There’s a brand new beta version of an Etsy augmented reality experience to play with in the iOS app. It lets Etsy buyers view items like photography, paintings, and prints as if they were hanging in their own homes.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, shoppers have increasingly turned to Etsy for their home decor needs. Now Etsy shoppers can use the Etsy augmented reality experience to see how these items will look in their own space before making a purchase — which is an especially valuable feature when buying original and handmade goods.
There are over five million items in the Art and Collectibles category on Etsy and best of all, as a seller, there’s nothing for you to do to enable the Etsy augmented reality experience – barring of course normal good practise such as great quality images. There is of course a secondary benefit from buyers viewing a product in the setting of their own home – apart from realising how great the art will look, it will also increase the amount of time they spend looking at your product and the more time they invest then it’s probably that the more likely they are to purchase it.
Expect Etsy not only to expand the feature in more categories, but at some point they’ll also make the Etsy augmented reality experience available for Android users. However if you have an iPhone or iPad then you can download the Etsy app here and start viewing art in your own home.
How to use the Etsy augmented reality experience
- Open your Etsy iOS app and select an item categorized as Paintings, Photography, or Prints.
- Tap the augmented reality icon on the top right corner of the item image.
- Move your iPhone or iPad camera around your space for the AR feature to work, and tap to place the item on your desired spot.
- The item will appear on your screen — move it around to see how it’ll look in different parts of your space. If available, test different sizes by zooming on the item.
