Top 10 best programs for designing a house or apartment in 2021

The modern world uses a huge amount of computer technology, with which it is very easy to draw a plan for a private house. A large number of multifunctional programs have been developed specifically for design.

This is what the layout and interior of the house looks like

However, these programs have a complex interface. To work, they use a large number of different tools, and only designers can understand how to use them. Therefore, you can use another method to create a house plan. The simplest option is Word with its own set of tools.

Possibilities of home design programs

Home design is the process of creating a functional layout.
You can visualize your ideas using a universal graphic editor. However, it is more convenient to take blanks of structural objects from the library.

Templates for chairs, decorative items, and other interior elements speed up the furnishing of individual rooms.

In addition to the thematic database, the designer can use the following application functions:

• work on your computer (browser mode online);
• converting drawings into a three-dimensional model;
• change in luminous flux;
• studying plans from different directions;
• interior (landscape) design;
• calculation of the amount of building materials;
• calculation of the load capacity of the load-bearing structures of the property.

Created projects can be converted into files with the desired extensions. Written instructions, examples, and video materials will help you study the algorithm of design work operations.

First floor project

We draw the vestibule and the hallway on the sketch - and from there there will be transitions to the kitchen and other rooms. The location of the premises must take into account the following points:

1. The bathroom and kitchen should be placed in close proximity to each other - thanks to this location it will be much easier to carry out communications;
2. It’s very good if the drawn up project implies the absence of passage rooms - this is an integral element of comfort;
3. On the ground floor, it is necessary to take into account the presence of all auxiliary structures and premises - their location will be very important not only to ensure the functional suitability of the house, but also for the comfortable movement of residents.

Step 2: draw all the rooms and premises of the first floor with the required size

After this, we arrange and plan all the doors of our house

Step 3: designing doors on the first floor

Then windows, taking into account the desired lighting of the rooms and your budget

Step 4: designing windows on the first floor

As a result, we get this first floor:

This is how the 3D model of the first floor turned out

Criterias of choice

The program is evaluated according to the following parameters:

• terms of use;
• Russification;
• interface convenience;
• functional equipment.

The program is evaluated by its user-friendliness and functionality.
The design software market segment does not offer solutions to all practical problems. Therefore, choose several tools to do:

• project visualization;
• preparation of estimates for construction materials;
• calculation of loads.

Developers provide some products for free without a full set of functions or have a limited validity period.

Gingerbread hut with decorations from a fairy tale

After reading the famous fairy tale, you and your child can draw a beautiful gingerbread house and additional decorations. It is easy and simple to draw a sketch of an ordinary house, which the child will decorate at his own discretion and give it a truly fabulous look in the drawing:

• the house itself is drawn similar to a village hut, but with thinner lines, and there is no need to press hard on the pencil lead;
• the resulting blank is drawn according to the sketches with thicker and wavy lines, imitating walls and a roof with a cookie texture;
• It is best to paint the base with sand or honey-brown shades and, after drying, paint marmalade and candies with bright colors.

To round off all the shapes of such a house, each line should be as smooth as possible and fairly well drawn. It is best to use watercolor paints to paint such an image, which will give the house a fabulous and unique appearance.

In the drawing, the child will be able to depict any architectural masterpiece, from Baba Yaga’s house to a fairy-tale Castle or his own home. Gradually complicating the task and working with perspective, he will learn to draw up a preliminary project and even develop a drawing of a future building. Don’t be upset if children don’t know how to draw; using simple master classes, you can learn basic drawing skills and use them in creativity lessons.

Top 10 programs for designing a house or apartment

Good planning is necessary for construction without high costs. Software products will help an inexperienced user create a project correctly.

Sweet Home 3D

This program simplifies the preparation of a single room project. A background option is selected from standard drawings. The drawing is supplemented with the necessary notes. When designing wall elements of a house (other objects), the editing mode opens. They change the dimensions, thickness, and radius of curvature of the walls. Set the color and texture of the material.

Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application.

When arranging the furniture, it automatically turns its back side to the adjacent wall. The relative position of several objects is corrected. Other elements are downloaded from the Internet using links from the official website.

HouseCreator

The software product simplifies the modeling of frame (self-supporting) structures. Construction from the following materials is acceptable:

• logs;
• bars;
• multilayer SIP panels.

Using Housecreator, the following objects are designed:

• pile, strip or monolithic foundation;
• walls;
• interfloor ceilings;
• floors;
• roofs.

Visualization is well organized - creation of three-dimensional models. The built-in module stores the necessary estimate data.

Optimization of pillars, floor beams, and other elements is performed automatically. Load-bearing capacities and other parameters of building materials are taken into account.

