If you’re planning to give your home’s exterior a makeover, the first step is to have a clear idea of how you want it to look. This is where an app to design home exterior comes in handy, allowing you to experiment with different colors, materials, and designs until you find the perfect look. Whether you’re a homeowner, designer, or architect, exterior design apps offer a wealth of tools and features to help you create a stunning, eye-catching facade that complements your home’s architecture and reflects your personal style.
What Is an Exterior Home Design App
An exterior home design app is a software that allows users to create, modify, and visualize the design of their home’s exterior in a digital format. This software uses advanced technology to simulate how a home would look like with different exterior designs, colors, and materials. Users can manipulate different elements of the home’s exterior, including the roof, walls, windows, doors, plants, and landscape. The app uses 3D modeling technology to create realistic images of the home’s exterior, which users can view from different angles and perspectives.
Key Features of Exterior Design Apps
Exterior design apps offer various features that enable users to create their dream home’s exterior. Here are some of the key features:
- Design tools: Exterior design apps come with an array of tools and design elements that users can use to create their dream home’s exterior. Some common design tools include paintbrushes, shapes, textures, materials, and patterns.
- 3D modeling: Exterior design apps use 3D modeling technology to create realistic images of the home’s exterior. Users can view the image from different angles and perspectives, giving them a better understanding of how the home would look like in real life.
- Visualization: Exterior design apps help users visualize their ideas and designs by providing them with realistic images and immersive 3D experiences. Users can experiment with different designs and ideas without having to spend money on materials or labor costs.
- Collaboration: Exterior design apps allow users to collaborate with architects, builders, and other professionals to refine their designs and ideas. This makes it easier to get feedback and improve the quality of the design.
- Real-time updates: Exterior design apps provide real-time updates on the progress of the design, including costs, materials, and labor. Users can make changes and updates to the design as they go, ensuring that they stay within their budget.
The Top Exterior Home Design Apps in 2021
Are you looking to give your home’s exterior a new look? Perhaps you want to try out different color schemes, textures, or materials before investing time and money into a renovation project. Fortunately, there are several exterior home design apps available for download in 2021. Here are the top five picks:
SketchUp
SketchUp is a 3D modeling software that lets you visualize your home design ideas effectively. With this app, you can experiment with various exterior layouts, materials, and landscaping options. SketchUp has a simple interface, making it user-friendly for beginners in home design. Additionally, the software lets you import existing floor plans from other apps and create detailed blueprints for your design project.
Houzz
Houzz is a popular app among homeowners and design professionals due to its extensive collection of home design ideas and features. The app has over 20 million high-resolution photos of interior and exterior design ideas, making it an excellent source of inspiration. With Houzz, you can filter your exterior design search by style, location, and room size. You can also connect with designers and contractors on the platform for expert advice on your project.
Home Design 3D
Home Design 3D is an easy-to-use app that lets you create 3D visualizations of your exterior idea. You can edit and redesign your landscape, swimming pool, patio, and even the colors of your roof with just a few clicks. The app has a high-quality rendering engine that produces realistic images of your designs. Home Design 3D also allows you to import and export your projects in various file formats to share with friends and contractors.
RoomSketcher
RoomSketcher is a powerful app that lets you create accurate 2D and 3D floor plans and home designs. You can use the app to create your home exterior design from scratch or modify existing designs with a wide range of customization options. RoomSketcher gives you access to professional design tools like mood boards, 3D walkthroughs, and interactive floorplans. With the app’s integration with the RoomSketcher web app, you can easily collaborate with contractors and interior designers on your project.
Planner 5D
Planner 5D is another popular home design app that lets you explore and experiment with interior and exterior designs. The app has an extensive library of over 5000 items, including furniture, accessories, and building materials. You can use Planner 5D to create 2D and 3D models of your home exterior, customize the colors, and add textures to different parts of the design. The app’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for users to create beautiful designs even without a background in design.
How to Select the Right Exterior Home Design App for Your Needs
Designing the exterior of your home can be a fun and exciting project, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you don’t know where to start. Fortunately, there are numerous exterior home design apps in the market that can assist you in creating the perfect exterior for your house. However, with so many options to choose from, it can be challenging to determine the right one for your needs. Here are the factors you should consider when selecting the right exterior home design app for your needs.
Budget
Budget should be one of your primary considerations when selecting an exterior home design app. Some apps are free, while others require payment before you can access all their features. Determine how much you are willing to spend on an app and select one that fits within your budget. Keep in mind that some paid exterior home design applications provide advanced features that might be worth investing in if you’re serious about designing your house’s exterior.
Level of Expertise
Consider your level of expertise when selecting an exterior home design app. Some apps are more user-friendly and require no prior knowledge of exterior design, while others are more complex and require some design experience to use. If you’re new to exterior home design, consider selecting an app that is easy to use and has tutorials to guide you through the process. On the other hand, if you’re experienced in exterior design, you might want to choose an app with advanced features that challenge your creativity.
