8 Best Free Home and Interior Design Apps, Software and Tools

Are you planning an extension, new kitchen or bathroom, or finally getting round to landscaping the garden? Or maybe you’ve just moved house and are planning to embark on several renovation projects? Whether you’re doing everything yourself or turning to the pros, there’s plenty of professional home and interior design software that’s readily available, user friendly, affordable and, in many cases, free.

Regardless of what home project you’re working on, you’ll want to communicate your ideas with everyone involved as accurately as possible. And the most accurate way of doing this is visually of course, says Cory Powell from DBS Bathrooms, who talks us through some of the best free design software currently available to home designers and interior decorators.

Dreaming up a new home has never been more fun…

SketchUp is the most comprehensive free 3D design software you’ll find on the web, says Cory. This powerful home design tool is immersive enough to make it seem like you are moving through your future home, while being flexible enough to make it feel as if you’re working with pen and paper.

The free version is perfect for hobbyists, while the pro version is more suited to professionals in architecture, construction, engineering and commercial interior design.

Whether you’re building an extension for your home, a treehouse, or conceptualising your debut on Grand Designs, the thoroughness of this software will help you bring every aspect of your design to life.

Start designing with SketchUp

Floorplanner lets you design and decorate your space in 2D and 3D, which can be done online and without having to download any software. While its interior decorating function is an excellent feature, the strength of this tool lies in its functionality as a floor planner. Then, once the floor plan is completed, you can switch view and decorate the space in 3D mode.

It’s simple to use and easy to get the hang of, so if you’re after something that doesn’t require a steep learning curve, Floorplanner is a good choice.

Start designing with Floorplanner

SmartDraw is another powerful tool in the world of floor planning. It’s easy enough to learn so no one is excluded from using it, while being advanced enough to facilitate intricate designs for more advanced designers.

With a seemingly endless selection of furniture, cars, building materials and thousands of templates and floor plan examples, you’ll be able to explore an infinite amount of possible designs and layouts for your new space. The only downside to this tool is that it’s only free for the first seven days, so if you plan on using it for longer or for multiple projects, it may be worth the upgrade.

Start designing with SmartDraw

Planner 5D is the best-looking home design tool. Like the free version of Sketch Up, this tool is immersive, which means you are able to explore your design with your feet virtually on the ground.

With Planner 5D you’ll be able to start from scratch or use a template which is perfect for throwing together a quick floor plan if you don’t have the time or don’t want to make a complex design. What’s especially great about this software is that it works on iOS, which means you can create plans on your phone or iPad while you’re on the move.

Getting started couldn’t be easier. Start by adjusting the floor shape, size, materials and colours. Then add furniture and accessories, switch to 3D and add windows and doors. Add a second floor if you want to, and then the roof. The only downside is that if you want to use the in-app furniture, it can get expensive for anything other than the most basic beds, chairs or sofas.

All aspects of the design can be changed in terms of colour and texture and, when you’re ready to share your plans, it can be printed in a photorealistic format.

Start designing with Planner 5D

HomeByMe is one of our favourite home design tools. As far as we can tell, it’s genuinely free throughout and so are all its features. The way it works, is brands add their products to its catalogue, which means you’ll be using actual products to furnish and decorate your home. The perks of this is that you’ll be able to plan your design through to the very end and have access to the actual furniture and decorations you used to create your space imaginatively.

Like with Planner 5D, you’re able to switch from 2D to 3D after you’ve finished your floor plan and designed the look and feel of each room. Or, you can start with the décor and hit ‘summary’ and the software will produce a floor plan with all your furniture and appliances in the right places.

Start designing with HomeByMe

There’s a lot to like about Roomstyler. Like HomeByMe, it’s very easy to use. In fact, it’s so intuitive that there’s almost no need for the tutorial video’s available. Which is another plus for this software. Of all the home design tools, this one has a tutorial video available for every question you might have about the tool.

The greatest perk about this software is that you can create a custom room in a matter of minutes. This app also allows you to furnish your space using products from real brands, meaning you’ll be decorating your plans with items you can purchase when you’re ready for your design to materialise.

Start designing with Roomstyler

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You’ll often find that some of your favourite brands and retailers have their own room 3D room planners online, which offers even more scope to visualise your space, and enables you to ‘try before you buy’. Take a look at our top picks below…

A sofa is one of the most important investments you’ll make for your home, so while browsing for your new sofa at DFS, you can also redesign your room – it’s perfect if your redecorating or moving into a new home. You can use a 2D view or 3D view and from there, choose a room shape, input measurements, and decide on a wall colour and floor covering. You can even add accessories to enhance the space, plus play around with decor to complement your chosen sofa.

