So, you've finally found the perfect pad. Whether it be an apartment, loft, house, or single bedroom — you want it to reflect your tastes. Luckily, there are myriad apps to help you decorate your living space — good news if you hate shopping, like me, and the idea of traipsing all over town makes you want to take a nap. The digital revolution means that these days you can do almost anything from your smartphone, and that includes finding the perfect things to fill your home.
Pinterest does this to an extent, but I will admit that I don't fully understand the frenzy about this app. While it's nice to see other people's ideas, if you want to see what items will actually look like in your home, you're going to need more. Luckily, designers and decorators are getting on the home-design train. And, the selection of apps available today lets you not only visualize, but see how your ideas will look in your actual space.
There are many things I covet for my home; for instance, where can I get an affordable outside table like the one the Braverman's gather around on Parenthood? It turns out I've been overthinking this. With space and budget often an issue when you're thinking of decorating your living space, you can easily choose affordable items that look like the real thing.
Ready to get started? These home design and decorating apps are here to help.
1Houzz Interior Design Ideas
The people that founded Houzz were frustrated by the magazine flipping they were doing to find ideas for their new space. "They started the way these projects often do: with a tall stack of magazines and referrals for home professionals from people they knew," the Houzz website noted. "But after those piles of torn out pages failed to make their dream a reality, they felt stuck. There had to be a better way."
When they found there wasn't they decided to create one. A few things that set this app apart is that is allows you to use "Visual Match," a visual recognition technology, to discover and buy products and materials directly from photos on Houzz.
And, if you're wondering what that sofa would look like in your living room you can simply select the "View in My Room" feature and use the camera on your iPhone or iPad to see what products would look in your space. Houzz also features home makeovers from celebs like Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell.
2Hutch
All you need to use Hutch is a photo of your space, your budget, and the look you want to try. Hutch then reveals a customized render of hand-picked products just as they would look in your space. "It’s a simple way to discover your style, try designer looks on your space, and find and buy the right furniture for any room," the website noted.
You get one free design consultation every 24 hours; if you want more you can pay a small fee. And, if you like the items, you can order them from Hutch, which is perfect for people who are allergic to shopping in stores (guilty).
Download Hutch for iPhone; Download Hutch for Android.
3Mosss
Mosss is an emerging, AI-driven interior design startup using machine learning to capture your style and taste. That's right, Mosss uses artificial intelligence to deliver "access to expert design tips, original stories of inspiration, and high quality recommendations for designing spaces in a simple guided experience," according to its website.
With access to never-before-seen data from top designers, Mosss is building powerful tools, including a forthcoming app, to literally put designing your space in your the palm of your hand, according to information provided to Bustle in an email.
"Mosss uses deep learning to capture the unique design process and work of talented designers — readily making the insights available to everyone at a fraction of the cost. Enriched with continuous data, the platform can recognize attributes from the environment including style, form, and materials to produce a visual diagnosis and personalized recommendations for users."
4ColorSnap
Looking at paint chips is about as boring as watching paint dry, in this girl's opinion. Remember that giant sample of paint swatches Lorelai carried around on Gilmore Girls when she and Luke were renovating the house?
Well now you can use the ColorSnap app to choose a paint color from your smartphone instead of dragging around five pounds of paint swatches. The app can even match paint colors with images you provide so you can be sure you choose the color that best matches your vibe.
Download ColorSnap for iPhone; Download ColorSnap for Android.
5Flipp
You might already use Flipp to get coupons for your everyday items. But, you can also use Flipp for your home decorating and improvement items so you can save on things like paintbrushes and put your money toward more important things.
6Brit + Co
Brit + Co is a lifeline for the DIY individual. The website, and free app, lets you explore creative ways to decorate and design every part of your life — from recipe ideas, DIY projects, interior design concepts, beauty tutorials, and much more, according to its website.
"From closing a deal at work, to curating their homes, to making a mean cocktail — this is the most dynamic, multi-faceted and informed generation of women that’s ever existed," founder Brit Morin noted on the website. "Our mission is to be part of this evolution, and to inspire and enable our community to use creativity to shape their lives for the better."
Download Brit + Co for iPhone; Download Brit + Co for Android.
7Design Home
Design Home brings the best of the design world to your fingertips through interactive design challenges. If you like gaming as much as you like decorating, this app offers both.
"Basically, the app lets you be your own interior designer and see how real furniture and home accessories look in different settings with some fun gaming aspects like challenges and voting, — allowing your design dreams to come to life, while getting real-time feedback and validation from the community," according to a statement provided to Bustle.
Download Design Home for iPhone; Download Design Home for Android.
8bHome
The best part about getting a new living space is making it a home, and bHome can help. With a mission to help you create a more beautiful, welcoming, and unique home, bHome is a handpicked group of home and garden experts.
Use the bHome app to peruse blogs, social media, specialty shops, and the experts themselves to get ideas about how to turn your home decor fantasies into a reality.
Download bHome for iPhone; Download bHome for Android.
Feeling inspired yet?
