While there are many good kitchen-planning software programs out there, what if you want to try one without risking money on a program that you don’t need? But how can we tell what is good on the internet?
We’ve searched the internet for the best kitchen-planning app software, and here are some of the useful programs we found and reviewed for you.
When exploring free kitchen design programs, several common features and limitations come into play. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect:
Common Features
- Ease of Use: Many of these programs prioritize user-friendliness with intuitive interfaces that do not require extensive technical knowledge, making them approachable even for beginners.
- Browser-Based Access: A significant number of these tools don’t require downloading an app. You can typically access them directly through your web browser, eliminating compatibility concerns with different operating systems.
- Design Capabilities: While mainly focused on kitchen elements, several offer the option to explore designs beyond just cabinetry. Some extend their functionality to the entire home, providing a holistic approach to interior layout planning.
- Community Support: A vibrant community often accompanies these programs, where users can share tips, participate in forums, and even join design contests to gain more features or recognition.
Common Limitations
- Limited Features in Free Versions: Although these programs are accessible at no cost, some advanced features are often behind paywalls. If you’re looking for extensive functionality, you might face limitations unless you upgrade to a paid version.
- Device Restrictions: While you can access them on most desktops and tablets, some programs might not support mobile devices, potentially restricting flexibility depending on your preferred device.
- Learning Curves: Despite many being user-friendly, they can have steep learning curves for more intricate features. Initial setup and navigation might feel overwhelming until you become familiar with the system.
- Scaling and Scope: These tools may not support highly detailed or customized designs. Some are restricted in terms of layout customization or the variety of materials and objects available, limiting creative expression to a degree.
Understanding these commonalities can help set realistic expectations and guide you toward the right program for your needs. Whether you’re aiming for a quick kitchen remodel or a comprehensive house design, knowing both the features and constraints will aid in selecting the best tool for your project.
Best Free App To Design Kitchen
We’ll review each of the following and provide you with a link so you can test this program for yourself. Some kitchen-planning software is paid, but it is the top of the line regarding kitchen design.
Today, we’ll review the fee applications you can use to plan your kitchen.
Find out how to measure your kitchen properly.
IKEA Home Planner
IKEA has its own kitchen-planning software so you figure out what will look good in your space before you grab the oversized cart and put it all their merchandise in your house.
It’s a no-brainer that this service is not just helpful for planning but drives up sales by visualizing actual items in the room planning space.
When you open the program, the focus is on a singular room, and you have options for basic common room structures that aren’t just rectangular. You can resize the walls by clicking them or inputting their measurements in the Room layout fields.
Remember that if you use the US site, you will get imperial measurements. If you use any other IKEA site, you will get metric.
It is incredible to know that the merchandise you add to your layout can be purchased for your room. However, I found myself overwhelmed with a lot of choices.
While the merchandise is well categorized, I had to go through several cabinets to figure out what exactly fits into that space because I couldn’t alter the graphic on the layout.
Each graphic was specifically linked to a certain product, and you couldn’t substitute it easily.
You can select the overhead graphics layout mode, a 3D line view mode, or a Front 3D view. I don’t know why you would ever pick the line view when the Front 3D view gives a very good and inspirational view of how your kitchen will look.
How easy is it to use: It is a bit of a challenge since you are placing exact merchandise into the space, but if you are patient enough with the process, it is worth it.
Anything that stands out about the product: Because you are getting exact products from IKEA, you are generally assured that the simulation will be close to what you expect.
How practical is the end result: The Front 3D view will give you an exact view of what you have in the room and next to each item, the parts that compose each item if they are complex furniture like you would find in many IKEA products.
Recommended for: If you know exactly what you want from IKEA and are patient enough to use it, this is a good layout program. It’s not versatile, though, but what you see is nearly what you get.
Homestyler
The Easyhome Homestyler is a free online floor planner that allows you to create a 3D version of a room based on the floor plan that you have designed.
