Design your dream home from the comfort of your couch. Here is a list of our picks for top home design apps.
Feb 2, 2023• 8 min readKitchen design by Ana G with Planner 5DCreating beautiful and functional spaces is no longer limited to professional designers. Now, it’s easier than ever to plan a home renovation or a remodel from the comfort of your couch. All you need is a smartphone or a laptop to get started. Simply choose one of the many home design apps, and you can begin creating professional-looking designs in no time. You don’t even need any technical skills to use them or knowledge of AutoCAD.
There are many free home design tools out there to choose from. In this post, we look at the best home design apps for Android and iOS to help you choose the one that fits your needs. Let’s take a look at these tools and how they work.
What's in this post:Planner 5D
Houzz
RoomPlanner Home Design 3D
IKEA Place
HomeByMe
Havenly: Interior Design
SketchUp
Homestyler - 3D Home Decor
RoomSketcher
Homify
Summary
FAQ
Planner 5D (iOS & Android)Planner 5D makes interior design easy and fun with a user-friendly interface and advanced AI technology. You can easily add rooms, walls, furniture and decor items to create 2D and 3D floor plans and professional-looking layouts. Use your iPhone camera to create accurate floor plans with Scan Room, generate fully-furnished rooms with Smart Wizard and get instant design inspiration by uploading a photo to Design Generator.
Use Planner 5D to collaborate with others, hire a professional for your next design project and join our community Design Battles. Upload your own floor plans or choose from existing templates and Home Plans library.
App store | Google Play
Features:
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) functions3D Touch supportExtensive library of over 6,400 itemsCross-platform integrationMulti-language supportPros:
Easy to use and intuitive interfaceOnline community and design schoolLarge library of preloaded interiors to help users get startedCons:
Limited free version3D rendering is available at a premiumHouzz (iOS & Android)Houzz offers users home a wide range of features for home renovation and decorating. You can browse more than 25 million high-resolution photos of home interiors and exteriors and save them for inspiration. Choose by room style and functionality, and shop for products and materials for your projects directly in the app. You can preview how the items will look in your space before buying.
You can use Houzz to search for professionals in your area, including designers, architects, contractors and more.
App store | Google Play
Features:
Shop for decor items with Visual MatchMy Room 3D previewHouzz TV for ideas and inspirationBiweekly newsletterPros:
Huge library of design ideas and inspirationDirect access to professionals for consultation and hiringAbility to save and organize design ideas into "Ideabooks"Cons:
Some users report difficulty finding the right professional for their projectSome products listed in the app may be overpriced compared to other retailersLimited design and planning toolsRoomPlanner Home Design 3D (iOS & Android)Room Planner Home Design 3D is a powerful interior design tool that lets you create room layouts in 2D and 3D modes. Choose from one of the professionally designed layouts or start with an empty room. Use more than 5,000 items from the catalog to decorate your space and share with friends and family.
App store | Google Play
Features:
3ds Max exportReady-made designsUnlimited number of rooms and photorealistic HD rendersPros:
Easy-to-use interface with a wide range of design toolsAbility to view designs in 3D and from different anglesOption to download and share designs with othersCons:
Some features are only available with paid subscriptionSome stability and performance issuesIKEA Place (iOS & Android)Ikea Place is a home design app developed by the furniture retailer Ikea. You can use the app to see how items from the store will look in your home before you buy. There is a wide range of 3D models and decor items that you can place in your space thanks to virtual reality. The app also provides information about each product, including its size, materials and price.
App store | Google Play
Pros:
Preview for fit before buyingEasy to useDetailed information about each productCons:
Limited to products from the Ikea rangeSome issues with the accuracy of the augmented reality technologySome work/stability issuesHomeByMe (iOS & Android)HomeByMe is a fully-featured 3D interior design tool. Create designs for your home using existing design projects, discover the latest trends and get inspiration from other users. Furnish your home design projects with items from existing retailers like Maison du Monde, Wayfair, Katy Kuo Home, La Redoute Intérieur, Westwing and more.
Share your designs with the HomeByMe community, friends and family. You can save and work on your project on and offline.
