Welcome to our guide to over 80 free software options that will help you create your dream home one room at a time!
Whether you’re looking to do a remodeling project or want to build a prefabricated home, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect software option for you!
This guide includes a few paid options, but each software or tool listed here is free to begin with or has a free option. Each has its pros and cons, so be sure to try out a different one if the one you choose isn’t exactly what you’re looking for!
Make sure to also check out tutorials on the websites, which can help you learn how to better use the tools.
In addition to free software, this guide will outline options for finding a local contractor to help you get started on your projects, how to find the best DIY tutorials if you plan on doing the work yourself, and of course, get you started with some amazing design tips to help you stage your new space.
We hope this comprehensive guide will help you design and implement your dream home, or even just help you make your current home work better for your family!
Home Design Software
Cute Kid's Room with Bright ColorsStately Double Staircase in FoyerContemporary Dining Room
See more of this home here. Designed by DOS Architects.
See more of this home here. Designed by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design.
Home Stratosphere’s Interior Design Software – (best on desktop and tablet) – check out our 3D room and home design software here.
DreamPlan Home Design Software – DreamPlan is a free home design program created serve a variety of purposes. You can track your personal finances, edit home movies, and much more. However, it’s most useful for creating incredible models of your dream home. This software is perfect for planning remodels, additions, and redesigns. You can:
Switch between 3D, 2D and blueprint view modes
Create floor plans
Design landscaping and gardens
Build terrain of outdoor areas
Download additional content for living spaces
Plan interior and room designs
System Requirements:
Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 or Mac Intel OS X 10.4.4 or above
OpenGL driver version 2.0 or above
64 MB video card with Pixel Shader 2.0 support
Android version runs on 2.3.3 or higher
Planner 5d – With Planner 5d, you can create and design home projects of various types and difficulty levels. Design houses, flats, offices, cafes, bars, or your dream house. Embedding options make this software a great choice for interior design bloggers, home plans sites, or others in the industry.
2D or 3D modes
Use online or download apps for iOS, Android, or OS X
Get inspiration from the ideas library or other users’s home design templates
Publish on social networks or on the Planner 5d interior design gallery.
Room Styler – Upload your own floor plan or work with pre-loaded floor plans to insert walls, doors, or windows. There’s no need to sign up with this software. Use it anonymously and upload your creations to your Facebook.
Simple interface
View blueprints and 3D images at the same time
Test out new paint colors digitally
Insert purchasable products into the model, from kitchen appliances to garden tools
Purchase products through the software
Available on web browsers or a free app
Autodesk HomeStyler – The creator of AutoCAD, REVIT, and 3ds Studio Max is well-known for creating professional design programs, and this program is ideal for designing homes, offices, and apartment spaces.
Simple drag-and-drop interface
Usable by amateurs; no prior training or knowledge required
Doors and Windows available in a variety of choices
Homestyler PRO version available for purchase
Furnish and Decorate tool allows you to choose cabinetry, appliances, furniture, and decor items
Catalog of items available for purchase from manufacturers
HomeByMe – this downloadable free room-planning tool allows you to build your room from the ground up in 2D, and finish out the design with furniture and accessories. After finishing, convert the design into 3D to see your creation.
Design in 2D, view in 3D
Create detailed floor plans
Browse and test furniture from top designers and manufacturers
Thousands of decorative elements
Access to a large community with thousands of floor plans and interior design ideas
Home Design Software – Create fun and easy designs using realistic 3D models for room planning or interior design.
Create realistic views with materials, textures, color.
Choose day or night view, framing, doll house, or glass house views
Quickly place and arrange walls, windows, doors
Easily create multiple types of staircases and ramps
Create skylights, domes, and other specialized architectural features
Thousands of room combination options for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and more
Cost estimating and materials lists
Room Sketcher – This easy to use floor plan and home design tool has tons of great features that will help you choose and view furniture, negotiate with a contractor, or provide floor plans and 3D visualizations to clients.
