With the rise of interior design apps leveraging cutting-edge technology like Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), it’s never been easier to visualise your interior design ideas before making a décor change. These tools offer an invaluable preview, helping you make confident decisions about colours, layouts, and styles before you commit.
As an interior designer with a background in software, I'm always on the lookout for tools that help clients visualise their home décor ideas effectively.
Today, I’ll share my top picks for free apps that make planning and visualising interior design changes straightforward, enjoyable, and accessible - even if you're a beginner.
These tools are split into two categories for your convenience:
Apps to visualise changes in an existing space
Apps to help you design an entirely new space
Read on to discover the best free visualisation apps to help you visualise your home décor changes in real-time.
How I chose my top visualisation apps
When it comes to tech, I understand that nothing’s more frustrating than feeling overwhelmed by a long list of features you may not need or apps that are too complex to use.
Here are the criteria I used to make my list:
Free and Accessible: All apps listed here are free to download with core features readily accessible.
Easy to Use: Each app has an intuitive, user-friendly interface that makes it suitable for both design novices and experienced users.
Fit for Purpose: The selected apps serve specific design needs—whether it’s trying new paint colours, adding virtual furniture, or creating room layouts.
In addition, I’ve provided insights into each tool's strengths and limitations to save you time, allowing you to focus on finding the right tool for your needs. These are apps that I would use if I didn’t have access and knowledge of the pro tools that I use today as an experienced interior designer.
For even more personalised guidance or custom interior design visualisations that bring your unique vision to life, I offer 2D and 3D visualisation services to help my clients create a truly personalised and sophisticated home.
Lets get started!
The top free apps to visualise enhancing your existing space
These apps let you experiment with colours, layouts, and furniture in your current home environment, providing an immediate way to see how changes will look before committing.
Dulux Visualiser – Virtually paint your walls
The Dulux Visualiser app is perfect for exploring how different paint colours will look on your walls. Using augmented reality, the app lets you visualise Dulux paint colours on your walls in real time, all with a tap on your phone screen.
Click to see a video demonstration.
Getting Started: To achieve the most accurate preview, make sure your room has good lighting. Although the app struggles slightly with smaller and areas around objects, it’s excellent for gaining an initial feel for bold colour changes. The app's rendering may not capture every nuance, such as shadows and saturation variations, but it’s ideal for narrowing down colour choices.
Additional Features: You can also upload a photo of a room and apply colour changes. Say for example, you’ve bought a new house (congratulations!), and you want to start experimenting with colours, you can use the photos from the estate agent’s listing and apply the different colours, to see what they will look like. Use the app’s colour-matching tool to, say you’ve found a perfect shade on a cushion or piece of furniture, the Dulux Visualiser app can suggest a colour matching paint.
Limitations: The app can be less precise in its colour matching and projection due to lighting conditions. However, Dulux Visualiser is still a great tool for experimenting with colour schemes before you commit to samples.
Verdict: Use Dulux Visualiser to explore bold colour choices (rather than choosing between similar colours), create personalised colour palettes, and discover fresh colour ideas for your home.
Rugs.co.uk – Virtually add rugs to your space
The Rugs.co.uk website is a handy tool for virtually adding rugs to see what they look like in your space. Simply upload a photo of your room, and the app uses augmented reality to scale and position the rug on your floor.
Features: This feature is great for determining the size, colour, and style that best complements your space. You’ll gain a better idea of what different rugs will look like before making a purchase, which can save you time and effort.
Click to see a video demonstration.
Things to Note: You need to bear in mind the effect the lighting levels in your space will have on the colours and appearance of the rug. Additionally, since Rugs.co.uk's return policy requires shipping costs for returns to the US or Europe, I recommend that you make sure that the rug is the right one for you, should you decide to buy it. Alternatively, use the tool to narrow down your choices. You can then compare similar rugs from local retailers to avoid shipping costs in case you’re not sure or need to return it.
Verdict: Ideal for visualising different rug styles and colours in your space, helping you narrow your choices before buying.
Quick Aside...
You will notice that I don't have ads or pop-ups on my site. This is intentional as I find them rude and annoying. How dare they?
