17 Living Room Design Planning Software Options (Free and Paid)

Welcome to our living room design software guide!

Room design software can be tremendously helpful. It can assist if you are looking to remodel your living room or want help visualizing your design in practice.

There are many programs, each with features suitable for different things. Do you need a program that gives a quality 3D rendering of what your room may look like? Then there is a program for you. Are you looking for a program that will provide a top-down blueprint-style view where you can get accurate measurements of your room? There is design software for you as well.

Selecting the right room design app is a matter of trial and error as well as balancing which features are important to you. Some programs only work online while others require a download to your computer. Some are free , and some cost monthly subscriptions. You need to ask yourself what you need, how many features are required, and what you are willing to pay for them.

For more information on living room design, go to our definitive living room post.

Here is a list of some programs that can help you with your living room design plans.

1. IKEA Room Planner

The IKEA room planner is a browser-based 3D interior design program. You can choose the size of your room and fill it with furniture and other items. You can also play around with the colors and placement of these items.

Pros

1. Easy to use – This program does not require downloading or detailed programming or design knowledge. You select the items you want placed in the room and slide them around to your liking.

Cons

1. Limited choices – Because the program is from IKEA, you can only select items sold from IKEA to place into your rooms.
2. Online only – This program is located on the IKEA site, so you have to access and use it there.

Features:
This program features full-color and 3D models of all the items available for selection. This gives you a great idea of what your palette will look like when finished.

OS/Device:
This program is browser based so it should work on any internet-friendly laptop or computer to access the site.

Cost: Free

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2. The Interactive Room Designer by Armstrong

This interactive web-based tool is designed to help you select floors and paint colors using a variety of rooms.

Pros

1. The look – This program does an excellent job of creating realistic and pleasant-looking examples of your options.
2. Pairing colors – This program is designed to help you match wall and floor colors together and excels in this area.

Cons

1. Floors and walls – This program is great for designing walls and floors but is limited to that alone. You cannot rearrange furniture or other aspects of the room.

Features:
Change the floor and wall colors in countless arrangements. Mix and match paint options with a variety of floor styles and colors. You can turn floors and trade out different colors of paint and floors in a variety of rooms in multiple styles.

OS/Device:
This program is browser-based, so any internet-accessible computer used to access the site should work fine.

Cost: Free

These kinds of programs can help you with layout and planning. You can see what kinds of sofas can fit into your space and how much room you have to work with.

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3. Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home is a 2D and 3D modeling software program that lets you build rooms and view them in a 3D space.

Pros

1. Open source – This program is open, meaning that users can generate modifications and textures. The program starts with generic furniture choices to fill your rooms; however, the program has an active community of tech-savvy users. There are likely plenty of plugins and additions to make this program do anything you want.
2. Additional information – You can add additional information to your design using annotations.
3. Lighting feature – Changing the lighting in the design gives you a better idea of how your room will look under different lighting situations and what the lighting needs in your space will be.
4. Customizable –  The design space is very customizable in this program.

Cons

1. Downloads and setup – This program requires a download versus others that are accessible through browsers. If you want any user-created additions, you will have to know how to download and install modifications to use them.
2. Computer knowledge – To use this program to its full potential, you may need to be knowledgeable about computers and programs.

Features:
In this program, users set up rooms in a top-down 2D interface. Afterward, you can then visit the space in a 3D model. Furniture and other items are searchable under different categories, making finding things easy. Items placed in the rooms can be altered in color, shape, and size. You can add annotations and arrows on the plan to make additional information available. You can also experiment with various lighting sources to experience your room’s appearance under different setups.

OS/Device:  Windows, Mac OS X 10.4 to 10.11, Linux, and Solaris

Cost: Free

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Sweet Home 3D Online Demo Video

4. Interior Paint Calculator

This tool calculates the number of gallons of paint required to cover a room sufficiently. When utilizing this tool to its full potential, users will get a pretty accurate estimate of how much paint will be needed.

Pros

1. Save money and time – With this program, you will not find yourself left with a copious amount of extra paint or, conversely, with too little paint by having to match colors and go out to get more.

Cons

1. Single-use tool – While this site is helpful, it is only valid for one task. You will need a number of other tools for other areas.

Features:

This program calculates the paint needed in a room while taking into consideration doors and windows to get the most accurate estimate.

OS/Devices:

This program runs in a browser, so any internet-accessible device should be able to access the site and utilize the program.

