10 Ways AR Enhances Interior Design in 2024

AR is changing how we design and buy furniture in 2024. Here's what you need to know:

Key AR Benefits	Impact
Return Rate Drop	50-70% fewer returns
Accuracy	98% precise furniture placement
Market Size	$72.7B in 2024
Gen Z Interest	90% want AR previews

The 10 key ways AR helps with interior design:

1. Real-time room changes
2. Instant measurements
3. Test furniture placement
4. Preview colors/materials
5. Check lighting effects
6. Remote collaboration
7. Match existing items
8. Browse products in your space
9. Use design templates
10. Save/share plans

Quick Facts:

• Works on phones/tablets
• No special gear needed
• Free apps available
• 11x more likely to buy after using AR
• Cuts design time by 60%

Bottom Line: AR tools help you see exactly how furniture and designs will look in your space before buying. This means fewer returns, better decisions, and faster room planning.

For Designers	For Homeowners
Remote meetings	Preview before buying
Quick changes	Exact measurements
Easy sharing	Product matching
Multi-device use	Space planning

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See Changes in Real Time

Point your phone at a room and BOOM - your design ideas come to life. That's what AR apps do now.

Here's what these apps can do in 2024:

Feature	What It Does	Popular Apps
Live Preview	Shows furniture in your room instantly	IKEA, Wayfair
Color Testing	Updates wall colors as you swipe	Home Design 3D
Material Swaps	Changes fabrics and finishes in real-time	DecorMatters
Night Mode	Shows how designs look after dark	Home Design 3D

The AR market's exploding - heading to $88.4 billion by 2026, growing 31.5% each year. Why? Because it makes design SIMPLE:

• Point and preview furniture
• Test paint colors on walls
• Move stuff around with one finger
• Check how everything looks day or night

Take Home Design 3D. Switch between 2D and 3D views while you work. Not sure about that yellow wall? You'll see if it's too bright in seconds.

These tools speed everything up. No more:

• Waiting for paint samples
• Returning furniture that doesn't fit
• Wondering "what if?"

What You Save	How It Helps
Design Time	See changes now
Decisions	Get instant answers
Testing	Skip the samples
Layout Work	Move stuff on screen

Apps like NewRoom.io let you test different styles without lifting a finger. Your space transforms right on your screen.

Quick Tip: Take screenshots of each design you try. It's the easiest way to compare options later.

2. Get Exact Room Measurements

Your phone can now measure rooms in seconds. No tape measure needed.

Here are the top AR measuring apps in 2024:

App Name	Key Features	Best For
MagicPlan	- Wall detection - Corner mapping - Square footage calc	Floor plans
RoomScan Pro	- Tap-to-measure walls - Door/window detection - 3D modeling	Full room scans
AR Plan 3D	- LiDAR scanning - Auto room height - Material estimates	Construction planning

AR Plan 3D now lets you:

• Switch between metric and imperial units
• Measure room height with one tap (LiDAR devices only)
• Get instant floor area calculations
• See how much material you'll need

Here's how to get the best measurements:

• Make sure your room is bright
• Look for clean edges
• Check important measurements twice

What to Measure	Why It Matters
Room Size	Get the basics: length, width, height
Windows/Doors	Know what fixtures will fit
Floor Area	Calculate total space
Wall Space	Plan paint and wallpaper needs

These measurements help you save money. You won't buy furniture that's too big or order extra flooring you don't need.

MagicPlan makes sharing with contractors easy. You can:

• Keep floor plans on your phone
• Add notes and photos
• Send measurements to anyone
• Figure out material costs

Want to speed things up? AR Plan 3D's "Automatic Scan" maps whole rooms in one go.

Just remember: accuracy depends on your app and lighting. Basic apps like Google Measure might be off by 20%. But if you've got a phone with LiDAR, AR Plan 3D gives much better results.

3. Test Furniture Placement

Want to know if that couch will actually fit? Now you can. Major retailers have AR apps that let you place virtual furniture right in your room.

Here's what the top AR furniture apps can do in 2024:

App	Features	Best For
IKEA Place	- 2000+ items to test - 98% size accuracy - iOS and Android support	Full room planning
Wayfair View in Room 3D	- True-to-scale rendering - Multi-angle views - Live camera placement	Individual pieces
Target AR	- AR symbol shows enabled items - Quick placement testing - Real-time scaling	Decor and accessories
Houzz	- Tile placement calculator - Surface mapping - Material estimates	Flooring and walls

The data speaks for itself:

Stat	Impact
77%	Shoppers prefer AR to see product differences
11x	More likely to buy when using AR tools
98%	Accuracy of IKEA Place's 3D models

Here's how to use these apps:

1. Open your chosen app and select a product
2. Point your phone at the floor
3. Drop and drag items to test spots
4. Look at it from different angles
5. Take screenshots to compare

"Information in context is a powerful tool." - Shrenik Sadalgi, head of Next Gen Experiences at Wayfair

The numbers tell an interesting story: AR in retail hit $2,353.99 million in 2021. By 2030? It's expected to reach $23,462.15 million. People want to see before they buy.

