Stop moving around the new couch to try to figure out where it fits. Forget about trying to judge a paint colour from tiny samples against the wall. New tools such as virtual reality measuring apps and online mood boards are trying to help consumers find easier and quicker ways to decorate homes and apartments.
At a new technology lab in Boston, online home retailer Wayfair.com is digitising its catalogue and testing augmented reality and virtual reality apps as well as 3D models of its products.
The all-in-one site Houzz.com (and sister site Houzz.com.au) not only helps shoppers get inspiration and narrow their choices down from its more than five million products from over 10,000 sellers, it also helps people find local professionals to install the curtains they just bought.
And Houzz.com just launched an augmented reality app called "View in My Room" that allows shoppers to experiment with home decor options by virtually placing products from its online store into their home before you buy.
It seems to be converting browsers into buyers. Fifty per cent of users who made purchases in the latest version of the Houzz app used "View in My Room" to preview the product in their home, the company says.
Here are three ways to redecorate from your current couch.
- GET INSPIRED: Great ideas can still be found by flipping through home decor magazines or store catalogues, or by scrolling around on Pinterest and making mood boards, an arrangement of images to convey the design style you want to achieve.
Olioboard.com lets people create two- and three-dimensional designs using products from their favourite brands, which then link to retailers' sites for purchase. It says it also offers a community of home decor experts.
Also, check out stores' mobile apps. Two years ago, TJX Co.'s HomeGoods launched a mobile app called The Goods for smartphones. It helps customers see photos of new items that just arrived at their local HomeGoods stores.
- EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGY: More apps and online tools are using augmented reality and virtual reality technology, which are expected to become even more widespread. That means no more buying extra paint for samples or paying return fees on a chair that turns out to be too big for the room.
Wayfair is set to release in September an augmented reality app for Google Tango, which uses software and sensors to track motions and size up the contours of rooms. The Wayfair tool lets people see how pieces of furniture and decor will look and fit in their homes through the display on a smartphone.
Ikea is relaunching an augmented reality option within its app that will interact with its autumn catalogue.
- CONNECT WITH LOCAL PROS: Adding to free review sites like Yelp and membership programs like Angie's List, Amazon.com has launched a service in key cities like Atlanta, San Diego and New York that lets customers locate nearby professionals for jobs such as painting and even interior design.
