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While the most beautiful projects are imagined by architects, decorators, and contractors—as opposed to a machine—selecting the right interior design software can help turn your spatial dreams into a reality. If you don’t already have a roster of reliable interior design apps and programs that work like a charm, what are you waiting for? It doesn’t matter if you’re leading a 200-person team or launching your design firm from the ground up, one thing’s for sure: Having the right tech in your professional arsenal drives top-notch results and makes day-to-day tasks easier.
In a world that’s basically powered by apps and software, there’s bound to be an interior design program that fits your firm’s unique needs. Sometimes the best interior design software can bring your ideas to life with easy-to-use drawing tools and great furnishing options. Other times, intuitive programs will be paramount for ensuring your stakeholders are on the same page—or streamlining your administrative duties. Plus, as artificial intelligence becomes more prevalent, there are a few options that can automate some of your most daunting tasks, like invoices and approvals.
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One caveat: There are a lot of interior design programs to choose from, so finding the right systems for your needs will require time, patience, and research. After all, each piece of interior design software has a certain specialization—be it room design, photo editing, or project management—not to mention some platforms might be created with larger or smaller firms in mind. (And, if you’re looking to grow your design business on a budget, you’ll also want to weight out paid versus free interior design software options.)
So where to begin? Read on to discover the top interior design apps and room design software that should be on every decorator’s radar. Whether you’re on the hunt for computer-aided design (CAD) tools or a client management app, there’s something here for everyone.
Design software
It’s not hard to see why decorators, architects, engineers, and construction professionals call AutoCAD LT one of the best interior programs around. This reliable program allows professionals to design, draft, and document precise drawings with 2D geometry. However, what makes this interior design software best-in-class is its ability to simply (and securely) share and annotate illustrations across desktop, web, and mobile interfaces. Streamlining the design process is easy with the software’s Smart Blocks and AutoLISP features, which can clean up your drawings and automate common tasks, respectively.
And, thanks to its share and trace settings, you can circulate a project with the rest of your team or offer feedback without accidentally altering an existing drawing. AutoCAD LT is compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, and new members can sign up for a free, 15-day trial. Once your pilot period is done, AutoCAD LT will cost a monthly fee of $65 per user. Designers who are looking to lower their bottom line can save up to 34% on AutoCAD LT by purchasing an annual membership for $515, or a three-year membership for $1,545 per user.
Thanks to SketchUp Pro, design professionals can enjoy the freedom of sketching a project by hand and the convenience of looking at a lifelike rendering. “It strikes that sweet spot between technical precision and intuitive use,” says Jonah Kilday, AD PRO Directory designer and cofounder of MK Workshop, which has offices in Austin, Texas, and Brooklyn, New York. “It’s quick to learn but powerful enough for complex spatial planning. I use it across all design stages, from conceptual layouts to construction coordination.”
While the interior design software prides itself on its fast, easy 3D modeling—it has an entire “warehouse” of premade 3D furnishings and a V-Ray feature to create photorealistic renderings—its AI-centric upgrades are equally impressive. Now, you can peruse its furniture warehouse, draw complex shapes, and transform a kernel of an idea into a full-fledged concept in seconds. SketchUp has also improved its transition to LayOut, an internal program that turns 3D renderings into 2D sketches for more precision and control, and beefed up its IFC compatibility to improve your workflow without accidentally losing all your progress.
In addition to its classic desktop interface, SketchUp offers a web tool, platforms compatible with mobile and iPad viewing, and unlimited cloud storage through its parent company Trimble, so you can easily store, collaborate on, and share work. SketchUp Pro is available for an annual charge of $349, but if you’re on a budget, students and teachers can access the popular platform for $55 per year.
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The latest versions of TurboCAD offer professional software for experienced 2D and 3D CAD users. Available for both Mac and Windows operating systems, TurboCAD bills itself as a leader in CAD software, with photorealistic surface modeling and lighting that allow one to create powerful presentations. (Want to take your project up a couple of notches? Try the new “Surface by Polylines,” which will create a 3D mesh surface from a set of curves and arches.)
