Pinterest’s new tool allows you to ‘try on’ decor in your home – here’s how it works

The fitting room of the interior design world is here – it’s time to try before you buy into the trend

An all white Georgian house in Kent
(Image credit: James Merrell)
Megan Slack
By
last updated

Pinterest may be known as a photo-sharing social site – but it has just moved into the world of augmented reality. The platform has announced ‘Try On for Home Decor’ – a new way for people to redesign their interiors – without the commitment. 

Using this new phase of AR (Augmented reality), interior design trend enthusiasts can virtually experiment with new items from multiple brands, including West Elm, Macy’s, CB2 and Wayfair. But how does it work?  

The app uses Pinterest’s Lens camera search technology that allows you to play with modern decorating ideas without flirting with an all-out maximalist style in your Scandi-cool scheme (or vice-versa). 

So, you are able to adjust the product within the camera view to see how it looks in your space and how well it goes alongside your existing decor pieces.

Farrow & Ball paint in living room

(Image credit: Cinder Rose No.246 Estate Emulsion by Farrow & Ball)

The ‘Try On for Home Decor’ platform also recognizes real-world objects and translates them to online recommendations based on your taste – so you could almost argue that it acts as a personal shopper too.

‘Innovation has opened up new ways for customers to experience home designs, and we are always testing new ways for our customers to shop and find inspiration,’ explains Samie Barr, SVP of Marketing at CB2 (who feature on the platform). 

‘Pinterest’s Try On For Home Decor can play a strong role in making this journey as seamless as possible by bridging the gap between virtual commerce and reality,’ she adds.

Lime green living room with abstract artwork

(Image credit: Little Greene)

Sammie certainly isn’t wrong. The intrigue behind virtual reality for interiors has increased over the past year, and burgeoning retailer investment in augmented reality (AR) technology has crept into the design world – and Try On for Home Decor is the latest innovation in this ever-growing realm. 

'Since the pandemic began, we're seeing more digitally savvy shoppers than ever before,' emphasizes Jeremy King, SVP of Engineering at Pinterest. 

'Millions of people now expect virtual and mobile options to try before they buy, see personalized recommendations, and gather information as part of their decision-making process,' he says. 

Little Greene ceiling

(Image credit: Little Greene)

MADE.COM and Dulux are amongst the other labels that have offered similar AI technology to the world – but we expect many more to follow suit.

Try On for Home Decor is only available in the US currently, but they plan to introduce the platform into international markets in the near future. 

Megan Slack
Megan Slack

Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team.

Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US whilst studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site.

Megan currently lives in London, where she relocated from her hometown in Yorkshire. In her home, she experiments with interior design trends and draws inspiration from the home decor ideas she observes in her everyday work life. Her favorite pieces include her antique typewriter and her expansive collection of houseplants. When she isn’t writing, she is browsing London’s coffee shops and bookstores to add to her ever-growing library, taking over the open shelving in her apartment. 

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