I asked AI to spruce up my garden and this is what it suggested (aff)

I asked AI to help me spruce up my garden space, expecting a long list of generic outdoor bits and pieces. Instead, it came up with beautiful items I actually want to buy.

The tool I used was ShopHomeStyles, an AI interiors platform that works a bit differently from typical shopping sites.

Rather than searching through lots of categories or trying to describe your style in words, you just upload an image. I simply added a photo of my patio area and it instantly came up with a collection of garden furniture that suits my style.

For my garden, I was aiming for something simple and comfortable - a space where I could sit out in the evenings or have a slow weekend coffee. The first suggestion that stood out was the Victoria high back three-seater garden sofa set. It immediately set the tone. It’s roomy, neutral, and feels more like indoor living brought outside, which is exactly what I wanted.

From there, it added smaller details that made the space feel more considered. One of the more unexpected ideas was the Fulbrook rectangular outdoor mirror. At first I wasn’t sure about having a mirror in a garden, but it actually makes the space feel brighter and a bit bigger without doing much at all.

To soften everything, it suggested simple finishing touches like the Chino cushion covers. It’s a small detail, but it makes a big difference: suddenly the darker furniture feels lighter and more relaxed.

What makes it particularly useful is that it removes the usual friction that comes with furniture shopping. Instead of scrolling through endless pages or trying to guess the right search terms, everything starts with a visual reference, which feels much more natural.

The platform scans your image and pulls in similar pieces from more than 100 homeware brands, focusing on the overall look rather than exact matches. It means you’re not just shown one option, but a range of items at different price points that still fit the same style. It also makes it easier to share ideas with someone else, because you’re both reacting to the same image rather than trying to explain a vague concept, which is often where people lose interest or disengage.

What I liked most is that it didn’t feel like I was being sold random products. It felt like a mood was being built - calm, easy, slightly modern, but still comfortable. Instead of overthinking every piece, I just had a clear direction for how I wanted the space to feel.

Natalie Dixon is our Lifestyle reporter, if you liked this article and want to read more about fashion, beauty and lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here.

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^{This article was produced with the support of AI tools to assist in sourcing and structuring information. All content has been reviewed, verified and completed by a journalist prior to publication.}