"House-3D"

The program can be downloaded for free to gain access to 30 days of full functionality. Next, they buy a key for the licensed version. There are video tutorials that make it easier to independently study typical work operations.

"Dom-3D" is a platform for three-dimensional design of the interior of houses and apartments.

Archicad

This software product is created for professionals. A specialized specialist will find it useful to develop free-form elements. A large library contains many standard templates. There are paid components.

A separate module automates the calculation of building energy efficiency. The user sets:

• parameters of building materials;
• architectural model of the structure;
• weather;
• shading from other objects.

For commercial activities of designers, each workplace is paid. Preferential conditions are provided to teachers and students.

Home Plan Pro

The product is used to quickly draw a plan without design skills. The developers have simplified the software using vector graphics technology when depicting individual elements. The following operations are automated:

• filling in project areas;
• drawing walls;
• measuring distances;
• cloning objects.

Home Plan Pro is a program for easily creating floor plans.
There is no version in Russian. All information explanations are displayed in English only.

Google SketchUp

The simple interface makes using Google SketchUp easy. To draw an object, a flat image is selected from primitive elements. By holding down the points and clicking the computer mouse keys, the image is transformed. Objects can be exported.

The serial library is supplemented with copies of frames from thematic television programs, photographs, and other materials.

"LIRA-SAPR 2013"

The version is distributed free of charge. The design program "LIRA-SAPR 2013" is designed to solve the following problems:

• calculations of structural loads;
• selection of cross-section of power elements;
• preparation of technical documentation for the construction of walls, interfloor ceilings, and other objects.

LIRA-SAPR 2013 is a multifunctional software package for structural design.
The user receives free access to a proprietary information system and training examples.

"Interior Design 3D"

This development will help you draw a project while maintaining the accuracy of small elements. The large catalog contains more than 400 finishing options. With simple steps, the user adds household appliances, cabinet and upholstered furniture, and experiments with materials. The design project is studied in detail, including a realistic “walk around the house” mode.

Chief Architect

This software makes it easier to prepare a project for complex construction and landscape design of a site. When drawing up structures, the joining of elements is automated. Windows and doors are treated as separate objects. The design module simplifies the calculation of house engineering systems. CAD tools are used to create design details.

Chief Architect is a professional building design program.

There is a free trial version. Instead of buying an expensive product, they sign up for a subscription (for a month or another period).

Home and Landscape Design

In addition to drawn and finished images, the program uses scanned plans, digital photographs, and other graphic materials. After printing the project on thick paper, a house model is assembled from the cut-out blanks.

Flat high-rise building

Below is a method on how to simply draw a house:

1. First you need to take a ruler and a pencil and draw a large rectangle.
2. Under the top line draw another one, one will act as a roof.
3. Next, we divide the rectangle with vertical lines, this is done to simplify the process of drawing windows.
4. Each vertical is divided into several equal parts from which windows will be made.
5. 2 sides are 1.5 cm, one side is 2.5 cm. A small part is windows, the rest are balconies.
6. Next, horizontal lines are drawn along the points.

All that remains to be done is that the details are emerging according to the scheme. To make them even, they should also be done using a ruler and additional lines.

Memories are made barely noticeable so that they can be removed later with an eraser. This is one of the simple options for how to depict a typical building. Shadows and shading will add realism to the picture.

Comparison table of characteristics

In addition to general data, the features of the developments are checked:

Summarizing:

• Round houses require less building materials (excluding the amount of waste).
• Round houses are more economical in terms of heating (all other things being equal).
• It’s not easy to rationally arrange a round house on a small plot!
• The construction market is maximally adapted to rectangular shapes.
• Replacing a circle with a polygon will simplify the construction technology.
• Round houses withstand hurricane winds and earthquakes much more confidently.
• Sloping walls of spherical houses are a problem for windows and interiors.
• A harmonious layout in a round house is not an easy matter.
• A cylindrical house is a promising alternative to spherical ones.
• Modular cellular houses are the houses of the future!

Read about the history of the construction of the original domed house in our article. You can also study Western experience in building a round house made of foam concrete. Our story includes an overview of the geosphere house.

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Independent design of a house or apartment

When preparing for work, you need to keep in mind that some programs are provided free of charge only for a limited time. Users study the planner tools in advance in order to have time to create a project within the appropriate period.

Working with the software

On the developer's website you can download the original program (new version). Installation is performed using the prompts of the automated installation wizard. Define a folder for project files.

Algorithm of actions when working with Sweet Home 3D (after launch, 4 parts are displayed):

• element library;
• description of products (names, sizes, additional characteristics);
• real estate drawing;
• plan (3D format).