Drag-and-drop user interface
Change wall and furniture layouts, along with windows, doors, and ceilings.
Live 3D feature allows you to fly over or walk through your design
Thousands of brand-name and generic products to choose from
Upgrade to a subscription to customize furnishings
Work in 2D, view in Live 3D
Roomle – This free online program allows you to sketch and furnish rooms. It requires no external software, and you don’t have to download it. You will need to register, which will allow you to draw up and save as many plans as you want.
Upload a sketch to get a suggested floor plan
Web-based
Share your plans and receive feedback on your designs
Simple and easy-to-use interface
Kitchen Design Software
Contemporary White KitchenKitchen with Pendant LightingContemporary Kitchen with Industrial TouchesModern Dark Wood Kitchen
Source: Zillow Digs™
Source: Zillow Digs™
Source: Zillow Digs™
Transitional Kitchen by Memphis Interior Designers & Decorators DesignArt Memphis by Leslie Cetingok
Kitchen Design and Layout
Check out more great free online design tools for kitchens!
IKEA Kitchen Planner – Quickly mock up a room with the drag-and-drop interface of this software. The best part is, all IKEA products are uploaded with exact measurements. Print out a list to take with you to the store. Perfect for people who plan on furnishing with IKEA products. However, the controls can be difficult to use.
Exact measurements for IKEA products
Print-out shopping list
Create quick mock-ups
Magnet – This software utilizes the latest in digital design technology to help you create detailed 3D designs or estimate costs. If you find you are having problems designing, Magnet also has the option to have experts take care of the planning.
Detailed 3D designs
Cost estimator
Lowe’s Virtual Kitchen Designer – Lowe’s kitchen design software makes it easy to visualize and plan your kitchen layout.
Quickly select layouts and styles
Wide selection of colors and design features
Home Hardware Kitchen Design – A simple design software for kitchens that allows you to design in 3D. A simple software without a ton of features.
Choose your cabinetry, flooring, countertops, paint, and accessories
3D interactive planning tools
Mitre 10 2D Kitchen Planner – The Mitre kitchen design software provides a fun and easy-to-use interactive experience for room planning and accessorizing.
Electronic product catalog
High quality 2D and 3D rendering
Linked to shopping cart
KNKBA Virtual Planning Tool – Create the kitchen, bathroom or laundry room of your dreams with this simple tool.
Narrowed focus
Simple controls
Easy Planner 3D – This simple design tool allows you to build the kitchen of your dreams quickly and easily.
Available for both Windows and Mac OS
Supported on most browsers and mobile devices
Design in both metric and imperial
No need for Java or Flash
3Dream – Quickly and easily design and re-design your kitchen in 2D, then view in full 3D. Share easily with friends.
Design in 2D, view in 3D
Over 40,000 3D models, textures, and materials to design with
Kitchen Backsplash Design Software
Home Stratosphere’s backsplash design software – compare many backsplash designs against many countertops, and cabinets.
Backsplash.com Designer – A simple browser-based way to pair kitchen cabinets with countertops and backsplashes to find the perfect combination!
Hundreds of style, color, and pattern combinations
Test out your design style before you buy
Plan with actual products you can purchase later
Incredibly simple and fun
Kitchen Countertop Design Software
The Visualizer by Caesarstone – This browser-based software allows you to select a kitchen image and substitute different types of countertop materials to see how they would look. While the Visualizer is easy to use, it has limited use for seeing how your preferred countertops would look in your actual kitchen.
Easy to use
No downloading
Lots of options to choose from, including edges
Wilsonart – The simple visualizer allows you to pick an image and change different elements in it, including cabinets, countertops, and wall color. You can select from the products the manufacturer carries. The visualizer is a browser-based application. Unfortunately, it’s not very user friendly.
