20+ Interior Design Apps

Hi friends,

Are you obsessed with home decor and interior design? Yeah, me too. So much so that I decided to make a career out of it.

I really love what I do, but I also love finding ways to make my job easier. When I’m out in the field and I either need a drawing that I don’t have or need to show my client a concept because they can’t visualize it, I turn to my iPad or iPhone and go directly to my Design folder.

Yes, interior design is my career, but it’s also my passion. I love anything design, decor, or DIY related and I’m sure you do too! So here are some of my favorite apps to use!

1. Pinterest

So with any interior design project I always spend the beginning phases looking for inspiration. My go to app for inspiration (and really anything because it’s the best) is Pinterest. It’s an addiction that I never want to be free of.

2. Houzz

This is another great app to find inspiration, but you can also find designers and firms, products, so much more! It’s basically a huge encyclopedia dedicated to anything and everything interior design. It also allows you to create virtual ideabooks (similar to Pinterest boards) that you can share with family, friends, or your designer!

3. Elle Decor Lookbook

Elle Décor in and of itself is awesome, but now they have an app! It’s a lookbook (hence the title, duh) that has loads of images for whatever project you’re looking to create.

4. HGTV Folio

If you turn on any TV in my home, 99% of the time HGTV will be the station it’s on. I’m quite obsessed. With this app you can get your inspiration from the galleries of HGTV designers like Emily Henderson, Sabrina Soto, and the Property Brothers! #TeamJonathanAllTheWay

5. bHome

I first heard about bHome when almost every blogger I follow was sharing it on Instagram. So obviously I had to check it out. This is a must have if you’re a blog addict like me. You can follow all your favorite bloggers and get a news feed full of great content. Someone on the iTunes page commented that it’s “like Houzz, but for things REAL folks can afford!” So true, friend. So true.

6. BrightNest

This app is relatively new to me, but I already love it! When I first signed up it had me answer all these questions like if I had any pets, owned my home, or even had a washing machine. They then took the answers and delivered “articles” to my newsfeed that were based on my answers. You’re able to schedule tasks that need to get done around the house and they’ll give you easy DIY tips and friendly reminders that allow you to get it done! So basically, hello new best friend.

7. Craigslist Pro

Who doesn’t love a good Craigslist find? It definitely helps with #thriftscorethursday! This is actually easier to use and navigate than the website. Definitely worth a try!

8. Yard Sale Treasure Hunt

Yardsaling is my most favorite thing. #truefact My mom and I go every weekend in the summer when we’re together and we make a day of it. Like, we’re talking 6 – 8 hours here. We’re slightly insane. But to do this we have to gameplan. We used to spend hours browsing Craigslist and the newspaper to find sales and times. This app cuts down that time drastically. It uses those websites to make a map of sales and lists the address and times. Best. App. Ever.

9. Notability

Everyone has their favorite note taking / sketchpad app, this is mine. I use it with a stylus (you can use your finger too) and one of the best features is that it has “palm detection”. It’s a huge pet peeve of mine when I’m writing / drawing something and my iPad goes all wonky because of my hand. Sorry I have skin, iPad. This app also allows you to save the document as a pdf, markup / annotate existing pdfs, and organize all of the notes. Super awesome.

10. Numbers

My sanity! Seriously guys, this app keeps me from going cray. I am a self-diagnosed-spreadsheet-aholic. They are a way of life. When I’m working on a project I have to be on point for my client and stay on top of things. Deadlines, vendors, trades, etc. It all goes into a spreadsheet. I also use this app to create meal plans, shopping lists, and my Christmas gift chart. Because an organized Christmas is the best Christmas.

11. Benjamin Moore Color Capture

This is awesome for the “color challenged”. Say you have a sofa and a rug in the living room that you want to paint but have no idea where to start. Take a picture with this app, match the color, and then you can find complementary shades to use!