The architectural design suite is also powered with mechanical design and modification tools, enabling users to do everything from prototype with 3D printers to draft up furniture designs. (Platinum members will enjoy TurboCAD’s clash detection feature, which alerts users of design discrepancies like intersecting or overlapping parts.) External database connectivity and file compatibility with AutoCAD means your team can integrate and collaborate at a high level with ease.
Though this room design software has a wide breadth of programs to cater to specific technical offerings such as floor plans, its setup wizard, context-sensitive help, and flexible user experience will give you the support you need. Since TurboCAD is available at a handful of different price tiers, it’s important to understand which membership will give your team the best value.
If you’re ready to take full artistic control of your renderings, Autodesk’s 3ds Max will allow you to experience your proposed work in beautiful, high-tech detail. The interior design software delivers superb graphics for 3D animations and models, as well as games and images. Use the tool sets to create high-quality renderings, and perfect every interior and object down to the last detail. (Autodesk’s material editor allows you to adjust texture, finishes, and color, making your designs look more photorealistic in the process.) The integrated, interactive Arnold renderer enables users to view accurate and detailed previews while they work.
When it comes to productivity, automated processes can quickly build complex surfaces like landscapes and cityscapes, so you can spend more time being creative and less time managing minutia. This software costs $245 per month and is only compatible with Windows operating systems. To view additional online content, Autodesk recommends downloading the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.
Looking for interior design software that can seamlessly transition from sketches to construction? Consider Autodesk Revit. Once you’ve completed a conceptual design, Revit will translate your sketch into building information modeling (BIM). That way your project’s MEPs, structural engineers, and construction team can have a roadmap for accomplishing the task at hand. Revit also offers 2D and 3D visualizations and uses scanning tools to import existing or as-built configurations—not to mention new modeling capabilities allow you to create toposolids and site elements for a more comprehensive display. The interior design software’s 2025 update can help you work sustainably too. Revit’s add-on for Insight lets users assess a project’s heating and cooling loads as well as its carbon impact. Revit is compatible with Windows only, but can run on Mac OS using Parallels Desktop. Currently, Revit is available in a subscription format—starting at $365 per month—but sole practitioners on a budget can pay as they go through the software’s Flex program.
In addition to its compelling modeling and graphic components, collaboration across multidisciplinary teams is a key component of Revit. Using cloud work sharing and BIM Collaborate Pro, which is available for an additional monthly fee of $115, Revit connects teams for higher-quality collaboration with minimum IT intervention. Not only do multiple stakeholders have easy access to the most updated plans, but you can also resolve clashes and discrepancies quickly while staying compliant with the latest industry standards.
Among the most popular choices in architectural rendering software, Archicad, which is developed by Graphisoft, offers robust tools, an intuitive interface, and a BIM application that allows you to focus on creating beautiful designs instead of keeping up with the tedious logistics. For architect Aria Jahanshahi, principal of opa architecture in New York, Archicad’s BIM software creates a “personal design experience” with models that read more like sketches. “We find that the more expressive and less photorealistic our renderings are, it allows for our conversations with clients to not get caught up in physical details of a working model but yields more abstract conversations about the heart and experience of the project,” he says. “That is the most important aspect of the process."
In its most recent version, Archicad 28, users can take full advantage of its Keynotes and Design Options tools to automatically generate and update documentation and schedules from a 3D model. That way, you can expedite your projects and curb any mistakes that happen along the way. Meanwhile, Archicad’s AI Visualizer makes it possible to generate a photorealistic image from a simple text prompt—a feature that feels aligned with the future of software. Another forward-thinking perk? Its Lifecycle Assessment tools, courtesy of One Click and Archicad, which can help professionals make more informed (and sustainable) design decisions.
