Kitchen Design Software: Top Options for Your Dream Kitchen

When your kitchen feels awkward to use, even simple things start to bug you. Maybe the layout slows you down, or your new pans and appliances don’t fit the way they should. If that sounds familiar, a makeover is worth planning, and you can do a lot of the design work yourself.
The hard part is knowing where to start. Sketching on paper can work, but it’s easy to get stuck or miss small details like measurements and clear space for doors and drawers. That’s where kitchen design software helps.
In this guide, we share 7 beginner-friendly tools that make the process much easier. We’ll show options that let you measure your space, try different layouts, drop in cabinets and furniture, and create realistic images you can save and share. With a clear plan, your new kitchen starts to feel much more doable.

What Is Kitchen Design Software and What Can It Do?

In the past, kitchen design often meant drawing plans on paper, measuring by hand, and guessing what would fit. It was easy to make mistakes with sizes and layout.
3D kitchen design software now puts this whole process on a screen. It lets you build your kitchen in 3D, so you can “walk through” the space and see how everything looks before any work starts. This helps reduce errors, avoid size clashes, and improve the final result.
With kitchen design software, you can:

• Create 3D views: See how cabinets, appliances, benchtops, and lighting work together.
• Plan the space: Arrange cooking, prep, storage, and sink areas using real room measurements.
• Test styles and materials: Quickly swap cabinet colours, flooring, and benchtop finishes.
• Find problems early: Spot issues like tight walkways, doors that clash, or units that don’t fit.

7 Best Kitchen Design Software Options to Try

Now that you know what kitchen design software can do, it’s time to look at some real options.
Below are seven kitchen design software Australia you can try, each with a quick intro, plus simple pros and cons to help you decide what suits you best.

1. SketchUp

If you’re looking for a highly flexible free kitchen design software that runs right in your browser, SketchUp stands out immediately.
There’s no need to install anything—just open it and start creating. Its cloud storage keeps your projects accessible anywhere, while the massive 3D model library lets you drop in cabinets, appliances, backsplashes, and more to make your kitchen concept feel instantly real.

Pros:

• No installation required; design directly in your browser
• Extensive 3D model library
• Supports multiple file formats
• Cloud storage for easy access
• Mobile viewing available

Cons:

• Slight learning curve for beginners
• Limited templates in the free version
• Free version lacks email or phone support

2. RoomSketcher

If you want something easy to learn, RoomSketcher is one of the most beginner-friendly options.
Its clean interface and low learning curve make it ideal for first-time designers. Just create an account, download the desktop kitchen design software free or tablet app, and start drawing. You can switch between 2D and 3D views anytime for a realistic preview.

Pros:

• Free version available
• Very easy to use
• Can design entire homes
• Wide selection of furniture and materials

Cons:

• Some advanced features require payment
• Only supports desktop and tablet
• Runs as a local app, not browser-based
• Certain tools require credits

3. IKEA Kitchen Planner

If your kitchen will mainly use IKEA products, this free kitchen design software is extremely efficient.
It runs entirely in the browser with no installation required. After entering room dimensions, you can customize cabinets, appliances, and finishes, and the tool automatically displays product sizes and estimated costs.
However, because it relies heavily on IKEA’s own system, finding alternative kitchen products can be difficult.

Pros:

• Fully online
• Shows price and dimensions automatically
• Simple and fast to use
• Projects can be saved for future edits

Cons:

• Limited 3D items
• Designed specifically for kitchens
• Restricted creative freedom

4. Planner 5D

If you want to design a kitchen along with living rooms, outdoor spaces, or entire homes, Planner 5D performs exceptionally well.
This kitchen design software freeware supports both 2D and 3D views and offers templates to speed up the process. Auto-save ensures your work never gets lost, and its design community is great for inspiration.

Pros:

• Browser-based
• Suitable for full indoor-outdoor home design
• Active design community
• Competitions let you unlock extra features

Cons:

• Can feel complex for beginners
• Some features require payment
• The many tools may overwhelm new users

5. Home Hardware Kitchen Designer

If precise measurements matter most, this kitchen cupboard design software free is highly practical.
You can input wall dimensions, add structural elements and appliances, and switch between 2D and 3D views. After registration, it can even generate a materials list based on your design.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface
• Runs directly in browser
• Generates a materials shopping list

Cons:

• Kitchen-only tool
• Smaller product library

6. Caesarstone Virtual Kitchen Designer

If your focus is on color matching and material coordination, this free kitchen cabinet design software is extremely useful.
It provides style templates, modern, classic, rustic, etc., and allows quick swapping of cabinet colors, countertops, walls, and floors. Though layout changes aren't supported, it's excellent for visualizing material combinations.

Pros:

• No installation; works in browser
• Smooth and easy to use
• Quickly tests different material combinations

Cons:

• Not ideal for small screens
• Can't change cabinet layout or structure

7. Roomstyler

If you want a platform combining layout design and inspirational content, Roomstyler offers a rich experience.
Besides kitchen floor plans, this free kitchen cupboard design software includes mood board tools, a design community, and many décor elements. It is perfect for you to create a unique kitchen.

Pros:

• Online tool, no installation
• Includes mood board features
• Active community and design contests
• Abundant inspiration content

Cons:

• May feel complex at first
• Takes time to learn all features

What Features Should You Look for in Kitchen Design Software?

When choosing kitchen design software, focusing on the right features can greatly improve your efficiency and the quality of your final layout.
A good piece of kitchen design software typically includes:

1. Accurate measurement and dimension tools
   These help you enter your kitchen's exact size and automatically calculate distances and spacing to ensure a practical layout.
2. Flexible layout design capabilities
   You should be able to freely position cabinets, appliances, islands, and other elements, with quick drag-and-drop adjustments.
3. A rich library of materials and styles
   This lets you experiment with different countertops, cabinet finishes, flooring options, and lighting styles so you can easily find the look you love.
4. Realistic 3D rendering
   High-quality 3D visuals allow you to preview your kitchen as a lifelike scene, making it easier to evaluate whether the design works.
5. Convenient export and sharing options
   You'll want to export floor plans or renders in one click, making it simple to share with family members or contractors.

Conclusion

A kitchen has to fit range hoods, cooktops, and lots of different appliances, so the layout needs careful planning. Old ways like rough sketches and guesswork are hard to use and easy to get wrong. That’s why smarter kitchen design software is so useful. This guide has walked through seven standout tools and explained what each one does well.
By matching the features you like with the problems you want to avoid, you can pick the kitchen design software that fits your needs and style. Once your plan is ready, you can bring it to life with kitchen sinks, tapware, and other kitchen products from MyHomeware.

FAQs

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