Furniture designing is a long and intricate process. Therefore, you need to pick a software to get the job right. Choosing unsuitable software will only prolong the work, or worse, waste your materials and resources. Our experts will help you select the most suitable best furniture design software that can detect design problems before you even start woodcutting.
Reviews of the Best Furniture Design Software
1. SketchUP
SketchUp offers multiple features allowing you to build 3D furniture on your Windows and macOS.
SketchUp features all the lighting effects, animation capabilities, textures, 3D and 2D representations, and layer managers for Windows and macOS that every furniture designer needs. If you want more than the trial and free version, you can get its paid version, SketchUp Pro.
Fusion 360 or Sketchup has a collaborative function ideal for people producing furniture designs. This makes it easy for you to get creative feedback from your team members or customers after using this software for 3D furniture design.
What We Like
- Editing tools are easily accessible
- Can make animated clips
- Learning process isn’t so tedious.
- Helps improve your design and make it more realistic
- Many open-source plugins
- Doesn’t put a lot of strain on your computer
- Compatible with both Windows and macOS
What We Don’t Like
- Require a bit more technical know
- Need to rely on plugins for complicated designs
- Comes with one free trial version
2. AutoCAD
AutoCAD is another excellent furniture design software that is very simple to access on any device. Unlike other software on this list, it is not a free design software as it offers professional-grade features for your work. Nevertheless, you can still opt to use its free trial.
AutoCAD lets you make a variety of 3D and 2D models for your furniture such as cabinet design. It has an easy interface that enables annotations and import/export files when required.
More importantly, this tool has a collaborative feature that gives you the freedom to work with different people and to share ideas too. You can also share and save your work on your preferred device without much hassle.
What We Like
- Commands are easy to use
- Excellent collaborative feature
- Comes in different formats for outputting designs
- Has cloud rendering that eases the strain on your PC
- Include changes to your projects quickly
What We Don’t Like
- Not free
- Not well-suited for complex geometry
- Amateurs need to deal with its learning curve
3. Autodesk Fusion360
Autodesk Fusion360 is a renowned product design software that is also preferred by many woodworkers. It has different efficient design functions that support both 2D and 3D. These allow you to tweak and change your furniture color and material to get the perfect design.
Despite its long list of functionalities, it offers itself as a free furniture design software. This is great if you’re merely exploring furniture design as a hobby without worrying about the pricing.
Like other impressive software, it can quickly help you with furniture design on your laptop, and it can be used to create 3D models.
What We Like
- Industry-standard precision representation experience
- Excellent choice when restricted by budget
- Ideal for professional use
- Has unique parametric design
- Enables you to assemble different parts easily
- Cloud storage helps you to continue working anytime
What We Don’t Like
- Could use a few more keyboard shortcuts
- Creating complex designs and patterns can strain your PC
4. SolidWorks
SolidWorks design software is popular for 3D modeling and design that is priced well for its features. SolidWorks’ features allow you to create a master design for every part of your sweet home, including dining rooms, living rooms, bedrooms, and your cabinet.
This Computer Assisted Design (CAD) software can easily create custom furniture designs smoothly. You can use it to try out different materials, textures, colors, for your cabinet design.
Besides the bill of materials, SolidWorks furniture designing software has a list of partner software. In this case, it is technically free to use other third-party software using SolidWorks, which gives users more design options.
What We Like
- Has several third-party software to use
- Has efficient 3D design and modeling tools
- Excellent customer support
- Solidworks’ assembly features are comparatively better than others
- Can easily use it to design and view complex surfaces
- Custom CAD furniture design features
What We Don't Like
- Rendering capabilities could be a lot better.
- SolidWorks’ pricing can be on the high side
5. SketchList
This design tool simplifies wooden furniture design for any designer and hobbyist. Its 3D sketches allow you to mark the smallest details for modification. It features intuitive virtual boards that enable you to see how well your designs’ elements function together.
With SketchList, you can utilize many colors and grains available as defaults. You can also switch and create personal colors and grains for your furniture. SketchList enables you add contours and joints easily to make professional furniture.
For our experts, this is one good option if you want to get something that significantly eases the design process. In addition, this is available on Windows and macOS. For more info, read our experts’ review about Sketchlist 3D.
What We Like
- One time payment for SketchList
- Has one free trial and a money-back guarantee
- User-friendly
- Features excellent customer support
- Works seamlessly with Windows and macOS PCs
- SketchList produces cut lists and shopping lists for users
What We Don’t Like
- Needs definition of different options
- Not available on the cloud
Furniture Design Software Buyer’s Guide
Skill Level
Outside the price, one of the most important things our experts believe you should consider before buying software for furniture design is the level of your designing skill. As a computer literate [1] designing prof, you can use pro-grade designing software at a moderate price.
However, if you’re a hobbyist and just designing for fun, our team would not recommend this. The reason is that the learning curve might be too high. Therefore, before purchasing software, take into consideration the intricacies of the software and try if it matches your skills and needs.
If you are looking for software catering different skill levels, you can consider the best deck design software we reviewed here.
2D or 3D Modeling
Before buying your software and pay a whopping price, our team advises that you find out what type of system it uses. If you are mostly doing 2D drawings and drafts, you can get a widely used version with those capabilities. However, if you’re the type to utilize more intricately detailed designs, you’ll want something with 3D capabilities to help you with your project.
Platform Availability
Some tools are available for download on Windows and macOS depending on the pricing. Other tools are available to be used on the cloud.
Find out where yours is available before you pay the price. The last thing you want is to purchase a Windows designed tool for your MacOS PC, and paid skyrocketing price.
Pricing
As a designer, the price is the most important thing to consider when purchasing any product or software. Our experts suggest that you ensure the price is within your range. You can explore products that offer a one-time payment pricing system.
They will help you save more money in the long run. However, if you still find these at a higher price range, you can explore other options that are free or with a lower price tag like software with free 3D design that is both compatible with Windows and MacOS.
FAQ
What software do furniture designers use?
The software that furniture designers use is CAD software that supports 3D and 2D capabilities. Usually, this software allows you to intuitively create representations that people easily interpret in real life. It can create furniture as well as other design with this capability.
Our Top Pick for a Furniture Design Software: SketchUp
After rigorous tests, our experts deem SketchUp as the best furniture design software. This intuitive tool has excellent qualities that can support a collaborative interface. Additionally, you can use it both in furniture design or interior design.
Aside from being easy to use, its animated feature will give your furniture designs more detail. Overall, SketchUp would be a wonderful design companion for woodworkers or hobbyists.
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