Archicad 28 is available for both Mac and Windows operating systems, and prices start at $345 per month. (It might be expensive, but you’ll also gain access to Graphisoft’s BIMcloud and BIMx.) “It allows us to send a 3D model of the project to builders, clients, and consultants so that they can see the project in 3D without having to have access to CAD,” Washington, DC, AD PRO Directory architect Colleen Healey says about BIMx. If you want to cut costs, students and educators can apply for a free license.
If all you need is a streamlined tool to give shape to the plans circulating in your head, Homestyler may be the best room design software for you. With it, you can easily draw 2D floor plans—and the program will generate 3D rooms on your behalf. Designers who are working on a quick, cosmetic makeover will get a lot of use out of the software’s AI functions, which can turn an image or text prompt into a model.
After you’ve mastered the nuts and bolts, head over to the model library, where you can spruce up the rendering with furniture, art, and accessories—all of which use a one-to-one scale. Not only does Homestyler’s library feature over 300,000 pieces, but there are also home decor products from real brands’ catalogs. Going custom? Homestyler also allows designers to sketch one-of-a-kind furniture as well as kitchen and bath designs that will fit a project’s unique specifications.
Once you are done with the finishing touches, Homestyler will produce photorealistic images, virtual tours, and videos for you and your clients to “walk” through. Plus, a coordinating app that’s available on both iOS and Android will allow you to design on the go. While the basic platform is free of charge, users can upgrade to a Pro, Master, or Team account for a monthly investment of $5, $10, and $20, respectively. If you’re just starting your interior design business and are on a budget—or simply want an easy-to-learn tool that gets the job done—this could be the application for you.
As an all-in-one, cloud-based design platform, Infurnia allows architects, interior designers, clients, and vendors to collaborate and interact during the design process. Use this platform’s 2D drawing and 3D sketch modules to design (and refine) projects—and bring them to life with an extensive 3D catalog and intuitive drag-and-drop feature. Before presenting your big ideas to your client, you can transform your blueprints into stunning renderings and use Infurnia’s one-click design documentation to draft price quotes.
While Infurnia’s software is less robust than some other options, this software is pretty straightforward, so you can customize and share projects with ease. A monthly fee of $440 will come with 100 render credits and licenses for two users; however, designers with a growing team can purchase additional licenses for a monthly rate of $40 per person.
With Live Home 3D Pro, you can efficiently create precise layouts and furnish rooms—or an entire building. Once 2D plans are drafted (draw from scratch or use Lidar technology to “scan” and import your project), you can easily shift gears to see your plans come alive in its 3D mode. Its latest version offers advanced drawing tools, elevation views, a materials library with thousands of furnishings and appliances, customized materials, and lighting editors. Geopositioning and daylighting options help determine siting and lighting decisions, and video walkthroughs can be generated and exported as Ultra HD files. Though Live Home 3D Pro has always been available for Mac or Windows operating systems, you can also use this software from your iOS- or Android-powered phones and tablets.
At $150 for a lifetime license—and a free, “basic” alternative with optional, in-app purchases—industry professionals on a budget will enjoy this introduction to interior design software that can handle some additional complexity.
Adobe’s Substance 3D suite allows designers to create and add precise digital textures and materials to their projects. Substance 3D Painter has a host of smart materials and parametric brushes to turn any surface into a canvas, while Substance 3D Designer allows creatives to plan and manipulate materials down to the last detail. Or, if you prefer to use real-life items as inspiration, Substance 3D Sampler makes it possible to turn items into 3D models, materials, or lights. And, once you’re done mastering your materials, Substance 3D Stager is there to create photorealistic scenes to bring your textures to life. For projects that require detailed references, the 3D texturing suite offered in Substance can’t be beat. (Plus, anyone with an Adobe Creative Cloud will find a lot of synergy between this software and their other go-to platforms.) Compatible with both Mac and Windows operating systems, the full Adobe Substance 3D Suite costs $60 per month whereas a pared-back alternative with fewer programs can be purchased for $25 per month.
