Floor Plan Creator Apps/Sites Recommendations

4 years ago

Hi Houzzers,

So we're in the initial (re-)design phase of a renovation project (full refurbish and basement of a charming but quirky terraced Victorian in Clapham). Am hoping to play around with some of the designs and drawings previously prepared by my architect before we put a pause on the project (as the bank devalued our property when we went to remortgage).

Am hoping to find an app or site that will allow me to import (or redraw) the plans from our architect and play around with them as my wife and I further explore what we hope to achieve with our space.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments (5)

PRO
User
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
I use Floorplanner.com I prefer to work on a laptop it's easier. Floorplanner will let you 3D everything once you've drawn it in 2D. Blowing it up in to 3D is invaluable, as you can then see what it really looks like. So many times, i've drawn things, blown them up and then thought, ooh no, not quite. It's a great tool and free to use the basics, which are really very comprehensive.

There are lots of us on here that love a good play, myself, Rinq and Jonathan.............what are you hoping to achieve?
SW11 Renovator thanked User
Jonathan
4 years ago
I use HouseDesign which is a Free App on my phone. You could also use the more sophisticated RoomPlanner that has a subscription.

Alternatively employ a designer or concept planner to envisage several layouts more cost effectively than using your architect.

You could also post the entire plan on Houzz for creative input from the community. Personally when I look at the plan I think that the space is made narrower by the two sets of stairs and the original stairs obscure flow from the front to back. Perhaps having one set of stairs in the centre of the house creates problems upstairs but I would be considering it as it might mean you can build less square footage and make a cost saving.
Additionally the largest reception room seems to be on the lower level with borrowed light and in my opinion perhaps less frequently used rooms should be there with the living room further up the house.
SW11 Renovator thanked Jonathan
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I've had a look at free offerings for floor planning software. It depends on the level you want to go to. Sweethome3D http://www.sweethome3d.com/ is truly free because it's open source (no fees if you want to draw more than one plan etc). I've found I can get reasonably detailed with it from layout perspective but I doubt it would be good enough for a drawings for a building permit (although I'm not certain of this). As a graphic designer you'll have an affinity for graphics software. If you want to be able to draw more detailed drawings Id take the time to learn Sketchup. I know some architects use this as their software of choice. I'm definitely with you @Jason Carter - the only way to really control your budget is to plan ahead and choose and price everything that you can think of before you break ground. Otherwise you're in a situation where you have to make quick compromises during the build which leads to mistakes etc. In my work we use requirements tracking tools. I think it would be really helpful to communicate to the contractors exactly what is going to go on in the room - why the extra outlets are there and in the position they're in. That way they have a deeper understanding of why the specs are the way they are and they don't make decisions that detract from the design - they might even come up with suggestions that support the ideas behind the designs.
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What direction is it facing? that will have a huge bearing on the layout. I also would question the large Living area in addition to the family room. 1700 is perfectly adequate for a bathroom but another 100mm in width would be better.
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I love the tall units but you need to go straight to the ceiling to prevent dust and dirt settling on the top. I would put a row of small up and over cupboards along the very top as an option. Very handy for unsightly bulky items. I don't like the end open shelves by sink very dated but what you could do is a long double shelf all the way along the island with a wine racking either side for balance vertically. I think shelving each side of the sink would be better. You have a lot of cupboards but no deep drawers which are highly valued these days. Good selling point. I Like your colour suggestions... The little Greene paint company have a lovely grey so does farrow and ball. Where are you sourcing your Quartz and what flooring? Do your ovens have easy open shelf doors ..handy as they retract so don't get in the way as you take food out..Neff offer best ones. If you want a better balance of tall you could always do fridge freezer one side and pull out pantry on the other with racking. Then on sink side don't go all the way along the wall just have it as centred space so you can pull out larder doors. On your island you will need your bin as this'll be prep area? What is the room opposite tall cupboards? Need the island to look good from that side as that is what you will see. Hope of help. I'm embarking on the same thing and have spent hours and hours researching!
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PRO
OnePlan
4 years ago
As Hugh and Jonathan have pointed out - there are free and low cost software packages available for use by anyone, and a bunch of fabulous Houzzers that love to ‘have a play with your layout’ at no cost to you. (And they often come up with some really great ideas! )

There are also Concept Planners like me, who work with you for a fee, and provide detailed plans, perspectives and panoramic’s and item listings so you can shop around and compare like for like.

Which ever way you decide to tackle tweaking your designs - please do ensure you get any ideas safety checked BEFORE you order anything !
PRO
User
4 years ago
I was concerned as to why the bank de-valued the property, and I can only presume, that it's because you've taken bedrooms away. Can you post the original plan, unamended, and then state what it is you were hoping to achieve. The usual way to add value is to add square footage, unless you happen to be doing a full refurb of something that was fairly unlivable in. It's unusual to have a property devalued.
SW11 Renovator
Original Author
4 years ago
They knocked £100k off due to Brexit jitters (we exchanged a day after Brexit vote). We are adding a basement.

Floor Plan Creator Apps/Sites Recommendations

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