High-quality images
Customize more than just countertops
No downloading
Living Room Design Software
Living Room With Large Windows and Exposed BeamsLiving Room with Stone Fireplace and Built-InsModern-Contemporary Living Room with Spiral Staircase
Transitional Living Room by Wayzata Interior Designers & Decorators DESIGNS! – Susan Hoffman Interior Designs
Source: Zillow Digs™
See the complete home portfolio at Bespoke Home Staging & Interiors.
IKEA Living Room Planner – Just like in the kitchen, you can plan your entire living room with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!
Exact measurements for IKEA products
Print-out shopping list
Create quick mock-ups
Pottery Barn Room Planner – Create a custom room plan that includes architectural features like windows and doors.
Choose specific pieces from a collection to arrange in the room
Drag-and-drop interface
Sample plans for design inspiration
Order free fabric swatches to help you decide on upholstery options
Room Arranger – A 3D room and apartment floor planner that allows you to draw basically anything you can imagine.
Simple user interface
VRML standard for 3D
Runs on iPad, Mac, and PCs with Linux and Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10.
Required to register after 30 days
iPad app is free to install but the save projects function must be purchased.
Sync projects with your PC via Dropbox
Home Office Design Software
Office with L-shaped Desk AreaMassive Library and Home OfficeStately Contemporary Office
Transitional Home Office by Larkspur Architects & Building Designers Polsky Perlstein Architects
Traditional Home Office by Santa Barbara Architects & Building Designers Peter Becker Architect
Source: Zillow Digs™
IKEA Office Planner – Just like in the kitchen and living room, you can plan your entire home office with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!
Exact measurements for IKEA products
Print-out shopping list
Create quick mock-ups
Bathroom Design Software
Spacious Bathroom with White TileBeautiful Marble BathroomGray and Brown Bathroom with Glittering Tile
Farmhouse Bathroom by Stowe Architects & Building Designers Cushman Design Group
Transitional Bathroom by Cincinnati Home Builders Arthur Rutenberg Homes – Cincinnati, OH
Source: Zillow Digs™
IKEA Bathroom Planner – Plan your entire bathroom with IKEA products, then print out your shopping list and head over to the store!
Exact measurements for IKEA products
Print-out shopping list
Create quick mock-ups
Easy Track – Simply enter your closet’s dimensions into the browser-based software to get a recommended closet organization system for a walk-in or reach-in closet.
Simple to use
Few customization options
Gives pre-made layouts, not customized
Closet Design Software
Long Walk-In Closet with Lots of Open ShelvingCustom Closet with Shelf LightingMinimalist Walk-in Closet
Traditional Closet by New York Architects & Building Designers Brian O’Keefe Architect, P.C.
Contemporary Closet by Berkeley Closet Designers and Professional Organizers California Closets HQ
Easy Closets – This is a simple browser-based tool that will allow you to change your layout, enter measurements, and customize your closet organizer down to the hardware on your drawers.
Browser-based
Simple to use
More customization options
Closets to Go! – This browser-based software has many more customization options and a handy guide to help you use them, but can be intimidating as it doesn’t start you off anywhere.
Fully customizable
No downloads
Cost estimator
Closet Maid – Allows you to choose different kinds of storage spaces, including for utility rooms or garages. Simply select your room, room type, enter your dimensions, choose materials, and see your custom closet organizer!
Simple to use
Lots of options for customization
Choose from garages, closets, family room, laundry room, offices, and pantries
Paint Software
Home Stratosphere’s Virtual room Painting Software – Upload your own photos or use provided photos to test different paint color schemes.
Color Jive – This software allows you to paint your room virtually, which is more effective than just holding a swatch up to the wall. Upload a picture of your room, and apply colors from the available palettes, which include the official palettes of Benjamin Moore and Sherman Williams.
Multiple color palettes from popular brands
User friendly
Free accounts limit you to 3 colors per picture, one picture upload, and three versions of the picture.
Premium accounts are $15 per year and allow you 10 photos, 7 versions of each, and 5 colors per picture
Sherwin-Williams Color Snap Visualizer – This browser-based software allows you to upload your own images and access the full Sherwin-Williams catalog of colors to find your perfect match. The software auto-suggests coordinating colors to make your life easier.
