Looking to remodel or redecorate your home? Your smartphone can be your new remodeling assistant. With the array of tools available at our disposal nowadays through mobile apps, even a novice can create interior designs like a pro.
Whether you are looking to remodel in order to improve your property value, or are simply looking for a change of pace, here are several apps that can help:
Palettes[Price: Free / “Pro” upgrade costs $3.99]
Palettes is a tool for creating and maintaining color palettes. There are many preset palettes to choose from, and you can create your own. While this makes the app an obvious choice for artists, it has many applications for interior design. Amateurs often limit their color choices due to baseless interior design myths.
Following the palettes in this app can open your mind to a wide range of unique and attractive aesthetics. It is possible to select colors from a photograph, then have the app suggest different colors to compliment your selected color. This means that you can take photos of your home, then find paint, furniture, or accessories in colors that compliment your look. Using the app this way can do wonders.
Palettes is available exclusively on iOS devices. It is free, but additional functionality can be unlocked through the “Pro” upgrade, which can be purchased within the app for $3.99.
Furnish
[Price: Free]
Curious how a piece of furniture might look in your home? Furnish uses augmented reality to show how hundreds of items might look in your home. Furniture like beds, dressers, nightstands, and mirrors can be virtually placed in your surroundings. It can help you to figure out how to make the most out of your living space. Playing around with different layouts can also simply be entertaining.
If you like how something looks, you can even order furniture through the app. Furnish demos items from a variety of retailers, including Ikea, Herman Miller, Target, and others. If you are looking for new furniture while remodeling, consider taking a look at Furnish.
It is available for free on both iOS and Android devices.
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RYOBI Phone Works
[Price: Free]
RYOBI Phone works is an exception in this list, due to the fact that it requires additional hardware for the app to be of any use. A suite of gadgets can be connected to your phone in order to measure various aspects about your home. Available gadgets include:
| Moisture Meter | Stud Finder | Inspection Scope |
| Laser Level | Noise Suppression Earphones | Infrared Thermometer |
Each of these devices can connect to your smartphone. They use technology from smartphones such as gyroscopes and microphones to give readings. RYOBI gadgets piggyback off your smartphone to subsidize the cost of what could otherwise be a much more expensive device. On the downside, you have to register an account with RYOBI and maintain an internet connection to use the devices.
Compatible devices can be found here. Prices for the gadgets vary, starting at about $18. The app for RYOBI Phone Works is free.
[Price: $6.99 / “Lite” version is free]
Photo Measures is designed to help you save measurements and dimensions on your photos. You can take a photograph of the area you need dimensions for, then mark the dimensions on the photograph with an intuitive interface.
Developer Big Blue Pixel market this app for real estate agents, contractors, or anyone who wants to keep their house dimensions easily accessible. It is especially helpful for remodeling, and is a great way of planning for new furniture, carpeting, or wallpaper. By taking the time to measure and save measurements, you can save yourself from a lot of headache down the line.
Photo Measures is available on iOS and Android devices for $6.99. A “lite” version with some features stripped can be downloaded for free.
[Price: $1.99]
Home Improvement Calcs boasts over 170 home improvement calculations and unit conversions. A complete listing of what calculations the app can perform can be found here, and more are added on a regular basis. While it is not flashy, it can be a lifesaver for those who frequently work on do-it-yourself projects.
User reviews from contractors and other tradespeople on the app store are positive. If your next renovation involves building an annex, electrical work, or interior design, you will find this app to be useful.
Home Improvement Calcs is available only on iOS devices and costs $1.99.
The chore of planning renovations has been greatly simplified with the help of these inexpensive tools. A new generation of DIYers are finding that, no matter the task, there seems to be an app for that.