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Top 5 Furniture Layout Apps

Categories: Blog | Posted: August 30, 2018

Whether you’re moving into a new home or simply feeling like redecorating, finding a great furniture layout can be challenging. Nobody wants to play a real-life game of Tetris, moving bulky pieces of furniture around to find the best fit.

Luckily, most of us (pretty much everyone, if we’re being honest) have a handy device in our pocket that can help. Need help organizing furniture in your home? Just like ordering pizza, checking your credit score, or turning on a security light – there’s an app for that!

Here are our top 5 picks for furniture layout apps.

1. Planner 5D(Android and iOS)

Are you looking to get hyper-detailed? If so, then Planner 5D is for you. This app lets you create both 2D and 3D floor plans based on the dimensions of your home or yard. That’s right; you can plan both interior and exterior layouts with this handy app. Create a floor plan based on your home’s dimensions, choose furniture from an extensive catalog, and create the layout of your dreams. This free app is available for both Android and iOS users.

2. Magicplan(iOS only)

The Magicplan app puts the power of 3D design in your hands.  You can turn pictures into floor plans, and then plan out your space in 3D. Add and arrange furniture with ease. The app itself is free, but you’ll be required to pay for a download version of your planned space ($2.99).

3. RoomScan Pro(iOS only)

For realistic, no-frills layout planning, go for RoomScanner Pro. This app boasts three different methods for capturing your exact floor plan: touching your phone against walls, scan the room and add in details via augmented reality, or manually draw the plan with added dimensions. Regardless of which you choose, you’ll get a completely accurate digital version of your home, ready for fast furniture layout planning. The app is currently free to download but will require in-app purchases to access many of these features.

4. IKEA Place(iOS, link to Android below)

Real talk: how much do you love IKEA? Do you ever find yourself clicking through their website or wandering through the warehouse-sized store wondering if that pine desk or stainless steel bar cart would fit into your home? Good news! The new IKEA app lets you literally place their furniture into your house using augmented reality. Check it out and place an order right from the app.

For Android users, here’s another App similar to this one (but without that neat AR functionality): IKEA Home Planner App.

5. Plan Your Room

Okay, so this technically isn’t an app. But Plan Your Room is such an easy-to-use layout-planning platform that we just had to mention it. Using a grid, you can map out your room and then add furniture pieces (represented with minimalistic line drawings) based on what you own – or want to own. It’s easy to use and free.

With these apps in hand, you have no reason not to give your home a little makeover. Or, if you’re moving into a new home, no reason not to get organized beforehand. There’s nothing worse than moving things around after the movers have left because you weren’t prepared to tell them where things needed to go.

So relax, download a new app, and play around. You’re sure to find the perfect layout; no heavy lifting required.

Kitchen Design Trends Foodies Will Love

Categories: Blog | Posted: August 13, 2018

Okay foodies, here’s the deal. We all know the kitchen is the cornerstone of your home; it’s where you’ll spend most of your time, both alone and with friends, cooking and eating. You’re likely more excited about decorating or upgrading your kitchen than any other room.

Farmhouse sinks and Pinterest-inspired flour sack dish towels are great, but for someone who spends most of their time in the kitchen (or thinking about their kitchen), function is as important as aesthetic. With that in mind, here are some kitchen design trends guaranteed to make your cooking life easier.

 Take Your Knife Storage Seriously

Where would you be without your trusty Chef’s knife? Having a reliable and sharp blade is cooking 101, but improper storage can quickly lower the life expectancy of this likely-spendy knife. Storing knives down on their blade can actually damage them over time, so instead consider a magnetic knife strip. These handy strips attach directly to your wall, keeping knives at the ready and out of the way. Besides their usefulness, a magnetic strip turns your knife collection into a flashy kitchen showpiece.

 Hang, Don’t Stack Pots and Pans

Is there anything worse than getting down on your hands and knees to pull out every pot and pan you’ve ever owned to get to that one specific saucepan? Instead of resigning yourself to sorting stacks of cooking gear, hang those pots and pans from hooks. If you’re keeping a minimal vibe to your kitchen, apply sturdy hooks to the back of your cabinets. Bonus: this organization tip will clear up space in your cabinets too.

 Boldly Cook Anything You Want (Without Lingering Smells)

Some foods are more pungent than others, lingering hours and even days later. No matter how great a meal tasted, it’s never pleasant to smell it the next morning. Invest in a proper ventilation system above your oven to rid yourself of these unwanted odors. A few things to know when making this purchase: If you have a gas range, you will need a more powerful vent than if you have an electric one, and there’s no need to buy a vent that’s larger than your oven.

 Shine a Light On It

A kitchen is no place for mood lighting. You need to see what you’re doing, especially when cooking on your range. There are so many beautiful lighting options available that there’s no excuse for under-lighting here. Make sure your hood vent has a light, add a light over the sink, and maybe even additional runner lights under cabinets or above counters. You’ll never regret having strong lighting in the kitchen, especially when chopping and slicing.

Whether you’re constantly entertaining on the weekends or just cook elaborate meals for your family, a dishwasher is a must in every kitchen. But not all dishwashers are created equal. Consider purchasing one that includes a utensil rack above so you can wash spatulas, serving spoons, and whisks without taking up too much space elsewhere. Nowadays, dishwashers are nearly silent, which is a must if you have an open floor plan and don’t want to hear it running while watching TV on the couch nearby.

If you love food and love cooking, then now’s the time to invest in your dream kitchen. Consider designs that are both functional and beautiful to create a room you’ll never want to leave.