Sweet Home 3D

Sweet Home 3D is a free interior design application for Windows that helps users draw house plans and arrange furniture on a 2D plane with a simultaneous 3D preview.



Developed by eTeks, this open-source tool caters to homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, architects, and interior designers who want a straightforward yet capable solution for planning and visualizing interior spaces.

Whether you're remodeling a room or designing an entire home layout, Sweet Home 3D offers practical tools without a steep learning curve.

Key Features

2D Floor Plan Drawing: Create precise room dimensions, walls, windows, doors, and partitions with intuitive drawing tools.

3D Visualization: Real-time 3D rendering updates as you modify the 2D layout.

Furniture Library: Includes thousands of pre-built furniture models with customization options for size, color, texture, and orientation.

Import Capabilities: Supports importing blueprints, 3D models (OBJ, DAE), and background images.

Measurement Tools: Helps ensure accurate spatial relationships and scaling.

Virtual Visit: Walk through your space virtually in 3D mode to preview changes from different angles.

Plugin Support: Extend the app’s functionality through community-developed plugins.

User Interface

The interface is clean and compartmentalized into four key panels: a furniture catalog, a list of placed items, the 2D plan view, and a dynamic 3D preview pane.



The drag-and-drop functionality is intuitive, and menus are straightforward, making it accessible to users with no CAD background. Tooltips and pop-up guides ease the learning process.

Installation and Setup

Sweet Home 3D is available as a downloadable installer from the official website and supports both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows systems.

Installation is fast and doesn't require complex setup. It also offers a portable version and a Java Web Start version for advanced users.

How to Use

• Start a new project and set your room dimensions.
• Use the wall tool to define layout boundaries.
• Insert windows and doors by dragging them into place.
• Browse the furniture library and drag objects into the 2D space.
• Switch to the 3D view for real-time previews.
• Customize colors, textures, and lighting to visualize changes.

FAQ

Is Sweet Home 3D completely free?
Yes, the basic version is free and open-source, though additional furniture libraries and textures may cost extra.

Can I import blueprints?
Yes, you can import background images like blueprints and scale them for tracing over.

Does it support multi-level homes?
Yes, you can add multiple levels and design each floor separately.

Can I export my design?
Yes, you can export to PDF, SVG, OBJ, and other 2D/3D formats.

Is it suitable for professionals?
While it's more focused on home users, professionals may find it useful for conceptual layouts.



Alternatives

Planner 5D – Browser-based with polished visuals and easy-to-use tools.

Coohom – Ideal for quick layouts and real estate visualization.

SketchUp – Great for 3D modeling with more advanced features but a steeper learning curve.

Chief Architect Premier – Simplified online tool with strong design focus.

Pricing

This program is FREE. Optional paid content like furniture packs is available via the developer's site, usually costing a few dollars per pack.

System Requirements

• Windows 11, 10, 8 or 7
• 400 MB available disk space
• 1 GB RAM minimum (2 GB+ recommended)
• Java Runtime Environment (bundled in installer)

PROS

• Completely free and open-source
• User-friendly interface
• Strong customization options
• Excellent real-time 3D preview
• Supports import/export of various file formats

CONS

• Interface may look outdated to some users
• Rendering quality is basic compared to professional tools
• Requires Java, which some users find inconvenient

Conclusion

Sweet Home 3D is a reliable and capable home design application that strikes a balance between simplicity and functionality. For users looking to design, remodel, or visualize interior spaces without investing in expensive software or facing steep learning curves, it’s a standout choice.

Also Available: Download Sweet Home 3D for Mac and Sweet Home 3D Portable