Why Home Design Software?

Home design software improves your ability to create beautiful, efficient home designs that reflect the restraints of your budget while adding your personal touches into every design.

Home design software goes far beyond sketches found in popular floor plan books; some benefits of home design software include:

  • Customization: With this software, changing dimensions, roof pitches and floor plans or even designing cabinets is quick and easy without the use of auto cad. Aesthetic tools can help you with interior design, furniture arrangement and landscaping.
  • Landscaping Tools: Not only will the top programs help you create landscaping layouts but they also include plant finders or plant dictionaries to help you choose the right plants for your area.
  • Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Planners: Most programs include tools to help you with your power, water and heating/cooling design demands. Some even have estimators to let you know what and how much materials are required to install these systems.
  • Viewing Options: Unlike traditional blue prints, these programs can offer a virtual walk thru, daytime or nighttime 3D and 2D views, multiple 'camera' views, cut-away views and often can import digital photos.

One of the most appealing characteristics of home design software is that it's simply fun to use. Whether you're designing a home for yourself or are a seasoned general contractor, home design software can make the home design experience a pleasure.

In this site, you’ll find articles on home design and comprehensive reviews to help you make an informed decision on which home design software package is right for you.

At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don't Have To.™

What to Look for in a Home Design Software

Below are the criteria TopTenREVIEWS used to rank home design software: 

Feature Set
Home design software features should go beyond basic floor plan design and should offer a variety of tools such as real-time walkthroughs and the ability to incorporate plumbing/electrical/HVAC infrastructure. The design tools should be accessible and easy to use even for an inexperienced designer. First-rate home design software offers tools that give maximum design freedom and customization including lighting effects and landscape design.

Ease of Use
A computer novice should be able to install and learn how to use the home design software quickly. The control panel and design tools should be powerful, but intuitive.

Ease of Installation
We looked for home design software that is simple to install and set up, and all-inclusive programs that do not require additional downloads or software to be able to run at full capability.

Help Documentation
With the complex nature of home design, the help support options for home design software should offer clear, step-by-step instructions. The language in help files and tutorials should be simple to understand and well organized, so you can find answers fast.

So whether your building your first or your 31st house, expert home design software will help you do it faster, easier and better than ever before.

To read our review of the #1 product, Punch! Home & Landscape Design click here.

Be sure to read our other home design software reviews. If you’re using a Mac click here.

 
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Home Design Software Review 

The Perfect House at the Click of a Mouse

Designing a new home is both an exciting and exhausting endeavor, especially for the average person. Home Design Software can help you design stunning homes effortlessly.

Why Home Design Software?

