15 Helpful Home Renovation Apps for 2024
When you've spent money to purchase a home, you probably want it to look exactly how you want. Some home improvement projects are easier to dream about than actually do yourself. Sometimes you’ll need to turn to the experts, either by hiring a professional to take over or just requesting some virtual help to get the job done. That’s where home renovation apps come in handy.
No matter if you’re updating your home to help improve your mental health, avoid house hunting or get in on the latest home improvement trends, the following apps will help you every step of the way.
The following apps are scored by their average rating on the App Store and/or Google Play. Apps with the same score are organized alphabetically.
1. Chairish
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.3
Cost: Free
Shopping secondhand is not only good for the environment, but it’s also just plain fun. Find your next favorite statement piece on the Chairish app, where you can browse thousands of antique and vintage pieces of furniture, art and decor. Plus, you can use your phone’s camera to see how any item will look in your home, a huge step up from picturing it in your mind at your local flea market.
2. Home Improvement Calcs
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.8
Cost: $4.99
Let's face it: Math isn’t everyone’s strong suit. If you find yourself scratching your head when trying to determine how much concrete you need to fill your driveway or how much wallpaper you need to buy for your dining room, Home Improvement Calcs is here to help. With over 250 different calculators within one app, you can easily find the information you need to get projects done with minimal waste or overspending.
3. Houzz
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.7
Cost: Free
Consider the Houzz app your one-stop shop for all things home remodeling and interior design. Within the app, you can browse renovation ideas to get inspired, use the virtual reality feature to see what pieces will look like in your home and even hire or chat with professionals with just the click of a button.
4. Pinterest
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.7
Cost: Free
Pinterest is one of the most popular interior design apps for a reason. With personalized recommendations, the ability to collaborate when creating boards and endless inspiration to scroll through, downloading Pinterest is a must while you're figuring out your next renovation project.
5. iScape
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: Free (in-app purchase for plans)
Home renovation projects don’t have to stay within the confines of your home. Take your space to the next level by tackling a landscaping project, made easy with the iScape app. Plan out your dream yard, learn how to save on building materials and get expert advice on what to plant to ensure your lawn thrives. You can even hire a pro or get the materials needed to do it yourself using the design you created in iScape as the jumping-off point.
6. magicplan
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.6
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Don’t you wish you could just wave a magic wand and have all the work completed? While you can’t visit Ollivanders to get your wand à la Harry Potter, magicplan might just be the next best thing. Using your phone’s camera, you can scan your home to automatically create an interactive floor plan. Once the floor plan is rendered, magicplan allows you to sketch changes directly in the app and even calculates an estimate of what the job will cost you to complete. Talk about magic!
7. Palette Cam
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.7
Cost: Free
Bring the colors of nature indoors with just a simple snap of your camera. The Palette Cam app will pull all the colors in any photo to create a gorgeous color palette you can use to inspire your next design project. Whether you're looking to bring the beauty of the beach into your bathroom or the warm colors of a sunset into your hallway, Palette Cam makes it easy.
8. Havenly: Interior Design
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.5
Cost: Free
If bringing in a professional decorator sounds like heaven, then Havenly is the app for you. Download the app to work directly with one of Havenly’s interior designers to create the space of your dreams. Whether you’re completely redoing your bedroom or just putting the finishing touches on your dining room before hosting a party, their designers will work with you to make sure you find the perfect pieces.
9. Photo Measures
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.3
Cost: $6.99 for IOS, $4.99 for Android
Picture this: You get to your local hardware store, excited to pick up your supplies to get started on your renovation project, only to realize you left your notebook with all your measurements at home. While in this scenario, you’d have to turn around and go home, if you had downloaded the Photo Measures app by Cubenet, you’d have all that info in the palm of your hand. Take photos of your space, draw in your measurements and never worry about forgetting how many supplies you need again.