12. Sherwin Williams Color Snap

This app is great for a number of reasons, but my favorite aspect of it is the “match a photo” feature. Say you take a picture of a beautiful flower garden, and there’s this shade of pink that would be perfect for your little girl’s room. Problem is, you aren’t sure what that color is. Upload the picture to this app and select the pink that you want. The app will select the closest shade to that color. Pretty cool!

13. MyPantone

This is one of the pricier apps, but absolutely awesome. Pantone’s colors are universal and are able to be matched with any paint brand! I usually always have my physical paint wheel with me, but when I don’t this app is so handy! I can find the color I’m looking for and I’m able show it to my clients or contractor. So, yeah, Pantone is bomb.

14. Easy Measure

Three words: camera tape measure! Aka, being able to measure whatever you wanted without ever leaving your couch. Yes, please!

15. Photo Measures Lite

Whenever I’m at a job site I always take pictures for reference. This app allows me to write directly on the images what the measurements are. So helpful!

16. Room Scan

Ok, hands down, one of my all time favorites. Have you ever had to measure a room but didn’t want to spend all the time doing it? Then get this app! What you do is take your iPhone or iPad and touch each wall (going clockwise) and it draws the room for you! I was skeptical at first because it sounded way too good to be true, but it’s surprisingly accurate!

17. Home Design 3D

Ok, so as I’ve said before, a lot of my clients are visual. I can draw plans out the wazoo but sometimes they’re just not going to see it. Normally when I’m at work I’ll create renderings there, but if I’m out and about and need to whip something up really quick I pull out this app. I can draw out the room, apply finishes, and then switch to 3D mode to be able to place yourself in the room. Awesome!

18. Floorplans

For those of you who don’t need the 3D aspect, this app is just as awesome. I actually like this a little bit better that Home Design because it’s easier to manage and my measurements are more precise. Also, if you ever wondered what app Hilary uses on Love It or List It, this is it!

19. iHandy Level

Never have a crooked picture again! I lose my level like nobody’s business. Not sure why. But this little app saves the day! It’s free so you really have no reason NOT to get this.

20. Project Calculator

This app is totally worth the $0.99! Just sayin’. As many of you know, I’m in the process of renovating my home and this app has been so, incredibly helpful! When I’m working on a project it allows me to put in the materials (paint, floor, etc.) and it calculates the cost! Perfect for design on a budget. :)

21. WhatTheFont

When I’m putting a presentation together for a client I want everything to be cohesive, including the font. Say the concept is industrial. I want the font to be industrial looking. I just happened to see a font on a store sign that would be perfect but I have no idea what it is. I whip out this handy app! You take a picture of the font and it searches to find either the exact font or something similar. Super cool!

22. Studio Design

Not really interior design related, but I’m throwing it in there anyways because I’ve used it to edit a picture of a room therefore it counts. ;) But this app is basically a simplified graphic design program and allows you to be creative with images. You can add text, overlays, filters, and more!

23. AutoCAD 360

This app has saved my butt numerous times. Unless your a designer using AutoCAD on your computer, chances are you’re probably not going to use this. But this app allows you to view, edit, and share drawings when you’re in the field. Love it!

24. Estiluz

So one day my rep, Brian, came in to my office to show me a new line of lighting he was carrying. The lighting itself was super unique and fun (I mean, check out this balloon light), but what sold me what the app that the company was pairing with it. Have you ever liked a light from a company but wanted to see it in your own space? Well that’s exactly what this app does! You print out these “markers“, place the coordinating letter where you want it, point your camera at it, and voila! You can see the different lights that this company carries in the specific room you want! This is great for my clients who are more visual!

25. NCIDQ Flashcards

One of my best friends, Alycia, made me download this. It’s not an app that I use all the time, but it is a goal of mine to take the NCIDQ someday and I want to be prepared. But the physical flashcards and other study helpers are a ridiculous amount of money. This app is totally free! If you’re a designer and plan on taking the test, you should seriously check this out!

 

So what other apps do I need to check out? Let me know what your favorites are!

I’m linking up to these great parties!