How 3D Interior Design Changed from 2010 to 2019
How 3D Interior Design Changed from 2010 to 2019

3D Interior design has undergone many changes in the past decade. New software versions were developed that were faster, smarter, and cheaper. Trends have come and gone, and the 3D renderings have become so realistic that it’s next to impossible to discern them from actual photographs.

So, many things have happened in the past decade in 3D interior design, and it’s easy to lose track. But of course, to know where we’re headed, we must take a look at where we’ve been.

So, let’s see what the past decade has meant for 3D interior design and discuss what we can expect from this point forward.

The Early Beginnings

Perhaps it’s important to mention where it all started. While it might seem improbable, especially to the younger generation, the first 3D models appeared in the mid 20th century.

Ivan Sutherland created the original 3D design program in 1963. His program was named Sketchpad, and it allowed designers to create 3D drawings which were primarily used in advertising and TV, but quickly became popular in various other fields, including interior design. Thanks to his achievements, Sutherland is today considered to be the father of all CAD programs.

And speaking of CAD programs, the fan-favorite Autodesk 3ds Max has been the leading program since 1990 (although at the time it was known under a different name — 3D Studio DOS).

The rising popularity of personal computers in the ‘90s has allowed designers to take advantage of the newly-developed and notoriously expensive CAD software and start creating ever-better 3D designs. Though it can hardly be said that the designs were realistic, they still paved the path for the photorealism that’s widely adored in the 3D interior design world today.

The Popular Trends of 2010

The steep price of 3D interior design software started to drop in the early 2010s, and even some free CAD programs came on the market. The software became sophisticated enough to allow for the creation of photorealistic 3D designs, and the field of interior design has been changed forever.

Since the price of 3D interior design software went down, many new, strong players entered the game. The software wasn’t only being used in the field of interior design, but those in engineering or architecture began using it as a staple as well.

As far as the 3D interior design trends of 2010 go, it must be noted that the global economic situation had a significant influence on what was popular at the time.

After the 2008 financial crisis, there was a shift toward minimalism that remains popular today. And to impress the clients with minimalism, designers had to ensure that their 3D renderings were as life-like as possible.

While not genuinely perfected until 2019, photorealistic 3D designs became a necessity more than a commodity in the first half of the decade.

What 3D Interior Design Is Like in 2019

Between 2010 and 2019, a lot of effort was put into perfecting the 3D design software and ensuring that it has as many high-quality features as possible. You can now set the moods to your scenes by changing the lighting, the textures and materials available through the software have never looked better, and creating photorealistic designs has never been easier.

There are a few things that truly set the year 2019 apart in the field of 3D interior design; let’s take a look.

Photorealism reigned supreme

Primarily, the photorealistic design is appealing, simple as that. The many features of 3D interior design software have allowed designers and artists to create stunning scenes that appear completely real. But it isn’t just the appeal that has made photorealism a significant trend in 2019.

Photorealistic 3D designs allow the clients to see what the result will look like. It can sometimes take just a few hours to create a photorealistic design that allows you to see a room from every angle. This can help simplify the whole process of turning a designer’s idea into reality.

Any issue with the design can be immediately noticed, and every error can be easily corrected. Figuring out what the potential problems could be so early on can help reduce the overall cost of investing in interior design, and it will significantly reduce the time it takes to bring the project to completion.

Photorealism is all about efficiency and efficacy.

3D Printing Made Its Way Into Interior Design

Even with all the new technology and software solutions, many clients still want to see the old-fashioned models of their new homes/ offices/ etc. It used to take days and weeks for designers to create a physical model of their creations, and in 2019 this could be done within mere hours.

3D printers were in all the news this year, and everyone was fascinated by them. Just like 3D interior design software, 3D printers became more accessible and affordable, and everyone wanted to give them a try.

They were all the rage in 2019, and will probably continue to be so for many years to come thanks to their efficiency.

Collaboration Improved with Cloud Technology

Collaboration between interior designers, their team, and their clients have improved significantly this year thanks to cloud technology. Most 3D interior design software has a cloud-based version that allows designers to work together with their team on the same project and at the same time. The work is immediately updated and accessible by any member of the team.

Clients can take a look at the progress at any time if they need to, and all projects can be accessed from almost any internet-connected device.

It’s no wonder that cloud technology has had such an impact on interior design in 2019.

The Focus on Eco-Friendly Design

The last big trend in 3D interior design in 2019 was the focus on being environmentally conscious and eco-friendly. While this has primarily had a significant influence on architectural design, it was still of great importance in interior design.

The use of natural materials was extremely significant, and anything that was recyclable, durable, practical, and eco-friendly was of great appeal. Most of the 3D interior design software has introduced many natural materials in their libraries to match the wants and needs of the clients.

What the Future May Hold for 3D Interior Design

There are at least two things that we can expect in the coming years. One is the introduction of smart homes in 3D interior design, and the other is the use of VR.

Smart homes are becoming increasingly popular, and the whole smart home market is expected to reach $40 billion by 2020. This will undeniably affect the 3D interior design, as designers will have to implement many new features into their projects.

As far as VR is concerned, interior designers will start relying on this technology more and more. Presenting their work in VR will allow them to connect better with their clients and genuinely bring their creations to life.

Interactive walkthroughs in VR will become increasingly popular, so designers will have to ensure every detail of their creation is picture-perfect.

The Bottom Line

3D interior design has been on quite a journey in the past few years. We can expect to see 3D interior design software become even more affordable and user-friendly in the coming years, so the future of this field appears to be very bright.