Full color palette from Sherwin-Williams
Completely free
Registration not required
Benjamin Moore Personal Color Viewer – Like the Sherwin-Williams viewer, the Benjamin Moore viewer allows you to choose from a selection of images or upload your own to test colors on.
Full color palette from Benjamin Moore
Registration not required
User Friendly
Lighting Design Software
MEGAMAN – This software is basically a calculation tool to assist you in designing lighting in both indoor and outdoor areas.
Electronic catalog with data sheets
Product searches and specifications management
Photometric databases
Acuity Brands – This is a simpler variety of tools that provide answers to common lighting scenarios. Each tool has a tutorial associated to help you learn how to use the software.
30 day free trial
Web-based
Video tutorials
Fireplace Design Software
Imposing Stone FireplaceContemporary Gas FireplaceUltra Modern Fireplace
Regency Fireplace – This simple browser-based system has a very limited set of designs and styles, but will work well for you to get a good idea of what style you want in your living room.
Choose from gas, wood-burning, or pellet
Choose your unit type, insert, fireplace, or wood-stove
After selecting options, upload an image of your mantle and superimpose your design over it
Chesney’s – This software has both registered and unregistered user options. It is more specialized than Regency, and allows you to enter your exact measurements.
Free registration allows you to upload your own images
Save multiple designs
Enter exact measurements
Window & Door Design Software
Pella – Choose your favorite style of window, then choose customization options to build your ideal window.
Visualizer is not particularly helpful aside from viewing the style itself
Browser-based
Lots of different feature options for each window
Window World Visualizer – Use existing images or upload your own to see how different types of windows will look from the outside of your home!
Use your own images
Lots of different customization options
Simple tutorial for new users
Window Design Tool – A simple tool to help you visualize different common window types in an existing image or on an uploaded image of your own home.
Choose from styles with lots of customization options
Controls are not intuitive for users
Floor Design Software
Great Floors – A web-based application that allows you to choose which room you’re designing. You may also upload your own image to help you visualize the change. However, you are required to register before use.
Upload your own images
No existing images available
National Wood Flooring Association – View different types of hardwood flooring in a variety of room settings. Experiment with wall colors, wood types, and even choose the direction of the floor boards.
Hardwood flooring only
Change the wall color
Wide variety of wood types and colors
Quick Step – A virtual room designer tool that allows you to compare laminate wood and laminate tile flooring and how either will look in your home. This application is slow-loading and some of the options appear not to load at all.
Limited to laminate wood and laminate tile flooring
Slow loading
Lots of different color and style choices
Staircase Design Software
Contemporary Enclosed Staircase Wooden Double StaircaseModern Contemporary Spiral Staircase
See more of this home here. Designed by Hacin + Associates.
Stair Planner – Discover what’s possible and find out exactly what you need to make your staircase design become a reality.
View by price range, style, or infill material
No visualization assistance
Free instant quote on your customized staircase design
Stair Box – Get an instant quote after using this stair calculation application. This application is UK based and is great for domestic UK customers.
Customization options and questions help you determine your current staircase
Requires prior knowledge and measurements
Instant quote after using the calculator
Furniture Search Tools
Find Your Furniture – Search a catalog of furniture by style and type of furniture you’re looking for.
Simple to use
Wide variety of styles and furniture types
Point and click interface
Exterior Design Software
Eldorado Stone Outdoor Design Tool – This incredible tool will allow you to design realistically what will fit in your space and knows exactly which features aren’t compatible with one another.
Video tutorial
Preloaded with two signature designs
View your design from different angles
Save multiple designs
Share your designs with friends
Create a PDF with 3D views and a product list
Connect with local dealers by requesting a quote
DesignScape Visualizer – This free tool is perfect for homeowners, contractors, and design professionals and allows you to design, layout, and visualize a project using Cambridge Pavingstone products and solutions.
