Our list begins with apps that let you explore alternatives, moves to apps that help you organize your concepts, continues with apps to help you find perfect pieces, and concludes with apps that let you map out each exquisite detail.
Great place to begin your decorating journey
What We Don’t Like
Quantity of options may overwhelm
If you like to look at designs, you can spend hours browsing the photo-filled pages of the free Houzz app for kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and more. You’ll find not only photos and products, but also professionals who can help you design and build the home you want. Download Houzz for AndroidDownload Houzz for iOS
Room idea photos with tags overlaid on items you can purchase
What We Don’t Like
Can’t always easily filter by some criteria (e.g., size)
With Wayfair, you can take a photo of a room, then search the site for similar items. Of course, the app offers a traditional keyword search, too. With millions of items and many sales, you’ll likely find at least a few objects you want to save to your list to look at later. The app is free. Download Wayfair for AndroidDownload Wayfair for iOS
We wish every design and decor magazine site included Dwell’s social media-style features
What We Don’t Like
Look elsewhere if you dislike modern, uncluttered interior design
Yes, we know Dwell is a website (and a magazine to which you can subscribe). But the Dwell site also acts like an app. Create a free account, and then you can favorite specific photos, or add articles you like to a collection, no other software needed.
Follow decorators and designers you like for a steady stream of decorating ideasProbably the best social app for home decorators
What We Don’t Like
Sometimes promoted search results are a significant portion of the pins shownCan take several taps to discover product dimensions and details
By now, you likely know that Pinterest is one of the best free ways to create collections of items you want to see or share later. Visual search lets you look for items in a photo or with your camera. And Product Pins let you see if something is in stock. Download Pinterest for AndroidDownload Pinterest for iOS
Can place several items to set a sceneVisual search locates IKEA items similar to those your camera sees
What We Don’t Like
Placing objects accurately isn’t always smoothAdditionally need to install the ARCore app on some Android devices
The free IKEA Place app lets you see how items from this assemble-it-yourself home furnishing store look in your room. Select an item, hold your phone camera up toward your room, then tap Try in your place. Move the virtual object around your room. Tap the Check mark to drop it in place. Download IKEA Place for AndroidDownload IKEA Place for iOS
Moving and rotating furniture works smoothly
What We Don’t Like
We sometimes struggle to place ceiling lamps properlyBeyond the name, brand, and model, no product details are available in the app
The homestory app offers a selection of items from well-known and respected brands. The free app lets you not only arrange multiple virtual items in your room, but also scan your walls, identify doors and windows, and then auto-fill the room with an assortment of furniture. You can edit these items, or ask the virtual assistant to replace all of them with another set. Download homestory for iOS
Easy to experiment and see how a color changes a scene
What We Don’t Like
Wall and object recognition sometimes inaccurate
This free app from Sherwin-Williams, the paint company, helps you select and see how color changes your room. Aim your camera in your room. Once the app recognizes a wall, pick a color, and you’ll see how that color might look in your room. Or, work the other way around. Take a picture, and the app can create a palette from the colors in your captured image. Download ColorSnap Visualizer for AndroidDownload ColorSnap Visualizer for iOS
Measures many things with reasonable accuracy
What We Don’t Like
Calibration can take a moment
As of late 2018, Apple includes the Measure app with every new iPhone it sells, which means that every iPhone owner can now measure things. However, we never had to wave our tape measures around to calibrate them before measuring something. Download Measure for iOS
Point and tap to make a floor map
What We Don’t Like
You’ll need phone with a gyroscope to capture a room with your camera
Magicplan may be the fastest way to create a floor plan. Point your phone at the floor, then point your phone at a corner and work your way around the room, tapping to mark each corner as you go. Tap done to view the room’s layout. You can create one plan for free, pay per plan, or subscribe to create an unlimited number of plans, enable plan export, and access all objects. Download Magicplan for AndroidDownload Magicplan for iOS
Works on macOS and Windows systems, in addition to Android and iOS devices
What We Don’t Like
Objects are abstract items, not specific products for purchase
Planner 5D seeks to meet both your 2D and 3D design needs. Build a 2D floor plan with accurate dimensions, then move to a 3D model as you fill your room with objects. On some mobile devices, you can view your room in virtual reality with a VR headset like the Samsung Gear VR. Pricing for access to all 3D objects, customization, and high definition renderings varies by device platform but is generally in the range of a couple of dollars per month, or an option for lifetime access, with yearly options also available. Download Planner 5D for AndroidDownload Planner 5D for iOSDownload Planner 5D for WindowsDownload Planner 5D for macOS
