Break out the 3D glasses — well, not really. Put them away. This article won’t be arriving in any extra dimensions today.
After our recent kitchen planning post, I finally took the plunge and learned Google SketchUp, as many readers suggested, to help plan our kitchen renovation. I’ve also used Floorplanner.com for years and recently tried Ikea’s Kitchen Planner. Each tool has its strengths and weaknesses, and depending on your project and skill level, any one of them could be the right choice. Below I summarize my hands-on experience with all three.
Floorplanner.com
We’ve used Floorplanner for most of the floor plans on our site, so we have a soft spot for it. When I revisited it to plan our new kitchen, here’s what stood out.
Pros
- No software to download. It runs in your browser, so you can get started immediately.
- Easy and fast. The interface is intuitive, so with accurate measurements you can draft a basic floor plan quickly.
- Good finish options. There are many standard finishes and adjustable colors for floors, walls, and surfaces to make drawings feel more real.
- Decent furniture library. The built-in library includes chairs, tables, rugs, plants and appliances, which makes arranging rooms simple even if exact matches to real items aren’t available.
- 2D and 3D views. You can toggle between 2D and 3D easily, which is handy for both layout and visualization.
Cons
- Not entirely free. You can make one plan for free, but additional projects may require payment.
- Limited kitchen components. Kitchen design options are somewhat basic; you may not find the specific cabinet styles or configurations you need.
- 3D rendering limitations. The 3D navigation feels clunky at times and some elements may not display correctly. I found myself working mainly in 2D.
Best use: Fast, simple 2D floor plans and quick furniture layout tests — ideal if you want a straightforward plan without a steep learning curve.
Next up…
Ikea’s Kitchen Planner
I came to Ikea’s tool after considering their cabinetry for a built-in desk. It was my first stop when I wanted to plan the new kitchen layout in 3D.
Pros
- Free to use. There’s a small download, then you sign in with a free account to access and save designs.
- Multiple saved projects. You can save several different layout options without quickly hitting a project limit.
- Designs use real products. Cabinets, appliances and many furnishings are modeled after Ikea items, so dimensions and layouts reflect real-world products. It also generates shopping lists.
- Real-life finishes. Choose from actual cabinet sizes, styles, finishes and hardware, which helps create realistic plans if you’re using Ikea products.
- Convincing 3D view. The 3D visualization feels lifelike and useful for seeing how a kitchen will look.
- 2D and 3D editing. You can edit in both 2D and 3D, and both modes are equally capable.
Cons
- Focused on kitchens only. The planner is designed for a single room, so you can’t easily model adjacent rooms or how the kitchen will look from other spaces.
- Limited to Ikea items. If Ikea’s aesthetic or product range isn’t for you, the planner may feel restrictive.
- Restricted decorating options. Non-kitchen decor choices are limited, so you can’t fully stage a complete living or dining area with non-Ikea pieces.
Best use: Designing a kitchen, especially if you plan to buy Ikea components. It gives realistic dimensions and finishes, but isn’t ideal for broader home layout work or extensive decorating.
Google SketchUp
SketchUp was new to me a few weeks ago. I tried it after Ikea couldn’t model multiple rooms and after readers recommended it. It’s powerful, precise, and very flexible, though it requires more learning.
Pros
- Free version available. You can download and use a free version without cost.
- Works offline. Once installed, you can use it without an internet connection, which is handy for working anywhere.
- High precision. The tools feel technical and accurate, useful when planning structural changes or communicating precise measurements to professionals.
- Nearly limitless modeling. With time and skill, you can model almost anything — rooms, furniture, architectural details — without the preset limits other planners impose.
- Superior 3D navigation. The 3D view is powerful and intuitive: you can pan, orbit, and inspect designs from any angle.
Cons
- Steep learning curve. SketchUp is the most technical of the three, and it takes time to become proficient.
- No dedicated 2D mode. There’s no simple 2D floor plan toggle like the other tools; the closest option is a top-down parallel projection view.
- No built-in furniture library. You must import models from external libraries or build items yourself, which adds time if you want a fully furnished scene.
- Editing can be fiddly. Making small adjustments often requires careful selection and grouping; until you learn best practices, you may accidentally skew geometry.
Best use: Detailed 3D modeling and precise planning when you’re willing to invest time learning the software. It’s excellent for measuring and visualizing structural changes and complex designs.
So that’s my quick take after spending a few hours with each program. None of them is perfect for every situation: Floorplanner is great for fast 2D plans, Ikea’s tool shines for kitchen layouts with Ikea products, and SketchUp offers the most flexibility and precision if you’re ready to learn it. If you’ve tried any of these tools (or others) and have tips or experiences to share, I’d love to hear them.
P.S. This week’s giveaway winner was announced — check the site to see if it’s you.