How Contractors are Using Augmented Reality (AR) for Kitchen and Bathroom Makeovers

By:  John Tomblin, Senior Solutions Architect
Data Titan™, a division of Sofvue, LLC
Printed with permission of Data Titan™, Sofvue LLC, and the author

Augmented Reality: Transforming Industries

Augmented Reality (AR) is revolutionizing industries across every market sector, transforming fields from medical diagnostics and surgical procedures to construction, architecture, and interior design. Even consumer-facing companies such as IKEA have integrated AR into their business models, enabling customers to visualize furniture placements within their homes before making purchases.

As technology advances, AR is now enabling consumers to shop, place, and visualize products in their kitchens and bathrooms before committing to expensive renovations. This innovation empowers customers with an unprecedented ability to see their potential remodeling outcomes before spending a single penny. More than ever before, designers, contractors, and work crews can collaborate with clients using AR to achieve a shared vision of the final project.

Beyond interior design, AR plays a critical role in construction and home improvement by improving accuracy and efficiency. Contractors use AR applications to map out complex layouts, identify potential obstacles, and streamline workflows. By overlaying blueprints and schematics onto physical spaces, professionals can detect inconsistencies in designs, reducing errors and costly rework.

One of the most valuable aspects of AR in home remodeling is the ability to provide real-time customization. Homeowners can experiment with different colors, materials, and design elements, ensuring their choices align with their preferences and budget. This level of control reduces uncertainty and improves decision-making, ultimately leading to higher customer satisfaction.

Moreover, AR is particularly beneficial for contractors working in older buildings where original blueprints are missing or outdated. Through advanced scanning technology, AR can map structural elements such as hidden wiring, ventilation systems, and load-bearing walls. This prevents accidental damage, ensuring compliance with safety codes and regulations while keeping renovation projects on track.

In addition to its use in construction and design, AR is making a significant impact on retail. Companies now offer AR-powered mobile applications that allow customers to try out appliances, fixtures, and furniture within their own spaces. This interactive shopping experience enhances consumer confidence and minimizes the likelihood of returns due to mismatched expectations.

As AR technology continues to evolve, its applications will expand further, reshaping industries and transforming the way professionals and consumers interact with their environments. From reducing project risks and costs to enhancing customer experiences, AR is at the forefront of a new era in digital innovation.

The Role of Augmented Reality in Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations

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How Does Augmented Reality Work?

Augmented Reality (AR) seamlessly blends the digital and physical worlds, creating an immersive experience that enhances real-world interactions. This technology allows designers and contractors to overlay digital 3D models onto real environments using mobile devices, tablets, or AR headsets.

For instance, a designer can place a 3D rendering of a refrigerator or oven into a kitchen space using their smartphone. With advancements in AR technology, consumers can now select products with precise specifications—such as SKU numbers, colors, and dimensions—and virtually position them in their homes. Once satisfied with the arrangement, they can immediately proceed with purchasing the item through integrated e-commerce platforms.

This level of interaction is made possible by sophisticated AR software that utilizes a phone's camera, GPS, and spatial mapping to provide real-time geospatial data. Through this integration, AR applications can recognize room dimensions, detect furniture placement, and accommodate user input to create a realistic depiction of the final design.

The Impact of AR on Kitchen and Bathroom Remodeling

The adoption of AR in kitchen and bathroom makeovers has led to significant improvements in efficiency, accuracy, and customer satisfaction. Here are some key methods in which AR is transforming the renovation process:

1. Enhanced Project Planning

One of the most valuable applications of AR is its ability to generate 3D models from traditional 2D blueprints. When combined with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and 3D modeling software, contractors can create highly detailed, interactive visualizations of kitchen and bathroom layouts.

These AR-generated models can be shared with clients, providing them with a realistic preview of the finished space. Clients can make informed decisions about design elements, such as cabinetry, countertops, and lighting fixtures, long before construction begins. This preemptive approach helps eliminate costly mid-project modifications and ensures a smoother workflow.

Additionally, contractors can use AR to analyze and assess specific details of a renovation plan before execution. This advanced foresight minimizes unexpected expenses, identifies design flaws early, and reduces project delays—common issues that have historically plagued the construction industry.