Instead, I've opted for offering useful links to my applicable services throughout my blogs, only where it makes sense to.
I also have other Services and Freebies and I've made the links available again at the end of this blog, so you can browse them at your leisure when you've finished reading this article.
You're welcome!
IKEA – Try IKEA furniture in your home
The IKEA app allows you to project IKEA furniture into your existing space using Augmented Reality , helping you envision furniture arrangements and décor ideas before making a purchase.
How to Use It: Choose the product you’re interested in, click "View in room," and move your phone to calibrate the app to your space. You can move and position the item as desired, getting a true-to-scale representation in your own space.
Click to see a video demonstration.
Other Useful Features: With IKEA Kreativ, you can design an entire room (your own or by using one of their ‘showrooms’) with IKEA’s furniture catalogue, exploring endless home design possibilities. Also create favourites and lists (to keep you on track in store if you are easily tempted by the displays), shop online for home delivery or scan and buy products while you walk through the store and skip the long checkout queues, leaving you more time for savouring their Swedish meatballs in the restaurant!
For IKEA storage: If you are considering any of IKEA’s modular wardrobe and storage solutions, use the dedicated planners. You will find all of IKEA’s Design and Planning tools, including wardrobes, storage, shelving, kitchen, bathroom and sofa design tools here.
Verdict: Essential for anyone planning to incorporate IKEA furniture into their home. It’s a wonderful way to see how furniture pieces will fit with your existing décor.
The top free apps to visualise and design a new space
If you’re starting with a blank slate or planning a major renovation, these tools offer comprehensive features for interior design from scratch.
Homebase – Explore kitchen styles
Homebase's Design Your Kitchen website is perfect for experimenting with different kitchen designs. Easily change and see the impact that different kitchen styles, and colours on cupboards, work surfaces, walls, splashbacks and trims will have on the overall look of a pre-set kitchen.
Features: Start by choosing from different kitchen styles like shaker, handleless and traditional and customising elements like cabinets, countertops, splashbacks, and more. Simply click on the area and choose from the selection for an instant visual update.
For a complete design experience, Homebase’s 3D planner helps you visualise your kitchen layout, appliances, and finishes. If you are shopping around or just want to get a feel for price point, Homebase’s pricing tool is great for that too. Note that not all kitchens are created equal and pricing will vary, but as a rough indication of their price-point, it is a good start.
Limitations: While this tool is fantastic for narrowing down kitchen styles and colours, kitchens are complex spaces. I recommend consulting a professional kitchen designer for the actual layout and detailed design to ensure optimal functionality and quality. Majority of kitchen suppliers provide this service completely free of charge. Homebase also offers free design consultations should you choose their kitchens.
Verdict: Excellent for exploring kitchen style options and desired colour palette and narrow your search focus.
RoomPlanner – Design and visualise your space
The Room Planner app is a great tool for anyone looking to design a room from scratch. Whether it’s a bedroom, living room, or office, this app lets you customise every detail with furniture, colours, and layouts to create your ideal space.
How It Works: Start by selecting a room template (or a blank canvas), then make it your own by adjusting layouts, colours, and décor elements. The app includes a wide range of products from well-known brands to give you an authentic representation of your new space. You can also virtually ‘walk through’ the room and see what it looks like from different angles.
Click to see a video demonstration.
Limitations: Room Planner is free for up to three room designs; for unlimited access, a subscription is required. You can upgrade to the subscription for as little as a week at a time to unlock the full catalogue, unlimited number of rooms and HD renders, however if you need more time or want to plan and design your whole house, the next app has less limitations.
Verdict: Great for experimenting with room layouts and furniture arrangements, especially if you need ideas for a brand-new room.
Planner5D – Design your home in 2D and 3D
The Planner5D app and website allows you to create a home design from the ground up, featuring 2D and 3D modes for an immersive experience. Use the catalogue of furniture, décor, and layout options to design a custom floor plan or add your unique style to a template.
