expanding scope of the augmented virtual reality market. Presently, many companies are captivating clients with immersive VR interior design experiences.



Virtual makeovers also indicate the potential of AR and VR technologies to transform design education by integrating with haptic devices, which allow interaction with models and sensing the object with more realism and interactivity. This will help students better understand complex CAD systems and design processes. This warrants greater collaboration among tech developers, architects, designers and other stakeholders to demonstrate and test their potential use cases in design education. 

Going forward, technologies like 3D printing will allow interior design professionals to construct custom furniture and fixtures, and even complete rooms, and experiment like never before. The use of blockchain technology will ensure the authenticity and traceability of home décor and furniture. It will also help designers present a clear picture of raw materials used in the design process by documenting the provenance and authenticity of items on the blockchain ledger. The potential for interior design is immense, with technological advancements unlocking a future where interior spaces are not just aesthetic but also intelligent, sustainable, and profoundly integrated into our lives. So, are we ready to embrace this change?




Explore beyond this article

- Enjoyed reading the article? Read another article by author Ashita Kulshreshtha—a step-by-step guide for great interior design. 
- Looking for tips to revamp your bedroom? Read about 10 refreshing bedroom colour schemes. 
- For kitchen decor ideas, read about 12 Inspiring Interior Design Ideas for Kitchen from the same author. 
- Do you wish to know more about interior design?  Watch this video to understand how interior design and architecture is taught at IIAD. Tune into this video to see how the interior design and architecture course at IIAD has benefitted students.