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Launched by a team of architects-turned-software developers, Morpholio’s applications include digital tools for collecting inspiration, sketching, and presenting creative work. The company divided its popular room design software—which is available for iOS and iPadOS—into three separate entities. Find ample inspiration with Morpholio Board, which connects to your Pinterest, allows you to create custom boards and clip reference images from any website. (Or, if you’d like to take your brainstorming to a tablet, Morpholio’s Journal allows you to sketch freehand and annotate your best ideas.) Ready to give a project your signature touch? Morpholio Trace offers a streamlined creative experience, complete with a RoomPlan feature that uses Apple’s Lidar scanner, smart fill tool, instant scaling functionality, and an AR perspective finder. Currently, Morpholio’s Board, Trace, and Journal platforms are all free to download at Apple’s App Store, with in-app upgrades for an additional fee.
Cofounded in 2018 by Hilah Stahl, who struggled to find the proper interior design tools to decorate her first New York City apartment, Spoak is an online destination that is loved by DIY enthusiasts, budding interior designers, and students alike. With its floor plan function and rendering tool called Viz, Spoak offers one place to create mood boards and mock-ups. Looking to fill your space with some cute furniture? Head over to Spoak’s product sourcing function, a community-powered directory rife with trendy items.
However, Spoak has more to offer than its room design software. Young designers can learn from Spoak’s menu of courses, which teaches the basics about design styles, patterns, and industry jargon. Professionals who are ready to go out on their own can build a design profile and start to flesh out their big design ideas. (Plus, once you’ve scored a dream design gig, you can use Spoak’s business tool hub and professional templates.) Currently, Spoak offers standard Play and Power platforms—which cost $10 and $50 per month, respectively—while a bespoke Enterprise tier is available for a higher price.
Whether you are a novice who is just dipping their toe into the world of interior design or a homeowner who wants to be very hands-on in their upcoming remodel, Planner 5D is an easy, intuitive way for amateurs to create their dream home. With over 120 million users, this interior design software is so user-friendly that the company claims you can draw a floor plan and create a 3D home design in 10 minutes.
The room design software allows you to create floor plans and layouts in 2D, but you can switch to a 3D view to edit your space from every angle. Make the space unique by editing the colors, patterns, and materials as well as furnishing it from the platform’s 75,000-plus item catalog. If you want to make the design process even easier, its AI features will suggest layout ideas or generate multiple variations to help you think outside of the box. After you’ve added all the bells and whistles, you can tinker with the 3D rendering’s lighting and shadows to make your project sing. Budding designers can use Planner 5D’s Basic tier for free, while a Pro version that features 360-degree walkthrough panorama views, 4K renderings, and a convenient spot to store specs and important documents is available for a fee. While this software is compatible with Mac and Windows operating systems—not to mention iOS and Android through its corresponding app—you can also access Planner 5D through your web browser.
Why limit your design to the confines of your firm’s office when Procreate’s app is basically a virtual sketchbook? Thanks to an assortment of tools like QuickShape and StreamLine, you can easily clean up your mock-ups with a few taps and swipes. It’s no wonder why AD PRO Directory designer Katie Kirby calls this software a “game-changer” for sketching.
“It allows me to not only sketch freely, but also overlay studies and toggle notes, iterations, or materiality on and off easily,” explains the designer based in Birmingham, Alabama. “This makes it incredibly efficient, especially since I can skip the scanning process for traditional pen drawings.” Made for iPads, this easy, go-with-the-flow program can be an integral part of your design process for a small $13 fee.
Photography software
Whether you snap hundreds of photos a day to file away for inspiration or need to edit professional photographs of your design work, most interior design firms will benefit from the use of Adobe Photoshop. One of the oldest and arguably the most prominent photo software on the market is also recognized as the industry leader for enhancing and organizing photos. With Photoshop, you can adjust clarity, color, and tone; layer multiple snapshots on top of each other, or remove unnecessary objects from your imagery. But while Photoshop might be the pièce de résistance for photo editing, Gabriela Eisenhart of Atlanta’s Silo Studios uses the software for all of her design presentation boards. “I love how creating a room in Photoshop gives clients a photo-realistic experience without being an exact rendering of how the room will look,” she says. “It leaves more to the imagination, which is a muscle we like our clients to exercise during our design process.”