Upload your own photos
Save, print, or email your designs
Wide variety of products in the catalog
CertainTeed Color View Tools – a set of tools that allow you to browse a library of stock homes, explore color combinations, and create custom exteriors.
Access to Color View’s library of stock homes
Access to Color View DIY, where you can mask your own home into the viewer to try residential building products and colors
Access to Color View Pro, where you can pay a small fee to have your home masked into the viewer to try the products and colors
Garden Design Software
Vegetable GardenBeautiful Japanese Garden
Traditional Landscape by Trumbull Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers Rock Spring Design Group LLC (David Verespy, ASLA)
Garden Planner – With this program you can arrange plants, trees, buildings, and objects using a drag-and-drop interface. There are tools to create paving, paths, and fences.
Print out your design in high-quality color
15 day free trial
Full version purchasable for $34
Available for Mac and Windows
Plan-a-Garden – Create garden design plans; anything from patio container gardens to an entire yard. More than 150 trees, shrubs, and flowers to choose from!
Add dozens of structures like buildings, sheds, fences, and decks
Over 150 trees, shrubs, and flowers available
Even add water features like ponds
Registering required for use
Deck Design Software
Simple Wooden Deck with LightingRounded Wooden Deck
Beach Style Deck by Melbourne Decks, Patios & Outdoor Enclosures Acorn Garden Houses
Source: Zillow Digs™
Deck Designer – An interactive deck designing tool that allows you to choose shape, size, and number of levels to your deck in addition to other options.
Choose size, shape, number of levels
Wide selection of textures and colrors
Requires registration
System Requirements
Windows operating system
Java 1.5 or higher
Adobe Reader 5.0 or higher
Minimum screen resolution of 1024 x 768
Two-button mouse with scroll wheel
Fiberon Deck Design – This feature-rich program allows you to do anything and everything you might want to plan your deck. You can even easily get a quote from a contractor or find out where to buy Fiberon materials.
Select size, shape, and deck details
Choose custom Fiberon composite deck designs in multiple colors
Outfit with lighting, accessories, fireplaces, or outdoor kitchens
Upload a photo of your home
Big Hammer – A simple deck design software that allows you to choose deck platforms, pool and hot tub decks, and has lots of different customization options including wood types, vinyl, and composite materials.
70+ sample decks
3D viewer
Print a custom shopping list and plans
Requires Internet Explorer
Home Stratospheres free deck designs (PDF’s) – Several free deck designs and blueprints (PDFs available).
Shed Design Software
Shed with Red DoorsVinyl Shed
Traditional Shed by Gap Design-Build Firms Sheds Unlimited INC
Shed Designer – A simple program that allows you to create a custom shed design. Adjust dimensions and add flashing or a concrete slab. This program requires registration or membership.
3D rendering
Checklist
Tips for success
Materials and cut list
Studio Shed – This tool allows you to get an estimate by entering your email address and zip code. These are required to use the tool.
Choose from standard layouts, sizes, and siding
Features colors, accessories, foundations
Get quotes on additional services
Gazebo Plans
Lakeside GazeboStone and Iron Round Gazebo
Traditional Patio
Source: Zillow Digs™
How To Specialist – Get step by step instructions on how to plan and design a gazebo. You may also use the plans to build your own gazebo and save a lot of money. Great for experienced DIYers.
Not a lot of variety in plans
Somewhat difficult for inexperienced DIYers
No options for professional installation or purchasing kits
Gazebo Design Software
Vision Scape – This great software is not just for gazebos. Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.
Clickable interface with a quick learning curve
Stunning visual realism
Design with real products
Access to a design community
Free professionally designed templates
Pergola Plans
Today’s Plans – This website is a great place to locate plans if you’re looking for something simple and standard. Otherwise, it’s a great place to get started looking for ideas, as it has a decent variety of plans and styles.
Free construction plans, both online and downloadable
Includes gazebos, arbors, trellises, and pergolas
Pergola Design Software
Vision Scape – This great software is not just for pergolas. Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.
