Home remodeling and design costs can add up rapidly. Whatever your plans and the amount of remodeling you want to do, you need to have a handle on the situation or the numbers will escalate out of control.
Exterior house design software helps you build your ideas into a format that you can visualize before it becomes reality. Unless you have architectural or construction experience, this is an ideal way to keep a grip on the concept and the costs.
Let’s take a look at the best exterior house design software that’s free to use online.
Free Exterior House Design Software Options
Home Dedicated Interior Design Software
This is the one-stop-shop for all things design. You can choose from their templates of a single-story and double-story home, and even 3-room apartments. It gives you 3D clarity to immerse you into the design to get a handle on what your dream home could look like.
Planner 5D
Planner 5D offers interior and exterior 2D and 3D designs, tailored for those without any construction or architectural experience. You can start with a single-story home and then add floors to create your design.
It is excellent at teaching you to get the most from the software, and it provides you with thousands of design elements to get you started. Planner 5D is available for Android and iPhones.
Planner 5D is only free for 30 days, and you do not get access to some of the advanced design elements. After the trial period, you pay a subscription either monthly or yearly, which unlocks the software’s premium features.
HomeStyler
Homestyler is a 2D or 3D platform that lets you design your house from scratch or upload an existing floor plan as a template to work with. It is simple to use, thanks to the drag and drop system, making it ideal beginner’s software.
Users can upload and share their designs on the gallery page to spark creative juices, and you can opt for the free service or the premium subscription. Because it’s web-based, you can use it without the need to download anything.
RoomToDo
RoomToDo is a Ukrainian based software, so don’t be alarmed when you open the page and see Russian. Simply hit the “translate page” button, and it appears in English.
As with most software, RoomToDo offers a free service and a paid subscription, so you can choose which is best for you. This software is also available as a mobile version to keep you designing on the go.
You can upload 2D floor plans or design in 3D, adding windows, doors, and other exterior elements as you progress. It allows you to see interior and exterior shots of your home, creating an immersive experience.
Space Designer
Space Designer allows you to switch between 2D and 3D. You can sketch your floor plan and create your home, then view it in 3D. It even lets you adjust the lighting, camera angles, and move 3D furniture in or out.
Again, it is web-based software, so there is no need to download anything to your computer.
It has a “casual user” section and a space dedicated to professionals, as well as a help page and a blog to get as many tips and hints to help you create.
HomeByMe
HomeByMe allows you to draw your designs in 2D and then create your home in 3D. It has online tutorials for those unfamiliar with how it works, and you can view other people’s images and designs to get inspiration.
If you don’t have the time or skills to convert your existing floor plan, you can upload it, and HomeByMe will convert it for you. This software needs to be downloaded to use it.
Small Blue Printer
Small Blue Printer is a floor planner, house, room, and garden designer in one. It offers 3D imagining, hundreds of design elements, and templates. Plus, it enables you to work on large-scale projects like designing your new home.
You can use this software instantly because it is download-free.
RoomSketcher
RoomSketcher is an app-based software that lets you perform basic functions like creating floor plans and architectural designs, but if you want to unlock the advanced features, you will need to subscribe to the premium service.
They also offer a floor plan design service, or if you want, you can upload your sketches and work from that as a template.
Olympic Paint Color Visualizer
You can upload images of the exterior of your house and visualize the colors. It even lets you apply wood grain and other sidings to get a feel for how your home looks. It’s the easiest way to color coordinate your windows, doors, and walls.
IKEA Home Planning and Room Planner
This software was developed initially as a tool for designing your home around IKEA furniture and products. It has evolved into a fully-fledged design package that helps you create complete homes from the ground up.
The software is free, but you do have to install it to use it.
MyDeco 3D Room Planner
If you need to learn the ropes, MyDeco 3D Room Planner is a great piece of software. It is web-based, so there’s no need to download anything, and once logged in, you can access all of the services.
It is packed with great tutorials to give you all the hints and tips you need to get the most from the package.
Lowe’s Virtual Room Designer
Lowe’s is a free piece of software that lets you choose room and exterior designs from templates, or create your own unique image. The graphics are second to none, although it has limited capabilities.
Again, it’s a web-based package, so no downloads, and you can easily create an account and save your designs.
