You don’t have to be a master at interior decorating to put together a beautifully designed home. Thanks to modern technology, you can create a space that reflects your style and personality using virtual room-design apps. There are several you can choose from depending on your skill level and what type of design you want. Whether you’re looking for a complete overhaul or a simple update, this technology will allow you to lay out your home in a photorealistic space and, ultimately, bring your vision to life.

Getting started

The most challenging part of beginning any project is usually knowing where to start. So before jumping in with both feet, formulate a plan by setting a realistic budget (you may want to do some pricing ahead of time) and determining your end goal.

Choose the room you want to begin with

You may have more than one room or area to decorate. However, it’s best to complete one at a time, especially if you’re new to working with online decorating apps. If you’re starting with a completely empty slate, pick the room that will be the most straightforward. If you’re updating already furnished rooms, go for the one that needs the least work. The goal is to begin with something manageable to help you ease into the design process.

Research virtual design apps

Have fun exploring different apps, many of which are free, such as Roomstyler, Planner 5D, and Amikasa. Each offers its own unique capabilities, ranging from simple designs to more architecturally detailed ones. Experiment with the various 3D options to see which would work best to help you visualize how you want your finished space to look. You don’t have to select one now, but investigating available programs will give you a basic understanding of how the process will go and prepare you to get started.

Take accurate room measurements

It’s essential to understand the room’s scale before you start designing. Use a tape measure to measure all the angles of the room, taking into account any dead space such as stairs, windows, and unusable corners. Inaccurate measurements may result in purchasing furniture that is either much too large or not large enough, making the space appear out of proportion.

Upload your floor plan into the design software

With your measurements completed, you can upload your floor layout to your chosen app to begin the design process. Although most apps offer a basic blueprint, some will also enable you to drag, drop, and rotate your furniture to establish the best layout for your room’s size and shape. You can also furnish the space and edit items like furniture, colors, textures, and materials. Once the design is in place, you’ll be able to do a virtual walk-through to see if it meets your expectations.

Designing your space

Most interior designers start their projects with a mood board to help them visualize how they want the finished design to look. Sites like Pinterest and Canva are excellent tools you can use to find and collect ideas and determine the final look you want.

Explore design options

Consider perusing through design magazines, such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Better Homes and Gardens, as well as websites like Pinterest and Juxtapost to explore endless style possibilities. This can also help you get a feel for the layout, style, colors, textures, and furniture you prefer. Add each of these features to your mood board to get a sense of how they will work together, which can prevent you from making costly mistakes down the road.

Utilize design templates

Most virtual room-design apps offer tools that allow you to scan hundreds of galleries with finished designs, providing you with ideas you may not have otherwise considered. These interactive apps also enable you to explore individual products and preview how they will fit into your space. Some even give you the option to purchase items from their show galleries. For example, if you want to replace your coffee table, you can select and swap out several different options until you find the best style. Apps like HomeByMe  also provide brand names to help you find products based on your budget and style.

Whether you enjoy completing projects on your own or hiring a professional decorator is simply not within your budget, you can fine-tune your style and design with the help of virtual room-design apps. Be sure to choose one that best matches your skill level and goals so that when you’re finished, your home will be everything you’ve dreamed of.