I have my own thoughts on this subject, but I thought it would be interesting to ask AI itself.

This is ChatGPT's response regarding the restrictions AI might have with kitchen design, and likely bedroom and bathroom design for that matter:

"AI can certainly help design kitchens for a wide range of people, but there are limitations that make it difficult to create perfect designs for every individual. Here’s why:

1. Subjective Aesthetic Preferences

Kitchen design involves personal tastes in color, materials, and style (modern, rustic, minimalist, etc.). AI can analyze trends but may struggle with unique or highly personal aesthetics.

2. Cultural and Regional Differences

Different cultures have distinct cooking styles, storage needs, and appliance preferences. A kitchen optimized for a Japanese home might not suit a Mediterranean household.

3. Physical and Accessibility Needs

People have varying heights, mobility levels, and disabilities. AI can generate accessible designs, but customizing for every individual’s physical abilities is complex.

4. Lifestyle and Cooking Habits

Some people love to bake, while others rarely cook. AI can suggest layouts based on general user input, but it may not fully grasp how a person actually uses their kitchen daily.

5. Unpredictable Human Behavior

AI relies on data, but humans are unpredictable. A family with kids may need different storage solutions than a single person, and those needs change over time.

6. Budget and Material Constraints

AI might suggest an ideal layout, but real-world budget constraints, availability of materials, and construction limitations can make implementation challenging.

7. Emotional and Sentimental Factors

AI can’t fully account for sentimental attachments to certain items (like a family heirloom table) or personal feelings about space and comfort.

AI can be an excellent design assistant, but human expertise is often needed to fine-tune a kitchen to fit an individual's unique preferences and lifestyle. Would you like me to generate some AI-assisted kitchen ideas for you? 😊"

So, what are my thoughts? There's definitely going to be a huge change in the way kitchens are designed, as I can't see why AI wouldn't be able to put a generic kitchen layout together if given the correct measurements. But, as hinted at above by AI itself, people making a big investment will definitely want a bespoke service and human interaction.

Who would use AI for a kitchen design?

I feel this will be used mainly by customers on a tighter budget, or people that don't need a personalised design such as property developers or landlords. I absolutely would have used this myself for our first kitchen when I was a young lad, and the younger generations are far more tech savvy nowadays. A straightforward layout at a low cost was all I needed for our first home.

Who might offer this service?

I feel it may be useful for independent companies to have the option of AI design for customers that want to have a play around with ideas to use as a starting point before an actual designer helps them with all the factors above that AI can't account for. I think the main use for AI kitchen design will be in the large retailers and online suppliers. Unfortunately, this may lead to job losses if companies don't need as many "bums in seats". Companies like DIY Kitchens could take over the entry level market with their already low prices, but that next level of service won't be there for those that want it.

What other pitfalls might there be?

If you design your own kitchen on a website, you'll be inputting your own measurements. Whether you take them yourself or ask your installer, who will foot the bill if it doesn't fit? Who's going to check that you put everything in to the design such as soil pipes, stop taps and gas meters? Also, what if the AI design has a mistake in it? Has it remembered to put a set of drawers in, or has it allowed enough room for a filler next to the fridge? If not, again, who is responsible for the cost to fix it?

Whilst AI is going to bring some huge changes in the design world, I think my job is safe..... for now!

Will AI Take My Job As A Kitchen Designer?

With the astonishing advancements in AI, I have to wonder - is my job safe?