Software or website to help visualize and design home work area?

October 28, 2022 7:30 AM

I'm trying to redesign my desk area and I'd like to visualize it in 3D space on my (Windows) PC. Ideally this will allow me to easily swap in furniture and move stuff around. It would be nice if there are presets rather than having to build everything from scratch. I did a little bit of 3D modeling back in the day with TrueSpace and SketchUp, but it's been a long time since I've done anything like that.
posted by Carlo to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

I think Sketchup is still your tool! There’s a robust component library and lots of pieces of IKEA in there. You could also go to the IKEA website and check out their design tools. I believe they have an “office design” app which lets you put in all the basic dimensions. Then you can take the furniture dimensions and find other pieces that may work for your space.
posted by amanda at 7:34 AM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]

The last time I did this I used SketchUp and I didn't find it too hard. I could search on the web for pre-created models for things like office chairs and computers that closely matched mine, so I didn't have to create those from scratch. I mainly created the bespoke elements like desks and shelves from scratch. Existing products like IKEA shelves you can download.

I have also used TinkerCAD, an easy-to-use online 3D editor. I used it for products rather than rooms, but I think it would be just as suitable for rooms as SketchUp.
posted by snarfois at 7:37 AM on October 28, 2022

I use Floorplanner.com for this kind of thing.
posted by matildaben at 7:56 AM on October 28, 2022

Sweet Home 3D does what you need.
posted by jonathanhughes at 8:27 AM on October 28, 2022

Response by poster: Thanks all, I'll check each of these out and see what suits me best.
posted by Carlo at 8:40 PM on November 6, 2022