Start designing with DFS room planner

If you’re thinking about investing in new flooring, Carpetright’s flooring visualiser will help you envision what your room will look with carpet, vinyl, wood or laminate flooring. Simply take a photo of your chosen room (or select a sample room) and upload it onto the visualiser. You’ll be able to customise the wall colour and flooring type. From there you can save your rooms and order swatches, bringing you one step closer to your dream room.

Start designing with Carpetright visualiser

Carpetright

• Virtual consultations •

Need some professional help? Bring your ideas to life with experts in the design field by booking an online design consultation from the comfort of your own home.

See a full list of virtual design services

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33 living room accessories for an instant style update



Clocks – Best Living Room Accessories

Arne Brass Dial Analogue Wall Clock, 45cm, Fjord Blue

John Lewis & Partners
johnlewis.com

£40.00

Enhance your living room effortlessly with this brass dial wall clock. Metallic hands and matching hour markers create a chic finish.



Wall Mirror – Best Living Room Accessories

Interlocking Mirror

ARTHOUSE
very.co.uk

£85.00

This contemporary geometric gold mirror will make a real statement on your living room wall – whether it’s plain or patterned, the design will come through the shapes and is sure to capture everyone’s attention. 



Cushion Covers – Best Living Room Accessories

Tasselled cushion cover

A colourful cushion cover is a sure-fire way of brightening up your sofa and giving your living room a new lease of life.



Candle Lanterns – Best Living Room Accessories

Salcombe Wooden Indoor Lanterns

Bring some atmosphere to your living room with these gorgeous wooden lanterns with LED candles from Lights4Fun. We love the contemporary yet rustic look of these lanterns – it’s ideal for a bit of ambience in the evening.



Pouffe/Bean Bag – Best Living Room Accessories

Cosy pouffe

Whether you want extra seating or just fancy a change from the sofa, the clever tapered shape of this bean bag-like-pouffe is large enough to support your head, back and neck. It’s also light enough to move from room-to-room.



Trays – Best Living Room Accessories

HAY Dust enamelled round tray 28cm

HAY
selfridges.com

£22.00

Ideal on a sideboard or shelving unit, pop all your stray bits and bobs in this stylish round tray for easy access. 



Ornaments – Best Living Room Accessories

Dansa Magnifying Glass

Looking for something quirky to add a bit of personality to your cabinet or shelf? Made from solid brass with an adjustable arm, this decorative ornament is reminiscent of an old time explorer’s magnifying glass, placed on their office desk for planning their next adventure.



Vase – Best Living Room Accessories

Gonzalez Table Vase

Brambly Cottage
wayfair.co.uk

£15.99

This jug-style vase is perfect for your new blooms. Place on a cabinet or sideboard, or in the centre of the dining table if you have an open-plan living room.



Books – Best Living Room Accessories

30,000 Years of Art Book

Phaidon
amara.com

£20.00

One for the coffee table, make a carefully curated pile of must-read books starting with this one – a celebration of art with more than 600 pieces of work, from cave paintings to iconic modern masterpieces.



Storage Baskets – Best Living Room Accessories

Seagrass Basket, Medium, Green/Blue

John Lewis & Partners
johnlewis.com

£28.00

Storage baskets are must-have essentials in the home. We love this green design, with the top third left untouched to show off the natural colour of the seagrass.



Family Board Games – Best Living Room Accessories

Mango Wood Card & Dice Set

Furniture
nkuku.com

£29.56

Made using sustainable mango wood, this stylish box holds two sets of cards and four mango wood dice that can be stored neatly away. It’s perfect for the coffee table.



Living Room Rug – Best Living Room Accessories

Modasa Rug, Saffron

John Lewis & Partners
johnlewis.com

£80.00

A rug is a must in a living room – it helps to zone certain areas, which is particularly useful for open spaces, but it also helps to create a focal point. This contemporary geometric rug from John Lewis will provide a pop of colour in a neutral living room.



Bookends – Best Living Room Accessories

Carved Marble Bookends – Set of 2 – White

A by AMARA
amara.com

£192.00

Keep your favourite novels neat and upright with these chic marble bookends.



Table Lamp – Best Living Room Accessories

Munari Table Lamp

This table lamp is all about understated glamour. The smooth contour of the concrete base contrasts well with the gold accents.



