The Top 15 Best Kitchen Design Tools

There are numerous kitchen design tools and software programs that are available for a full spectrum of users, from industry professionals to homeowners seeking to visualize their dream homes.

While working with industry specialists who utilize design software, we have gathered a list of 15 of the best kitchen design tools for professionals, intermediate, and beginner users. The list includes the best design features of each and value for the dollar.

Professional

• 2020 Design
• ProKitchen
• Cedreo
• Houzz

Intermediate

• SketchUp
• Homestyler
• Chief Architect
• Roomstyler
• HomeByMe

Beginners

• Planner 5D
• IKEA
• SmartDraw
• Visual Architect Kitchen and Baths 11
• RoomSketcher
• Kitchen Planner

Professional Kitchen Design Software

2020 Design

Price: $$$$

Starts at $1,495 annually and goes up to $2,095.

Specifically tailored to kitchen and bathroom designers, 2020 offers 3D rendering and design planning. Professionals use 2020 Design to create stunning kitchen designs. If you are serious about home renovation, this is well worth the cost.

Best design features:

• Realistic visuals and features that have helped industry professionals close sales
• Includes a design cloud that allows users to pull other manufacturers’ products into the design
• Provides the largest selection of manufacturer catalogs
• Access to configurable cabinets and appliances via 2020 Design Live

ProKitchen

Price: $$$$

Starts at $1,095 annually and goes up to $1,595 annually.

This is a kitchen and bathroom design software used for planning and rendering. It was specifically created for designers with a laser focus on realistic design and uses kitchen products and appliances from over 300 manufacturers.

Best design features:

• Looks very true to life with the use of actual products in the rendering
• The high-end software makes the design process smooth and easy
• VR room for users to walk through their design
• Compatible with both Mac and Windows

Cedreo

Price: $$$

Ranges from free plans to $124.17 per month.

This software is best for home builders and remodelers. It allows for easy 3D rendering for the entire home.

Best design features:

• Can create both 2D and 3D floor plans
• Access a library of 10,000+ customizable home décor and materials
• Import blueprints
• Create complete proposals and sales presentations
• Unlimited design projects

Houzz

Price: $$$

Free starter trial, then goes up to $149 per month.

Houzz is an online platform and community that focuses on home remodeling, architecture, interior design, decorating, and home improvement.

Best design features:

• Profile creation- design professionals can create profiles to showcase their work
• Ideabook- designers can create collections of images that inspire them. This can help share concepts with clients
• Forums- Houzz has forums where professionals can discuss industry trends and seek advice

Intermediate Kitchen Design Software

SketchUp

Price: $$

Plans start at $119 annually and go up to $749.

This program is geared toward both professionals and homeowners, offering 3D modeling and visualization tools.

Best design features:

• Large inventory of 3D objects
• Extensive features and tools
• User-friendly software
• Access to premade models and designs
• Easy-to-navigate user interface
• Mobile viewing app

Homestyler

Price: $$

Plans are available from a free basic plan to a master plan for $478.80 annually.

This intuitive, user-friendly tool is great for both amateurs and professional interior designers.

Best design features:

• Immersive visualizations with AR and VR functions
• Vast furniture library from world-famous brands
• App supports both 2D and 3D design plans
• Offers walkthrough capability to view photorealistic panoramic view of design

Chief Architect

Price: $$

Price ranges from $166.25 if billed monthly and $199 if billed annually.

This program offers a variety of design software, combining a user-friendly interface with advanced 3D renderings to view designs from every angle imaginable.

Best design features:

• Can view designs from every angle: exterior, roof, landscape, and unobstructed interior shots
• 360-degree panoramic renderings
• Extensive 3D catalog of appliances and fixtures
• Has a training video available to learn the ins and outs of the program

Home Designer Suite

Price: $$

The program is available for rent at $59 per month and goes up to $595 to purchase.

Created for homeowners serious about kitchen design, this program comes complete with a suite of tools and visualizations.

Best design features:

• Allows for very detailed customizations that exist in kitchen design software
• Plenty of tutorials available – can be a complex interface otherwise
• Detailed menu selection for complete customizations
• Available for Mac and Windows
• Free trial

Roomstyler

Price: Custom

Need to contact Roomstyler for a custom quote.

This program offers a robust online design platform with plenty of features that allow users to design single rooms or a whole home floor plan.

Best design features:

• Mood board feature
• Interior design tools
• Library of room layouts to choose from or can upload custom ones
• Easily customizable
• Furnishings from popular brands like IKEA, John Lewis, and Marcel Wanders
• Tutorial videos available
• Engaging community of designers

HomeByMe

Price: $

Ranges from free for up to three projects and goes to $29.99 per month for unlimited use.

Offering a free interior design tool to create one-of-a-kind spaces, this program offers two speeds, “go fast” or “be precise.”

Best design features:

• Build speeds allow users to build a room using blocks or from scratch
• Can upload an existing floor plan
• Can modify floor plans in 2D and 3D
• Active community of designers who share designs to inspire one another

Beginner Kitchen Design Software

Planner 5D

Price: $

Ranges in price from free for basic features to $24.99 annually for a premium account.

Best for homeowners and DIYers, this is an excellent program for novices seeking an easy-to-use program that will jumpstart their creativity.

Best design features:

• Straightforward
• Available for Mac and PC use
• Free option for basic design features
• Engaging designer community
• Offers templates for a quickstart option
• Easy editing feature
• Can switch from 2D to 3D simply

SmartDraw

Price: $

This program provides a free trial and goes up to $119.40 annually.

A top software for designers and homeowners, this program has been best rated for space planning, although it has no 3D rendering capabilities.

Best design features:

• Instant measurement tool to calculate distance and area
• Easily create a floor plan to determine what will fit and what won’t
• A great starting point for amateurs
• 4,500 templates
• Mobile access

Virtual Architect Kitchen and Baths 11

Price: $

This program is available to buy for $31.99 and only works with Windows.

This software has a full suite of tools and 3D renderings and is both affordable and versatile.

Best design features:

• User can upload their own photos to start designing their kitchen
• Beginner friendly interface
• Kitchen Builder Wizard is a built-in software to help quickly sketch a new space
• Large selection of cabinets, counters, and flooring
• Photorealistic 3D renderings and 360-degree walkthroughs
• No prior design experience is needed before using the program

RoomSketcher

Price: Free

This program is a free app that allows users to create 2D and 3D kitchen designs. It is very user-friendly and doesn’t require prior design experience to use.

Best design features:

• Very simple to use
• Has a variety of furniture to add to designs, although you have to pay to unlock certain design features
• Can explore your design in 3D
• Can quickly create 2D designs

Kitchen Planner

Price: Free

You can use the space planner to arrange cabinetry, appliances, and furniture and then make selections for wall, floor, tile, and counter materials. There is a simple menu to guide you through the basics of kitchen design.

Best design features:

• A lot of customizations available
• Saves designs via email for easy sharing
• 3D viewing option
• Over 90 flooring options and 50 ceiling options with many countertop and cabinet options
• Easy to navigate
• Intuitive and comprehensive features
• “Parts list” is automatically generated to keep track of measurements and materials of design elements

Ranging from professional users to novices in the design industry, our list of top 15 kitchen design software highlights the best programs available in the industry.

Scroll through the list to find which program works best for your design needs! If you’re starting a kitchen remodel, make sure to read up on what you can expect in terms of remodeling costs. For kitchen design inspiration, check out our kitchen gallery.