Unlike virtual simulations, augmented reality serves as an extension of our imagination. Its primary purpose is to show us a glimpse of things we’d like to see in real life, and that gives us – users and developers – many new capabilities. It’s no surprise that apart from engineers or medical staff, this technology has attracted the designers as well.
It’s actually because of the imagination-extending aspect, that modern design has adapted AR solutions and started pointing new directions of its utilization. One of them is a section of AR mobile apps dedicated to interior designing, which we’d like to present to you here.
The reason why AR interior designing apps are an intriguing topic worth interest is very simple. Picture yourself moving into a new house and collecting new furniture. A sofa, for example. You must measure the space carefully, pick the right colors, and check if the new design fits your room. It’s not easy to make the right choice while walking through the shop filled with many different products. That’s where your original plans might suddenly vanish, and all you are left with is something OK at best.
Thanks to AR apps for interior design, those types of problems are gone. No more measuring, drawing little projects, and wondering “how it will look in the end.” Instead of that, you can just use your smartphone or tablet and see the final view right here, right now.
Of course, undeniably those apps have their perks, but still, we can not talk about the perfect solution yet. Mainly because it’s a technology dedicated to owners of empty spaces, so it can’t help you if the matter is to replace still used piece of furniture. Also, 3D models still are usually mediocre in resembling textures and colors of an actual product, which is the key to making a successful purchase.
Despite several technical restrictions, the potential advantages that AR designing apps give us is a reason that more and more users, as well as companies, decide to use them now.
To show the variety of approaches in designing mobile AR applications for home decor, we choose three popular examples which, thanks to their smart utilities, achieved international acclaim.
Houzz
One of the greatest successes of the Houzz company was a Visual Match technology implemented in its mobile app. Based on the uploaded photos, the software can pick matching objects from the store, creating a look-alike list.
Although, it’s the AR technology that plays a crucial role in the popularisation of the Houzz app. By that, the American company had changed. It’s already an exciting app into the powerful e-commerce system.
The app is, in fact, an online store, in which, based on modern, smart functions, users can make shopping decisions quicker and more creatively. We’re talking about ten million products, ready to be fitted into our homes through the lens of our smartphones.
What’s worth saying, in 2019, the Houzz app had been updated with a new utility that grants users another AR designing skill – tiling floors. It’s another step towards creating a more accurate and advanced visualizing tool.
The app is available in many languages around the world. It’s easy to assume the big ambitions of Houzz company just by looking at what they are offering in the mobile app alone.
RoOomy
Unlike the previous example, RoOomy appears more as an aggregate of other shops’ offers than an independent shopping platform. The company’s app allows users to choose from other’s catalogs. There we can find products of Amazon, Wayfair, or Houzz itself.
Along with the wide furniture offer comes a serious convenience. Every one of the available 3D models that can be located in our space also has a fixed “see information” button. It allows users to learn more about its details, but primarily, quickly add the piece to the shopping cart.
Every project made with RoOomy app editor can be easily shared with friends via mail or Facebook, Instagram etc. That option adds the social aspect to the whole experience, making it more entertaining in terms of the ability to act as amateur designers.
IKEA Place
Last but not least. We couldn’t forget about the Swedish blue-and-yellow titan, and its mobile AR app – IKEA Place. As always, this company is doing pretty much what others do but infused with its original quality.
It’s no surprise – IKEA is all about aesthetics. And it’s pretty clear when we download the official app and see the bright and finely finished UI. It’s an advantage of the whole product, as well as 3D models, that are accurately reproduced and by it – very immersive.
But the platform isn’t perfect. The main problem is a small number of actual products that we can fit virtually. It just can’t compete with other aggregates. The offer is much smaller, and that said, IKEA Place’s AR looks more like a fun app to play with or – business-wise, a successful marketing project. However, it’s hard to get too critical about it. All left to do is to ask: when will we see more?
So that’s our subjective list of the most famous examples of AR home decor apps. For more inspiration and Giant Lazer’s original ideas, visit our social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.