App store | Google Play
Features:
Realistic imagesAutomatically furnish rooms with the Magic Furnish featureCreate your own collections and share themPros:
More than 20,000 branded furniture items from existing retailersCollaboration with clients and make changes in real-timeOption to download and share with othersCons:
Some issues with correct room measurementsNot able to adjust the size of furnitureSome glitches in functionality and speedHavenly Interior Design (iOS)Havenly makes it easy to design your dream home by offering the services of professional designers. Design services include hand-picked products tailored to your specific needs, space and budget. You can also browse different designs and save them for later use and inspiration.
App store
Pros:
Curated shopping list with personalized furnishing and decor picks3D renderings of designsCatalog with name-brand furniture and decor itemsCons:
Speed and functionality issuesMore focused on design services rather than DIYSome users experienced issues with product ordersSketchUp (iOS & Android)Sketchup is a powerful app for 3D modeling of buildings, interiors, landscapes and more. It is used by architects, interior designers, construction professionals, set designs and many more. The app has an extensive library of pre-designed objects and components that can be adjusted for size, position and orientation. It can also be used for creating presentations and animations.
App store | Google Play
Features:
3D modeling and design toolsUser-friendly interfacePresentation and animation toolsIntegration with other design and construction softwarePros:
Detailed 3D models and designsOption to create presentations and animationsIntegration with other design and construction softwareCons:
Steep learning curve for some usersSome users report performance issues on older devicesLimited design options compared to other home design appsHomestyler - 3D Home DecorHomestyler is a 3D floor planner that helps you easily plan your next home renovation or design. Take a picture of your room or choose a template, then select furniture, decor and finishings till you find your perfect layout. You can easily move them around and resize them as needed. The app has different design modes, from novice to expert, that can help with every project and skill level.
App store | Google Play
Features:
Augmented Reality (AR) featureGamified interior designDesign community for idea sharing and inspirationPros:
Easy-to-use interfaceBrand-name furniture (ex., Ikea, Crate & Barrel, Pier 1)User-friendly designCons:
Stability issuesLimited functionality in the free versionGame functionality is not for everyoneRoomSketcher (iOS & Android)RoomSketcher was created for both professionals and homeowners to create home designs and floor plans for any home renovation. Draw precise wall measurements, add windows, doors and other elements with ease as you create professional-looking designs. Add floors, adjust colors, textures and furnishings and preview everything as you go in 3D.
App store | Google Play
Pros:
Easy to use and navigateGreat for real estate and home listingCross-platform integrationCons:
Some users have experienced technical glitchesWorks on tablets, not mobile phonesLimited free versionHomify (iOS & Android)Homify is an architecture and interior design platform that connects professionals and users. You can get tips and help for any home renovation project and plenty of inspiration for when you need it. The app lets you find and contact professionals in your area for all your renovation needs. You can create idea books with inspirational design styles and choose from an extensive library of images.
App store | Google Play
Pros:
Connect with professionals in 30 countriesHomify magazine with ideas and trendsStep-by-step design guidanceCons:
Limited free offeringsLimited design optionsSummaryAs you can see, many different apps can be used on your phone or tablet to design your perfect home. While many of the apps listed here are created for anyone to use, some offer professional design services where you can get someone else to do the work for you. The advantage of using an app for home design is that you can bring it with you without worrying about saving your work.
Apps like Planner 5D make it easy to keep track of your receipts, so you know exactly what you’re spending on your project. Ultimately, the best app for you will depend on your skill and ability level. Also, not all apps reflect the quality of the web or desktop version of the same service, so keep that in mind when choosing the one for you.
FAQWhat is the best home design app?It is difficult to determine the best home design app as different apps cater to various design needs and preferences. Choose the one that fits your specific needs, such as ease of use, design tools offered, 3D visualization, and more.
What is the best home design app for iPad?Some of the best home design apps for iPad include Room Planner - Home Design 3D, SketchUp, Home Designer 3D, and Planner 5D. These apps offer a range of design tools, 3D visualization, and user-friendly interfaces optimized for the iPad.
Is there an app for exterior home design?Many of the apps listed here let you design the exterior of your house and landscaping. Apps like Planner 5D have specialized items and layouts specifically for planning and creating outdoor spaces, including landscaping, decking, and outdoor living areas.
How can I design my own house plans?Yes, you can design your house plans with home design apps. They offer a range of design tools, including 3D visualization and ready-to-use templates to create detailed floor plans and interior designs for your home. They also allow you to easily add rooms, walls, furniture, and other elements and adjust their size, position and orientation.
Kasia ChojeckiItalyArchitecture and interior design enthusiast with expertise in maximizing home value through renovations.