If you’ve got great pictures and want to take them to the next level, Photoshop is a must-have. Currently you can purchase Photoshop on its own for $23 per month or purchase Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite for a monthly fee of $60.
For an easy-to-use photography software that doesn’t have Photoshop’s abundance of features, try Adobe Express. This web-based platform can take on basic tasks like cropping or removing a photo’s background. Social-media savvy designers will also find a lot to love about the software’s templates, which can lay the foundation for an aesthetically-pleasing Instagram story. Or, if you want to make something that doesn’t exist just yet, use Adobe’s AI feature to turn your words into striking images as well as add or remove elements with a simple prompt. Adobe Express does have a free version with limited capabilities, or you can subscribe to an Individual or Teams membership for $10 and $8 per person each month, respectively.
If you’re obsessed with color (and who isn’t?) and use photography to jog your memory or get inspired, Adobe Capture can unlock a new world from your mobile device. This powerful app transforms images into color themes, patterns, materials, and vector-based shapes. Carry those assets into other Adobe desktop and mobile apps—such as Photoshop and Illustrator—to use them across a multitude of creative endeavors and platforms. Part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite, Capture will allow you to edit color themes in order to make customizable palettes, generate realistic materials and textures with 3D details, and create geometric patterns. The app also offers custom brushes that can be used in other applications, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Fresco. Though Capture is created with several industries in mind, it’s one of the best interior design apps because it can help you find inspiration, connect with clients, and work on projects in a whole new way.
Compatible with both iOS and Android devices, Adobe Capture is free to download with paid, in-app upgrades. However, if you’re planning to use this app with the rest of Adobe’s offerings, you might want to pay $60 per month for a Creative Cloud membership, which will grant you two gigabytes of complimentary storage.
Project management software
Designing a large-scale project is by no means an easy feat, but Materio is here to help. Specifically made for professional interior designers who consistently work on projects of 2,000 square feet or more, the cloud-based platform can simplify big undertakings with automated workflows and interactive floor plans. Though it can be easy for critical information to get lost in translation, Materio keeps proposals, selections, and costs organized so everything has its place. (The software tracks project changes throughout the day and sends regular debriefs to all key stakeholders.)
Though Materio was developed with home renovation in mind, the company claims that this software is also suitable for event production or conference management. In other words, if you want to boost your professional profile with a big launch party or panel discussion, it has you covered. Materio’s offerings start at $79 per month for a Starter membership, while Pro subscriptions can cost $412 per month.
Claris FileMaker isn’t specifically tailored to the design industry, but it can be an invaluable platform for anyone who wants to create a custom operational database. With an intuitive interface, users can effortlessly (and quickly!) design custom apps for their unique business needs—no extensive coding required. With its latest version, you can enjoy more AI integrations, updated security, and easy access to your most important data. In fact, AD PRO Directory designer Betsy Burnham uses it to generate purchase orders and invoices, house her team’s time cards as well as store and track data on all items for each project. “It’s great because it’s not only super functional and always being updated with new and improved features, but it also looks great,” she says. “Because it’s custom, we have control over which font is used and what our invoices look like. I mean, we’re designers—aesthetics are a priority.”
Though Claris FileMaker might require some trial and error, ample education resources and customer support will help you turn your operational app into everything you want. Designers can choose between the Essentials tier for a monthly fee of $22 per person or a Standard that will cost members $45 every pay period.
