Lesson 2: Room Type – How to specify spaces effectively

Alright, this seems like the easiest part, right? Just say “bedroom” or “kitchen” and move on. Well… yes and no. The room type is your foundation, and there’s actually a smart way to do this that’ll get you way better results.

The Basic Room Types (that AI understands well):

Living room, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, dining room, home office, entryway, hallway, closet, laundry room, nursery, kids’ room, teen bedroom, master bedroom, guest room, powder room, mudroom, pantry, library, study, family room, media room, gym, home theater, wine cellar, sunroom, patio, balcony, terrace, rooftop deck

For Commercial Spaces: Restaurant, cafe, bar, hotel lobby, hotel room, retail store, boutique, office, coworking space, conference room, reception area, spa, salon, gallery, showroom, lounge

Okay, so you know the names of rooms. But here’s where it gets interesting: How specific should you be?

Too Vague: “A room” “A space” “Interior”

These are too broad. AI will give you… something. But probably not what you want.

Just Right: “Living room” “Master bedroom” “Modern kitchen”

Clear, specific, gives AI a framework to work within.

Maybe Too Specific: “14×18 foot living room with 9-foot ceilings and two west-facing windows”

AI doesn’t really understand exact measurements, remember? And all those details might confuse it rather than help. Save the precision for your CAD drawings.

Here’s the trick: Use descriptive modifiers that add context

Instead of just “bedroom,” try:

• “Cozy bedroom” – signals you want it to feel intimate and warm
• “Spacious master bedroom” – tells AI to make it large and luxurious
• “Minimalist bedroom” – helps set both size and style expectations
• “Small guest bedroom” – manages the scale appropriately

For multi-functional spaces, be clear:

• “Open-plan kitchen and dining area”
• “Living room with home office nook”
• “Bedroom with ensuite bathroom”
• “Kitchen with breakfast bar”

For specific room subcategories:

• “Walk-in closet” (not just “closet”)
• “Powder room” (not just “bathroom” if you want a half-bath)
• “Primary bathroom with freestanding tub”
• “Galley kitchen” vs. “L-shaped kitchen” vs. “Island kitchen”

Here’s what I’ve learned through trial and error:

If you’re going for a specific architectural style, mention it with the room type:

• “Loft-style living room” – AI knows this means high ceilings, industrial vibes, open space
• “Cottage-style kitchen” – immediately communicates scale and warmth
• “Penthouse master bedroom” – signals luxury and likely great views

Room + Function = Better Results:

• “Reading nook” is better than “corner of living room with chair”
• “Breakfast nook” is clearer than “small dining area”
• “Home bar area” works better than “space with bottles”

For unusual or specialized spaces, give context:

Not great: “Prayer room” Better: “Meditation room with minimal seating and soft lighting”

Not great: “Utility room” Better: “Modern laundry room with storage”

The AI needs to visualize what makes that space unique. Help it out.

One more thing about commercial spaces:

The more specific you are about the type of commercial space, the better:

• “Fine dining restaurant” vs. “casual cafe” vs. “fast-casual restaurant”
• “Boutique hotel lobby” vs. “luxury resort lobby” vs. “business hotel reception”
• “High-end retail boutique” vs. “department store section” vs. “vintage shop”

Each of these tells AI something different about scale, finishes, and atmosphere.

My rule of thumb: Your room type should be specific enough that if I said it out loud, you’d have a mental picture of the general space, but broad enough that there’s still room for style interpretation.

“Kitchen” – ✓ Works
“Luxury modern kitchen” – ✓ Even better
“14×20 kitchen with 10 feet of counter space” – ✗ Too technical
“Food preparation area” – ✗ Too vague

Quick exercise: Look at three interior photos. How would you describe the room type in 2-4 words? Practice being concise but descriptive. That’s your sweet spot.

Alright, once you’ve got your room type locked in, it’s time to talk about style—and oh boy, this is where things get fun…