5 Ways AI Can Help Design Your Kitchen

Robin Johnson
Aug 22
4 min read

If you’ve ever thought about remodeling your kitchen, you already know the feeling... overwhelming Pinterest boards, endless screenshots on your phone, and no clue how to pull it all together... that’s where AI tools come in.

Now before you picture robots running the design world — let me stop you. AI isn’t replacing kitchen designers anytime soon (promise!). It can’t meet with you in person, walk the job site, talk to your contractor or get super creative when figuring out the best layout for the space.

But what it can do is act like your brainstorming buddy — helping you explore styles, play with layouts, build a budget, and make better decisions without getting stuck in the weeds.

Recently, I put ChatGPT to the test and even asked it how it compares to Remodel AI.

Below is a mood board and 3D rendering ChatGPT created based on my prompts. Read on to see where it delivered and where it fell short!

Why Use AI at All?

Because kitchen design can be overwhelming! You’re juggling layout, storage, lighting, finishes, colors, and budget. And that’s before you even think about hardware and paint colors.

AI makes the early stages less stressful by giving you ideas instantly — no judgment, no waiting for office hours. It’s like having a 24/7 design sidekick.

What Can ChatGPT Help With?

1. Style Direction

Not sure if you’re going for moody modern, coastal casual, or classic timeless? Ask ChatGPT to explain the differences and suggest mood boards you can save on Pinterest. It’s also helpful for communicating your vision to a spouse, builder, or designer.

2. Layout Optimization

You can describe your kitchen with a prompt like: “My kitchen is 12x18 with an island in the middle. What’s the best way to place my sink, stove, and fridge for flow and function?” ChatGPT will reference the classic kitchen triangle to suggest placements — but remember, it doesn’t know where your doors and windows are. Think of this as a starting point, not the final plan.

3. Budget Planning

You can give it a prompt like: “What’s a realistic budget for a mid-range kitchen remodel 150 sq ft in Austin, TX in 2025?” ChatGPT can give you a ballpark breakdown for kitchen materials like cabinets, counters, appliances and so on. While some numbers run low especially with today's price increases (I had to call it out on underpricing cabinets!), it was surprisingly good at giving per-square-foot estimates and even average prices for specific stones like Taj Mahal quartzite.

4. Decision Fatigue Help

Overwhelmed by faucets, backsplashes, hardware, and lighting? ChatGPT can weigh in.

You can type a prompt like: “Help me choose a backsplash that works with white shaker cabinets, a navy island, and quartz counters with veining.” It’ll list out options for tile, shiplap or a slab backsplash and explain why it works which is helpful. Ask for moodboards so you can see its suggestions.

5. Shopping Lists

Need barstools, rugs, or accessories? Just ask. Example prompt: “Make me a shopping list for barstools, rugs and accessories in a coastal kitchen with white oak cabinets and brass accents.” You’ll see ideas from retailers like Serena & Lily, Rejuvenation, and Pottery Barn to name a few. You could even give it a budget to work within and see what you get!

Tips for Getting the Best Results

Be specific. Include dimensions, natural light, and your must-haves. Use visuals. Upload a photo or sketch for more personalized advice. Refine. Keep asking follow-ups like you would in a real conversation.

Yes, You Can Upload Photos & Sketches

This is where things get fun. Snap a photo of your current kitchen (or even a hand-drawn sketch!) and ChatGPT can suggest layout improvements. Can it make a true 3D rendering? Not exactly. It’ll generate concept visuals, but they won’t always look like your actual kitchen. Still, for brainstorming, it’s gold.

ChatGPT vs. Remodel AI

I wanted to compare the difference between ChatGPT and Remodel AI which in another tool you can use to help design your kitchen. Remodel AI is strictly for visuals, no prompting. Here’s the breakdown of the comparison:

Feature	ChatGPT	Remodel AI
Design Feedback	Real-time advice & reasoning	Not interactive
Image Input	Can input sketches/photos	Can input photos
Layout Help	Suggests improved layouts	Not interactive
3D Visuals	Basic, not realistic	Instant styled visuals
Style Advice	Matches your taste/lifestyle	Choose from presets
Budgeting	Can estimate	Not interactive
Shopping Lists	Curated suggestions	Not interactive
Best For	Strategy, planning, & “what if” questions	Quick before/after inspiration
Cost	Paid and free versions	Paid version

Pro tip: Use both! Remodel AI for fast visuals, ChatGPT for strategy and planning.

The Bottom Line

AI isn’t replacing kitchen designers — it’s empowering homeowners.

Use Remodel AI to quickly see your kitchen in different styles, then lean on ChatGPT to refine layouts, make smart budget decisions, and help with all those late-night “what if …” questions.

At the end of the day, AI is here to make you feel more confident, organized, and inspired — not to replace the human touch that makes your kitchen truly yours.

If you want to hear my entire Podcast on my experiment with ChatGPT, click below to listen!