13 apps and services for interior design

Visualization of space

1. Hutch

Price: is free.

A stylish application that allows you to imagine what your apartment could be if you invite a professional designer to it.

The sequence of actions is as follows: send a photo of the room and in return receive its rendered (cleaned of furniture and visual distortions) version, then choose one of the eight presented styles (from monochrome minimalism to bohemian chic), which, together with the furniture, is superimposed on top of your original photo.

Perhaps this is one of the best ways to take a fresh look at an old renovation. The only drawback: the waiting time for the processed image can take up to 24 hours, but it's worth it.

Hutch →

2. Amikasa

Price: is free.

Not a bad, but limited in capabilities application, with which you can "try on" furniture to your home and create a 3D model of it.

The first function was invented for fun, but playing with augmented reality in your own apartment is quite fun. Launch the camera and project the selected chest of drawers or lamp onto a real photo (by the way, the IKEA Catalog app also has a similar thing).

The visualization of the room is a little more complicated: it is rather dreary to build walls and arrange toy furniture with one finger on the small screen of the phone. Very similar to the Sims simulator. Despite some inconvenience of the interface, the end result is commendable.

Amikasa →

3. Modsy

Price: 69 dollars.

Potential decorator alternative at an attractive price. For $ 69, they will make a 3D plan of the room in which a rework is coming, they will offer two options for its design with the ability to make an unlimited number of edits and provide a selection of furniture with active links (to international stores, but still).

To get to know you and define tasks and preferences in the application, there is a short questionnaire: what is the reason for the renovation (moving into a new apartment or decided to update an old one), at what stage it is, what is the approximate budget and favorite style. Next, you take a few shots of the object and put it in the hands of a professional team.

The finished project can be edited: rearrange items or completely replace them. For an additional fee, Modsy designers are ready to make a 3D model of objects that you already own and fit them into the designed interior.

Modsy →

Color selection

4. Pantone Studio

Price: free (basic version).

A universe of colors for those who find rose quartz and tangerine tango more euphonious and noble than their worldly names.

First of all, pay attention to the Harmonies function. Here, for each indicated color, a selection of combinations is made:

complementary - shades are at opposite ends of the color wheel and contrast as much as possible with each other;
similar - are next to each other;
split complementary - the main color and two others, located at an equal distance from the complementary color;
triad - three colors lying on the circle of the color wheel at the same distance from each other.

This is enough to nullify all doubts whether orange and pink are appropriate in the same perimeter.

Pantone Studio →

5. ColorSnap

Price: is free.

An uncomplicated application of a paint and varnish company with a database of more than 3,500 shades. The seller's palette is not as interesting to us as the ability to define and save the colors we like to our piggy bank.

I met a beautiful green or previously unseen tone - take a picture with a smartphone. The algorithm will automatically find a match in the catalog, generate an RGB code, by which you can search for a similar shade from any other brand, and select successful combinations for it.

6. Coolors

Price: is free.

Web-based generator of color combinations. Hit the space bar and get inspired. If you like a certain shade from the selection - fix it with a lock and, like in a slot machine, continue to "pull the lever" until a more attractive combination appears.

Coolors →

Applied tools

7.iHandy Level

Price: is free.

The mobile measuring instrument spirit level will ease the hassle of choosing points for drilling (so that they are on the same level) and attaching pictures (so that there is no tilt).

It works identically to its physical prototype: to check the level, you need to place the phone on a flat horizontal surface and measure the position of the air bubble relative to the two notches in the center of the flask. Then the level must be turned over in a horizontal plane by 180 degrees and the position of the bubble must be re-measured. If the level is correct, then the air bubble will be in exactly the same position as in the first measurement.

8. Sun Surveyor

Price: is free.

A useful application for identifying the source of sunlight. Let's say your sofa's upholstery is sensitive to direct light and quickly loses brightness. Determine the side of sunrise and sunset in the projection of your apartment in order to arrange the space in a smart way and avoid unnecessary shadow or excessive lighting. And if you are building a house, then this is a real must have.

Sun Surveyor →

Game applications

9. DesignHome

Price: is free.

An addictive toy in which you have to furnish ready-made rooms with furniture and accessories, be it a beach house or an alpine hut.

Each level is a separate room. It pre-marked items that must be purchased. Before purchasing, make sure they match the overall style of the space and the wishes of the client. A Persian carpet on the wall of a Texas ranch is unlikely to be appropriate, and your result directly depends on such mistakes.

Points are credited by the voting method of users, as well as for the clear completion of tasks. They often include hints and certain conditions. For example, to successfully complete a level, you must definitely add a vintage couch to the decor.

Be foresighted when choosing furniture: whatever you acquire can be used in new interiors. So look for versatile pieces that fit into any project.

This whole extravaganza is burdened by a limited budget. Initially, you are given $ 18,000. As you might guess, it is very easy to squander them in just the first hour of the game.

Ideas and inspiration

11. Houzz Interior Design Ideas

Price: is free.

A treasure trove of ideas and photographs of interiors from around the world with helpful tips. Under each shot in the stream, a discussion unfolds, from which you can find out where to buy a particular chair or what is the name of a similar tile laying technique. And in the "Forum" section you can ask a question to specialists.

There is also an interesting Scetch function that allows you to leave notes on the photo and make mood boards. In terms of developing good taste, immersing yourself in aesthetics and awakening inspiration, the app is second to none.

Houzz - apartment and house design Houzz Inc.

Houzz - interior design ideas Houzz Inc.

Houzz Developer

12. Morpholio Board

Price: is free.

Beloved by the editors of Elle Décor, the interior collage app is completely unremarkable at first glance. But since he is so praised, then it is not unreasonable. In general, this is a handy tool that combines Pinterest (you sync with your account on this service), a photo editor function, your own collection of pictures and a large database of design inventory. With this arsenal, you limit yourself only to your own imagination.

Morpholio Board - Moodboard Morpholio LLC

Drawings and plans

13. Stanley Measure

Price: is free.

An elementary application to use and quite accurate in its results. You can draw a diagram of your apartment in just a couple of minutes: place the phone on any horizontal surface for calibration, then fix the lines of the ceiling and floor through the camera, outline the corners of the room using a virtual grid - you're done!

The output is a planar drawing with original dimensions. For a more complete resemblance to the original object, it remains to add doors and windows, as well as the main elements of the furniture.

Stanley Smart Connect Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

Stanley Smart Connect Stanley Black & Decker Inc

14. HomeStyler

Price: is free.

Online service for creating 2D and 3D floor plans for a quick browser. Fast, because the program is bulky and includes a large library of related products (finishing materials, furnishings).

Homestyler claims to be a professional product for amateurs. That is, if you are ready for painstaking work and take the time to study the nuances, you can independently create a completely high-quality visualization of any nest. Be prepared to take real measurements in order to transfer them to the working area of the program. The most time consuming process is building walls. We'll have to suffer a little with the virtual ruler, but everything is better than the crooked version on paper.

HomeStyler →