From receiving a client’s seal of approval to staying updated on supply chain delays, monitoring all the home decor for a project can often feel like its very own job. That’s where Programa comes in. Once you pull furniture and accessories with the web clipper or add frequently used items to your team’s product library, you can share your proposal with your clients, who can easily accept or reject changes from Programa’s dashboard. Keep contractors and clients in the loop by sharing live tracking updates without superfluous back and forth. That said, purchase orders are just one of this platform’s offerings: The interior design software also makes it possible to set deadlines, assign tasks, and send invoices via Quickbooks. Programa allows you to add your firm’s logo to give all your software a user-friendly, professional edge. Start with a free seven-day trial, followed by a monthly fee of $39 per person.
When you’re serious about taking your design business to the next level, you’ll need a solid project-management system to ensure your team is on the same page. That’s what’s so great about Gather, a cloud-based platform that enables teams of all sizes to share inspiration, communicate, and create top-notch deliverables. Gathering inspiration is quick and easy, thanks to a clipper tool that allows you to save items from vendor websites to your secure library. This interior design software features many customizable fields as well as a robust searching and filtering system, so your team will never have to look too far for the assets it requires. Pricing for Gather starts at a monthly rate of $99 per person and will increase based on your business’s needs.
From seemingly endless inspiration to a treasure trove of ready-to-work professionals, Houzz is a homeowner’s one-stop site for all their renovation needs. Fittingly, Houzz Pro offers that same versatility to interior designers who want to streamline their business. Once you’ve used the software’s mood board feature, designers can transform their vision into a realistic 3D floor plan. (You can also create professional, detailed proposals in mere minutes.) Decorate each room with some of the millions of items and materials that are already on Houzz’s site—yes, including name-brand paint.
If sticking to a budget isn’t exactly a strength, Houzz Pro will help you see how different selections will affect your project’s bottom line. Speaking of finances, not only does Houzz Pro make it easy to turn proposals into invoices, but you can also allow clients to pay via credit card or wire transfer so you don’t have to wait for a check to clear. And since this platform is compatible with other services like Quickbooks, Gmail, and Outlook, Houzz Pro will fit nicely into your established routine.
New members can enjoy a free, 30-day trial and then will be charged $249 each month. Houzz Pro does offer Custom and Enterprise tiers; prices will vary based on your needs. Though Houzz Pro is a web-powered platform, its accompanying app will help you keep tabs on your upcoming projects while on the go.
All interior design projects start with a good idea—and, for AD100 designer Lauren Geremia, Miro. While the software is billed as a visual project manager—bringing detailed projects and processes to a user-friendly interface both individuals and employees can understand—Geremia treats Miro’s Online Whiteboard as a way to organize thoughts and design inspiration.
“The program has been a gateway platform to get me working more efficiently across many projects, and has given me such an elevation on my process that we have been able to dial in our working styles and creative approach for the better,” explains the San Francisco–based designer. “The digital mood board allows us to stay organized and work on a computer, but we’re able to scan physical photos and samples.”
That said, if you want to take Miro beyond the inspiration phase, the web-based program’s auto-generated mind maps and diagrams can summarize and streamline a bevy of notes and feedback. With over 300 premade workflow templates and several AI “superpowers,” Miro makes it possible to simplify even the most tedious tasks. (Miro also integrates with over a hundred other platforms like Zoom, Asana, and Google Workspace so it’ll remain a key part of everyone’s daily routine.) Solopreneurs can save with Miro’s free tier, while designers who are growing their business might want to opt into the Business upgrade for $16 per month.
Built specifically for professional interior designers, Mydoma Studio is designed to help simplify and streamline their workflows, so they can spend less time doing administrative work and more time doing what they love. From building design boards, to creating 3D renderings, to curating and storing favorite products, Mydoma Studio can help unleash a designer’s creative muscle; however, its user-friendly workflow process makes this interior design software program a must for many. Through Mydoma Studio you can embed your design packages onto your website so potential clients can easily add one of your services to their carts.
