ᐅ Which floor plan software is best for complex house designs?

Good morning,

I hope I won’t be immediately kicked out of the forum for asking this question. I’ve already used the search function extensively but couldn’t find a relevant thread—if this question has been asked recently, I would appreciate a link or a nudge toward the right search terms 🙂

Here is my issue: I’m looking for a good program to draw floor plans. Now, as we are working on the renovation, we’ve reached the point where multi-story planning is needed, including a new staircase. The “problem” is that the house is not just a simple house. Originally, it was a small house, and alongside it, a similarly sized barn was built; later, the two buildings were connected, and eventually an extension was added. Across the full width of the property, there is a slight bend, the rear has many protrusions, and inside on the ground floor, there are 3 different levels (each separated by one step); on the upper floor there is also a step in the living room and then another 3 steps leading to the extension.

The different levels aren’t the main focus to model precisely right now— it’s more important to be able to include the ground floor walls in the upper floor planning. Also, finding the right position for the new staircase will be tricky; I’m already struggling just on paper.

Can you give me tips on where I could find a good program? It can of course cost something, but I don’t want to spend thousands of dollars 😉

No kidding, I would rely on my Legos from my childhood for that. When working with 3D and different heights, they are indispensable. Otherwise, CAD software... you have to know how to use it, otherwise the main goal often gets lost.

Thank you for your response – Legos? The little bricks?

I can’t make progress with a standard floor plan software. The different levels are not that important right now; what matters more is the ability to display the different walls/wall orientations.

Fummelbrett schrieb:
Thanks for your reply – Legos? The little bricks?

Yes, that’s what I mean.

If you’re referring, for example, to the staircase issue, that involves multiple levels. Most people can’t handle that. Otherwise, CAD is still what you’re thinking of. I personally have a program that’s no longer available. Cadvilla would be the current equivalent, but it doesn’t work quickly or easily. And that won’t make you happy if you first have to learn how to use it.

Some people hire an architect instead 😉

Or would Homebyme be something for you? It’s free, take a look.

Or SketchUp... but as Yvonne already mentioned, you first have to get familiar with everything everywhere.

I just tested my old Virtual Architect House Designer Professional. Arbitrary walls are no problem, but rooms with different ceiling heights—that’s something I haven’t figured out a proper solution for yet.

kbt09 schrieb:
no problem, but having rooms at different heights—I currently haven’t found a good solution for that.

Two buildings?

I can imagine that an experienced architect might be able to work around such software limitations (using platforms, cut-outs, buildings), which we, as non-experts, cannot do even if we know how to use the program.
And you, @Fummelbrett, don’t just master it either.

Otherwise, there’s still graph paper and a pencil. No joke.