How AI Inspo May Help the Static Real Estate Market
Listen to the Podcast Episode for a deeper dive
How designers can use AI to inspire sellers to update their listings, add personality, and stand out
Hey there, fellow designers! I’m Jenna Gaidusek here. Lately, I’ve been watching the homes in my neighborhood hit the market—and sit. Not just for a few weeks, but months. No movement, no offers, just a whole lot of “For Sale” signs that don’t seem to be doing their job.
And here’s the thing: it’s not just about interest rates or the market cooling off.
It’s about emotion. Or more specifically, a lack of it.
These homes look okay on paper—but they feel flat. Builder-basic. Staged (if at all) with no intention or spark. There’s nothing to fall in love with, nothing that makes buyers stop scrolling or dream about what life there could feel like.
And as designers, we know that’s the part that matters most.
The Reality of Today’s Listings: Too Safe, Too Bland, Too Easy to Skip
All over the country, designers are hearing the same thing from their real estate partners:
“We kept it neutral for resale.”
“We didn’t want to scare off buyers.”
“We figured people could imagine their own style in the space.”
But let’s be real: most buyers can’t visualize the potential—and neutral for the sake of being neutral just doesn’t cut it anymore.
Especially in a saturated market.
A beige-on-beige room with nothing distinctive won’t stand out in a sea of listings. Buyers scroll right past it. Even if the layout is great or the price is right, if they don’t feel anything from the photos, they’re not interested.
Why Interior Designers Are More Essential Than Ever
This is where our role as designers becomes incredibly powerful—not just in renovations or full-service projects, but in the prep and styling of homes for sale.
We know how to tell a visual story. We know how to create an emotional response with color, texture, layout, and light.
But more importantly, we know how to help sellers see what’s possible—and give buyers something worth dreaming about.
And now, with accessible AI tools, we don’t have to explain it—we can show it.
How AI Can Help You Inspire Action and Sell the Vision
AI tools give us the ability to create fast, affordable, and visually compelling mockups and renderings that bring design ideas to life.
I’ve used them personally to redesign my husband’s office and pre-visualize my kids’ rooms. And I’ve used them professionally to help clients make faster, more confident decisions. The difference? Less second-guessing. More “YES, let’s do it.”
Imagine what that kind of clarity could do for a hesitant seller—or a buyer who can’t see past the current layout.
Practical Ways to Use AI in Listing Prep + Client Work
Here are a few ways interior designers can start using AI to help properties stand out in today’s market:
Inspire sellers to make key updates
Show them how a few thoughtful changes—paint, lighting, styling—could shift the entire feel of the home.Create virtual staging that connects emotionally
Don’t just add furniture—design a vibe. Use AI to create cozy corners, stylish kitchens, and spaces that feel lived in (but elevated).Help buyers visualize potential
AI tools let you mock up bold design choices, new layouts, and finish swaps to get buyers excited about what could be.Build your portfolio—and your value
If you're working with real estate clients, these visuals can be a key part of your offering. They’ll see you as the missing piece to making listings move.
Want to Learn These Tools in Real Time?
If this is the kind of work you want to explore more deeply, we’ve got two upcoming events designed just for you:
AI Design Tech Summit (Virtual)
A virtual summit created specifically for interior designers who want to learn how to use AI in real-world, client-facing ways. We’ll cover tools, workflows, case studies, and creative inspiration—all without the tech overwhelm.
AI Day at High Point Market – Spring 2025
A hands-on, in-person event where we dive into how AI can support your creative process, content strategy, and business growth. If you’ll be at High Point, this is the event you don’t want to miss.
Final Thought: Show the Possibility. That’s the Work.
Whether you’re helping a seller update their space, staging a listing with intention, or helping buyers imagine their future in a home—your design skills matter more than ever. And when you pair that with the right AI tools? You become unstoppable.
Let’s stop waiting for listings to sell themselves.
Let’s show the story behind the space.
Let’s make design feel alive again.
Warm regards,
Jenna Gaidusek
CEO, AI for Interior Designers™️
Disclaimer: This blog was written using AI as a recap from the recording then edited by the author for accuracy and details.
