5 (Totally Free!) Kitchen Design Tools That Take the Stress Out of Any Project
As incredible (and even life-changing) as the results of kitchen remodels and renovations can be, they’re often some of the most stressful projects you can do in your home. Luckily, to achieve a less stressful (and expensive!) renovation, there are plenty of tools to help you along the way.
To help you get a head start on your fresh new space, I talked to interior designers and kitchen experts who recommend using these free kitchen design tools.
1. Most User-Friendly: IKEA Kitchen Planner
The most user-friendly free kitchen design tool available today is the IKEA Kitchen Planner, according to the experts. It uses only the store’s products, so if you’re an IKEA superfan, you’re in luck.
“This is definitely the most popular free tool, and for a good reason!” says David Silva, owner and interior designer at HomRem LLC. “It’s extremely beginner-friendly and intuitive. Plus, there are a lot of styling options to try a variety of ideas.”
2. Most Customizable: SketchUp
For something a bit less user-friendly but with many more options, try SketchUp. The free version allows you to add an enormous amount of detail to your new kitchen layout, including different products, colors, and textures.
“It allows you to draw a precise 3D model of your kitchen space so you can visualize different design elements and configurations,” says Courtney Cole, interior designer at TileCloud. “To make things easier, it comes with a library of pre-designed components and materials to help you experiment with various design ideas and finishes.”
3. Most Visual Inspiration: Pinterest
Think of Pinterest as your new kitchen’s mood board. Pin everything you like — and even things you don’t — and it’ll help shape how your kitchen will look after a remodel or renovation.
“So often clients say they don’t know what they like,” says Cyndy Cantley, co-owner of cabinet and design firm Cantley & Company. “If they start pinning images of what they like, we usually see a pattern. It even helps when clients pin things they don’t like. Pinterest is a wonderful tool even when you are working with a designer. It helps designers narrow down your thoughts and can save time and money.”
4. Most Product Options: Planner 5D
If you want to create a 2D floor plan and a 3D visualization of your new space with brand-new products, opt for Planner 5D. Aside from multiple viewing options (including full renderings of the planned space), a cost estimation tool, and myriad customization options, the amount of products to choose from are seemingly endless.
“Planner 5D includes a vast catalog of kitchen furniture, cabinets, appliances, fixtures, and decor items,” says Alexandra Cooper, an interior designer at the company. “This allows users to mix and match different elements to see what fits best in their space. Items can be resized, rotated, and adjusted to fit the exact specifications of your kitchen, allowing for great flexibility.”
5. Most Realistic: MSI Multi-Surface Visualizer
MSI Multi-Surface Visualizer works off a picture of your existing kitchen, which is great if you’re not looking to do a full gut renovation.
“The tool allows you to upload pictures of your current kitchen, then apply different countertops, backsplashes, flooring, and cabinet options,” says Silva. “It’s the closest you’ll get to actually seeing these products in your home.”
Which are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments below!