Pouffe – Best Living Room Accessories

Pink Pillow Ottoman Pouffe

LoopsStudio
etsy.com

US$99.71

This gorgeous pink pouffe, handmade from vegan acrylic yarn, is perfect for creating a cosy and warm living room. And to rest your feet on it, too! 



Vase – Best Living Room Accessories

Jewel Vase Small Rose

These exquisitely crafted glass vases channels the sophisticated simplicity of Scandinavian design. Buy one in each colour for a truly stylish flower display.



Storage – Best Living Room Accessories

Basket KBX Tissue Box – Light Rattan

Decor Walther
amara.com

£40.00

Give your tissue box a makeover with this intricately woven rattan style design.



Cushion Covers – Best Living Room Accessories

3-pack cushion covers

Cushion covers are an inexpensive way to update your sofa. You can’t go wrong with this neutral beige set.



Door Stop – Best Living Room Accessories

White marble door stop

Love marble? Then add this marble door stop to your basket immediately…



Ornament – Best Living Room Accessories

Blue and white woven seagrass objet

Add textural interest and warmth to your living room with this blue and white woven seagrass objet. It’s perfect for decorating that all-important shelfie.



Wall Art – Best Living Room Accessories

Abstract Landscape Floral Print Framed Wall Art Print A3, Multi

Every bland wall needs a vibrant piece of wall art to brighten the space. MADE stock a really good selection of art prints – we love this framed version, you can either hang it on the wall or place on a sideboard and lean against the wall.



Wall Mirror – Best Living Room Accessories

Large Rose Gold Round Pebble Wall Mirror

A living room wall mirror is great to bounce light around, and you’ll find this especially useful in a small living room. Crafted from metal and glass, this mirror from Oliver Bonas makes a great statement.



Vases – Best Living Room Accessories

Pressed Glass Square Bottle Vase

CLEM & CO
notonthehighstreet.com

£15.55

Keep it simple on your windowsill with this pack of four square bottle vases. Line them up together and pop in a few stems for a cohesive look. 



Candles – Best Living Room Accessories

AREAWARE Totem candle 370g

AREAWARE
selfridges.com

£24.00

This tall wax candle makes a rather stylish decorative display. It’s also available in different colours and heights.



Coasters – Best Living Room Accessories

AREAWARE Table Tiles concrete and cork coasters set of six

AREAWARE
selfridges.com

£35.00

Crafted from concrete with a cork base, ensure there are no more scratches or stains on your coffee table again. Plus, these tile coasters happen to be super stylish too.



Storage Baskets – Best Living Room Accessories

Noko Seagrass Basket

Furniture
nkuku.com

£39.95

The natural colour of these seagrass baskets makes them an ideal backdrop for plants. Place these on the floor by sideboards and cabinets for a cosy living room feel.



Throw – Best Living Room Accessories

Vista Throw

ferm LIVING
heals.com

£119.00

Inspired by a bird’s-eye view of our planet and with loose fringes along each side, this 100 per cent cotton throw by ferm LIVING is a must-have for your sofa.



Candle Holder – Best Living Room Accessories

Avant Candelabra

ferm LIVING
trouva.com

US$69.00

With a voluminous cone base and three holders for a standard candle, this ferm LIVING candelabra is made of powder coated metal with a smooth finish.



Wall Storage – Best Living Room Accessories

Danton Wooden House Shelf

perchandparrow.com

£26.00

Put display plants, candles or other decorative objects in this wooden house shelf. It’s great for transforming a bland wall.



Wall Art – Best Living Room Accessories

Gold Leaf Glass Print Wall Art

ARTHOUSE
very.co.uk

£45.00

Refresh your living room with this charming wall art where frosted glass is brought to life by a stunning leaf print in a metallic golden hue.



Wall Storage – Living Room Accessories

Round Wall Shelf Unit

LIFA LIVING
amazon.co.uk

£33.45

Whether its succulents, ornaments or treasured trinkets, display a few of your favourite things on this circular wall shelf unit.



Plant Pot Stands – Best Living Room Accessories

Gold Decorative Planter With Stand

Ella James
notonthehighstreet.com

US$75.00

With decorative detailing, this standing plant pot is perfect for your indoor plants. It’s available in small and large.



Wall Clocks – Best Living Room Accessories

Outline Large Statement Wall Clock 60cm, Matt Black & Brushed Brass

Boasting a contemporary aesthetic, this graphic-style clock with a matt black finish is ideal to hang over your fireplace.

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