To get the best results:

• Empty your space first
• Get good lighting
• Hold your phone steady
• Measure your doorways
• Check different lighting conditions

Using AR helps you avoid expensive mistakes. No more returns because something doesn't fit or match your space.

4. Try Different Colors and Materials

Paint brands now offer apps that let you "try before you buy" using AR technology. Here's what the top apps can do:

App	Key Features	Best Use
Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap	- 1,700+ paint colors - Real-time wall visualization - Day/night lighting views	Testing paint colors
Benjamin Moore Color Viewer	- 5 colors at once - Surface mapping - Photo upload option	Multi-color comparison
Home Depot ProjectColor	- Color matching - Shadow/light adjustment - Direct purchase option	Finding exact matches
Behr Color Smart	- 2,500+ colors - Photo color matching - Paint calculator	Budget planning

Here's why these apps are a game-changer:

Metric	Result
Users who skip painting projects due to color indecision	75%
Colors available in Sherwin-Williams AR app	1,700+
Time saved vs. buying physical samples	2-3 days

Want the best results? Here's what to do:

• Take photos when your room is bright
• Make sure your walls are clean
• Look at colors during morning, afternoon, and evening
• Check how colors work with your furniture
• Keep screenshots to compare later

"Using emerging AR technology, this new feature virtually transforms a space before picking up a brush", says Meghan Vickers, Sherwin-Williams e-business marketing director.

"The process is based off of color first and brand last, so you know you'll be getting the exact shade that's right for you", explains Samara Tuchband, senior director of Online Merchandising at The Home Depot.

Bottom line: These apps help you skip the hassle of buying samples. You can test BOLD color choices without spending a dime. And the best part? You won't end up with a wall color you hate.

5. Check Lighting Effects

AR apps now show you exactly how different lights will look in your space before you buy. Here's what the top apps can do:

App	Key Features	Best For
Light ARchitect	- Real-time layouts on-site - Adjustable lumen output - Virtual light switching	Commercial spaces
Philips Hue AR	- 12 product previews - Day/night simulation - Color testing	Home lighting
RoomSketcher	- 7,000+ lighting items - 3D room snapshots - Drag-and-drop tools	Room planning

The Philips Hue app works with iPhone Pro and iPad Pro models (the ones with lidar sensors). You can test out lights like:

• Hue Twilight sunrise lamp
• Hue Dymera wall light
• Hue Infuse ceiling light

Want the best results? Here's what to do:

• Snap photos at different times
• Play with brightness settings
• Look at shadow patterns
• Move fixtures around
• Save screenshots of what works

Lighting Factor	What AR Shows
Intensity	Light brightness
Direction	Shadow placement
Color	Mood effects
Position	Ideal fixture spots
Time of day	Light changes over time

"The AR preview lets you see how your room looks with different lighting scenes, effects, and colors. It shows you the difference between day and night lighting", says the Philips Hue team.

For bigger projects, Light ARchitect steps things up. You can:

• Make lighting plans fast
• Pick your fixtures
• Set exact heights
• Test lights on/off
• Show clients your designs

No more guessing games or expensive mistakes - you'll see EXACTLY how the lights work in your space, right there on your screen.

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6. Work Together From Anywhere

In 2024, AR tools have changed how design teams and clients meet. Instead of flying across the country, they now jump into virtual spaces to make design decisions on the spot.

Here's what the top AR platforms offer:

Platform	Key Features	Best Use Case
Microsoft Mesh	3D holographic content, shared virtual space	Large design firms
Spatial	Real-time 3D model sharing, instant feedback	Client presentations
Apple Vision Pro	Multi-user sessions, design manipulation	One-on-one consultations
Simply Video	AR whiteboards, live annotations	Quick team meetings

These aren't just fancy video calls. Teams can now:

• See and edit 3D models together
• Update designs while everyone watches
• Switch between layouts with a click
• Draw and point things out in AR
• Walk through spaces like they're there

Take Microsoft Mesh: Designers and clients meet in a virtual room to pick furniture, colors, and lighting. Everyone sees the same thing - it's like standing in the room together, even if you're miles apart.