Benefits of Enhanced Project Planning with Augmented Reality in Construction

✔️ Early Detection of Design Flaws – AR allows contractors to identify potential design conflicts before construction begins. By visualizing 3D models overlaid on real environments, errors in layout, structural integrity, or material compatibility can be resolved beforehand, preventing costly rework.

✔️ Reduced Material Waste – Accurate AR-generated models help contractors plan precise measurements and material requirements. This reduces over-ordering and waste, ensuring better cost control while minimizing environmental impact.

✔️ Improved Client Communication and Approval – AR enables clients to see detailed visual representations of the final project, allowing them to make informed design choices early. This minimizes last-minute changes that often lead to delays and increased costs.

✔️ Optimized Scheduling and Workflow – AR integration with project management software helps construction teams streamline scheduling, ensuring materials and labor are allocated efficiently. This reduces downtime and accelerates project completion, saving both time and money.

✔️ Enhanced Safety and Compliance – By simulating construction environments, AR allows workers to visualize hazards and navigate complex installations before stepping on-site. This proactive approach reduces workplace accidents, leading to lower insurance costs and fewer project disruptions.

2. Real-Time Project Modifications

Unlike traditional remodeling methods, where changes often result in added costs and extended timelines, AR facilitates real-time design modifications. Modern AR tools allow contractors and designers to adjust layouts and configurations on-site using mobile devices or AR headsets.

For example, if a homeowner decides to reposition a kitchen island, AR applications can quickly reflect this change, showing updated measurements and potential impacts on surrounding elements. Contractors can also use AR to simulate different material choices, allowing clients to compare various countertop finishes, flooring options, and appliance placements instantly.
By eliminating the guesswork in design alterations, AR enhances customization and ensures that the final result aligns precisely with the client’s vision.

3. Accurate On-Site Information for Contractors

Kitchens and bathrooms are among the most complex areas of a home due to their reliance on multiple utilities, including plumbing, electrical wiring, HVAC systems, internet connections, and natural gas lines. Contractors must have a comprehensive understanding of the existing infrastructure before making structural changes.

AR applications enable professionals to overlay digital schematics onto physical spaces, providing a clear visualization of these underlying systems. By toggling between different layers of information, contractors can make informed decisions regarding modifications without risking damage to essential utilities.

This functionality is particularly beneficial when working with older homes, where original blueprints may be outdated or unavailable. AR mapping technology allows contractors to detect and account for structural elements such as load-bearing walls, ventilation ducts, and concealed wiring—helping to prevent costly mistakes and ensuring compliance with safety standards.

• Improved Planning and Coordination: Contractors can pre-plan renovations with higher accuracy, reducing unexpected issues during execution.
• Minimized Risk of Damage: Identifying hidden utilities helps prevent accidental damage to pipes, electrical wiring, or gas lines.
• Increased Project Efficiency: AR visualization speeds up decision-making and reduces delays caused by uncertainties in the existing structure.
• Enhanced Safety Compliance: Ensuring proper identification of load-bearing walls and other structural elements helps contractors follow safety regulations.
• Better Cost Management: Preventing errors and rework leads to significant cost savings by reducing material waste and labor expenses.

By integrating AI-powered personal health assistants into healthcare routines, individuals can enjoy better health management, early disease detection, and increased access to medical support, leading to improved quality of life.

4. Improved Team Collaboration and Communication

Renovation projects require coordination between multiple professionals, including architects, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and project managers. Effective communication among these teams is essential to maintaining workflow efficiency and preventing delays.

AR fosters seamless collaboration by enabling project stakeholders to share interactive models, annotations, and real-time updates through cloud-based platforms. For instance, an electrician working on-site can use an AR headset to access virtual wiring diagrams and communicate necessary adjustments with a remote architect or engineer. Similarly, project managers can use AR-generated visuals to keep clients informed of progress and address concerns promptly.

By integrating AR into the renovation workflow, teams can reduce miscommunication, streamline decision-making, and improve overall project accuracy.

5. Increased Customer Engagement and Satisfaction

For homeowners, the ability to actively participate in the design process is one of AR’s most compelling advantages. Traditional renovation projects often require customers to rely on abstract blueprints and conceptual sketches, making it difficult to envision the final outcome.

