Break out the 3D glasses—just kidding. You won’t need them for this post. After our recent kitchen planning update, I spent time learning a few popular 3D modeling tools to help plan our renovation: Floorplanner, Ikea’s Kitchen Planner, and Google SketchUp. Each tool has distinct strengths and limitations, so there isn’t a single clear winner. Below I compare them to help you decide which one suits your kitchen design needs.
Floorplanner.com
We’ve used Floorplanner to make many of the floor plans featured on our site, so we’re fond of it. It’s a browser-based tool that’s quick to learn and great for producing clean 2D plans and basic 3D views. Here’s what I liked and didn’t like.
Pros
- No download required. It runs right in your browser.
- Fast and user-friendly. With room measurements in hand you can draft a simple whole-house or room plan in minutes.
- Decent finish options. The app offers many standard finishes (flooring, wall colors, etc.) with adjustable tones to make plans feel more realistic.
- Large furniture library. Floorplanner includes many furniture and accessory options, which makes testing furniture layouts quick and easy.
- 2D and 3D toggle. You can switch between plan and perspective views quickly.
Cons
- Free tier is limited. You can create one plan for free, but more projects typically require payment.
- Kitchen tools are basic. Cabinet and kitchen-specific elements are limited, so precise kitchen layouts can be tricky.
- 3D navigation can be clunky. The 3D view looks good but was awkward to move around in, and some objects didn’t always display correctly.
Best for: Quick 2D floor plans and experimenting with furniture arrangements when you want speed and simplicity rather than high-detail kitchen design.
Ikea Kitchen Planner
Ikea’s planner is designed specifically for kitchen design, and it’s helpful if you’re considering Ikea cabinetry or want realistic dimensions tied to real products. I turned to this tool while evaluating their cabinets for another project and found it very focused and practical for kitchen layout work.
Pros
- Free to use. There’s a small download for the planner, and you log in to access your projects at any time.
- Save multiple designs. You can store several kitchen layout options without hitting a project limit.
- Works with real Ikea products. You design using actual Ikea cabinets, appliances, and furnishings, and the planner can generate a shopping list based on your layout.
- Realistic finishes and configurations. Choose from cabinet sizes, door styles, hardware, and finishes that match Ikea’s catalog.
- Good 3D rendering. The 3D view is lifelike and intuitive, and you can edit in both 2D and 3D.
Cons
- Focus is only on kitchens. The tool supports single-room kitchen layouts, so you can’t easily model multi-room sightlines or how the kitchen looks from an adjacent space.
- Limited to Ikea inventory. If Ikea’s aesthetic or product range doesn’t suit you, options will feel constrained.
- Decorating options are sparse. Non-kitchen accessories and decorative items are limited, so staging or creating a homier scene can be difficult.
Best for: Designing an Ikea-based kitchen or testing layouts with real product dimensions from Ikea’s catalog. It’s ideal when you plan to buy Ikea components or want a practical, buildable kitchen plan.
Google SketchUp
SketchUp was new to me until recently. It’s a powerful, precision-focused 3D modeling program that gives you far more control and the ability to model nearly anything. It’s more technical than the other two tools, and it rewards time spent learning its features.
Pros
- Free version available. The basic SketchUp option costs nothing and provides a robust set of 3D tools.
- Offline access. The desktop version doesn’t require a constant internet connection to work on projects.
- Highly precise. SketchUp is dependable for accurate measurements and technical planning, which is useful when coordinating with contractors or architects.
- Limitless modeling potential. If you have the time and patience, you can model rooms, furniture, architectural details, and virtually anything else without the product restrictions found in other planners.
- Powerful 3D navigation. The 3D camera controls are flexible and allow you to view your model from any angle.
Cons
- Steeper learning curve. SketchUp is more technical and takes practice to use efficiently.
- No native 2D drafting mode. It’s primarily a 3D tool; while you can achieve top-down views, it’s not the same as a dedicated 2D floor-planning interface.
- Furniture library requires extra steps. Unlike Floorplanner or Ikea’s planner, SketchUp expects you to import or create models, which adds setup effort.
- Editing can be fiddly at first. Selecting and moving grouped objects or components requires familiarity with grouping and component workflows to avoid accidentally distorting geometry.
Best for: Detailed 3D modeling and precise measurements when you’re willing to invest time learning the tool. It’s particularly good for projects that require technical accuracy or complex visualizations, such as visualizing a new doorway or custom-built elements.
In short: use Floorplanner for quick 2D plans and furniture layout experiments; use Ikea’s Kitchen Planner for realistic, product-based kitchen designs; and use SketchUp for technical, precise 3D modeling when you need full control. I only spent a few hours with each tool, so these impressions are based on hands-on use rather than exhaustive testing. If you’ve tried any of these—or others—share your tips or experiences; they’re always helpful when navigating kitchen design tools.
P.S. We announced this week’s giveaway winner—see the original post to find out if it’s you.