Modern technology is encroaching ever so steadily into the realm of many activities that previously required no technology of any kind. And there is no greater example of this than what can currently be seen in the world of mobile applications. Take interior design, for example.
Traditionally, those who wanted to add some flare to their home looked through endless swatches and considered myriad feng shui schemes in order to arrange the perfect setup in a particular room in the home. Those with means often hire a professional interior designer to do the work for them. Needless to say, this is often a pricey proposition. But one thing mobile apps that are geared towards the amateur interior designer can accomplish with great success is to save that person money.
With that in mind, here are some of the top apps focusing on interior design.
Houzz Interior Design Ideas – i0S, free
Those embarking on an interior design adventure and who are in need of comprehensive reference materials need look no further than this free app for iPhone and iPad. Dubbed “the Wikipedia of interior design” by CNN, Houzz Interior Design Ideas features an extensive database of over a million high-res photos, all arranged by room type, style and location.
Home Interior Design Ideas HD – iPad, $1.99
This app has been around for a while – even winning the “Top Paid iPad App” award in 2010. But just because it is a little older does not mean it is obsolete. Just the opposite, in fact. Home interior Ideas HD allows the user to customize the rooms in his or her home according to six different categories and also offers home improvement advice. And because the app is in HD, the visuals are sleek and stunning, providing a crisp way in which to view potential design schemes.
Dream Home – iOS, $1.99
Like Houzz Interior Design Ideas HD, Dream Home provides a database of photos geared toward helping the user execute their design plans. But this app also offers updates and tips from top designers regarding the latest trends in the world of interior design.
Ben Color Capture – iPhone/Android, free
This is a must-have for anyone in the painting phase of his or her design or remodeling project. Developed by Benjamin Moore, Ben Color Capture generates a paint match based on a mobile photo of any room, vehicle or object. Where the app really stands out is in its ability to recognize near-exact colors found in even snapshots of magazine photos. All it takes is for the user to be flipping through some home design periodical, take a quick smartphone photo of a page layout, and the app provides the color. With this app, there’s no need for swatches ever again.
Handy Level – iOS, free
This Apple app is simple and too the point. All it serves to do is allow the user to hang pictures, paintings and other objects and ensure they are even against the wall. The app’s display appears as a typical carpenter’s level, and the user simply places the smartphone on the object or frame in order to produce a reading.
The above design apps are good examples in that a few of them are still relevant after being on the market for a few years. Indeed, most of the apps on this list will provide many more years of useful service to those interior decorators who decide to download them.
Joe Mayes writes about home furnishings and interior design. He helps individuals and businesses to create superb living spaces with furniture hire.
