The planning of interior design and decoration is rapidly evolving, with new technological tools such as generative AI, immersive metaverse spaces, and augmented reality (AR) helping consumers to engage more actively in their design decisions.
Generative AI is particularly suited to design enthusiasts. By inputting simple text prompts into generative AI like Midjourney, vivid and expressive images can be generated within seconds.
Although Midjourney is very user-friendly, to get the desired image, it is essential to craft prompts with language that aligns with your interior design goals, so users must actively predict how the bot will respond to the instructions. Here is a guide to successfully creating Midjourney interior design prompts.
How Midjourney Works
Users access Midjourney through a Discord account and input prompts starting with /imagine.
The Midjourney bot generates striking color images through algorithms. While Midjourney is one of several text-to-image AIs available, including Dall-E, the quality and detail of the images it produces make it particularly suitable for interior design.
For users venturing into Midjourney, it's important to note that while the generated images are inspiring, they lack practical functionality in the real world. The ideas presented are not specified, and you cannot purchase the items you see.
Instead, plan to use your images as a springboard to present your ideas to partners, builders, contractors, or designers, or use the images to find similar colors, products, and finishes on the market.
This is a quick way to brainstorm and inspire creativity, rather than a blueprint.
"Remember, AI-generated images are conceptual starting points for future projects and are not perfect," says interior designer Gloribell Lebron.
Determine which designs appeal to you before you start
To effectively guide Midjourney's interior design prompts, you need to be clear about your aesthetic goals.
"Before diving into generative AI tools like Midjourney, it's important to be clear about what you want to achieve," Lebron says.
Even if you're using cutting-edge generative AI, it's a good idea to adopt traditional methods of collecting and organizing inspiration.
"Start by gathering inspiration from various sources, such as design magazines, Pinterest, etc. Identify elements that resonate with your style, such as color schemes, materials, and types of furniture," she says.
Compile all these ideas on a mood board, which is essentially a collection of design inspiration that can include physical samples and pictures, or be done digitally.
"A mood board can help you refine your vision and serve as a reference point," Lebron says.
Learning Interior Design Language
One benefit of Midjourney is that it allows users to visually express interior design ideas, which is useful for communicating concepts with designers or builders, or even co-creating wish lists among families.
However, amateur design enthusiasts may know what they like but may be unfamiliar with the terminology needed to express their style.
While exploring ideas on mood boards, learn about different styles and design elements, remembering that styles are carefully curated to produce a specific aesthetic.
For example, some of the most popular styles currently include:
- **Japandi**: Embracing warm wood and purposeful spaces.
- **Rustic**: Rustic but stylish, with rich textures and wood, such as wood frames and siding.
- **Coastal Design**: Recreating a beach vibe with blues, greens, yellows, and consciously blending indoor-outdoor connections.
- **Mid-Century Modern**: Characterized by geometric design elements, emphasizing simple, clean lines, and experiencing a revival.
There are dozens of named styles, so decide which one best reflects your aesthetic, or choose a combination of several styles, which is common in interior design.
Similarly, consider the language others use when writing. Scrolling through design media, you'll often see words like moody, artistic, whimsical, tailored, textured, and eclectic. Think about how adjectives are used to describe some of your favorite looks and incorporate similar descriptions into your prompt planning.
Diving into Details
The more information you provide to Midjourney, the better, so compile a list of design details to address.
"Creating effective language prompts for AI tools involves clarity and specificity," Lebron says.
"Start by describing in detail the overall style you expect, whether it's modern, minimalist, or bohemian. Include specific details such as color schemes, types of materials, and furniture styles," she says.
Some tips to keep in mind:
- The first part of the prompt is the most important, and the details that follow will help refine the delivered image.
- Remember the room's location and layout, approximate size or dimensions, architectural details, flooring, lighting, and anything else that describes your aesthetic direction.
- Assign adjectives to the room's purpose. Are you designing a cozy bedroom, an airy, spacious family room, or a functional chef's kitchen?
- Use simple, short prompts and strategically place directives. Avoid lengthy lists and filler words like "a" or "the." Instead, use commas to separate thoughts.
- Be specific and clear, as Midjourney struggles with abstract concepts.
"For example, instead of saying 'modern bathroom,' say 'modern bathroom with a neutral color palette, white marble floor tile, and dark blue one sink vanity' (see example below). The more detailed your prompt, the more accurate the generated image will be," Lebron says.
Additional details will produce the results you want.
What if I don't get the image I want?
"First, refine your prompt — add more specific details or adjust existing details. Try different keywords and combinations to see which produce better results," Lebron says.
For example, in this image, the prompt used was:
/imagine large 20x20 open plan kitchen for entertaining in farmhouse and mid-century modern style
I like this, but I have a more colorful image in mind, and this room feels a bit dark, so I consider language that might make it brighter. Change the prompt to:
/imagine large 20x20 open plan kitchen for entertaining in farmhouse and mid-century modern style with neutral colored flooring, bold colored cabinetry, large island with built-in seating, chef-grade appliances, light and airy feel, natural light
In the second image, in addition to the richer color, you can see a stronger interaction of light, more fixtures, fewer shadows, more reflective surfaces, and a greater emphasis on the view outside.
"If you don't get the image you want, don't be discouraged," Lebron says, as it may take several attempts to find the effect you want.
In fact, the trial-and-error nature of Midjourney is often a welcome part of the creative process, as you can easily adjust prompts to build different images.