Benefits of AR Collaboration	How It Helps
Cost savings	No travel needed for meetings
Faster decisions	Real-time changes and approvals
Better communication	Visual sharing of ideas
Global reach	Work with anyone, anywhere
Time efficiency	Quick virtual meetups

"With the advent of AR/VR platforms such as Apple's Vision Pro, Meta's Quest, Microsoft's HoloLens and other vendors, it will make a big difference when it comes to collaborating."

During AR meetings, teams can:

• Pull up 3D room models
• Highlight specific details
• Make changes on the fly
• Keep different versions
• Record everything for later

Here's the best part: You don't need to be a tech wizard. Most AR apps work straight from your phone or tablet. Just point, tap, and start collaborating.

7. Scan and Match Existing Items

In 2024, AR apps do something pretty cool: they scan your furniture and find matching pieces. Let's look at how the big players make this happen:

Company	AR Feature	What It Does
IKEA Place	Visual Search	Points camera at furniture to find similar IKEA items
Wayfair	Style Match	Scans room to suggest matching pieces
Polycam	LiDAR Mode	Creates 3D scans of furniture and spaces

The numbers tell an interesting story: 71% of people would shop more at stores with AR tools. And 58% feel better about buying furniture online when they can preview it with AR.

IKEA's Place app makes it super simple:

• Point your camera
• Frame your furniture
• Browse matching options
• Check prices
• Buy directly in the app

Here's what these AR tools can do:

Task	How It Works
Find Similar Items	Take a photo of furniture you like
Match Colors	Scan existing pieces to find matching shades
Check Dimensions	Get exact sizes of scanned items
Build a Library	Save scans of your furniture collection
Compare Options	View multiple pieces side by side

To get the best results:

• Capture multiple angles
• Get measurements
• Check materials
• Keep scans in your app
• Show them to your designer

This approach means no more buying furniture that doesn't match. You'll see exactly how new pieces work with your current setup.

Benefits	Results
Better matches	New pieces fit existing style
Time savings	No returns for mismatched items
Cost efficiency	Buy right the first time
Easy sharing	Send scans to designers
Smart planning	Build cohesive spaces

The technology keeps evolving. Today's apps can spot materials, pick color schemes, and show you how pieces will look together - all before you spend a dime.

8. Browse Products in Your Space

AR apps now let you see furniture in your room before buying. Here's what the top apps can do:

App	Key Features	Accuracy
IKEA Place	2,000+ products, auto-scaling	98%
Wayfair View in Room 3D	Wall/ceiling items, natural blending	95%
Amazon Room Decorator	Multiple items at once, save snapshots	90%
Target See It in Your Space	Search-based AR view	85%

The impact? HUGE. Stores using AR saw a 94% boost in sales (according to Shopify). IKEA's numbers tell the same story: 35% more sales and 20% fewer returns after adding AR.

These apps pack some serious features:

What You Can Do	How It Works
Size Check	Apps auto-measure your space
Move Stuff Around	Drag and drop anywhere
Try Combinations	See multiple pieces together
Keep Your Ideas	Screenshot your setups
Get Feedback	Send AR views to others

"When customers can see products in their space, they make better decisions", says Shrenik Sadalgi from Wayfair.

Want the best results? Here's what to do:

• Empty your room first
• Get good lighting
• Hold your phone steady
• Look from different angles
• Double-check sizes

The numbers don't lie: people who use AR are 11x more likely to buy. Why? Because they can:

What You Get	Why It Matters
Perfect Fit	Know it works in your space
Easy Compare	See options side by side
Less Returns	Match your current setup
Quick Decision	No store visits needed
Buy with Trust	See exactly what you'll get

With 1.4 billion AR devices out there, this isn't just a fancy feature - it's how people shop smart now. It's about buying right the first time and knowing your new stuff will fit perfectly.

9. Use Pre-Made Design Ideas

AR apps now come with built-in design layouts you can instantly add to your space. Here's what you'll find in the top apps:

App	Features	Starting Price
Planner 5D	2D/3D layouts, AR mode, furniture library	Free, $9.99/mo premium
Homestyler	Design templates, community challenges	Free basic version
Cedreo	Pro layouts, 3D renders	$119/mo
Houzz	"View in My Room", photo annotations	Free

The data shows why these designs make sense:

Benefit	Impact
Time Saved	60-70% faster room setup
Return Rate Drop	50-70% fewer returns
Market Growth	$10.7B to $72.7B by 2024

"AR makes swift prototyping possible, allowing designers to modify color textures and layouts in a virtual space efficiently leading the design process into creatively vibrant dimensions." - Artem Kropovinsky, founder and principal designer at Arsight

Here's how to get the most from pre-made designs:

• Scan your empty room first
• Choose a template that fits your space
• Move furniture and update colors
• Check how it looks in different light
• Keep multiple versions to compare

IKEA's numbers tell the story: After adding AR templates in 2017, they saw 35% more sales and 20% fewer returns. With 1.4 billion AR devices in use (2023), these pre-made designs help everyone make better choices.

