Why Do I Want Interior Design Software?

Has the nesting urge struck? With the proliferation of reality home design shows on TV, many a homeowner has begun to feel the desire to overhaul their digs or at the very least slap on a fresh coat of paint. Interior design software can save your back, pocketbook and much frustration by allowing you to design your home’s interior in virtual reality before investing resources in the real world.

What Makes a First-Rate Interior Design Software Package?
As we used the various interior design software products on this site, we identified several points that are contained in a quality program. As you look over the various products, keep these key elements in mind and choose the product that best fits your needs whether that be simply visualizing changes or laying out a solid design plan.

Features & Tools
Most of the best interior design software packages incorporate a variety of features and tools. From adjusting camera angles and shooting a virtual walkthrough of your design to providing templates and sizeable object and materials libraries, the best products provide a nice compliment of elements to assist you in creating your own indoor utopia.

Ease of Use
We asked ourselves how easy is it to accomplish a design without repeated references to the user's manual? How easily can the user navigate within the software? This element works closely with the look and feel of the program.

Look & Feel
This area deals with the interface, use of graphics and organization of information. Figuring out how to use the program shouldn’t be a roadblock to creating a beautiful interior design.

Help & Support
This section deals with the technical support, tutorials and in-program helps. If a developer can’t or doesn’t back up their software with good support and help, you’ll end up feeling frustrated and cheated when you try to use the program.

By its very nature, interior home design software deals exclusively with the inside of your home. It’s a wonderful tool to try out new looks without the labor and financial investment of actually making the changes. There are great interior design software packages available for both Mac and PC platforms so no matter which operating system you prefer, there’s sure to be a program for you.

If you’re interested in other home improvement types of software, you’ll want to check out our home design software and landscaping software reviews too. Soon you’ll be planning, renovating or building the home of your dreams.

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Interior Design Software Review 

Scratch That Home Improvement Itch

It’s time to refresh your home’s interior. What will it be? Fresh paint, new flooring or a whole new remodel? Interior Design software will help you dream big without lifting more than a finger.

Why Do I Want Interior Design Software?

2009 Interior Design Software Review Product Comparisons

TopTenREVIEWS  |  Software  |  Home / Hobbies  |  Interior Design Software Review
Rank #1#2#3#4#5#6
Excellent score   Excellent
Very good score   Very Good
Good score   Good
Fair score   Fair
Poor score   Poor
Live Interior 3D Better Homes & Garden Interior Designer Punch! Interior Design Suite 3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite Total 3D Home Design Deluxe Interiors
Live Interior 3D Better Homes & Garden Interior Designer Punch! Interior Design Suite 3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite Total 3D Home Design Deluxe Interiors
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Live Interior 3D 2.1.1
$44.95 		Buy Better Homes & Garden Interior Designer 8
$94.99 		Buy Punch! Interior Design Suite
$29.99 		Buy 3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite 10
$36.47 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9
$24.99 		Buy Interiors 4.0.2
$116.10
 
Overall Rating Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ratings
Features & Tools Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good
Ease of Use Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Good
Look & Feel Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good Very Good
Help & Support Excellent Excellent Excellent Very Good Very Good Very Good
View Specifications Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! Go!
View Screenshots View Live Interior 3D screenshots View Better Homes & Garden Interior Designer screenshots View Punch! Interior Design Suite screenshots View 3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite screenshots View Total 3D Home Design Deluxe screenshots View Interiors screenshots
Professional Upgrade
Version Live Interior 3D Pro Better Homes & Gardens Home Design Software Punch! Professional Home Design Platinum    Interiors Professional
Price $129.95 $495.00 $69.99    $225.00
Features
2D Design Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
3D Design Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Imperial & Metric Measurements 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
Automatic Floorplan Dimensioning Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Multi-story Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Set Camera View Angles 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
Dollhouse View Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Wireframe Views Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
HVAC/Plumbing Plans    Check Mark    
Interior Lighting Simulation Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Lighting/Shadow Simulation Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Lighting/Electrical Plans    Check Mark    
Editable Room Templates Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark  
Object Organizer Database Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Project Cost Estimation   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Create Custom Animations Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Import Own Images Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Free Software Updates Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Tools
Cabinet Designer   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Color Chooser Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Custom Material Designer   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Kitchen Design Planner     Check Mark Check Mark  
Materials Paintbrush Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Molding Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Screenshot Camera Check Mark      
Stair Generator Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Window & Door Designer Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark  
Window Coverings Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Object Libraries
Object Library 1,200+ 5,000+ 5,000+ 1,200+ 20,000+ 1,500+
Materials Library 1,300+ 5,000+ 5,000+   Check Mark 1,300+
Appliances 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
Brand Name Objects & Materials Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Cabinets 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
Download Additional Free Elements Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
External Light Fixtures   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Exterior Furniture Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Fireplaces Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Flooring Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Universal Accessibility Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Interior Furniture 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
Plants Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Railings Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   Check Mark
Stairs 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
Import Options
SketchUp Check Mark      Check Mark
3D Objects Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
2D Objects Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
3DS Check Mark   Check Mark    Check Mark
DWG (AutoCad)    Check Mark    
DXF (AutoCad)    Check Mark    
Ogre XML Check Mark      
BMP   Check Mark     
JPEG   Check Mark   Check Mark   
PDF     Check Mark   
PNG   Check Mark   Check Mark   
Output Options
Print 2D Images Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
2D Files      Check Mark  
Print 3D Images Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
3D Files Check Mark      Check Mark
QuickTime Check Mark      Check Mark
DWG (AutoCad)    Check Mark    
DXF (AutoCad)    Check Mark    
BMP   Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark  
JPEG Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark Check Mark
EMF   Check Mark     
PDF Check Mark      
PNG Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark   
TIFF Check Mark     Check Mark  
WMF   Check Mark     
Help & Support
In-Program Video Tutorials   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
Project Gallery   Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
Printed Manual Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   
Online Manual Check Mark     Check Mark  
Knowledge Base Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    Check Mark
In-Program Manual   Check Mark   Check Mark   
Online Tutorials Check Mark Check Mark     Check Mark
Product Training    Check Mark    Check Mark
FAQ Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Newsletter/Blog Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark    
Community Forums Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark
Chat Support Check Mark      Check Mark
Phone Support   Check Mark Check Mark   Check Mark Check Mark
Email Support Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark
Platform
Mac Check Mark    Check Mark   Check Mark
PC   Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark Check Mark  
 
Reviewer Comments Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Read Review
Lowest Price Buy Live Interior 3D 2.1.1
$44.95 		Buy Better Homes & Garden Interior Designer 8
$94.99 		Buy Punch! Interior Design Suite
$29.99 		Buy 3D Home Architect Home & Landscape Deluxe Suite 10
$36.47 		Buy Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9
$24.99 		Buy Interiors 4.0.2
$116.10

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