Why Interior Designers Are Calling AI Their 'Best Mate'

I keep circling back to AI in these blogposts - but then every week the ground seems to shift beneath our feet. Since I last wrote about AI, GPT-5 has launched, and as my clients have put it:

We use AI in Recipe For Success Bootcamp and, eighteen months on since the first cohort graduated, many are now advanced users. A mix of wonder along with practical benefits set the tone during this week’s Bootcampers’ Board Meeting, where designers shared the very real ways AI is transforming their daily work.

Here are some real-life examples of use from the designers attending Friday’s meeting:

Designer One - described ChatGPT as her ‘best mate’ - the first thing she turns to when her to-do list feels overwhelming. She shared how it breaks tasks into 'small, manageable, bite-sized chunks” that help her stay on track. She now drafts her website copy in half the time, reviews her Terms and Conditions with confidence, and is training the system to learn her preferred tone of voice.

Designer Two - was “so chuffed” to discover she could generate an entire folder system for her projects using just a few lines of code in a tool called Terminal. Something that would have taken her hours of tedious admin was done in minutes. The same approach, she realised, could be applied to spreadsheets, invoicing, and all sorts of repetitive back-office work.

For others, AI has become a secret weapon in client communication. Designer Three told us she uses it to draft “very nice messages” to chase overdue invoices - preserving professionalism while removing the emotional sting of asking for payment.

And then there are the visual tools. Designer Four - who had thought her Midjourney subscription was redundant, now that GPT-5 generates such fantastic visuals - has returned to using Midjourney to draft polished concept images and even animating these aspirational interior images, converting them into video scenes that wow clients, or that can be used as Instagram reels. 

Another designer mentioned a relative with ADHD who has found AI invaluable for managing their daily workload. By acting as a calm filter, AI helps cut through the clamour of competing tasks and creates a sense of mental quiet. When clearly briefed, its role is to prioritise and simplify, keeping the user focused when distractions would otherwise take over.

For me personally, AI has moved beyond being a handy assistant. I’ve effectively replicated myself, made my ‘digital twin.’ This means I can hand over tasks, step back, and watch them get done, without the micro-involvement that usually eats up energy. It feels genuinely empowering to have another version of me working in the background, helping me stay consistent and freeing up my time for creativity, strategy, and coaching. All that holds me back is the time it takes me to write short instructions, and then to proof read and edit the outcomes. 

The theme across all these experiences is the same: AI is not just saving designers time. It’s giving them confidence, focus, and headspace. It removes the friction of admin, helps them communicate with clarity, and even sparks new creativity.

Steal These AI Tips From Fellow Designers

What I love most is how practical these uses are - and how easily other designers could try them too. Here are a few highlights from the group:

1. Simplify Your To-Do List

Use ChatGPT daily to prioritise your workload and break overwhelming projects into “bite-sized” steps. If you’ve ever stared at your list in paralysis, try asking AI (either by uploading a document, or a photo of your handwritten notes):

“Here’s my to-do list for the week. Can you order these by priority and break them into small, manageable chunks I can tackle one at a time?”

2. Auto-Create Your Filing System

Save hours by using Terminal - a text-based tool built into every computer - to generate whole folder structures in one click. Ask AI to write the commands for Terminal, paste them in, follow the steps as directed, and watch the folders appear. If you’re curious, try prompting:

“I want to use Terminal on my [Mac/Windows] computer to automatically create a set of neatly named folders for my design projects (e.g. ‘01 Admin’, ‘02 Outbox’, ‘03 Drawings’). Can you write the exact commands I should paste in, and explain where to put them?”

3. Draft Tricky Client Messages

A simple but powerful use: asking ChatGPT to draft polite, professional reminders for late invoices. You can then tweak for tone before sending. A huge stress-saver. Imagine chatting through the aims and potential pitfalls with a close confidant, type the prompt for AI in exactly this tone. 

4. Level Up Your Visuals

Struggling with mood boards, or generating photorealistic concept images? Ask ChatGPT to write your Midjourney prompts, and copy and paste these into Midjourney to generate concept visuals. It’s faster, sharper, and more client-ready than scrolling Pinterest.

Then - ta-da - once your stills are generated, click ‘animate’ to make a 5-second video. 

Learn to Harness AI in Your Business

I’m running a live online workshop for the British Institute of Interior Design on:

📅 Wednesday 8 October

🕙 10.00–11.30am (UK time)

In just 90 minutes, I’ll show you how to apply AI to the daily challenges of running an interior design practice - from admin to marketing, from creative exploration to client management.

👉 Book your place here

Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll leave with practical strategies and the confidence to start training your own “digital twin.”