Anyone know any good cheap, easy to use software for interior design stuff?

[mouser]

I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for simple software that would let you sketch out your floor plan and then move around furniture and experiment with different objects (chairs,etc.) in different places?

[Nighted]

I know that Ikea has software like this. Maybe something like that would help you plan and cultivate ideas.

Kitchen Planner

Office Planner

[cranioscopical]

Mouser,
I know we're all computer-centric here but I've found using 10x10 lines/inch graph paper is by far the best way to do this (except for complex stuff like laying out a kitchen, unit by unit). Lay out your room on the grid, make some scaled cut-outs for your objects and move them with your fingers.

If your sense of computer deprivation becomes too severe, you can push the objects around with a spare mouse.

[Gothi[c]]

If your sense of computer deprivation becomes too severe, you can push the objects around with a spare mouse.

[cdblu]

uh...have you tried google sketchup

Link here: _http://sketchup.google.com/

[Ampa]

+1 for SketchUp - It is almost as hands on a little bits of paper, and it doesn't blow away in the wind!

You will also find that there are plenty of exisiting bits of furniture in Google's 3D Warehouse that will give a good enough impression without spending time modelling your own.

Ampa

[tinjaw]

+1 for SketchUp

And I stumbled upon this today. Cheap, but I know nothing about it other than the name and the price.

FloorPlan 9 Interior Design $9.45 USD
http://shop.avanquest.com/uk/prod.php?pid=337

[Dell[a]]

thanks guys! alot of great programs out there....

[laughinglizard]

This site has a Flash-based on-line room planner.
You input the information and you can drag things around to see how they fit.
http://www.raymourflanigan.com/room_planner/

[high voltage]

Mouser you may like this.
http://www.envisioneerexpress.com/

[Maggy160]

I use Sketchup a lot, but in some cases I'm happy that I once bought Punch http://punchsoftware.com, it comes with loads of textures, furniture, plants and so on

[mouser]

Nice find, Maggy. 

[J-Mac]

I use 3D Home Architect.  Lists @ about $80 or $90 USD, but I usually find a promotion for less than $50 - most likely because I purchased, like, Version 2 or 3 and receive upgrade offers each year.  I'm now on Version 9 or 10.

But I have seen promotions for those not upgrading for the same price that I get.

It's really great for new design, or remodeling a relatively newer home.  Me?  I have a 100+year old monster with nothing in it even remotely resembling "standard" or "normal"!

[olderthandirt101]

Design Workshop Lite at http://www.artifice.com

[calmdog]

Just happened to catch your post.  I came across Envisioneer a few weeks.  I don't have a lot of use for it - but then t is very cool.  So I kept it.
You can read about it and see screenshots here.
http://www.cadsoft.com/
The free version is available here.
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/envisioneer-express.html

[Hirudin]

I frequent the "deal websites"... here's a program "Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9.0" for $0 after $25 mail in rebate from CompUSA...

Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9.0

I don't know anything about the program, but if you're good at actually sending in rebates it's a good deal.

[J-Mac]

I frequent the "deal websites"... here's a program "Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9.0" for $0 after $25 mail in rebate from CompUSA...

Total 3D Home Design Deluxe 9.0

I don't know anything about the program, but if you're good at actually sending in rebates it's a good deal.

This is the program I mentioned in my post above:  I have used it for years and while a professional architect would consider this to be "light", for home users it is actually pretty awesome.

[longrun]

Today's Giveaway of the Day (http://www.giveawayoftheday.com) is ConceptDraw VI Standard, which can be used for interior design, though its primary use is professional flowcharting, diagramming, and illustrating.
[attach]

[mouser]

another cool find.. lots of great stuff in this thread