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On the record · read 29 Sept 2026 · 14 facts

Home Designer

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What it is

Home Designer is 3D home design, remodeling, and interior design software for DIY users, based on Chief Architect’s professional architectural software. Drawing walls creates a 3D model, and changes to walls, doors, or windows update framing, roofs, and foundations. Items placed in a design flow into a materials list for cost estimating and budgeting. For interior layouts, cabinets behave as smart objects that snap, bump, and form to walls; Material Painter lets users change colors and styles to visualize choices. The 3D Library offers manufacturer-specific and generic catalog downloads, and users can import third-party 3D objects, materials, and colors, including from manufacturers’ websites when available. Home Designer works with Chief Architect’s professional product line, and designs can be shared through the Chief Architect 3D Viewer app. The maker identifies Home Designer 2027 as available for PC and Mac with one license that works natively on both. Supported platforms are Windows, macOS, web, iOS, and Android. Subscriptions include software upgrades, free catalog downloads, and technical support. Monthly and annual subscriptions are available; the annual plan includes a two-week satisfaction guarantee. A trial includes the paid tools and features but does not allow saving, printing, exporting, or virtual tours, and it does not expire.

For and against

For

  • Wall drawings automatically create a 3D model.
  • Design changes update framing, roofs, and foundations.
  • Materials lists support cost estimating and budgeting.
  • Trial includes paid tools and does not expire.
  • Annual subscription includes a two-week satisfaction guarantee.

Against

  • There is no free plan.
  • The trial does not allow saving, printing, or exporting.
  • The license allows only one active computer at a time.
  • Monthly subscriptions do not qualify for the satisfaction guarantee.

Who it suits

Home Designer suits DIY users planning interior design, remodeling, or home design who want to see changes in 3D and build materials lists for budgeting. It may also suit people who want to visualize cabinet, color, and style options before making design decisions.

Getting started

  1. Visit the Home Designer website.
  2. Choose the monthly or annual subscription, or start the trial.
  3. Install the software on Windows or macOS.
  4. Use the license on one active computer at a time.
  5. Download catalogs from the 3D Library or import third-party objects, materials, and colors.

Limits to know

The trial does not expire, but saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours are excluded. A license is for one person and can be installed on multiple computers for personal use, with only one computer active at a time.

The verdict

Pick Home Designer if you want DIY home design tools that build a 3D model as you draw and help organize materials for budgeting. Look elsewhere if you need to save, print, export, or create virtual tours during the trial.

Questions

How much does Home Designer cost?

The monthly subscription is $79 a month. The annual subscription is $495 a year.

Is there a free plan or trial?

There is no free plan, but a trial is available and does not expire. It excludes saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours.

Which platforms are supported?

Supported platforms are Windows, macOS, web, iOS, and Android. The maker identifies Home Designer 2027 as available for PC and Mac.

What comes with a subscription?

Subscriptions include all Home Designer features, software upgrades, free catalog downloads, and technical support.

Who makes Home Designer?

Chief Architect Software publishes Home Designer for consumer DIY home design and Chief Architect for professionals.

Can Home Designer designs work with Chief Architect products?

Home Designer is compatible with Chief Architect’s professional product line. Designs can also be shared through the Chief Architect 3D Viewer app.

Facts on the record

Automatic modeling
As walls are drawn, the program creates a 3D model and automatically updates framing, roofs, and foundations when doors, windows, or walls change.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Catalogs and imports
The 3D Library offers manufacturer-specific and generic catalog downloads, and users can import third-party 3D objects, materials, and colors, including from manufacturers’ websites when available.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Company
Chief Architect Software publishes Home Designer for consumer DIY home design and Chief Architect for professionals.homedesignersoftware.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Compatibility
Home Designer is compatible with Chief Architect’s professional product line, and its designs can be shared using the Chief Architect 3D Viewer app.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Founded
The maker states that Chief Architect was created in 1992 for the professional home design software market.homedesignersoftware.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Headquarters
Chief Architect’s offices are located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Interior design
Cabinets are smart objects that snap, bump, and form to walls, and the Material Painter changes colors and styles to visualize options.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Latest version
The maker identifies Home Designer 2027 as available for both PC and Mac, with one license that works natively on both platforms.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
License limit
The license is for one person and can be installed on multiple computers for personal use, but only one computer can be active at a time.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Materials lists
Items added to a design are included in a materials list for cost estimating and budgeting.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Purpose
Home Designer is 3D interior design, remodeling, and home design software based on Chief Architect’s professional architectural software and aimed at DIY users.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Refund policy
Annual subscriptions qualify for a two-week satisfaction guarantee, while monthly subscriptions do not.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Support
Subscriptions include technical support, and the maker describes its customer support as live and based in the US.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026
Trial limits
The trial includes the paid version’s tools and features except saving, printing, exporting, and virtual tours, and does not expire.homedesigner.chiefarchitect.com · read 29 Sept 2026