With most lifestyle activities now moving online, it is probably no surprise that interior design is increasingly becoming a digital endeavor. As countless new apps are added to the Apple and Android portfolios every month, there are now virtually limitless options for would be decorators across the globe. Whether you want to find ideas for light-touch cosmetic improvements or plan to undertake a complete remodel, there is an app which can help. There are even apps which can help with more practical aspects of boosting the management of your home. Here we take a look at some of the top picks of the moment.
Houzz
Winner of ‘Best App’ at the first ever Google Play Awards, Houzz features over ten million top quality photos of homes, inside and out. As well as providing inspiration through its massive image gallery, it also allows users to connect directly with a range of home improvement professionals. Designers, architects and contractors can all be reached at the swipe of a screen- therefore allowing the project to progress from dream to reality. The app provides additional functionality through ‘Sketch’ which means users can draw on photos displayed on Houzz and add their own notes. Another clever tool gives homeowners the chance to see how the products featured would look in their own rooms, by using their devices’ cameras. Developed by an Israeli team now based in Pala Alto, the app has been lauded by The New York Times and The Washington Post, as well as having a celebrity fan in Ashton Kutcher who used it for a renovation project on his mother’s home.
Decorilla
This app sets itself apart from the rest of the pack by incorporating virtual reality (VR) technology. Launched earlier this year, Decorilla’s new VR app allows users to see what their newly designed room could look like –before they have even moved a chair out of place. By enabling customers to see exactly how the changes would appear, using a set of VR goggles they receive in the mail, the interior improvement process is de-risked. Decorilla designers talk over likes and dislikes with the client, to get a firm idea of their preferences. They then use images and dimensions supplied by the client to come up with a visually based plan for the room. The client can see what is proposed via the VR goggles, while walking around the room itself. This immersive experience means the client gets a real feel for how the room can be transformed, and make changes to the proposal, all without leaving the house.
Patternsnap
Getting the right wallpaper can be challenge, especially when you have a specific type of pattern in mind. This is where a handy little app called Patternsnap comes in. Simply take a picture of the design you would like to find and it will use its jam-packed database to hunt it down. If it can’t find the specific pattern you want it will look for a closest match alternative. Created by New Zealand architect Virginia Fay in partnership with Steven Dodd, the app covers 200 brands of wallpaper and around 50,000 individual samples. This is a tool no self-respecting interior designer should be without.
BrightNest
Once you have wielded the interior design wand, you need to think about how to maintain your new home environment. With such busy lives more and more people are turning to apps to help them achieve this. One of the market leaders, BrightNest, says it will help you keep your home in great shape- without breaking a sweat. Compared to a Life hacker for your home, this essential home toolbox contains a smorgasbord of handy tips, reminder tools, cleaning tips- basically everything you need to keep your home in tip top condition. The content can be tailored to meet your specific needs, with the functionality to create bespoke task lists and schedule reminders for when things need done. This can include all aspects of home management including paying bills, taking out insurance cover to protect your property, undertaking regular maintenance activities and of course planning the next interior revamp project.
The bottom line is that whether you are planning a major structural upgrade, or a style refresh, there is an app which can guide you from start to finish. Sounds like it’s time to do some downloading.
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