From interior designers to architects to contractors and builders, floor plans can provide a visual reference point of the space or property. Whether it’s creating a dream home from scratch or renovating an existing workspace, floor plans are useful to know what the space will look like when completed.
There are many great house design tools that include floor plan creators but with so many to choose from, how do you know which one is the best for your needs?
In this article, you’ll understand what it is you need from a free floor plan creator and the best free floor planners that you can find currently on the web.
What to look for in a free floor plan creator?
The purpose of a floor plan creator is to accurately represent how the space is set up, whether you’re just working on one space in particular, or a whole building. From fixtures, dimensions and spatial information, there are certain features you’ll need when looking for a floor plan creator.
User-friendly software
Not everyone within the construction industry, whether it’s through design or building, will have a knowledge of using design software. With that being said, a lot of the free floor plan creators out there are really handy due to their usability and catering to users of all backgrounds.
Of course, there are those that are a little more complex in their features but for the most part, floor plan creators are easy to navigate and create professional-looking visuals.
The only way you’ll know whether or not it’s user-friendly, is by giving it a go yourself. Thankfully, there are lots of free trials to take advantage of.
3D rendering
As part of the growing technology surrounding design software, 3D rendering is a popular feature to look out for. It essentially turns 3D models into 2D images and this can often include photorealistic effects. Many of the free floor plan creators can also allow you as the user to walk through the space and to see everything as you would see it, if it were completed in real life.
This type of technology has certainly helped provide more accuracy and satisfaction in the finished project. The 3D rendering market size exceeds two billion USD in 2019 and is expected to grow by 20% between 2020-2026.
Sustainability options
It comes as no surprise to most of us that our ecosystem is in jeopardy and without action, future generations won’t get to enjoy the earth we live on now. Sustainability is a big advantage point with these house design tools because they can help identify energy-saving solutions when it comes to construction.
For example, some of these floor plan creators can show the user what positioning of the property will get the most sunlight. That way, the placement of windows and doors can contribute to the savings made in heating and cooling utilities.
A extensive catalogue of products
Floor plan creators aren’t simply about the initial layout of the space itself in terms of its structure but also furnishing the space with products. There’s an extensive catalogue of products for a lot of these floor plan creators but some may have more of a range than others.
Some are generic in their creation, whereas others have branded products that you can purchase too.
Collaboration and sharing capabilities
For many users who utilize these property design tools, they are likely needing one that provides collaboration and/or sharing capabilities. Most do, but you may find that one or two have better accessibility when it comes to
Five examples of free floor plan creators
Whilst there’s an extensive list of free floor plan creators available nowadays, here are five examples that are likely to cater for what you’re after.
1. Foyr
Foyr Neo is a free interior design software that offers an array of features, including a free floor plan creator. With access to over 50,000 different 3D models and textures, you have the extensive catalogue ticked off as mentioned above.
It’s reliable and user-friendly interface is made easy to use for anyone whether or not they have a background in design and technology. It promises to generate floor plans in minutes and can be used from the browser you’re on, rather than needing to download anything.
Once you’ve created the initial layout of your spaces, the 2D images turn into 3D models at just the click of a button – it’s that simple!
It also boasts a 4K rendering option that can create 360 views of the project to showcase whoever needs or wants to see it. This is a great option for businesses that need to wow their clients from the get-go. Foyr has an excellent 14-day free trial which is plenty of time to get to know the software and fall in love with it. The package subscriptions can range from $49 for basic, $79 for standard and $149 for premium.
2. RoomSketcher
RoomSketcher is a suitable option for those both in a professional capacity and the average homeowner who wants to revamp their property or spaces.
The software allows the user to draw for yourself or to choose from one of their floor plan services available. RoomSketcher is an interactive floor plan creator that can help visualize spaces in 2D, 3D as well as Live 3D and 3D Photos.
Easy to use and available to edit online as well as through their app, the software produces high-quality floor plans that are useful for many of the users who choose it. RoomSketcher is an immersive floor plan creator that can help smoothen the overall process for any project whether residential or commercial.
In terms of pricing, the software is limited in it’s free version but it’s worth trying to see if the basic software offers enough. For the full plan, it’s $49.99 and any additional floor plans that need creating beyond the first five offered will need paying for. This one might not be suitable for everyone’s budgets but it’s one of the best for floor planning.
3. Floorplanner
With Floorplanner, 2D and 3D floor plans have never been easier to create. Try out their ‘auto-furnish’ feature that decorates rooms in an instant and make use of their 360-degree panoramas of the space, complete with VR walkthroughs.
This is a great one for those who have clients that want a realistic visual of the finished product before the project itself begins. With photorealistic rendering and an interactive floor plan, Floorplanner is a clear example of how far technology has come within the last decade.
Other features include a drawing tool and a varied selection of furniture images to choose from. Overall, the floor plans created make for a professional finish that’s ready to satisfy any of those hard-to-please clients.
The free option of this software will support one project and is intended for those who may have the odd project. For those with a busy project calendar, the paid option might be the preferred solution. There are two paid options:
- Plus – $14.95 per year, extra projects at $2.99 per project.
- Pro – $29 per year, extra projects at $1.99 per project.
It’s worth taking a look at the options to see which one offers everything you need before committing.
4. AutoCAD Architecture
AutoCAD Architecture is a version of AutoCAD which is Autodesk’s main product. The tools included within this software are suited more for architectural work. Even though it’s specialized for architects in particular, it is still a good one to use for designers, builders and contractors to use too. This software has a toolset that’s tailored to architectural needs and helps with design elements to create realistic 3D floor plans.
The free option is available for students and educators for three years, whilst the paid options range from $195-$4,725 depending on the needs of yourself or your team. This can also be a monthly cost or one that’s done annually.
5. SketchUp
SketchUp is a popular floor plan creator that is used for drafting and modeling. It’s been described as giving you the freedom that a pen and paper would typically provide. There are free versions of this, as well as paid options too.
The software is one that’s been used in many different industries and can be utilized during various stages within the construction process. From engineers to builders, designers and architects, there can be a benefit found by all. Some other features available with the software include light rendering, imports images and documents to the platform and provides integration with Trimble Connect.
Choose a floor plan creator that’s right for you
Every floor plan creator mentioned above has it’s individual advantages but ultimately it’s about choosing one that matches what you need in it’s features and overall usability. Think about costs and be sure to try out those that you’re considering through basic and free trial versions. That way, you can find the one that matches your project’s requirements.