Decolabs
Decolabs is an iPad app that lets you photograph your room, upload it, and then choose furniture to make up your ideal space. This is a white-labeled app, which means that retailers get product placement.
The upside is that you can design and shop at the same time.
DreamPlan Home Design Software
You can use this software to work in 2D and 3D to design rooms, exteriors, and even gardens from the ground up. You can create custom floor plans for your house, apartment, or condo and start right away.
This software is only available for Windows OS, so make sure you check for compatibility first.
Provia Visualizer
Provia Visualizer works by uploading your designs or selecting one of their custom homes to add your own touches. It’s web-based software that is so easy to use. Simply hover your mouse over the house image and select the windows, doors, and sidings.
You can choose variations of each element to suit your taste and upload an image of your home as a template.
Menards Design-It-Center
This is app-based software, designed to complement the range of products and services available in store. It has a roof estimator and a sidings and color visualizer. It also has a complete range of gutterings, fascias, windows, and doors available to purchase, plus many more.
The app is available as an Android and Mac download. You are limited to what you can visualize with this software.
Alside
Alside is another web-based software, developed to give you a better understanding of their range of sidings. The sidings visualizer lets you see what looks best on your exterior.
There are color palettes, “view your own home” buttons, and blog posts to inspire you.
DreamDesigner
DreamDesigner is another web software that you can access without downloading anything. If you want full access to all its benefits, you need to create an account to save your projects.
You can email an image of your home to the team, and they will digitally map it and email it back to you. Then you can start visualizing the exterior of your home using different sidings and fascias, as well as roof shingles, trim, doors, and windows.
CertaPro “My Paint Colors”
CertaPro is another product-linked design software. It allows you to choose from the range of CertaPro paint colors, see how the exterior of your home looks, and then book for an estimate to cost the work.
If you wanted to get an idea of how the colors match, you could use this as a stand-alone tool without the need to hire the CertaPro team. It is limited to exterior design only, but you get a wide choice of exteriors, colors, and materials.
Alure Home Designer
Alure is a provider of sidings and other exterior products for your home. The software is designed to enhance your shopping experience by selecting the virtual products to try before you physically buy.
It isn’t as advanced as other software, and it has limited capabilities, but if you want to see how your home would look with new sidings, give it a whirl.
Champion Windows Designer
Customize your home’s exterior using either a photo uploaded as a template or one of their stock images to work on.
Once you upload the picture, you can choose from windows, doors, sidings, trim, and roof shingles.
Window World Visualizer
As you might have guessed, Window World is a window and siding company, so their visualizer software complements their range of sidings and materials. It is a bit on the basic side, but you do get an image of how your home will look.
Giving the user options to change colors would improve the software. At the moment, you are restricted to their choices.
Hoffman Weber House Design Software
This Hoffman Weber software is slow to load, but once it does, you have multiple options to enhance the exterior of your home.
You can’t upload an image of your home, but you can trawl through preselected templates to find one that best matches. If it involves the exterior of your home, this software has the lot.
It almost rivals fee-paying software for colors, designs, and options.
GAF Virtual Home Designer
GAF Virtual Home Designer allows you to upload your home’s image or choose from one of their designs in the online library. GAFs primary function is to help you choose your new roof, and it is linked to all of the products available from their online store.
You can even find a contractor to carry out the work when you settle on the one you want. One of the best features is that it suggests color and complementary matches to enhance your home’s appearance.
This software is good, but it does run slow.
Eldorado Stone
Eldorado Stone supplies stone and rock veneers for the interior and exterior of your home. The visualizer helps you navigate the style and finish you want by offering you creative ideas and mood boards, as well as interior and exterior templates to work from.
The whole concept links to selling their products, but it is still useful as a free bit of software. It only allows you to design the sidings of your home, so it is a little restrictive. It also excludes doors and windows.
Paid Exterior House Design Software Options
Home Hardware Design Centre
This online software allows you to start from scratch or work from preselected designs and templates. You can browse the many hardware products they have available in-store and use them to build your dream home.
SmartDraw Interior Design Software
SmartDraw has been around since the mid-90s but has evolved with the times. Public and private sector institutions love this software, as well as some Fortune 500 companies.
