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meems15

3D Design Apps/Software Recommendations?

6 years ago
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><md>Hello, Houzzers! Doing renovation of our kitchen, dining room, and adding master suite. Having hard time imagining what would look like in person but need to make design decisions now. Can anyone suggest an EASY-to-use design app for non-designer for furniture placement and kitchen-planning purposes that offers 3D images? Don’t mind paying under $100 if it is very worthwhile. One that can be accessed on iphone and on PC would be great so have option of viewing on large screen when not on-the-go. See our plans below for idea of level of complication needed (hopefully not too complicated!). (And note that kitchen layout is totally not going to look like this...kinda why I need app

Comments (11)

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Your photo did not attach.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks! I’ll try again to attach pics here.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I've looked at software for this, too, and something that is easy to operate right off the bat with no experience or training and will do what you're asking it to do are kind of 2 goals that are prohibitive to each other. You'll find a few open-source or free versions of software programs out there (Blender, SketchUp), but there will be a learning curve with them all. Design 2020 is a popular program used by designers that offers 3D interior images, and you can sign up for a free 30-day trial, but this one and most others will cost well over $100 if you choose to purchase even the entry-level versions. When you are looking at software, some design programs are more suited to whole-house structural design while others are more focused on smaller sections of the interior, so just be aware of the differences. If you're looking for primarily a phone app where high-quality 3D content can be created and not just manipulated or viewed, I've never heard of one. Usually the amount of input needed to accurately create and place 3D images is done on computers larger than a phone. Graph paper works surprisingly well if you'll keep drawings to scale and cut out your furniture or cabinetry shapes to move around on the paper. This will be faster than the learning curve for 3D software, but if you find something that's an app, I'm sure the Houzz community would appreciate your reporting back about it.

  • 6 years ago

    Sketch up has a free version. free. It takes a bit to learn how to use it but you can do a ton with it (including viewing your model in VR which has been super helpful!) I do not know if it’s possible to use it on mobile.

    Keyplan3d is an iPad app that’s easy to use and will show your plan as a 2d floor plan or in 3D. I use it to try out new ideas quickly. I think it cost $5?

    I’m sure others will have a ton more suggestions

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Use the floor plans you have and make paper furniture pieces to scale. I know it's not a 3-d rendering, but it's free and a good way to try different layouts.

  • 6 years ago

    The door into the master suite needs to open into the bedroom, otherwise it has the potential to cause an accident at that small upstairs landing.

    If you don't want it to swing into the bedroom, then change it to a pocket door.

  • 6 years ago

    Thanks—Yes you caught that one. I think the architect just made an error on the rendering of the direction on that door swing—we plan to open it into bedroom. Thanks! And thx, all for your software/app suggestions above. I’ll try some out. Thx!!

  • 6 years ago

    I am a big fan of Magicplan. Once you put in your floor plan, it’s easy to add furniture. It does not have a 3D mode in the free version.

  • 4 years ago

    I would like to create a project, but I would need not 3 designers, but just designers, where can I find them?

  • 9 hours ago

    If I were choosing today, I'd also look at Home Planner (formerly Room Planner).


    It's a 3D room design app: you draw or scan the room with your phone, place furniture at real size and see it in 3D before buying. What people usually care about:

    - Free start, works on iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows.

    - Projects stay editable, and you can share one by link so a partner or contractor can view or edit it.

    - A community inside the app where people share their designs.


    The catch: some features (the full catalog, AI Redesign, uploading a plan) are on paid plans, and the 3D controls take a little time to learn. Sweet Home 3D mentioned above is a solid free option if you're on Windows and want to stay fully offline.

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