Interior design apps can help you plan, visualize, and execute stunning designs—all from your phone. Whether you're planning a complete home makeover or just want to refresh a room, these interior design tools provide a practical and budget-friendly solution.
In this review, I've tested these apps firsthand to share what actually works based on real-world use, highlighting their strengths and limitations. While they might not replace professional interior designers, they can certainly guide you through space planning and decorating with confidence.
Let's explore these powerful tools that can elevate your interior design journey.
1. Pinterest
When it comes to finding endless inspiration, Pinterest is my go-to app. It's especially useful if you're just getting started with a design project and need ideas for every room in your home.
Whether you're planning a new layout or just want to add some style, Pinterest provides a wealth of ideas at your fingertips and offers a free version that anyone can use to explore and save design concepts.
Key Features of Pinterest for Interior Design:
- Create mood boards: Organize your favorite design ideas into themed boards.
- Find endless inspiration: Browse millions of interior design images for every style and room.
- Community-driven: Share your boards with others and get design tips from the Pinterest community.
- Personalize your feed: Pinterest's smart algorithm curates design ideas based on your preferences.
- Save and shop: Pin products directly from retailers, making it easy to track items you want to purchase for your space.
Why I Love It: Pinterest is like an infinite source of creativity. In the past, I used to make physical mood boards with magazine cutouts, but now I simply create digital ones, saving time and space. It's also a valuable resource for real estate professionals looking to gather design ideas to stage properties or advise clients on renovation potential.
Although that method is not without its charms, today I've streamlined the process hugely by using the online service Pinterest: a super smart and speedy visual discovery tool that helps me put my boards together digitally. It saves a lot of time – and a lot of paper! - Carolyn Bailey, Good Housekeeping
2. Homestyler
Homestyler is perfect if you’re looking to turn your design ideas into reality without spending money upfront. This app allows you to take a picture of any room in your home and create a virtual design makeover. It’s a great way to see how different colors, furniture, and decor will look in your space.
Key Features of Homestyler:
- Visualize your space: Take a photo of your room and try different design ideas in real time.
- Scale and adjust: Move and resize furniture and accessories to fit your space perfectly.
- Latest trends: Stay updated with design industry trends and hacks through the app's blog section.
- Room transformation: Change wall colors, add furniture, and experiment with new layouts virtually.
Real-Life Example: Let’s say you’re redoing your living room but aren’t sure which furniture pieces or wall colors will work together. With Homestyler, you can virtually try out different designs before making any decisions, saving you from expensive mistakes.
3. Wunderlist
While not a traditional design app, Wunderlist is an excellent tool for organizing and managing your interior design projects.
It helps you break down big projects into manageable tasks, making it easy to track progress and stay on top of your design goals.
Key Features of Wunderlist:
- Task management: Create detailed to-do lists for each step of your design project.
- Shareable lists: Collaborate with contractors, clients, or family members by sharing task lists.
- Progress photos: Upload progress photos to track how your project is coming along.
- Accessible on any device: Sync your lists across mobile devices and computers for easy access.
Why I Recommend It: When you’re juggling multiple design ideas, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Wunderlist keeps everything in one place, helping you manage your projects from start to finish.
4. Houzz
Houzz is a powerhouse when it comes to interior design and architecture. It offers a one-stop solution for design inspiration, purchasing home decor, and even connecting with professionals. If you’re planning a large renovation or need some design expertise, this app has you covered.
Key Features of Houzz:
- Endless design inspiration: Browse thousands of images categorized by room and style.
- Shop furniture and decor: Buy everything from furniture to home accessories directly through the app.
- Hire professionals: Find local interior designers, architects, and contractors for your project.
- Customizable filters: Filter results based on style, size, and budget to find ideas that fit your space.
Real-Life Example: Imagine you're redesigning your kitchen. You can browse through thousands of kitchen ideas, save your favorites, purchase materials, and even hire a professional—all within the Houzz app.
5. Spacely AI
Spacely AI is perfect if you're looking for professional-grade interior design results with complete creative control. This AI interior design app stands out because "you can fine-tune your generated images until you get exactly what you want" and offers "some of the best-quality images of all the apps" available. Unlike other AI interior design tools where you "submit a prompt and cross your fingers," Spacely AI gives you full control over the output.
Key Features of Spacely AI:
- Professional-quality rendering: Creates photorealistic renders of room and building interiors that rival professional design work.
- Fine-tuning capabilities: After generating room images, you can adjust each piece of furniture placement or re-render the image in specific ways.
- Multiple design input options: Choose from pre-loaded styles, upload a reference photo of the style you're after, or write a custom prompt for the AI image generator.
- 3D space planning: Includes automated space planning and virtual walkthroughs for comprehensive design visualization.
- Professional integrations: Seamlessly integrates with popular interior design software like SketchUp and Revit.
Real-Life Example: Let's say you're an interior designer working with a client who wants to see how their living room would look in different styles before committing to expensive furniture. With Spacely AI, you can upload a photo of their current space and generate multiple design concepts—from modern minimalist to traditional Japanese "Ryokan" style. You can then fine-tune each design by adjusting individual furniture placement, making it hugely beneficial for interior designers to tweak the images rather than hoping for the right result. This allows you to present polished, professional visualizations that help clients make confident decisions about their investment.
Pricing: Personal plans start at $30 per month with a 3-day free trial, while enterprises need to apply for custom pricing. The higher cost reflects its professional-grade capabilities and advanced features.
Comparison Table: Choosing the Right Interior Design App for You
Here's a quick comparison of the best apps based on their unique features:
| App Name | Best For | Key Features | Unique Selling Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inspiration and Mood Boards | Create boards, browse millions of ideas | Personalized design ideas based on your feed | |
| Homestyler | Virtual Design Mockups | 3D room visualizations, furniture resizing | Real-time virtual makeovers for any room |
| Spacely AI | Professional-Grade AI Design | Fine-tuning controls, photorealistic renders, 3D space planning | Complete creative control with adjustable AI-generated designs |
| Wunderlist | Task Management | To-do lists, progress tracking | Organize projects with shareable lists |
| Houzz | Design Inspiration & Shopping | Browse designs, shop furniture, hire pros | Complete 360° design solution from start to finish |
Ready to Start Your Design Journey?
Whether you're redesigning a single room or planning an entire home renovation, these apps provide the tools and inspiration you need to get started. From virtual makeovers with Homestyler to creating mood boards on Pinterest, there's an app for every aspect of your project.
Try one of these apps today and unlock endless design possibilities. If you're looking for your dream condo to design, visit Precondo for the latest properties and tips on turning them into your ideal space.