Specific Design Requirements
Consider your specific design requirements when selecting an exterior home design app. Some apps specialize in particular design styles, such as modern, traditional, or colonial, while others provide a variety of design options. If you already have an idea of the design you want, choose an app that can cater to your specific requirements. Some apps allow you to upload a photo of your home, making it easier to visualize the changes you want to make.
Compatibility with your Devices
Ensure that the exterior home design app you select is compatible with your devices. Some apps are only available on specific platforms, such as Android or iOS. Additionally, check that the app is compatible with your screen resolution and offers quality graphics. The last thing you want is an app that doesn’t work smoothly on your device or offers blurry graphics.
Best Practices for Using an Exterior Home Design App
Using an exterior home design app is a great way to experiment with different styles and materials to see how they might look on your own home. However, like any tool, there are some best practices to keep in mind to get the most out of the app and ensure that your designs translate well in real life.
Start with Accurate Measurements and Photos of Your Home
Before you can start designing your home using an app, you need to have accurate measurements of the exterior. This will ensure that your design is properly scaled and that the materials and finishes you choose will fit appropriately. Additionally, taking clear photos of your home from all angles will help you get a more accurate picture of how your design ideas will look in reality.
Experiment with Different Materials and Finishes
One of the biggest benefits of using an exterior home design app is the ability to experiment with different materials and finishes. You can try out different colors of paint, different types of siding, and even add different architectural elements to see how they change the look of your home. Don’t be afraid to get creative and try out some unconventional options – you might be surprised by how much you like them!
Consult with Professionals Before Making Major Changes
While a design app is a great tool to get an idea of how your home could look, it’s important to remember that making major changes to your home’s exterior is a big decision. Before committing to anything, it’s a good idea to consult with professionals such as architects, contractors, or even your local zoning board to make sure that your plans are feasible and in line with any regulations or codes that might apply to your area.
Consider the Surrounding Environment
When designing your home’s exterior, it’s important to consider the surrounding environment. If you live in a heavily wooded area, for example, you might want to choose colors and finishes that complement the natural surroundings. If you live in a more urban area with a lot of nearby buildings, you might want to choose materials and finishes that help your home stand out in the crowd.
Don’t Forget About Maintenance
Finally, when designing your home’s exterior, it’s important to consider the maintenance required for any materials or finishes you choose. While a certain type of siding might look great on your home, if it requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance, it might not be the best choice for your lifestyle or budget. Make sure that you choose materials and finishes that not only look great, but that you can realistically maintain over the years to come.
FAQs about Exterior Home Design Apps
Exterior home design is just as important as interior design, if not more so. The exterior of your home is the first impression that people have of your property. There are many design decisions to make, including color, siding, and landscaping. Fortunately, there are several exterior home design apps available to help you make these choices. Here are some FAQs to help you understand more about exterior home design apps:
Can I use exterior home design apps for landscaping design as well?
Yes, many exterior home design apps offer landscaping features. These apps can help you to choose plants, trees, and other landscaping elements. You can also use these apps to design patios, walkways, and other outdoor living spaces.
Do exterior home design apps require special hardware or software?
Most exterior home design apps can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or computer. However, some apps may require specific hardware or software, such as a particular operating system or graphics card. Before downloading an app, be sure to check the system requirements to ensure that it will work on your device.
Can I use exterior home design apps without prior architectural experience?
Yes, most exterior home design apps are designed to be user-friendly and accessible to everyone, regardless of their architectural experience. These apps typically have step-by-step guides and tutorials to help you through the design process. Some apps even offer 3D modeling and virtual reality features to help you visualize your design.
What are some popular exterior home design apps?
- Home Design 3D
- Houzz
- Homestyler
- RoomSketcher
- Planner 5D
How much do exterior home design apps cost?
Many exterior home design apps are available for free, while others require a purchase or subscription. Free apps often have limited features, while paid apps may offer more advanced design tools and 3D modeling capabilities. It is important to research different apps and their pricing structures before making a decision.
Can I see how my design will look on my actual home?
Some exterior home design apps offer augmented reality features that allow you to see how a design will look on your actual home. These apps use your device’s camera to display a virtual overlay of your design onto your home’s exterior. This can be a helpful tool for visualizing your design and making changes before finalizing your decisions.
Have Fun Designing Your Dream Home!
Thanks for taking the time to read about apps that can help you design the exterior of your home. With the right app, you can bring your vision to life and create a beautiful exterior that you’ll love for years to come. Remember to have fun and experiment with different designs until you find the perfect one. And if you ever need more help, come back and visit us for more tips and tricks. Happy designing!