Why Home Design Software?

Home Design Software provides a way for you to create beautiful, efficient and personalized home designs that will aid you in the pursuit of your dream home.

When you use home design software, you can do much more than just create basic floor plans. Some of these benefits include: 

  • Customization: Changing dimensions, roof pitches, or the size of cabinets is as easy as a click and a drag. Aesthetic tools allow you to add furniture, appliances, and many other household objects into your design so that you can get a realistic finished product.
  • Landscaping Tools: Landscape designing will become much easier for you as you utilize the plant finders and dictionaries that will help you find the best plants for your area.
  • Electrical, Plumbing and HVAC Planners: Not only will you be able to design your interior, but your designs will become even more detailed as you include the layouts of your plumbing, heating/cooling and power.
  • Viewing Options: In the process of designing your home, you will be able to choose from multiple views that allow you to look at the floor plan, wall structures, or the roof pitching. The 3D and 2D views can be easily changed to suit your needs as you accomplish your tasks.

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 you're building your first or your thirty-first house, expert home design software will help you do it faster, easier and better than ever before.

Be sure to read our other home design software reviews. If you’re using a Mac, check out our reviews of Mac home design software.

 
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Home Design Software Review 

The Perfect House at the Click of a Mouse

While renovating or reconstructing, moving or designing, take the pain out of home design with home design software.

Why Home Design Software?

2010 Home Design Software Review Product Comparisons

TopTenREVIEWS  |  Software  |  Home / Hobbies  |  Home Design Software Review
Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6#7#8#9
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Home & Landscape Design Home Designer Suite Instant Architect Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite Design Workshop Classic Quickie Architect Fast Plans
Home & Landscape Design Home Designer Suite Instant Architect Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite Design Workshop Classic Quickie Architect Fast Plans
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Watch Video 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 Home Designer Suite 9.0
$99.99 		Buy Instant Architect 12
$27.99 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe
$24.99 		Buy 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite 10.0
$34.99 		Buy HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite
$39.99 		Buy Design Workshop Classic
$79.95 		Buy Quickie Architect 3.0
$39.95 		Buy Fast Plans 12
$79.00
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Good Fair Fair
Ratings
Aesthetic Appeal Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Fair Fair Fair
Features & Tools Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good Good Fair Fair
Support & Documentation Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Good Very Good Good Good Fair
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Good Good Fair Fair
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Home & Landscape Design screenshots View Home Designer Suite screenshots View Instant Architect screenshots View Total 3D Home Design Deluxe screenshots View 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite screenshots View HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite screenshots View Design Workshop Classic screenshots View Quickie Architect screenshots View Fast Plans screenshots
Upgrades
Architectural Grade Architectural Series 5000 Architectural Home Designer TurboFLOORPLAN Home & Landscape Deluxe Total 3D Home & Landscape Design Wuite 9   HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite 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
2D Design 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 Check Mark   
Enter Precise Dimensions Check Mark Check Mark 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   
3D Flyaround (aerial views) 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 Check Mark    
Set Camera View Angles 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        
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 Check Mark   
Exterior Lighting Simulation 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 Check Mark
Cost Estimation Check Mark 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    
Hands-On Real Model Check Mark         
Editable Home Plans Check Mark 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 Check Mark    
Plant Editor Check Mark    Check Mark      
Plant Library 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    
Roofing Wizard 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    
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  
Window & Door Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
Fireplace Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark     
Cabinet Designer 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    
Topography Designer Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Deck Designer Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark    
Fence Designer Check Mark 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 Check Mark   
Appliances 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
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  
Doors 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  
Cabinets 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  
Railing 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    
Light Fixtures 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  
Bathroom Fixtures 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    
Import Options
3D Files       Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
DXF (AutoCAD)       Check Mark 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        
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
Print 3D Image 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 Check Mark  
.DWG (AutoCAD)         Check Mark  
.WRL (VRML)        Check Mark Check Mark  
2D Files   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark
.JPEG Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark    
.BMP Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
.PNG Check Mark 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
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   
Phone Support Check Mark 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
Supported Configuration:
Vista Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Windows 7 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
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 Check Mark
ME   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
98   Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
NT         Check Mark  
Recommended System Specs
Processor (CPU) 1.0 GHz 400 MHz 500 MHz Pentium III Pentium 500 MHz -- Pentium --
Memory (RAM) 256 MB 64 MB 1 GB 256 MB 64 MB 512 MB -- 16 MB --
Video Card VGA -- 64 MB DX8 Compatible 32 MB 32 MB -- SVGA --
Hard Drive Space 5.25 GB 800 MB 750 MB 1.8 GB 700 MB 1GB -- -- --
Resolution 1024x768 -- 1024x768 800x600 1024x768 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
Lowest Price Buy Home & Landscape Design
$49.99 		Buy Home Designer Suite 9.0
$99.99 		Buy Instant Architect 12
$27.99 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe
$24.99 		Buy 3D Home Architect & Landscape Design Deluxe Suite 10.0
$34.99 		Buy HGTV Home Design & Remodeling Suite
$39.99 		Buy Design Workshop Classic
$79.95 		Buy Quickie Architect 3.0
$39.95 		Buy Fast Plans 12
$79.00
** Home Design Studio and HD Studio Pro for Mac - $149.95 and $249.99
* Additional fees may apply
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