2009 Home Design Software Review Product Comparisons

TopTenREVIEWS  |  Software  |  Home / Hobbies  |  Home Design Software Review
Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9#10
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Home & Landscape Design Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite Instant Architect Total 3D Home Design Deluxe MyVirtualHome 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite Instant Home Design Your Custom Home Design Workshop Classic Quickie Architect
Home & Landscape Design Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite Instant Architect Total 3D Home Design Deluxe MyVirtualHome 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite Instant Home Design Your Custom Home Design Workshop Classic Quickie Architect
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Watch Video Review 		Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Home & Landscape Design
$49.99 		Buy Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0
$99.99 		Buy Instant Architect 12
$27.99 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe
$24.99 		Buy MyVirtualHome 1.8.3
$39.95 		Buy 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite 9.0
$39.95 		Buy Instant Home Design 3
$24.95 		Buy Your Custom Home 2005
$19.99 		Buy Design Workshop Classic
$79.95 		Buy Quickie Architect 3.0
$39.95
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good Good Good Good
Ratings
Aesthetic Appeal Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Fair Fair
Features & Tools Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good Good Fair
Support & Documentation Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good Good Good Good
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Fair
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Home & Landscape Design screenshots View Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite screenshots View Instant Architect screenshots View Total 3D Home Design Deluxe screenshots View MyVirtualHome screenshots      
Upgrades
Architectural Grade Architectural Series 5000 Pro Pro v12   1.8.3     Pro  
For Mac OS Home & Landscape Design Studio          
Features
Imperial & Metric Measurements Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
2D Design Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
3D Design Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark  
Enter Precise Dimensions Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
3D Walkthrough Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
3D Flyaround (aerial views) Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
3D Cutaway Slider (dollhouse views) Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      
Set Camera View Angles Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Wireframe Views Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark      
Create Custom Animations Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      
Scan & Trace Pictures, Blueprints Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark  
Add Voice & Sounds to the Design    Check Mark        
Interior Lighting Simulation Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark  
Exterior Lighting Simulation Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Object Organizer Database Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
Cost Estimation Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark       
Automatic Updates   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Automatic Floorplan Dimensioning Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Hands-On Real Model Check Mark     Check Mark      
Editable Home Plans Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
Editable Standard Room Templates Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark      
Landscape Module Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Plant Editor Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark      
Plant Library Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Tools
Materials Paintbrush Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark   
Roofing Wizard Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Custom Material Wizard Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
House Builder Wizard Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark   
Kitchen Builder Wizard Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Curved Walls Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      Check Mark
Custom Roofs & Pitch Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Window & Door Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
Fireplace Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
Cabinet Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
Framing Editor Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark      
Stair Generator Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Topography Designer Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Deck Designer Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark     
Fence Designer Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark     
Object Libraries
Import 2D Pictures Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
Import 3D Objects   Check Mark     Check Mark    Check Mark  
Appliances Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Interior Furniture Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Exterior Furniture Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Plants Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Doors Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Windows Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Cabinets Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Stairs Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Railing Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Ramps Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
Flooring Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Light Fixtures Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
External Light Fixtures Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Bathroom Fixtures Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Roofing Materials Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Import Options
3D Files          Check Mark Check Mark
DXF (AutoCAD)          Check Mark Check Mark
DWG (AutoCAD)           Check Mark
2D Files Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      Check Mark
BMP Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      Check Mark
JPEG Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      Check Mark
PNG Check Mark Check Mark         Check Mark
GIF Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark      
TIFF   Check Mark         Check Mark
WMF           Check Mark
PCX   Check Mark         
EPS           Check Mark
Export Options
Print 2D Image Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Print 3D Image Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
3D Files   Check Mark    Check Mark     Check Mark Check Mark
.DXF (AutoCAD)   Check Mark        Check Mark Check Mark
.DWG (AutoCAD)           Check Mark
.WRL (VRML)          Check Mark Check Mark
2D Files   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark    
.JPEG Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark       
.BMP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark    
.PNG Check Mark Check Mark         
.TIFF   Check Mark   Check Mark       
.EMF   Check Mark         
.WMF   Check Mark         Check Mark
.PCX   Check Mark         
Support/Documentation
Video Tutorials Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark      
Paper Manual Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark     Check Mark  
Online Manual Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
FAQ Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Community Forums Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark     Check Mark  
Phone Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   *    Check Mark  
Email Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Supported Configuration:
Vista Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
XP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Mac OS 10.3 - Panther **          
Mac OS 10.4 - Tiger **          
Mac OS 10.5 - Leopard **          
2000   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
ME   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
98   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
NT           Check Mark
Recommended System Specs
OS / Service Pack XP - Vista 98SE - Vista 2K - Vista 98SE - XP   2K - Vista 98 - XP 98 - XP -- 9x - XP
Processor (CPU) 1.0 GHz 400 MHz 500 MHz Pentium III 2GHz processor or better Pentium -- Pentium 233 -- Pentium
Memory (RAM) 256 MB 64 MB 1 GB 256 MB 512MB RAM or better 64 MB -- 32 MB -- 16 MB
Video Card VGA -- 64 MB DX8 Compatible GeForce 2MX Video Card 32 MB -- SVGA -- SVGA
Hard Drive Space 5.25 GB 800 MB 750 MB 1.8 GB 2GB 700 MB 100 MB 125 MB -- --
Resolution 1024x768 -- 1024x768 800x600 1027x768 (min.) 1024x768 -- 800x600 -- 800x600
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Watch Video Review 		Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Home & Landscape Design
$49.99 		Buy Better Homes and Gardens Home Designer Suite 8.0
$99.99 		Buy Instant Architect 12
$27.99 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe
$24.99 		Buy MyVirtualHome 1.8.3
$39.95 		Buy 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite 9.0
$39.95 		Buy Instant Home Design 3
$24.95 		Buy Your Custom Home 2005
$19.99 		Buy Design Workshop Classic
$79.95 		Buy Quickie Architect 3.0
$39.95
** Home Design Studio and HD Studio Pro for Mac - $149.95 and $249.99
* Additional fees may apply
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