When you look at reach-in and walk-in closet designs, it sure looks pretty easy to come up with those awesome configurations, doesn’t it?
But, then you decide to design your own closet, whether a reach-in closet system or luxurious walk-in closet and you’re left staring at the page wondering what on earth should I put where?
Design is often like that. It looks easy and basic when you see it but when tasked to do it yourself, it becomes a head-scratcher.
I’ve been there and done that.
It’s hard to admit you need help, but when you do, you have 2 options:
Hire a designer to do it for you (and pay big bucks); or
Do it yourself with closet design software.
If you have the money, by all means hire a closet designer or closet design service, but if you prefer going the more inexpensive route, invest a bit of time using some amazing closet organizer software available for free online.
I’ve spent a lot of time testing and playing around with interior design software. Some of it is amazing while some of it not so great.
To help you cut through the garbage, we’ve tested many free closet software options and have assembled a list for you. Each item includes some screenshots of the software so you get a sense of what it’s like and how it works.
1. Easy Closets
Easy Closets is a major closet provider enabling you to design your own or hiring their designers to do it for you. Once designed, you can order your closet items directly from them.
The Easy Closet design software is entirely online and free to use. It’s also very easy to use from start through purchase.
Key features:
- Online (nothing to download);
- Cost to use software: free;
- Reach-in and walk-in closets;
- Customization: dimensions, materials, colors, configuration, organization elements.
- Live price updating.
- Order custom design directly from website.
- Request a free design review.
Screenshots:
2. ClosetMaid
ClosetMaid also offers free online software and then provides you the opportunity to buy your closet materials once your design is done. It really doesn’t get easier than this.
Key Features
- Online (nothing to download);
- Cost to use software: free;
- Many rooms: Not just bedroom closets; can design pantries, home office storage, family room and den entertainment centers and laundry room storage solutions. Very nice feature!
- Reach-in and walk-in closets;
- Customization: dimensions, materials, colors, configuration, organization elements.
- Standard vs. Premium: You can opt for a standard wire material or go premium with the SuiteSymphonyTM option.
- Suggested designs: The suggested design portal is also very good.
What I don’t like is once you’re done with your design, you’re merely given a shopping list rather than a one-click order option where you can automatically order all the materials set out in your design.
Screenshots
3. Closet Organizers USA
As you’ll see in the screenshots below, Closet Organizers USA organizes its closet system software a little differently with some different options than the above software solutions.
Key Features
- Entirely online.
- Convenient progress bar.
- Reach-in and Walk-in closet design.
- Can specify shelving color and hardware color.
- Can specify type of door.
- 3D display (I love this feature).
- Automatica one-click purchasing.
One thing I don’t care for is the actual customization screen (called build portal). It’s very difficult to use. Fortunately there’s the 3D display option to see what you’ve created.
Screenshots
4. Easy Track
Easy Track is an online service that offers plenty of organization products including closets and so they offer a closet organization software tool for free.
Key Features
- Online software.
- reach-in and walk-in closets.
- Very user friendly
- Loads of customization options for each section of the closet.
- Live updating price.
The entire design experience is amazing but when you want to buy, it then asks for a location and will then find you a retailer. When you visit the retailer, the materials needed are not preloaded so you need to get your design list and then go shopping. Not an easy buying experience.
IMPORTANT: Save your design so you don’t have to do it over to get your materials list.
Screenshots
5. Home Depot
Of course Home Depot offers closet design software seeing as they sell loads of storage and organization solutions. The problem is the software isn’t as intuitive as others listed here. It started out okay, but got a bit clunky at the customization stage.
Key Features
- Online (no download necessary).
- Plenty of customization features for all walls.
- Live updating price.
- Great drawer style options.
- Suggested designs (which can be customized).
- Wall vs. Floor mounted options.
While the options are good, I found this software difficult to use. The customization screen is confusing and changing elements was difficult to figure out. Text is too small on the page. Not terribly intuitive.
But, this is Home Depot and if you like buying from them, the software will help you big time if you spend the time necessary to complete your design.
Screenshots
6. SmartDraw
I’ve been a SmartDraw fan for years. Their software can produce diagrams, plans, charts, floorplans… pretty much anything that can be drawn.
Finally, SmartDraw has an online options so you don’t have to download the software.
The thing is it’s not easy finding their “closet” design option. To find the templates, type “closet” in the search field at top right and you’ll find the “cabinets” section. From there, you’re good to go.
Key Features
The huge plus with smartdraw is the huge variety of options and the cool drag and drop capability.
The downside is you can’t order your design. Basically, you must supply your design to a custom closet company who will then fulfill your design.
- Entirely online.
- Drag and drop design.
- Incredible customization.
- Templates to start with.
Screenshots
7. elfa by The Container Store
elfa is wesome design software except it can’t do walk-in closets. Only reach-in and wall units.
But, what I really like is that it offers many template designs once you input a series of preferences. The templates are organized by storage focus (i.e. long hang, short hang or shoes).
If you have no idea where to start, this is a great software to brainstorm configuration ideas.
Key Features
- Unique inputs (male/female, colors, finish and door type).
- Template focused: Generates template configurations (many of them) so you don’t have to tinker. Very fast and easy.
- Can order directly on the site.
- Offers both installation and DIY pricing.
- Hundreds of configurations.
Screenshots
8. IKEA PAX Planner
If an IKEA PAX planner/wardrobe is what you want, you’re stuck with the PAX planner software. Overall I found it very clunky. Not as user friendly as I’d like. It’s amazing that the two biggest companies (Home Depot and IKEA) have the worst performing software.
Key Features
- Total wardrobe solution.
- Easy to order when completed.
Screenshots
What’s My Favorite Free Closet Design Software?
My favorite for most customization is Easy Closets.
Why?
It’s easy to use, offers plenty of customization options and I can place my order directly on the site. It’s the easiest closet design solution I used.
My favorite if okay with template suggestions is elfa.
Why?
elfa is amazingly easy and the many templates look great. If a template works for you, use it.
Paid Closet Software Options
If you’re prepared to pay for design software, there are several solid options. They are as follows:
1. Chief Architect Design Software
Chief Architect software (which I use) is an expansive home and interior design software platform that can design specific spaces such as closets are an entire home and everything in between.
Here’s an example of laundry room storage:
2. Space Designer 3D
What I like about Space Designer 3D (in addition to the high quality designs you can create) is that you can use the designer for free online. It works on mobile devices too. You only pay if you want to download the design(s) you create.
Here’s an example closet design from Space Designer 3D:
Click here for Space Designer 3D
2. Punch! Design Software
Punch! Software is a robust design software option. It’s a download software only so you must pay up front. It’s available for Mac and PC. We have Punch! Complete for Mac and like it quite a bit. Well worth the money.
Here’s an example of a closet designed with Punch! software:
How should you choose which closet design software to use?
It depends.
If you already know which retailer you want to buy your closet solution from, then use the planner they offer. For instance, if you know you’re getting an IKEA PAX, then use the PAX design tool.
If you don’t know where you’re going to buy your closet from, I recommend tinkering with all 8 options above. Assess the design results and choose the option that creates the closet you want. Next, assess price.
Return to our main home design software page.