Once you’ve snagged a new client, you can automate a discovery call or quickly send a proposal that reflects how you do business. (A client portal makes it easy to send 360-degree walkthroughs, product selections, and invoices.) Mydoma also integrates with QuickBooks, Zapier, Calendly, and Stripe, and can generate customized reports that help you understand your conversions, accounting, and more. Monthly prices vary from $64 per person to $109 per person for a comprehensive Premier tier.
ClickUp was built to support any industry, but for interior designers this software can really rock. Design-specific templates are geared specifically for the biz, and the program’s time-tracking tools integrate with multiple other apps. Most notably, ClickUp’s comprehensive project management software can help you organize everything at a super-high level, from workflow and business goals to time management and task lists. Collaborate across a broad range of teams using the outstanding tools for process, task, and time management; track and celebrate big business milestones; and create detailed reports. Plus, integrations with Google, Slack, Dropbox, Outlook, and more bring all your digital tools under one umbrella. If you want to get serious about maximizing productivity, this program offers an endlessly customizable way to take total control. ClickUp offers a Free Forever plan; however, users can always upgrade and unlock more features for a fee.
With over 30 years and several product generations under its belt, Studio Designer is a comprehensive service for all your business goals. “It’s the secret weapon that keeps our left brain and right brain working in perfect harmony,” says AD PRO Directory designer Traci Connell. “From forecasting revenue to pulling project profitability reports, I lean on it heavily to make smart, data-driven decisions instead of relying on gut instinct and a third cup of coffee.”
The service’s Studio Capture feature gathers items from all your favorite vendors’ websites, so you can easily propose and order them for your clients. (Just a few clicks will collect various images, plus product details and pricing.) From there you can create proposals, manage inventory, and track your team’s progress with ease. Studio Designer’s dedicated portal offers seamless communication with your clients, while its time billing functionality will make it easy to track your billable hours. And, thanks to its robust accounting system, you can easily accept ACH and credit card payments. “Let’s be honest: a designer’s dream isn’t just a perfectly styled room,” Connell adds. “It’s also sleeping well at night knowing your firm is actually profitable. And that starts with tracking.” Studio Designer’s Starter tier, which is powered by Mydoma, costs $64 per month, while its popular Enterprise upgrade goes for $84 per month.
Anyone who wants to focus on their business’s overall growth should consider signing up for Design Manager. Similar to other project management platforms, this service is able to do everything from purchasing and tracking orders, to logging every step of your project’s progress, to simplifying your accounting books. However, what sets this interior design software apart from the rest is its industry-specific reports.
Since its founding in 1984, Design Manager has perfected its reporting feature, offering great insights on project status and scheduling, material references, retainer analysis, and more. That way you can have a big-picture look at your firm’s unique trajectory. “The one-on-one support has been immensely valuable to our studio,” adds AD100 designer Julie Hillman. “We are excited to see the upcoming update such as saving invoices into the system so documents are in one place.” Currently, Design Manager charges a monthly rate of $79 per user, so you can add on more members as your team grows.
AI Software
Artificial intelligence can’t replicate the nuance and know-how of a design professional, but MyArchitectAI can help bolster your design plans in a snap. “It helps clients visualize a space more clearly and speeds up approvals,” says MK Workshop cofounder Kilday. “That kind of efficiency has been a real game-changer for a small studio like ours.” Simply upload your project—MyArchitectAI can support designs from programs like SketchUp, Archicad, and Revit—and customize your space. (Designers can use advanced mode to type a prompt or use the quick setting to choose from over 80 architectural styles, materials, and landscapes.) Once you’ve established your design direction, the program’s AI engine will create a photorealistic, 4K rendering in 10 seconds. While a free membership will unlock 10 renders every 30 days, you can receive unlimited transformations with a Pro subscription, which costs $29 per month.
Though Jamie wasn’t specifically built for the design community, if you spend most of your days in meetings with clients and vendors, this intuitive, automated note-taker is a particularly good partner in crime. Compatible with lots of video conferencing platforms—think Slack, Zoom, Google Meet, and more—this audio-based platform is basically a virtual assistant that will sit in on all your meetings. Once a conference call is over, Jamie can send you an executive summary or answer any questions you might have from a previous meeting.
