How to Use Home Décor Apps to Design Your Space

Interior design got much easier in the past decade. If you seek inspiration and a safe space to try your designs — without moving furniture — apps can be your best friend. Even the professionals use it, with 62 percent of all interior designers using either virtual or augmented reality to express their project ideas to clients.

“The benefits are manifold,” says Wendy Wang, the owner of F&J Outdoor, a company that creates outdoor furniture covers. “They offer convenience, ease of usage, detailed view and the ability to experiment different designs at a click.”

Such apps can save you time and money with opportunities to experiment filling a room with furniture, rugs, curtains, pillows, art, and more as you play with options on your screen. Often, apps also suggest things or offer tips.

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Despite all the benefits, apps do have limitations and don’t always provide a real worldview — with dimensions, textures and lighting conditions sometimes differing from what is shown in the app.

“When using interior decor apps, it's important to remember that they are a tool to aid in the design process not a definitive blueprint,” explains Jacky Chou, principal and director at Archute, an editorial magazine about architecture, home and garden. “The visual representation in apps often doesn't take into account the unique characteristics of each space such as natural light, room height, and existing architectural features.

Still, these tools are invaluable when working on a project. “But they come with learning curves,” says Mandi Young, owner of the wedding venue Juniper Gardens, and who used such tools to construct her space. “Take your time to play with the tools, watch online tutorials and talk to others in the industry if you get stuck on any items.”

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Tips to Move From App Vision to Real Life

There are several things you should do when designing with an app:

1. Measure twice. “Always double-check the measurements of your space and the dimensions provided in the app,” suggests Chou. “Apps can sometimes overestimate or underestimate dimensions, leading to furniture or decor that doesn't fit as expected.”
2. Take lighting into consideration while designing. Color and texture looks different in various settings, offers Wang. So be sure to look at swatches in the light you are going to work with.
3. Consider flow and functionality. Apps don’t always consider the movement of a room, says Chou. “Ensure there is enough space for people to move around comfortably without bumping into furniture.” You also want to ensure that the room’s arrangement is practical. For example, in an outdoor space, how the elements affect different materials is important.
4. Ask for feedback. Walk a non-design person who knows your taste and style through the design concepts, recommends Young. “As you talk through it, it will help you see which elements are missing, confusing or not right,” she says.  

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Home Décor App Recommendations

Wang likes:

Houzz for its wide range of furniture choices and themes and MagicPlan because it allows you to create custom floor plans without a measuring tape.

Chou recommends:

Room Planner, which uses your device's camera to scan a space and then drag and drop furniture, walls, doors, windows, and more to make a 3D model. It also allows you to customize colors, materials, sizes, and shapes of the items and place them at different angles.

Project Color by The Home Depot helps you choose paint colors. Use your device's camera to capture a color or you can locate your desired hue through thousands of selections from The Home Depot's collection. You can even get a sense of the color looks in your space with the “See It in Your Space” feature.

Young has used:

Midjourney, which helps put together the specs to ensure everything works together in concept. “[It] is a great place to experiment and play around, but doesn't replace real renderings that can account for specific dimensions and other limitations,” she offers.

Remember, when trying these apps don’t become overwhelmed by all the choices offered. “Focus on what you like and what suits your needs and preferences,” recommends Chou. You can always use filters, categories or keywords to narrow down your options. Enjoy the process, she says. “These apps are designed to make your design experience more enjoyable and creative. Don't take them too seriously or stress over them too much.”

Interested in adding a reading room to your house? See our post on book nooks.

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