What Interior Design Software Should I Use?
Depending on what you're delivering to your clients, you will need more than one piece of software. There's simply no all-in-one solution out there.
Here are a few ways to get your design packages to your clients.
I'm sharing three options with you. The first option uses Studio and is what I started with. The second option is what I use now because I'm crushing hard on Designfiles and the Home Designer Software is affordable.
Disclaimer: The page contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only recommend products and services that I have found to be helpful and trustworthy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see my terms + conditions page here.
Option #1
Design Software: Studio by Minutes Matter
Shopping List: Google Sheets
PDF Package: Canva
Space Plan (Minutes Matters Studio)
Elevation (Minutes Matters Studio)
Mood Board (Minutes Matters Studio)
Shopping List (Google Sheets)
PDF Design Package (Canva)
Minutes Matters, IMO, creates the cutest drawings ever. If cute ranks high for you, you'll want to check it out. The bummer about Minutes Matters Studio is that you need to create each space plan or elevation individually. That takes time, which cuts into your profitability, but it sure stands out.
Once you get all of your drawings done, you will also need to create your shopping list on a spreadsheet, like Google Sheets. Then if you want to make it a clickable shopping list, you'll need to take a screenshot of it.
Then you'll compile your images from Minutes Matters and Google Sheets into Canva where you can add links to your images and then finally export to PDF.
If you're looking for a more robust system to also house your client conversations, get your contract signed and document more information about your project, keep reading.
Option #2
Design Software: Home Designer Software
Project/Client Management: DesignFiles
Space Plan (Home Designer Software)
Elevation (Home Designer Software)
Mood Board (DesignFile)
Shopping List (DesignFile)
PDF Design Package (DesignFile)
With this option, you'll be using the Home Designer Software (mentioned above) and then you can spec the project in Design Files.
You can't kick off the project and have your client digitally sign the contract in DesignFiles, only share the contract that they will need to resubmit to you at a later time.
You can use their library, spec your items or use your own product library that you've curated in their platform. It will also compile the Shopping List and allows you to have conversations within the platform about the project.
Once you've picked out everything, your shopping list will be created for you, you'll create a quick mood board and add in your floor plans and renderings.
You can then collaborate with your client within their platform or you can create a design package, export it as a PDF and send it off.
If Option #2 sounds like something you'd like to use, I've got some training that shows you how to get started quickly!
There are a lot of different options beyond what I've shared here to create your drawings and pull together the project details that you can check out here.
I know it can get expensive and sometimes trials on certain software get overwhelming. My advice is to start with the bare minimum at first. Nail down your process, figure out how you'd like to deliver the information to your clients and as you grow you'll likely find that what you started out with isn't cutting it anymore. Then you'll upgrade because you've got the experience and cash to do it.
Hola! I'm Alycia Wicker and I help online interior designers grow their business.
Disclaimer: The Blog posts contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I will earn a commission (at no additional cost to you). I only recommend products and services that I have found to be helpful and trustworthy. For more information, see my terms + conditions page here. Thanks for your support.
