Recommendations for home and room design software.

[Down Deep]

I'm looking for software to design a home and the rooms within. I would like something that I can fool around with kitchens, bathroom and other rooms. I'd like something that I can place furniture, book shelfs, cabinets, appliances, room/flooring color, etc. . Recommendations???? Approximate cost?

[NoWiser]

I use Chief Architect every day. It is very good for what you mentioned, and the 3D renderings it kicks out are impressive. Its very easy to place furniture, and view different materials in it.

That said, it has its share of glitches that will have you cussing. Once you figure them out its not too bad to work around them. I am not a fan at all of the actual construction drawings it kicks out, but they are workable. In my mind its more of a sales tool than anything, that produces barely acceptable drawings to build off of. But, you can't build a house if you don't sell it first.

For what you mentioned I think it would work well. I'd try to see if they have a trial version to use first before you drop a lot of money. If you don't have a previous version to upgrade from, I believe you are looking at around $2k to buy the full version.

[CJH]

How about Google Sketchup? Not sure if its robust enough for what you want to do, but it'd be worth a try considering its free.