“This technology has been a game changer, as it takes thorough notes and organizes everything into a detailed executive summary with tasks to be completed by members and clients,” says Heather Weisz of AD PRO Directory studio HW Interiors in Wellington, Florida. “It truly allows us to be present and engaged in meetings while not missing any important information.”
Enjoy up to 10 half-hour meetings each month with its free tier—or pay to opt-in for longer meetings and more usage.
Are business hours often consumed by your out-of-control inbox? Shortwave is here to help. This platform uses agentic AI to sift through your emails, understand your unique voice, and generate responses that sound like, well, you. Need to say something specific? You can enter a prompt via text or voice command. Compatible with Mac and Windows desktops—as well as iOS and Android systems—you can generate automated emails anytime, anywhere. (Translation: Inbox zero might finally be within your reach.) Solopreneurs can enjoy a basic version for free, while business offerings start at a monthly rate of $14 per person.
Calling all design rookies: If you have a room that’s in desperate need of a pick-me-up, but have no idea where to start, try VisualizeAI. Users can upload an image—be it a sketch or a real photo—and finesse their prompt. From there, the platform will generate new ways to spiff up a space, though you can always tweak your directions if the final product isn’t quite what you were looking for. Sign up for the Basic version for $25 per month or upgrade to the Pro membership for an extra $10.
Frequently Asked Questions
Naturally, there’s more to the interior design industry than picking out pretty paint or fabric swatches. Designing residential or commercial projects requires acute attention to scale, layout, and measurements—and that’s before you act as a liaison between a bunch of subcontractors. Fortunately, the best interior design software can make a professional’s job a lot easier by offering a convenient place to sketch 2D floor plans, convert them into 3D designs, and execute a big project efficiently, effectively, and elegantly.
Though the right room design software can be invaluable to your business, you don’t have to spend a small fortune on an app or program. While several options like Homestyler and Planner 5D have lightweight, pared-back options for free, many platforms cost under $100 per month. Or, if you are looking to save, a few systems like Autodesk AutoCAD LT will offer a generous discount if you purchase an annual or multiyear subscriptions upfront.
While professional interior designers use a breadth of platforms, computer-aided design (or CAD) software continues to be some of the most sought-after programs. “It’s a widely used program for 2D and 3D drawings across architectural and interior design,” Burnham shares. “Many years ago, one of my early team members taught me the basics of CAD and the rest I learned by doing. To this day, I draw my own furniture plans, and the exercise is what connects me to each project.” That said, most design businesses don’t operate on CAD software alone. For example, Burnham shares that her firm also uses SketchUp, Photoshop, and a task-based service like Asana.
From touring in-progress projects to attending industry events, a professional interior designer’s day is seldom spent at a desk. Fortunately, it’s possible to design and manage on the go with app versions of popular interior design programs like Autodesk AutoCAD LT, Houzz Pro, and Adobe Express, among others. If your go-to interior design software doesn’t have an app version, don’t worry: Since many programs are cloud- and web-based, you can also use your smartphone’s browser to access your platform—anytime, anywhere.
How to choose the right interior design software for you
Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder—and so do your interior design programs. The first thing you’ll want to figure out is your level of expertise. While established professionals will get a lot of mileage out of a CAD program like Autodesk AutoCAD LT or TurboCAD, decorating beginners might want to look at an easier, more intuitive program like Planner 5D, Spoak, or one of the up-and-coming AI alternatives. The size of your firm is another factor to consider: While sole proprietors have the luxury of selecting software that gels well with their specific preferences, larger companies will need to look into options that allow seamless, real-time collaboration.
Also, let’s not forget about price. While you can find free interior design software, most options typically come with a monthly fee, so you’ll want to make sure your go-to programs fit comfortably within your budget.