Clickable interface with a quick learning curve
Stunning visual realism
Design with real products
Access to a design community
Free professionally designed templates
Pool Design Software
Incredible Pool ComplexPool with Hot Tub and Waterfall
Mediterranean Pool by Willoughby Architects & Building Designers Joseph Myers, Architect, Inc.
See more of this home here. Designed by Jaime Bush & Co.
Vision Scape – This great software is not just for gazebos or pergolas. It’s also great for designing a custom pool! Use it for all your landscaping and outdoor design needs. The software is fast and easy, and there is no 3D modeling or CAD experience necessary.
Clickable interface with a quick learning curve
Stunning visual realism
Design with real products
Access to a design community
Free professionally designed templates
Pool Doctor – The simple web-based interface allows you to design in ground and above ground pools. You can also design safety fences, lighting, walkways, and landscaping.
Choose from popular shapes and styles
Choose features like cleaning, lighting, and recreation items
Lots of yard features
Options for spas and furniture
My Dream Pool – This incredibly simple browser-based tool allows you to pick virtually every option you could possibly dream up for a pool, including water features, pool controls, safety features, and spas.
Select based on budget, property size, and terrain type
Choose from concrete, fiberglass, and vinyl pools
In-ground pools only
Fence Design Software
Wooden Fence with Horizontal SlatsBamboo Privacy Fence
Source: Zillow Digs™
Source: Zillow Digs™
Big Hammer – A simple design software that allows you to choose fencing as well as decks, and has lots of different customization options including wood types, vinyl, and composite materials.
70+ sample plans
3D viewer
Print a custom shopping list and plans
Requires Internet Explorer
Garage Design Software
Exterior of a Home with a Two Stall GarageInside of a Well-Organized Garage
Traditional Garage by Boston Architects & Building Designers Siemasko + Verbridge
Source: Zillow Digs™
Big Hammer – A simple design software that allows you to design organization for a garage and has lots of different customization options.
Click and drag method of drawing
Multiple construction methods and building preferences
Detailed printouts for building permits
3D visualization
American Garage Builders – Great for deciding how large your garage needs to be, but lacking in features.
Click and drag interface
2D grid designer
Add features like cars, lawnmowers, motorcycles, bikes, benches, and doors
Smart Draw – This software requires no CAD experience and features hundreds of templates and objects to design with. However, it is only free to use for the trial period.
Use in browser or download and install
Share drawings online, export to PDF, or transfer to Microsoft Office
Thousands of objects and symbols
Hundreds of building design templates
Brick Patio Design Software
Belden – A simple downloadable program that is only available for Windows. Preview different colors and patterns available from this retailer.
Download and install only
Windows only
Use for garden paths, patio areas, and even indoor areas.
DIY Tutorial Software and Tools
Renovate Your World – This great tool will help you learn how to install insulation, drywall, paint, put up ceramic and ceiling tiles, and even construct a simple deck.
Measure your space
Enter measurements into the tool
Print out a report that quotes time, material, and cost for your project
Sweet Home 3D – This free interior design application will help you stage and design your rooms with ease.
View in 3D
Add furniture
Download and install the application
Available for Windows, Mac OS X 10.4, Linux, and Solaris
Instructables – This site is loaded with all kinds of DIY project instructions. Try browsing it for ideas or search directly for tutorials on the projects you’d like to tackle.
HomeClick – Like Instructables, HomeClick features all kinds of DIY instructions which include gardening, plumbing, and much more.
eHow – This is another tutorial site that may offer different tutorials than the others. It’s a good idea to check out all of them to find the tutorial that will work best for your budget and skill level.
HGTV Tutorials – HGTV tutorials tend to be more video-based than other sites, so it’s a great idea to check out their videos in addition to written instructions!
Prefab Home Design Software
Champion Homes DiVE IN – This free software allows you to design a mobile or manufactured home. Explore floor plans and other features without dealing with technical drawings, which can be difficult t