Cost: Free

Even having a rough idea of what your living room will be like can help you prepare. Any information can be helpful when you are gathering supplies or looking at design options.

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5. DreamPlan Software

This program is used to edit home designs in both 2D and 3D modes.

Pros

1. 2D and 3D – This program lets you switch between 3D and 2D modes, where you can edit your design in both. This helps you obtain the best idea of what your room will look like with your design.
2. Not just for interiors – This program lets you design not only your living room but allows you to arrange landscapes and gardens as well.
3. Downloadable content – If the base program does not have enough features for your liking, there is plenty of downloadable content to add to your options.

Cons

1. Download – Unlike some programs that can run in a browser, you have to download and install this program. For people who do not like to download and install programs, this can be a disadvantage.
2. Simple graphics – The program’s simplistic look gives only a basic idea of what things will look like.
3. Requires coordination – This program requires the user to possess some skills to use it. There is no grid snap feature or easy placement tools.

Features:

This program has an easy-to-understand interface. You can also design specific rooms and gardens to create a blueprint for your home and landscaping. There are also downloadable additions to this program that can add more features and content. You can also build multiple-story homes with this program.

OS/Devices:

Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10 Works on Mac Intel OS X 10.4.4 or above. Recommended: 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.

Cost: Free

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DreamPlan Home Design Demo Video

6. Planner 5D

This program helps build your living room design with a top-down 2D interface. You can then switch to a 3D view to see your work.

Pros

1. In browser – This program runs in a browser. This is helpful for those who do not want to download and install a program.
2. 2D and 3D – This program has 2D and 3D interfaces. The program flows between these modes easily and quickly.

Cons

1. Online – You need to be online to use this program.
2. No printing option – There is no natural selection to print on this program. You have to take snapshots or screen captures to work around this issue if you want to print your design.
3. Saves – You can save your progress only to a format compatible with this program. You cannot export your work to another program.

Features:
This program has both 2D and 3D views. It has a wide variety of options and styles to choose from. The grid snap feature makes it an easy-to-use program.

OS/Device:
Use the tool online in your browser. This program is mobile device friendly.

Cost: Free

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Planner 5D Demo Video

7. Room Styler

This program allows you to build rooms and designs in a top-down 2D interface. You can also take 3D snapshots.

Pros

1. Color selection – The color section of this program is comprehensive and allows for a great deal of customization.
2. Real products – The products used in this program are real-life products. The program can even link you to these products so that you can purchase them.
3. Connects to social media – This program can connect to your Facebook account so you can share your design.

Cons

1. 3D snapshots – The 3D pictures from this program do not add much to the overall function of the program.

Features:
This program has real items that can be found for purchase. You can save and share your designs online through your social media accounts.

OS/Devices:
This program is browser based, so you can access it with an internet-friendly computer.

Cost: Free

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the RoomStyler Demo Video

8. Autodesk HomeStyler

This program provides users with an easy drag-and-drop system to build living room designs.

Pros

1. Social media linked – This program links to many different social media accounts, so sharing your designs is easy.
2. Easy to print – This program allows you to print your designs easily.
3. Professional design –  This program looks and feels professional.
4. Very user-friendly – This program is easy for anyone to pick up and use with little to no training.

Cons

1. Online availability – You must be online to access many features and catalog options.

Features:
This program has both 2D and 3D views. This program can export your designs to formats that can be shared and printed.

OS/Devices:
This is a web-based program. So any device that can connect to the site via an internet browser should work.

Cost: Free

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Autodesk HomeStyler Tutorial Video

9. HomeByMe

This program is a downloadable program in which you build in 2D.

Pros

1. Offline use – While your designs are saved online, the program itself is downloaded so you can use it even without internet access.
2. Import and export – You can render and save designs in standard formats. You can also import designs that have been saved as common formats.
3. Social media – This program links to social media. With the touch of a button, you can share your designs with your Facebook friends and Twitter followers.
4. Active community – There are forums and a community of people who use this program. The community shares designs to help beginners get the most out of the software.

Cons

1. Download – To run this program, you must download it to your device.

Features:
This program has 2D and 3D modeling and can easily print and share your designs. The 3D modeling looks nice and is comprehensive.

Cost: Free

While many of the products differ in function, each one can give you information on your future living room design. Some specialize in color and matching textures. These are great features for interior design.

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HomeByMe Demo Video

10. PlanningWiz