DESIGN GOES DIGITAL: 9 MUST-HAVE APPS
Our List of the Most Inspiring Design Apps and Why You Need Them Now
Smart. Refined. Style-savvy. These qualities clearly describe you — and our design apps. We’ve rounded up nine tools that we simply can’t live without (and that you shouldn’t either). While they all offer beautifying motivation and galleries of enchanting possibility, when it comes to making your design dreams a reality, the apps have unique features that set them apart. From basic makeovers to total do-overs, these apps make styling and renovating ideas appear at the tap of a finger. Here’s what’s important about the apps you should download.
Chairish
Why we love it: The winner of the 2015 Appy Award in the retail category, Chairish is for both customers and sellers. A spinoff of its popular website, it’s a true vintage-lover’s dream. One can buy and sell high-quality, designer home goods and décor from brands such as Drexel Heritage, Eames, and Chanel. Better yet, styles run the gamut from midcentury modern to vintage, so you can discover just what you need to perfectly suit every home’s look. This app has one-tap buying and new items added each day, so we know you’ll ”cherish“ Chairish just as much as we do.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store.
Houzz Interior Design Ideas
Why we love it: The Washington Post has designated Houzz Interior Design Ideas the “single best source” for finding inspiration. Houzz claims to have “the №1 app for improving and designing your home,” and we believe this app truly does have everything you need. From browsing for ideas to solving design predicaments, this app serves both the interested homeowner and veteran pro. Shop products and share your ideas — then save them to a private virtual idea book. You can even use the View in My Room feature on your smartphone or tablet to see how products will look inside your client’s home. You’ll also discover the app’s database of over 11 million high-resolution home images, letting you uncover design wonders based on room, style, or location.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store or Google Play.
Pratt & Lambert® Color Visualizer
Why we love it: This web-based tool, provided to you by Pratt & Lambert® Paints, lets you paint your walls — virtually. Select or upload a room setting, then choose a color from Pratt & Lambert’s premium, nuanced palettes. With easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions, you’ll be sure to uncover the best hue for your next home project — and visualize the end results prior to starting your project.
Where to find it: Find it online here.
The CMG Color Muse
Why we love it: In partnership with Variable Inc., the Color Marketing Group has created an innovative digital resource to streamline color selection. The CMG Color Muse is an exclusive tool and app, which is available only to members of the professional association. The small, round device acts as a portable scanning system, and it can source, categorize, and see color. With access to the group’s previous forecasts, its key feature is matching color to 2014+, 2015+, 2016+, and 2017+ World Color Forecast shades. With the CMG Color Muse, cross-referencing color is made incredibly easy, especially when scanning any item or texture with the device to discover a coordinating color. Bonus: Pratt & Lambert paint colors are included in the Color Muse system! From tile to carpeting, walls to upholstery, this tiny tool and app promise to find the perfect shade you’re searching for.
Where to find it: Purchase the handheld device and download the mobile app from the App Store or Google Play.
Mark on Call
Why we love it: Whether you’re looking to find creative solutions for an existing space or hoping to map out a new vision for your next project, Mark on Call has you covered. Created by interior designer Mark Lewinson and entrepreneur John R. Haigh, this app lets professionals and clients partner to carry out a plan and stay on budget. It also allows you to personalize a full set of architectural plans with intricate virtual planning — right down to exact measurements. Plus, you can conveniently transfer plans to your other devices to collaborate with clients, friends, or family. And you can invent itemized shopping lists to allow your design process to flow from the touch of your fingertips!
Where to find it: Download for $4.99 from the App Store.
Zillow Digs
Why we love it: As a “hub for all home design, home improvement, and remodeling ideas,” Zillow Digs has the information to make every project happen. Determine just what you need to create the looks and style you and your client love at a price your client can afford. Find out where to source products, browse thousands of images, see home details, and follow other users to share ideas. Providing product colors and details and cost estimates based on location, Zillow Digs lets you find inspiration anytime and everywhere.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store.
Architonic App
Why we love it: Calling all architects, interior designers, stylists, and design consumers. This app, which is an extension of Architonic.com, is a new go-to for professional design research. All the products and inspiration you discover on the website can be found here, too. You can move across product groups, from kitchen to bath to living and dining; locate precise products and find new favorites; and filter by manufacturer and designer. The image galleries include detail shots of greater than 200,000 items. As an extra, you can contact manufacturers directly, then get a list of specialty retailers that are right in your area.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store or Google Play.
Remodelista Lite
Why we love it: Although it hasn’t been updated since 2011, we still consider this app a tried-and-true favorite. Plus, it helps that celebrities and design devotees like Gwyneth Paltrow have praised it. In any case, stylists and architects alike have grown to appreciate Remodelista Lite for its daily content offerings, with intriguing images of architecture, product roundups, and Steal This Look posts. Some consider this app their mobile design sourcebook — and we can see why.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store.
DesignMine
Why we love it: Take a seat, Pinterest. There’s a new player in interior (and exterior!) inspiration boards. Created by home-services website HomeAdvisor.com, DesignMinelets you create personalized boards from spaces that inspire you. Search from thousands of high-resolution images of beautiful homes, with categories ranging from kitchens to patios, basements to home exteriors. Here, you can collect favorite photos, then crop, resize, rearrange, share, and send them to clients or friends. Better yet, after finalizing your ideas, find building pros to carry out your concepts — all with one easy-to-use app.
Where to find it: Download from the App Store.
Do you have an app you can’t live without that missed our list? Let us know in the comments!
