Buzz
Have you ever splurged on a beautiful sofa, only to get it home and realize it doesn’t fit in your living room? Or ordered a rug online, only to find it looks more like a bathmat than a statement piece in your spacious bedroom? Even with careful measurements, it can be hard to imagine how a product will actually fit your space, both in terms of size and style. Fortunately, several companies have created augmented reality apps that allow you to see how a product will look in your home before you make a purchase.
Most of these apps function similarly: By using your phone’s camera, the app can superimpose a chosen product into your space on screen. The products are generally shown to scale, so you can immediately assess how well they fit. Gone are the days of guessing your way through home decor shopping.
IKEA
It’s no surprise that IKEA was among the first to embrace augmented reality, developing an app specifically designed to help visualize furniture in your home. Look for "IKEA Place" in the app store. (This is a different app from the IKEA Store app.)
Next, select an IKEA product, tap the checkmark, and the item will appear on your screen. You can then drag it around the room and place it wherever you want.
Bonus feature: If you spot a piece of furniture in real life and wonder if IKEA has something similar, the app includes a visual search feature. Tap the border icon in the bottom left, adjust it to outline the item you’re interested in, and within seconds, the app will display similar IKEA options for that chair or sofa you’ve been eyeing.
Houzz
Thanks to a spring update, the Houzz app now boasts enhanced AR capabilities. In fact, it’s so advanced that you can even place tiles on a kitchen backsplash or bathroom floor in true-to-size proportions. After selecting a tile, the app’s "View in My Room" 3D tool will prompt you to mark the borders of the area you wish to tile. Once you define the space, the tile will automatically scale and populate in your room. Even better: It calculates how many tiles you need, ensuring you purchase the right amount for the job.
Target
While shopping in the Target app, watch for the AR icon. (Only select items support AR viewing.) Tap the button, grant the app camera access, and the product will appear at scale in your space. To view all AR-enabled products, type "See It in Your Space" into the search bar.
Pro tip: This feature is particularly handy when trying to find the perfect-sized faux Christmas tree.
Wayfair
When browsing in the Wayfair app, look for the "View in Room" button. The app uses your phone's camera to instantly place the item in your home, allowing you to see if the color and style fit your space. In our tests, items sometimes don’t appear to scale, so we suggest using this feature for style checks, but always verify the product’s dimensions in the description before making a purchase.