AR bridges this gap by providing an immersive, life-like representation of the planned renovation. Clients can "walk through" their new kitchen or bathroom before construction begins, experimenting with different design elements and making adjustments to suit their preferences.

This interactive experience not only builds confidence in the project but also reduces instances of post-construction dissatisfaction. Homeowners are more likely to be pleased with the finished space when they have played an active role in shaping its design.

The Future of AR in Home Renovation

As AR technology continues to evolve, its impact on home remodeling is expected to grow exponentially. Future developments may include AI-driven design recommendations, where AR applications suggest optimal layouts based on user preferences and historical data. Additionally, integration with smart home devices could enable homeowners to evaluate various lighting scenarios and appliance functionalities before installation.

The combination of AR with virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) will create even more immersive and intelligent design tools, making home renovations more accessible and efficient for both professionals and homeowners.

6. Examples of Augmented Reality (AR) in Practice

➔ Sellen Construction's Use of VR for Collaboration

Sellen Construction, a leading general contractor in the Pacific Northwest, implemented virtual reality (VR) to enhance collaboration among designers, engineers, and contractors. By adopting VR, they aimed to reduce decision-making time, shorten lead times, and improve client communications. After evaluating various VR solutions, Sellen Construction selected Varjo's immersive VR headsets, which provided high-resolution imagery, making users feel as though they were present in a different environment. This integration, combined with platforms like Unity and Unreal Engine, facilitated improved communication and the development of detailed virtual mock-ups. 

URL:  xrtoday.com

➔ FMT AB's Implementation of AR with Trimble SiteVision

FMT AB recognized early on that augmented reality could bridge the gap between various project stakeholders by providing a unified project visualization. They utilized AR in conjunction with digital 3D models to offer stakeholders a comprehensive view of projects from inception to completion. By employing Trimble's SiteVision, FMT AB demonstrated the practical applications of AR, enhancing understanding and trust among clients and project participants. 

URL:  sitevision.trimble.com

➔ Howden's Deployment of AR for Maintenance Instructions

Howden, an engineering firm specializing in mission-critical equipment, sought to optimize maintenance processes and reduce downtime for their clients. They transitioned from a reactive to a preventive maintenance approach by implementing AR-guided instructions. Utilizing PTC's Vuforia Studio software, Howden developed AR-based maintenance guides, simplifying complex machinery upkeep, and minimizing potential human errors. 

URL:  aritex-es.com

Future of AR in Home Renovation

Given the application of augmented reality and its future in home renovations and construction, its future looks bright. Although only large construction and renovation firms are currently leveraging (AR) today, it will become more accessible in the coming years, especially as 5G networks expand.

Conclusion

Augmented Reality is rapidly reshaping the kitchen and bathroom remodeling industry by improving project planning, streamlining modifications, enhancing contractor efficiency, and fostering better collaboration. Through AR technology, homeowners can now visualize, customize, and refine their renovation plans with unprecedented accuracy before committing to any physical changes.

As AR technology continues to advance, it will open up new opportunities for efficiency and innovation in the renovation industry. Whether you are a contractor looking to optimize project execution or a homeowner seeking a stress-free remodeling experience, AR is an invaluable tool that is revolutionizing the way we approach renovations.

Finding the right mobile app development company is the first step in the development of your company’s mobile or web-enabled application. At Data Titan™, we offer customized AR mobile app development services to construction companies and contractors who want to better manage their projects. Data Titan’s experience in creating customized mobile apps allows them to serve as the go-to mobile app development company in Arizona, and across the country. Should your future plans include the use of (AR), give us a call so we can better understand your project goals, how a mobile application (app) could streamline your project lifecycle, how much time and effort are involved and how much a custom (AR) software project might cost.

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Citations:

1. XR Today:  https://www.xrtoday.com/virtual-reality/6-insightful-construction-xr-cases-to-read-in-2022/?

2. Trimble Site Vision:  https://sitevision.trimble.com/casestudies/small-excavation-construction-company-makes-huge-strides-with-augmented-reality/?

3. Aritex:  https://www.aritex-es.com/en/5-case-studies-augmented-reality-applied-to-industry-4-0/?