SmartDraw includes templates for your interior and exterior, and it is packed with symbols and objects that help create an inviting home. It is great for interior design, home remodels, and individual rooms.
Thanks to its professional fan base, designers and programmers have contributed unique designs for you to access. You can draw and print on any scale and choose from residential and commercial floor plans.
You pay a premium for this service, but this software has zero affiliate links, making it less crowded and more user-friendly.
With over 4,500 templates and 34,000 symbols and images, the paid package is comprehensive. You can access a free version by clicking the “Try it for free” button, but it only gives you access to the basic version.
Cylindo
Cylindo works with top furniture brands and retailers to deliver an immersive, 3D experience. They provide photo-realistic images to help create a life-like visual of your home’s exterior and interior.
You can manage, review, and share your 3D images as well as create straight from your mobile or tablet using their app.
Chief Architect
This is an app-based software. It has great angles, is packed full of design features, and has an impressive stock of objects. It isn’t the easiest software to use and takes a little practice, but once mastered, it is a joy.
It’s no wonder it’s so popular. For less than $100, this design tool is excellent value, helping you create interiors, exteriors, individual rooms, and entire floors.
It lets you draw your home in CAD-style, choosing shapes and text boxes, and it even helps you select garden plants that attract bees and butterflies.
While the attention to detail is impressive, it does take practice learning how to use the software, but once mastered, it will prove invaluable.
One word of advice; choose the right compatible software for your Mac or PC.
FloorPlanner
Floorplanner is the brainchild of Google, allowing you to create 2D and 3D floor plans and designs. It is a staunch favorite of commercial companies and the real estate business.
Every item can be reshaped, resized, and rotated to give you a 360-degree angle. When you are done designing, you can easily share your masterpiece with friends and family to gauge opinions.
It comes in 3 options:
- Basic, which is free.
- Plus, which has a subscription.
- Pro, which is the most comprehensive and expensive.
The basic option lets you create one free image only, unlike the paid versions.
HGTV Design Software
HGTV is a one-stop-shop of design ideas and know-how. This pay-TV channel is owned by Discovery Inc and is dedicated to home interiors and real estate.
Once you download the software, you are never far from innovative design ideas, which help take your home designs to the next level.
The channel is not limited to kitchen and home design; it gives you landscaping and home remodeling solutions as well.
We get that this is a paid service, but it is reasonably priced, and you are never short of ideas, thanks to the endless variety of the channel’s output.
Punch! Software
Punch! Software is a drag and drop option, making it relatively easy to master. You get landscaping options, kitchen designs, and exterior remodeling templates.
It is available for both Mac and PC, so make sure you know which one is which when downloading. It’s relatively inexpensive to purchase, with a broad scope of design options.
It allows you to try different designs and elements to see what works best for you, and it comes with a bonus pack, giving you even more choices.
FAQs
Is there an app for exterior home design?
There are many apps available for exterior home design. Apps give you the option of working remotely on a tablet or smartphone, so you can take your design skills anywhere.
What is the best free home design software?
It is a matter of opinion when deciding on the best. Some have better imaging than others, while you might prefer white-labeling so you can access the exact products and brands to build your new home.
Some let you design in 2D, while others give you landscaping options and 3D imaging.
How can I design my own house online for free?
Most of the free design software lets you draw your floor plan for free. Many have 3D planners that enhance the experience. Once you have your basic design, you can start to build.
It’s worth remembering that free online tools have limitations, with many charging for upgrades so you can access all the image and object libraries to complete your design.
How can I improve the outside of my house?
There are simple steps you can take to add impact to the outside of your house. Lanterns are a good choice, as well as arbors and hanging baskets. Adding a covered entrance creates an interesting visual while changing the door works too.
You could add a fence and gate, topiary, or change the sidings. Even changing the approach to the front door with gravel chippings or a fresh new flower border creates a better image.
Good Design Starts at Home
Building your dream home from the ground up in the virtual world is an excellent way to visualize what works and what doesn’t. You can see if the aesthetics are pleasing, whether your color choices suit the design, and what windows and doors look like.
Building a 3D model helps you iron out the wrinkles before committing to an architect and a contractor to turn the virtual into the actual.
Good luck, and get designing.
