AI Home Design vs. Human-Powered Design: Benefits of Hiring a Real Designer
By: Britteny
Artificial intelligence, or AI, has been in the news a lot lately, with people discovering all sorts of new ways to utilize the technology. From school children using ChatGPT to do their homework to fashion brands collaborating with AI influencers, AI has permeated society in ways that would’ve seemed impossible not long ago.
AI home design is also on the rise — but how does it compare to human-powered design? Not well, if you ask us. While AI can generate some interesting images, it’s still quite limited in what it can offer homeowners. That’s why at brick&batten, all our designers are human — not computers.
“Design is a highly creative, nuanced, and subjective field, and while AI can help generate some highly aesthetic images, it lacks the expertise, empathy, originality, creativity, and vision that a designer can offer,” brick&batten designer Ksenija M. explained.
Keep reading to learn more about AI home design vs. human-powered design and discover all the benefits of working with a real life designer.
P.S. You can learn more about all of brick&batten’s exterior designers and their unique backgrounds here.
Renovating your home exterior is a big investment. Ensure your money is well spent by working with an experienced designer who will take all your wants and needs into consideration. Work with us, and we’ll help you visualize your desired updates before you start making costly changes to your exterior. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
Exterior design details matter
If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you’ve probably heard us say this before, but design details matter — and we pay close attention to all of them. From the color of a home’s fascia and soffits to the style of light fixtures that frame the front door to the planters that decorate the porch, we consider all the aspects of a property’s exterior and how they’ll work together when we create our designs.
“While AI can generate images from prompts, it can’t implement details the same way a human-to-human conversation can. AI software generates presumptuous, cliché images, recycling what it sources from pre-existing ideas across the Internet. One day in the far future, it’ll just be churning the same concepts it’s generated since day one,” brick&batten designer Abigail O. shared.
Take the project above, for example. This client wanted to keep her home’s existing cedar siding but needed help picking accent colors and other details. She also told us that her husband built the home, and she wanted us to be mindful of that when suggesting changes. With all of that in mind, we created our initial design (above).
Then, after receiving feedback from the owner, we made some small adjustments to our design. In our revised version (below), we suggested a different accent hue for the siding, fascia, and soffits, as well as a different color and style of stone. This version also features a shorter walkway.
Both design options feature personalized product recommendations, including light fixtures, outdoor furniture, porch columns, and gutters.
Above is another example. The client wanted to update their exterior while still preserving the charm of the historic row house. We achieved this through a new color palette and accessories that are classic and modern at the same time.
For our revised design below, we recommended a slightly darker hue for the brick and different light fixtures, added thick white columns beneath the copper awning, and changed the location of the seating area.
Paint colors are complicated
Paint colors are extremely powerful and can have a significant impact on your home’s curb appeal. They can also be complicated with their undertones, LRV, and pairing options. Fortunately for our clients, we’re paint color pros and excel at putting together the perfect exterior palettes for all home styles.
“Professional designers use color, undertones, and balance to create a harmonious exterior. Artificial intelligence — while impressive — cannot replace the skill set of a professional. AI cannot select colors that naturally fit with roofing and other fixed elements on the home,” brick&batten co-founder Allison V. said.
For the owner of this home, we offered two color treatment options based on their design goals and color preferences. The first option (above) features Sherwin Williams’ Bravo Blue on the siding and Benjamin Moore’s Simply White on fascia, eaves, and trim.
The second option uses Benjamin Moore’s Palladian Blue on the siding with the same color on the fascia, eaves, and trim as seen in the first version. Bravo Blue is a pretty pastel hue, while Palladian Blue is a bit more muted and has gray-green undertones. This subtle color adjustment is a nuance AI might struggle with.
P.S. If paint color selection is all you need help with, check out our Paint Visualizer package.
We make bringing your design to life easy
If you use AI home design to makeover your exterior, you might get a pretty image that reflects your new vision for your property. But then what? How do you move forward and start implementing that design? You’ll have to source all the design elements and accessories used in your design yourself.
But if you work with brick&batten, you’ll receive a shoppable resource list with links to purchase everything featured in your design. This makes bringing the design to life a breeze. Below, you can see the resource list that corresponds to the renderings above. It features everything from the James Hardie siding to the entry rug to the light fixtures. And if the homeowner who received the design was to click on any of the pictures shown, they’d be directed to a webpage where they can purchase the item.
Human-powered design trumps ai home design
The benefits of working with a real designer far outnumber those of using AI. While AI might be less expensive, using a real designer will pay off in the long run.
“If you are going to spend the money to update your exterior, an exterior designer is critical to [help you make] informed, smart choices that will bring value for years to come,” Allison said.
You’re also way more likely to get a design you love when you work with a human. When you place an order with brick&batten, you can be as specific as you want regarding the changes you want to see reflected in our design. You can even schedule a call with us before you order if you have questions about the process.
Finally, once your design is complete, you’ll have a comprehensive guide to assist you in bringing it to life. With just a few clicks, you can start ordering all the design elements we recommended specifically for you.
“AI, while powerful, is limited to what it can offer. Sure, it can work on small tasks in broad terms, but when it comes to the complexities of design, it can’t compete with a human being. We have conversations with clients and understand our clients’ needs on a human level,” brick&batten designer Elizabeth C. told us.
Great exterior designs are created by humans, not artificial intelligence. We’ve got a team of talented, experienced (human!) designers ready to help you make your dream exterior a reality. Begin your exterior design project today.
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