When you start, you will see a blue icon in the center of the planning graph with a cone in front of it. That cone shows the icon’s point of view in the screen’s upper right-hand corner.
On the upper taskbar, drop-down options allow you to create the room’s structure, but it’s not very intuitive to use.
I can create the walls of a room, and it took me a while to understand that the squares on the grid were 1 square = 1 unit of whatever you needed, which was in the lower left-hand corner. But if you created the line, the measurement would appear with the wall.
On the left taskbar are more furnishings and décor items, including doors and windows, so I’ve understood that these elements are more 3D-based.
So, everything from doors, cabinets, and wall moldings is in the section “building,” and everything else, like couches, vases, and tables, would be under “catalog.”
This planner is visually customizable, but you have to be willing to spend time sorting through the options. There is a search bar at the top of the section to narrow down your choices.
How easy is it to use: It takes a little bit of studying and playing around to get used to. From a program standpoint, this has high customization available, but that means learning how to use it properly. There are video tutorials for this program if you click on “Learn” on the main page, but not within the program itself.
Anything that stands out about the product: The catalog is nearly endless, so you will have many options if you are both a room builder and an interior designer.
How practical is the end result: If you are willing to put in the time, this will give you exactly what you want. But it requires more patience, as you must learn the program’s functions in exchange for all that heavy customization. It’s also great for inspiration if you have the patience for it.
Recommended for: This is the program for you if you are looking for a complete look for the room, down to the kind of clock you want on your end table next to your peach-colored couch.
Planner 5D
(Now on iOS, Android, PC, Mac)
Planner 5D is a versatile home design tool that empowers you to create both 2D and 3D designs directly from your smartphone. It’s one of the few kitchen-planning software programs accessible on mobile devices, offering convenience and flexibility for on-the-go design enthusiasts. I was initially concerned that the resolution on my phone screen would be too small, but downloading it onto my iPhone proved otherwise.
The app is well-designed and simple to use. Adding things, moving them around, and copying and pasting certain elements are intuitive to smartphone users. At first, I thought my fingers were too big to select details on the small elements until I realized I could zoom in as I would on my phone using the same finger movements.
Once you’ve set up your account with a straightforward email signup, you can dive into designing. Choose from a vast range of templates that cater to different needs—from single rooms like kitchens or bathrooms to entire lofts and houses. You also have the flexibility to start from scratch if you prefer a more customized approach.
Many of the interior and building choices (including changing an item’s color or altering the dimensions) are locked. Still, you can pay a monthly, yearly, or lifetime unlock of all those features. However, there are enough basic elements to be able to use this as a beginning home planner. I was surprised to see that you could do multiple levels of a house.
A standout feature is the ability to switch between 2D and 3D views with the press of a button, providing realistic graphics that enhance your design experience. Additional features like realistic shadows and an augmented reality room based on your camera add further depth, although these come with a learning curve as there’s no immediate explanation provided.
In addition to its design capabilities, Planner 5D engages users with “design battles.” These are weekly contests where designers are given a template, items, and a theme to work with. It’s a great way to test your skills and win features for the program, with winners decided by community votes.
How easy is it to use: It is as intuitive as using your smartphone. By simplifying your options but keeping them practical, this turns out to be a good and simple program that you don’t need your desktop or laptop for.
Anything that stands out about the product: Being on a smartphone.
How practical is the end result: This home designer is good if you want a place to sketch your home planning ideas WHILE you are shopping on location. You will need to pay for the extra options, but as an app to sketch out things like space and ideas, it’s handy to do this from your phone.
Recommended for: Anyone who wants the portability of always having their home design on them and is more comfortable using the motions of a smartphone than a desktop screen.
HomebyMe
You sign in with your email to start a trial account, and it offers a tutorial video at the beginning of the overall process. What’s interesting about this program is that from the beginning, it asks you if you want to “go fast” to build your room, like using LEGO blocks, “be precise,” where you are constructing things from scratch, or uploading an existing floor plan.
This program immediately understands that the users will interact with it differently. I chose “go fast” so I could assemble my floor plan right away.
