One of the most important parts of any homemaker’s arsenal is their choice of accessories for their kitchen. Functional and stylish, the proper utensils and appliances allow a cook to add a zest to nearly every recipe. The selection of tools has grown over time, creating new options every day. Unfortunately, the internet is full of sites promising cheap kitchen design software (which they obviously can’t deliver). ezcubed is there to help you find the best free kitchen design software on the web. While some free kitchen design software may not be built properly, I’ve chosen semi-professional programs for you to use, like our top pick-of-the-litter Kitchen Design Pro.
So, here are the best software for kitchen designs.
Homestyler
Homestyler is a free online 3D home designing software which is very simple to learn, and therefore immensely popular among people who are not professionals but are trying their hands on designing their perfect space. Creating the layout of the kitchen is extremely easy. All you have to do is drag and drop the available shapes and add on extra shapes to expand the kitchen. Once the layout is ready, you can head to the kitchen module section. While Homestyler can be used to design any room in the house, it does have a specialized kitchen module that lets you install specific kitchen wares like cabinets, peninsulas, countertops, sinks, microwave ovens, fridges, and other appliances.
Pros:
The software allows you to create your home project and share your ideas with friends, family and even interior design professionals.
It showcases furniture from your favourite furniture stores like Ikea, Target, etc.
It has a mobile version which lets you view, complete and access your work on the go.
Cons:
Lacks an exhaustive feature set to design a full kitchen.
Not for serious or professional designers.
More for e-commerce workflows rather than designing.
Time-taking and requires a lot of patience as you have to learn the functions of the program.
Ikea 3D Kitchen Planner
This is the best free kitchen design software if you are planning to get all your furniture from Ikea. Nevertheless, if you decide Ikea is not your choice for everything, you can still find similar items from other brands and design a kitchen you always dreamed of. The layout arena offered on the software is pretty neat and doesn’t require any architectural expertise. You can simply mention the dimensions of your kitchen and the planner will take care of scoping out and building the best kitchen layout ideas for your space. Also, from the side menu, you can select the cabinets, appliances, and other kitchen-specific items, which are obviously Ikea products in this case, and voila! Your dream kitchen is designed in no time.
Pros:
It is easy to use and gives you an idea of how your kitchen would look before you begin purchases.
It ensures that you do not go beyond your budget by providing you with the prices of items as you design.
It allows you to choose the size and shape of your kitchen, while you also rearrange items.
Cons:
Quite basic, not recommended for professional designers.
Suitable only if you’re looking to design your whole kitchen with Ikea products.
Lowe’s Virtual Kitchen Designer
Lowe’s Virtual Kitchen Designer software is very simple in its UI and offers a ton of innovative decor ideas to make your kitchen stunning and desirable. You can zoom in to look at each of the items in the kitchen to be assured of the detailing you can expect from the final kitchen design. Moreover, the software permits you to take a 3D render of your kitchen with a delightful choice of cabinetry. It houses a vast selection of tones, styles, and formats to help you design a kitchen that you always wanted.
Pros:
Customization options such as cooking appliances, colors, and materials for the floor, walls and ceiling are available to get the exact style you want.
It generates a list of items that you can use to purchase the necessary materials to bring your design to life.
It’s a specific kitchen designer, so you won’t need to scan through furniture and appliances belonging in other rooms.
Cons:
Clunky to use, steep learning curve.
Very slow to load.
Read also – Best 3D Rendering Software
5. Online Backsplash Designer
This is one of the best free versions of the kitchen design software you will find to help you design a backsplash and match cabinets. It is a great tool to check backsplash designs against the colors of the cabinet and the countertop with home remodeling and renovation ideas. The graphics aren’t great but they’re not terrible either for free software. It is a great platform to help you design the intricate details on the wall and make your kitchen aesthetic as well as organized.
Pros:
Let’s you choose from hundreds of colours, designs and pattern combinations so you can visualize how your cabinets will look with your new countertops and backsplash, and properly pair the items.
The items included are from reputable brands that are easily available for purchase, eliminating sourcing time and hassles.
Let’s you test out and price your products before you buy.
