AI Interior Design & Spatial Glossary
Explore key concepts, spatial rendering terminology, and AI-assisted design definitions.
Accent Color
An accent color is a color used in small amounts to add contrast and draw the eye. What it means, how to choose one, and the 60-30-10 rule.
AI Interior Design
AI interior design uses image models to redesign a real room from a photo. How it works, what it is good for, and where it still needs a human.
AI Mood Board
An AI mood board uses generated images to capture the look of a space. How it differs from a traditional mood board, and how to use both.
Before-and-After
A before-and-after image shows a room before and after a redesign. What makes the comparison honest and useful, for homes and listings.
Bohemian Style
Bohemian (boho) style is a relaxed, collected look with layered textiles, global patterns, plants and natural fibres. Key elements and how to keep it calm.
Coastal Style
Coastal style is a light, airy interior inspired by the seaside: whites, sand tones, soft blues and natural fibres. How to do it without clichés.
Color Palette
A color palette is the set of colors used throughout a space. How to build one that works, from undertones to testing paint in real light.
Concept Development
Concept development is the early design stage that turns a brief into a clear design direction, with mood boards, palettes and first layouts.
Contemporary Style
Contemporary style is the design of the present moment, so it keeps changing. How it differs from modern style and what defines it today.
ControlNet
ControlNet is a technique that lets image models follow the edges, depth or layout of a reference image. Why it matters for redesigning real rooms.
Diffusion Model
A diffusion model is the type of AI behind most image generators: it learns to turn random noise into an image step by step. A plain explanation.
Eclectic Style
Eclectic style deliberately mixes periods, styles and origins in one space. What separates curated eclecticism from clutter.
Farmhouse Style
Farmhouse style draws on practical rural homes: wood, natural textures and simple forms. Classic farmhouse vs modern farmhouse.
FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment)
FF&E stands for furniture, fixtures and equipment: the movable items in a project. What it includes, and what an FF&E schedule is.
Floor Plan
A floor plan is a scaled drawing of a space seen from above, showing walls, doors, windows and dimensions. How to read one.
Focal Point
A focal point is the element your eye goes to first in a room, like a fireplace, view or statement piece. How to create one and arrange around it.
Furniture Layout
A furniture layout is the arrangement of furniture in a room. Common clearances, conversation distances and how to plan one that works.
Generative AI
Generative AI creates new text, images, audio or video from patterns learned in data. What it means and how it is used in interior design.
Img2img (Image-to-Image)
Img2img generates a new image starting from an existing one. How denoising strength works and why it matters when redesigning a room photo.
Industrial Style
Industrial style is inspired by converted factories and lofts: exposed brick, concrete, steel and reclaimed wood. Key elements and how to warm it up.
Inpainting
Inpainting regenerates only a selected area of an image. How it is used to swap a sofa, fix a distorted lamp or clean up an AI room render.
Japandi Style
Japandi blends Japanese minimalism with Scandinavian comfort: low furniture, natural materials, muted colors and craftsmanship. Key elements.
Lighting Plan
A lighting plan maps every light source in a room and its purpose: ambient, task and accent. Color temperature, dimming and common mistakes.
Material Library
A material library is a designer’s collection of physical samples or digital material files used to choose, specify and render finishes.
Maximalist Style
Maximalist style embraces bold color, pattern mixing and displayed collections: "more is more", done with intention. How to make it work.
Mediterranean Style
Mediterranean style draws on homes around the Mediterranean: plaster walls, terracotta, arches, natural wood and sun-washed colors.
Minimalist Style
Minimalist style reduces a room to what is essential: clean lines, a limited palette, hidden storage and plenty of empty space. How to keep it warm.
Modern Style
Modern style refers to modernist design of the 20th century, from Bauhaus to mid-century modern: function, clean lines and new materials.
Mood Board
A mood board is a collage of images, colors and materials that captures the look of a space. What to put on one and how to use it.
Negative Space
Negative space is the empty space around and between objects in a room. Why leaving space empty makes interiors feel calmer and more intentional.
Outpainting
Outpainting extends an image beyond its original borders. What it is, when it helps with room photos, and why it can invent architecture.
Photorealistic Render
A photorealistic render is a computer-made image that looks like a photograph. What makes a room render believable, from light to scale.
Prompt Engineering
Prompt engineering is the craft of writing instructions that get good results from AI. The five parts of a good interior design prompt.
Rule of Thirds
The rule of thirds divides a view into a 3x3 grid and places key elements on its lines. How it applies to styling and photographing rooms.
Scandinavian Style
Scandinavian style is light, functional and warm: pale woods, white walls, natural textiles and simple, well-made furniture. Key elements.
Space Planning
Space planning is analysing how a space will be used and organising zones, circulation and furniture before decorating. The steps.
Spatial Hierarchy
Spatial hierarchy is how a building or room signals what matters most, through size, shape, position and light. Meaning and examples.
Specification Sheet
A specification sheet lists the exact details of a product so it can be ordered and installed correctly: model, size, finish, supplier, lead time.
Style Transfer
Style transfer applies the look of one image to the content of another. From neural style transfer to today’s "change the style, keep the room".
Symmetry
Symmetry in interior design means mirroring elements around a central axis. When symmetry calms a room, and when asymmetry works better.
Text-to-Image
Text-to-image AI creates a picture from a written description. How it differs from redesigning a photo of your own room.
Texture
Texture is the real or visual surface quality of materials. Why layering textures gives depth to a room, especially a neutral one.
Traditional Style
Traditional style draws on classic European design: symmetry, rich wood, moldings, patterned fabrics and antiques. Key elements and modern takes.
Virtual Staging
Virtual staging adds furniture and decor digitally to photos of empty or dated rooms for property listings. How it works and the disclosure rules.
Visual Weight
Visual weight is how heavy an object looks, based on size, color, pattern and form. How to use it to balance a room.