Since home renovation covers many different categories, we broke down our favorite design apps by what they do best—from creating floor plans to matching paint colors. Read through our guide to determine which home renovation app works best for your specific project. The best tool in Houzz’s arsenal is its “View in My Room” 3D feature, which allows you to decorate a space virtually using the more than 5 million name-brand and boutique products available on the app. Once you’ve found pieces that you love, you can buy each item directly through Houzz. What’s cool is that these products aren’t limited to sofas, lamps, and rugs (though there are plenty of those to browse through). You’ll find vanities, cabinets, backsplash tile, and much more when you poke around the app. Houzz is also a good resource if you need to hire a home improvement professional. The company has a vast network of contractors—from architects and interior designers to landscapers and swimming pool builders—who can help bring your project over the finish line. Search by zip code within the app or receive recommendations from the Houzz team by filling out a short questionnaire. Device Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, and PC In addition to the cloud-based 3D floor planner, Homestyler’s free version gives you access to 100,000+ models and materials to decorate your space. The drag-and-drop menu includes structural features, such as sliding doors and bay windows, as well as furniture and light fixtures. Users can toggle between 2D and 3D throughout the design process to ensure that what they’re doing on the page is consistent with their vision. Another reason why Homestyler made the list is that it’s geared toward regular homeowners. Whether you have an idea in your head that you want to share with a professional or you’re committed to tackling the remodeling project on your own, you don’t have to be a skilled designer to find the app useful. Plus, the company has a whole host of tutorials on its website that can be viewed by anyone on the internet. Device Compatibility: iOS, Android, Mac, PC, and Steam Initially, Home Design 3D was only available for iOS devices, but the program is now compatible with Android, PC, Mac, and Steam platforms. The latest version of the app makes it easy to browse the community gallery, where any user can share images of the projects they’re working on. The newest update also added a series of Scandinavian-inspired sofas, tables, and bed frames to fit a wider range of aesthetics. Though there is a free version of the app, the features are limited. Users can’t save or export projects, and the product library only contains 200 items. The Gold and Gold Plus plans, which can be downloaded for a one-time fee of $11.99 and $19.99, respectively, offer the best experiences: 1,600 decor items, the ability to save your work, and AR capabilities on iOS devices. For each shade, you can scroll through a photo gallery to see what it’ll look like in different kinds of spaces or you can upload images of the actual room you’re redecorating to compare paint colors. The app also suggests coordinating accent hues and makes purchasing samples and cans of your desired color a breeze. ProjectColor’s fun features provide plenty of distraction, but don’t forget to check out the app’s helpful videos and articles. You’ll discover tutorials on topics like how to prepare a room for paint, how best to paint a ceiling, and how to add texture to walls. Users can also connect the app to their Pinterest boards to get tailored paint recommendations based on their aesthetic. While not every item on Wayfair’s app is compatible with the tool, you can specifically search for furniture and decor that have the functionality by clicking the “3D Images Only” filter when shopping within a product category. Once an item is placed in your room, its measurements will pop up as will an “add to cart” button. Of course, you can also track Wayfair deliveries, get sales notifications, and set up a wedding registry within the app. Given user ratings—it has a 4.9 out of 5 in the App Store and a 4.8 out of 5 on Google Play—we’d say most customers agree that Wayfair is the store to look at if you’re redecorating. The app is great for beginners because if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand or unsure of where to start, there’s an option to get matched with a landscape professional who will collaborate with you on the project. But, if you do decide to tackle it solo, iScape has a YouTube channel that walks you through some of the app’s features. One major downside of iScape is that it’s not compatible with Android devices—it can only be downloaded onto iPhones and iPads. However, each app featured has its strengths. If you’re reconfiguring the layout of your house, Homestyler’s floor plan creator may be a better tool for you. For those who consider themselves visual people, Home Design 3D’s building and decoration capabilities will grab your attention, but if you want to get a little more granular with paint color and furniture, The Home Depot and Wayfair apps are here to assist. Finally, iScape’s abundance of plants, trees, and other landscaping necessities will bring you one step closer to your dream yard.
CostSkill level requiredDevice compatibilityAvailable featuresUsabilityAccess to tutorials or a free demoWays to contact customer serviceApp Store and Google Play ratings
An app’s usability and available features were weighted more heavily in our research than other criteria. Skill level also played a big role in determining the best home renovation apps as we did not consider software meant for pro contractors, interior designers, and the like. Programs that provided a lot of instruction and excellent visualization tools fared the best.