What’s nice about HomebyMe is that while many other programs only allow you to modify the plan onto a 2D-floor plan, you can add elements in the 3D view mode to feel what fits in the space immediately.
If you wish, you can even alter the appearance of certain items with textures, even using different textures on different sides if you want high customization.
How easy is it to use: This is an easy program to use because adding elements is easy, they can be altered and duplicated on the spot and the ability to add elements in a 3D view is great for people who need to see and respond to that design spatially. The fact they ask you HOW you want to plan your room is important.
Anything that stands out about the product: This program seems to understand how different users would use their planning program, and it is pleasant to use. You can go more in depth only if you feel like doing so, but you do not need to go into that detail for the basic use of those elements.
How practical is the end result: This program seems intuitive to use, so intuitive that I wouldn’t mind spending money on it if I were to use it long-term. Mileage may vary for everyone.
Recommended for: People of all skill levels looking for a solid planning program.
Sweet Home 3D
Sweet Home 3D is an open-source online program that allows you to draw a room layout in 2D and project a 3D version that you can navigate. To use the online program, you need Java activated in your browser.
To save your plans, you need to register for free services. For this research, I used the free downloaded version.
After a little exploring, it is easy to use. It is similar to a File Explorer layout on your computer. When you create a wall in the 2D graph, a 3D rendering is immediately below it for instant view.
Interestingly, things are measured in 3 and 6 ft increments rather than 5 and 10 ft, which makes sense for several things in home planning, but it took some adjustment. I liked placing the door as the measurement distances between the door and the corner.
When dragging items like cabinets and stoves against the walls I created, they automatically orient themselves to line up with the wall, which is very convenient.
When one of the cabinets turned out to be bigger than intended, I could adjust the dimensions by double-clicking on the item in the listing.
I can even copy and paste items I must repeat with dimensions similar to the original item I modified. You can adjust the color and even the texture for each item.
Curiously, the kitchen set of items did not include countertops as an option, so I used the “Cabinet” item feature since they are flat boxes for home design purposes.
How easy is it to use: Pretty easy to use; you can explore options by clicking or double-clicking items.
Anything that stands out about the product: This program is available in 25 languages, and you can either use it online or download it. You can decorate the room with objects and even import items compatible with the program.
How practical is the end result: This gives someone a good idea of spacing and basic color coordination for your kitchen. I felt the free download version gave me a good idea of what would work with the space; the free version has 100 pieces of furniture and some textures, while the paid version has over 1200 pieces.
Recommended for: Anyone. There was no tutorial, but it was easy to figure out.
Roomstyler
Getting Started with Roomstyler
Roomstyler is an intuitive online platform perfect for anyone looking to delve into interior design. By signing up with your email, you unlock a suite of tools designed to streamline the design process and unleash creativity.
Comprehensive Design Tools
Once registered, you have the capability to design anything from individual rooms to entire house floor plans. The platform boasts an extensive library of virtual furniture, artwork, and decorative items. This vast selection empowers users to craft spaces that truly resonate with their vision, elevating their interior design ideas to professional standards.
Additional Features Beyond Design
What sets Roomstyler apart is its array of supplementary features. It includes a mood board creation tool, which is invaluable for organizing and visualizing your design concepts. This helps maintain a cohesive style across your project.
Community and Inspiration
Engage with a vibrant community of designers eager to share insights and feedback. Roomstyler hosts community contests, allowing members to submit their creations and vote on favorites. These contests not only spark creativity but also provide ample inspiration from a diverse range of design perspectives.
In essence, Roomstyler is more than just a design tool—it’s a comprehensive platform that offers practical resources and community interaction, perfect for both novice and seasoned designers.
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What if you need more than kitchen-planning software? Best Online Cabinets has some design combinations to satisfy those creative minds out there.
We have examined some of the different free-to-use kitchen-planning software and apps for your kitchen and how they might be a good first step to trying a layout in your home. But if you need further assistance, that is more than just a program.
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