When working with the software, they draw walls, partitions, and arrange furniture.
After moving to the desired area, a list of design tools appears. Cancel (repeat) actions by pressing the corresponding virtual arrow keys.

Step-by-step guide to creating a project

Algorithm of actions:

• after downloading the software, set the interface language, units of measurement, and user settings;
• import the scanned plan;
• Load-bearing walls and partitions are drawn on the background;
• edit color and other parameters of structural elements;
• add window (door) openings;
• arrange furniture;
• put down dimensions, indicate written additions;
• check the details of the created interiors on the layout.

The project is saved with the necessary expansion. If there is no data, use object import. The design program supports DAE, OBJ, 3DS formats.

The developers offer hundreds of models of furniture, appliances, and accessories on the official website. It is possible to add elements created by yourself. Scanned images are added from JPEG, BMP, PNG, GIF files. The scale grid is used to adjust the placement of objects.

To change the viewpoint, perform the necessary movements with the virtual visitor figure. The Create photo menu section is opened to take a photo. Increasing the resolution improves image quality. It is permissible to set the direction (strength) of light. Shadows increase the realism of the created picture.

Extend the basic functionality with custom additions. Extension programming is in Java.

Preparation

Before drawing a house plan, you need to form a clear idea of ​​what it should be like: its size, number of rooms, their purpose. If you haven’t thought through the model of your future housing, look on the Internet for pictures with building options. Perhaps you will like some of the ready-made models.

When you have chosen the appearance of the house, draw up a plan. It is the basis of your project. Professional architects recommend taking into account the orientation to the cardinal points (the final arrangement of the rooms depends on it).

The foundation and building materials for the foundation play an important role. This is the main part of the building layout, which depends on both factors: the foundation of the building depends on the weight of the materials.

The foundation construction method has been chosen. Next, it’s worth highlighting the rooms that will be intended for each person living in the house and calculating their area. The size of the room affects a person’s comfort, because it will be different for everyone. If the building is not one-story, distribute the rooms on the floors of the house according to their purpose. The designer's opinion at this stage is also important.

What to consider

On a piece of paper, calculate the dimensions of the future house, taking into account the area of ​​the site. Drawing up a house project yourself requires special attention to every detail: doors, roof, windows, ceilings. Here are the important factors to consider when designing:

1. Number and size of rooms. This factor depends on the number of residents in the house and everyone’s lifestyle. Remember that habits change with age.

2. Temperature.

In areas with cold climates, it is recommended to use energy-saving technologies:

• Install two- or three-chamber double-glazed windows on the windows;
• Reduce the perimeter of the building and the size of each room to a minimum;
• Make the wall structure multi-layered;
• Use vestibules at the doors;

For areas with warm climates:

• It is recommended to add open terraces, balconies and loggias;
• Cover used flat roofs with soil and growing greenery;
• Use vertical landscaping on the walls of the building;
• Install air conditioners in rooms.

You may be interested in: Detailed information about the technical plan for a country house

3. Precipitation.

If your region has high humidity levels, pay special attention to waterproofing:

• Don't skimp on gutters and waterproofing quality. It is also important to provide a drainage system with water drainage into the sewer system, if there is one near housing, or a ditch;
• It would not be superfluous to check the calculated load on the roof rafters (take care to protect the house from snow).

4. Wind

You can take into account the wind rose of your region. In case of strong winds, make smaller vents on the side from which they blow, and larger vents on the back side of the building facade.

5. Architectural and construction requirements

Design documentation must comply with architectural and construction codes and requirements. Let's consider which of them it is advisable to know in order to correctly draw up technical specifications for creating a project:

• Common rooms and living rooms should not be less than 16 sq.m. in area;
• For kitchens and other living rooms, the required size is 9 square meters. m. or more;
• The height of residential premises is at least 2.8 m, for areas with hot and dry climates – 3 m.
• The minimum height of the basement is 1.8 m;
• Do not design bathrooms above living spaces. This may lead to leaks;
• It is advisable to arrange bathrooms without direct access from the kitchen and living rooms. This will prevent the introduction of unpleasant odors. If this recommendation is not followed, then provide good exhaust hood;
• There must be access for fire service workers and fire extinguishing equipment to fire sites in the event of a fire.

Calculation of the quantity of materials

There is no need to create a manual estimate for a project if the design software does the work automatically. Home Plan Pro, for example, contains a corresponding module. You can also use Builder or another specialized calculator. Prices are clarified remotely by checking the catalogs of building materials suppliers.

Automation speeds up the project preparation process and prevents mistakes by inexperienced users. Software tools make it easier to check design ideas and help you correctly create cost estimates.