Features: Start by drawing out your floor plan or uploading one, choose flooring material and then move to 3D mode to place windows, doors, furniture and accessories with a simple drag and drop. Adjust the size of some of the items in their catalogue to match your items (not available in other apps). You can even add multiple floors if your project is more complex.
Limitations: The free version has a limited catalogue, and additional features come with a subscription. The pro version of the app also includes mood board creation and enhanced design renders to help you design concepts, however I still prefer Canva for mood boards.
I share my complete design process with simple and actionable video lessons – no waffling - on how I use Canva to create mood boards and how to translate them into interior designs in my Mood Board with Confidence Course. On completing the course, you will have created your own personalised design and gained the confidence to implement your design and create your own unique and beautifully designed space.
Verdict: Ideal for those who want to get started quickly with a floorplan to design your home and check the basics.
MagicPlan – Accurate floorplans without a tape measure
Metricaphobia (noun): “The fear of tape measures or ‘Tape-measure-phobia’, is an uncommon but genuine phobia characterized by an irrational and persistent fear or anxiety surrounding the use, sight, or thought of tape measures.“ - credit: armortailor.com
No, it is not considered a real phobia, however if you’ve ever released an extended metal tape measure and had it snap back to fast that it sliced open your finger or hit you in the face, you’ll agree that it totally should be!
The MagicPlan app is a lifesaver for anyone looking to measure their space accurately without the hassle of a tape measure. Using your phone’s camera and LiDAR technology, the app captures dimensions as you pan around the room, generating accurate floor plans.
Getting Started: Open the app, move your camera around the room, and let MagicPlan take care of the rest. It will also include objects, for example furniture or built-ins in your layout. You can then adjust and move objects to be more accurate. This tool is great for DIY renovators and anyone needing reliable measurements for layouts.
Click to see a video demonstration.
Limitations: MagicPlan’s LiDAR functionality is available only on newer iPhones (iPhone 12 or newer Pro/Pro Max or iPad Pro devices). These devices must have iOS 17 or later. The free app version can be used for up to 10 rooms.
Verdict: Perfect for quick, accurate floor plans without the need for physical measurements, especially if you’re planning a room remodel or new layout.
Sketchup - Advanced 3D modelling for complex designs
SketchUp is a powerful 3D design tool that enables professional-level modelling. If you are willing to endure a bit of a learning curve, the free version offers extensive functionality for creating custom room layouts and more complex designs like an extension to your home.
How to Use It: SketchUp's developers have created an interface to mimic ‘the feel of pen and paper’, however even I took me some time to get familiar with it, due to the vast number of features. You can create models with complex structures, complete with colour, furniture, and even lighting details.
Limitations: The free tool is great to make a start and see what a space could look like, but for professional designs that require scaled computer-aided design (CAD), it is best to consult an architect or interior designer that specialises in creating these types of drawings.
Verdict: Great for creating more complex designs with a lot more accuracy, but not as user friendly and requires some learning upfront.
Elevate your vision with expert guidance
Each of these apps can give you an excellent starting point for inspiration and getting creative with designing your ideal space. They helping you make confident decisions in creating your dream space. However, sometimes the DIY approach has limitations, particularly when you’re seeking a truly unique and personalised look.
My 2D and 3D Visualisations show you the precise changes you want to apply, using AI and Virtual Reality technology. You’ll see the exact effects they will have on your space, removing the guesswork altogether. With my interior design knowledge and expertise, I’ll help you elevate your design ideas and your space beyond what you thought possible.
Ready to Get Started? Book your fixed price 2D Visualisation Service today for a complete custom design and visualisation of your space. Or book a FREE discovery call for a custom quote for a 3D Virtual Reality environment of your new dream home that you can explore and personalise.
My range of affordable design services are available now if you want to create a home you can't wait to come home to. Book online today and we’ll co-design your dream home.
And as promised, here is a reminder of the link to my Home Page with my Free Resources for you to browse and download if it is something you need for your home.
The links provided throughout are NOT affiliated and based on my personal research and what I would use. Any products shown are not intended as a recommendation for a specific product, but rather as examples of what is available and to provide ideas and inspiration.
The majority of images are from my projects and my home, supplemented by personal inspiration and some AI-generated images.