Cons:
The graphics are not as crisp and realistic as premium software providers.
Very limited to backsplashes over other features and kitchen requirements.
Opun Planner
• Cost – Free online software tool with supporting mobile app to track home projects
• An easy to use, effective 3D software that can help you plan your kitchen cabinet layout in just a few minutes. Furniture, cabinetry and materials can be selected from the catalog provided. You can design the kitchen with accurate measurements in 2D and create a 3D model for viewing or a walkthrough.
• Rendering quality isn’t that great and it doesn’t have many export and import options of other CAD software.
• Website – http://opunplanner.com/
• Tutorial links – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqhuzGx9NWc
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99YMSSQ-qL4
Ikea 3D Kitchen Planner
• Cost – Free, online
• This kitchen planner software by IKEA is one of its kind. With lots of templates and product catalog available from IKEA store you can plan a kitchen with ease. You can draw 2D plan and convert into a 3D model along with inclusion of products from IKEA catalog.
The planner compiles a shopping list with prices and details so you have an idea of the total cost and budget. Cabinetry sizes are standard as in the real world so the placement can give you an accurate view of your kitchen.https://76804ebac6fe048718717d021ae98d50.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
• It is an ideal tool if you want to design a basic kitchen or an IKEA kitchen however it does not provide an extensive catalog and cannot be considered as a standard kitchen design software with limited number of items and limited options of export and import. Besides that it does not provide a walkthrough or camera view and the 3D views are not so realistic.
• Although IKEA planner is compatible with windows and mac it supports only 32bit versions.
• Website – http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_MY/customer_service/ikea_services/kitchen_planner.html
• Tutorial link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-3YKOxYCCI
Prokitchen Software
• Cost – Free trial, Paid version desktop / online
• Powerful 3D kitchen design and cabinetry software that allows 3D views, plans, 360 degrees panoramic views and walkthroughs. It includes a frequently updated product catalog with products from appliances from over 300 manufacturers therefore you can include any product in your design and view it before purchase.
The full version is costly however you can sign up for a free trial and use it for your individual need. The rendering quality of the model is quite realistic and this software is compatible with both Windows and Mac. The final image can be saved as a JPEG.
• There are not many export options available.
• Website – http://www.prokitchensoftware.com/
• Tutorial links- https://www.youtube.com/embed/1pfQaZ0OmGU?vq=hd720
Virtual Architect Kitchen Design Software
• Cost – Paid version $32https://76804ebac6fe048718717d021ae98d50.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html
• This is HGTV’s kitchen design software comes with a money back guarantee, with absolute no hassle, easy to use tools and tips from HGTV. It includes a product catalog, materials and colors to choose from, kitchen 2D builder wizard and photorealistic 3D renders of the kitchen. 360 degrees panoramas and walkthroughs are also included in its features. Images can be imported and files can be exported as PDFS.
• Compatible with windows and Mac.
• Lacks export options to other CAD software.
• Website – http://www.homedesignsoftware.tv/features-kb/Kitchen-Design-Software/
• Tutorial links – http://www.homedesignsoftware.tv/How-to-Videos/?preflanguage=5&rs=57&cc=20OFFSAVE
2020 Kitchen Design Software
• Cost – Paid version – $2050-2400, mobile app
• 2020 Kitchen design software is an advanced tool for creating high definition renders of kitchen and interior spaces. It includes an extensive product catalog, lighting adjustments, 2D layout, 3D modellings and creating 360 degrees panoramas and walkthroughs.
The renderings are highly impressive and you can also import 3D objects and floor plans into 2020 design tool. With the sensopia Magicplan app you can measure plans with your android or iPhone device.
• It is compatible with windows 7, 8 and 10 and Mac.
• It can import and export DWG and DXF files.
• The cost of the software is really exorbitant and a trial version requires a request to the company which is not really needed.
Conclusion
The kitchen is arguably one of the most important rooms in the home, and with many people now living alone, is often the only room that becomes an “office”. If you’re sitting on the fence about creating a new space in your home, the kitchen is a good place to start. Find out more including how to order professional kitchen design software or free kitchen design tool.