Tool	Purpose
Room Templates	Quick-start layouts
Style Presets	Complete looks
Furniture Sets	Matching pieces
Color Schemes	Ready-made palettes
Light Settings	Time-of-day views

You can mix elements from different templates to create your perfect space. Then share your designs to get feedback before making real-world changes.

10. Save and Share Design Plans

AR apps now let you save and share your interior design work with a few taps. Here's what you can do with the top tools:

App	Save Features	Share Options
Live Home 3D	BMP, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, PDF exports	Cross-platform sharing, collaborative sessions
IKEA Place	Room layouts, product combinations	Direct links, "Your Room" section
Overlyapp	3D models, AR experiences	Platform integration, interactive elements

The numbers show why these features matter:

Metric	Result
IKEA Place Downloads	12M+ since 2017
Product Views	2.3B through AR sharing
Online Sales Boost	11% increase
Return Rate Drop	22% reduction

"AR technology helps tell better design stories. Clients don't just see items in a space - they feel the emotion and connection of how it all works together." - Artem Kropovinsky, founder and principal designer at Arsight

These tools pack some serious features:

Feature	Purpose
360° Panoramas	Social media sharing
Video Walkthroughs	Client presentations
3D Scene Exports	Professional editing
Floor Plans	Contractor handoffs
AR Models	Real-space viewing

With Live Home 3D, you can start a project on your iPhone, then open it on your Mac, Vision Pro, Android, or Windows. Perfect for getting quick feedback from your team or clients.

The Amazon app takes things further. You can:

• Save your room layouts
• Mix and match different items
• Keep track of scenes in "Your Room"
• Send direct links to specific designs

As AR becomes a go-to tool, these save and share options help everyone - from pros to DIY decorators - make smarter design choices and get instant feedback.

Final Thoughts

Let's look at what AR is doing to interior design right now:

Impact Area	Results
Customer Interest	71% want to use AR for furniture shopping
Return Rate Reduction	30% lower returns with AR tools
Sales Conversion	112% higher for AR users (EQ3)
Online Shopping	61% prefer stores with AR options

The numbers don't lie: AR has become a game-changer. Take Pinterest's Try on Home Decor - people who use AR to test furniture are 5x more likely to make a purchase.

Here's what businesses are seeing with AR:

AR Tool Benefits	Business Impact
Virtual Product Testing	23% fewer returns
Online Sales Growth	IKEA: 27.6% to 35.1% (2012-2016)
Market Size	$14.7B (2020) to $88.4B (2026)
Customer Confidence	71% increased purchase intent

"The pandemic made us work even harder to offer our audience something to experience." - Jo Jackson, MADE chief creative officer

AR works for everyone in the room:

For Designers	For Homeowners
Remote client meetings	Test before buying
Quick design changes	Better space planning
Multi-device access	Exact measurements
Project sharing	Product matching

The jump from $14.7B to $88.4B by 2026 tells us one thing: AR isn't going anywhere. With tools like IKEA Place leading the way, AR has changed how we plan spaces and buy furniture. It's not just easier - it's smarter.

FAQs

How is augmented reality used in interior design?

AR shows you digital furniture and decor in your actual room through your phone's camera. Here's what it does:

Feature	What It Does
Virtual Placement	Shows 3D furniture in your space
Real-Time Changes	Updates colors and layouts instantly
Space Planning	Tests different setups before purchase
Photo Integration	Places items in your room photos

"AR speeds up design testing. You can switch colors, textures, and layouts in seconds - all without moving a single piece of furniture." - Artem Kropovinsky, Arsight founder

Here's what happens when companies use AR:

Company	AR Results
Houzz	Sales jumped 11x with AR app
Houzz	Users spent 3x more time in app
Houzz	Fewer returns from better decisions

The tech is simple: Point your phone at your room, and AR adds virtual furniture on screen. This helps you:

• Check if furniture fits
• Preview paint colors
• Test new layouts
• Show others your ideas

It's like having a digital showroom in your home. You can move stuff around, try new things, and see exactly how it'll look - all before spending a dime.