Can AI Design Your Kitchen?
Sure. Should It? Here’s What You Need to Know
Artificial intelligence (AI) has been making waves in home design tools, including kitchen remodel planning. With apps and generators offering instant layouts, it’s tempting to ask “can AI really design your kitchen?” And, more importantly, should it?
We compared an AI-generated kitchen to one created by a professional designer from our team at Blackdog Design/Build/Remodel.
The AI-Generated Kitchen
How does AI Kitchen Design Work?
We started by feeding a few simple prompts into an AI tool: the basic layout of the kitchen and original floor plan, a style preference, and a request for a modern, functional kitchen. Within seconds, we had a design.
AI produced an image with straight lines, classic hardware, and simple white shaker cabinetry. Visually, it looks sleek and simple.
Pros of AI Design:
- Speed (AI produced this visual in approximately two minutes)
- Visual mock-ups that look polished
- A design that loosely follows today’s popular trends
Where AI fell short:
- It didn’t know there was a structural column in the middle of the room.
- It placed the cabinetry along the wrong wall, beside the stairs, despite a prompt attempting to correct the mistake.
- It didn’t ask how the homeowner actually uses their kitchen— do they bake? Host? Have three kids running through at dinner time?
On the left is a second attempt by AI to create the kitchen design. We provided an additional prompt to make the space more original, using trends like a two-toned kitchen and popular materials like a farmhouse sink. Although this was marginally more successful, it still created a space with some common design flaws, such as a lack of counter space, storage space, and placing the microwave directly above the stove.
The Human Designer Kitchen
What a Professional Kitchen Designer Brings to the Table
Now, enter our real-life kitchen designer. He started the process by sitting down with the homeowner, asking about everything from storage needs to lighting preferences to how often they entertain. Then, he toured the space, took precise measurements, and started sketching out a plan tailored exactly to the home and the people living in it.
The result?
- A smart layout that worked with the home’s structure, not against it
- Clever storage built into unexpected places
- Timeless materials that reflect the homeowner’s personality, not just what’s trending
- A flow that made daily life easier and more enjoyable
What the Human Touch Adds
While AI can generate a decent starting point, it can’t factor in every consideration a human designer can. Designers draw on years of experience, not just code. They solve problems creatively, with the knowledge that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to kitchens. They ask the right questions, whereas AI doesn’t ask questions like how many people live in your home. Designers will also guide you through the entire process, from the initial concept to construction, all the way through to the warranty process. Designers are with you every step of the way.
AI Is a Tool, Not a Partner
AI might be a good starting point—it can use easy prompts and current trends to generate ideas quickly. However, AI can’t walk through your space, ask the right questions, or understand how your family really lives. When it comes to something as personal and important as your home, you deserve more than a quick mock-up. You deserve thoughtful design, creative solutions, and a team that’s with you from start to finish. That’s where we come in. Our experienced design-build team brings your vision to life with a process that’s collaborative, customized, and built around you. Let’s talk and show you what it’s like to work with real people who are just as invested in your remodel as you are.