10. RoomScan Pro
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.3
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
RoomScan Pro is aptly named. With just a few clicks, the app uses augmented reality to scan your surroundings and delivers “pro”fessional floor plans that are incredibly accurate, even in hard-to-measure places like bathrooms or on curved walls. You can even get scans in dark rooms by tapping the wall with your smartphone! This app is perfect for homeowners looking to knock down walls or complete other large renovation projects.
11. Roomle 3D & AR room planner
Available on: IOS
Average rating: 4.1
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Planning on renovating an entire floor of your home? Make sure you like the layout before you begin demolition with Roomle. Draw the floor plan and visualize your new space with 2D and 3D renderings. The app even lets you furnish and decorate your space so you can see how it’ll look when the project is complete.
12. Home Design 3D
Available on: IOS, Android
Average rating: 4.2
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
If you loved designing homes in The Sims when you were young, Home Design 3D is the app for you. Turn your actual home into a 3D model and let your imagination run wild. The app allows you to change the layout, add or remove furniture and even see how the natural light will affect your home at different times throughout the day. Then, when you’ve got a design you love, you can easily send it to others for collaboration or to get started on renovations.
13. Pantone Studio
Available on: IOS
Average Rating: 3.7
Cost: Free 7-day trial with download (then $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year)
You spend a lot of time curating the perfect Instagram feed, so why not put some of that effort into curating a perfectly designed home? Get Instagram-worthy color palette tips with the Pantone Studio app, or go for something unique and check out their monochromatic or split complementary suggestions for a room that pops.
14. Handy
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 3.6
Cost: Free (in-app purchases available)
Everyone needs a little help now and again. Whether you find yourself overwhelmed with your latest home renovation project or just need some extra hands to get the job done faster, the Handy app lets you book experienced professionals in a variety of fields in seconds flat. Talk about a helping hand.
15. HomeZada
Available on: IOS, Android
Average Rating: 2.7
Cost: $59 a year (upgrades available for an extra cost)
If you’re planning on tackling multiple renovation projects at once, it’s crucial to stay organized so that nothing slips through the cracks. With the HomeZada app, you can budget, plan, hire contractors and track your progress for every project to make sure everything gets done. HomeZada will even help you estimate how these upgrades will change your home’s value — a must if you’re planning to sell your home within the next few years.
Please note that the infographic below includes an outdated version of our list. Please refer to the list above for updated information for the top apps.
Tech to tackle in your next DIY project
If you're trying to make your home smarter during your next DIY project, there is plenty of tech out there that you can incorporate into your home to do just that. From LED mirrors that tell you the weather and let you watch TV in your bathroom to countertop projectors that quickly measure food in your kitchen, try installing some of the following objects during your next home reno.
- Bedroom Tech
- Voice-activated blinds
- Smart plugs
- Motion-activated bed light
- Bathroom Tech
- Interactive LED mirrors
- Chromatherapy lights
- Smart toilets
- Kitchen Tech
- Countertop projector
- Digital backsplash
- Smart trash cans
- Living Room Tech
- Home theater lighting system
- Smart ceiling fan
- Retractable projector
- Yard Tech
- Robot lawnmower
- Interconnected security cameras
- Smart sprinkler system
DIY projects and your home insurance
Depending on what DIY project you take on, you may end up increasing the value of your home. Though some projects increase your home’s value more than others, it’s best to let your insurance provider know of any major changes made to your home. They can offer recommendations on your dwelling and rebuild coverage levels to make sure your new addition is properly protected.
Additional home renovation resources
While the apps above will certainly help you get the most out of your next home renovation project, there are plenty of other resources available to homeowners looking to learn more about home upgrades. Check out the following websites to get the help or information you need.
- U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- DIY Printables
- EBSCO Home Improvement Center
- NARI Homeowner Resources
- Hippo Home Care
- EPA Renovation, Repair and Painting Program
- Home Renovation Programs and Ideas
Going the DIY route during your next home improvement project can save you a lot of money, but sometimes it’s worth it to call in the pros.
Next time you feel like throwing in the towel, just download Hippo Home instead to see how easy home renovation projects can really be. Already finished on your home reno and want to get your upgrades properly protected? Lucky for you, we do home insurance too.
