Computer Software For Designing a Bathroom

by Alden Smith

Gone are the days when you designed a room by sketching it on graph paper and hoped for the best.  With the advent of the internet, we find that online there are many tutorials and software for designing a bathroom.  These tools allow you to "build" a room in 3D modeling, and input both dimensions and objects pertinent to your design.  There is no end to the software available today.  A search online for "Design Software For The Bathroom" returns 372,000 results, more than enough to satisfy the most discriminating person.  This article will discuss software that will help you design your bathroom remodel.  We will list resources and prices as applicable.

About 3D Software

Much of the software available today has a rather high learning curve, and unless you are a bathroom designer looking for a creative solution for a client, you do not need all the bells and whistles offered by many programs.  Also, you need a computer that will handle these programs.  Typically, they are memory hogs, and use a lot of resources.  The sites that offer these programs will tell you the minimum requirement. Here is a typical list for one of the more popular softs:

       * Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP
       * Pentium 133MHz Processor or better
       * 64MB RAM (96MB recommended)
       * 80MB minimum free hard disk space (140MB recommended)
       * Super VGA graphics card/display card with
       800x600(1024x768 capability recommended)
       * Color display 16-bit or higher
       * Double speed CD-ROM drive
       * Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher
       * Mouse

It is always better to have more. Most modern computers will have even higher capabilities than what is recommended, but it is nice to know what requirements are. Your computer will tell you what is installed by using control panel.

What You Need

For doing your own work, you don't need a ton of bells and whistles that will just confuse you.  What you DO need is a program that will allow you to input color, room dimensions, objects, and allow you to see the room from several different perspectives.  A "color picker" is essential here, because you have the capability of inputting the exact color you want.  This feature is essential.  You don't want to be "just close."  The color picker allows you to dial in the exact color you desire.

There is also soft available that gives you an estimate on cost for tasks performed.  This would be a great asset, because you can have a good tool for budget planning.

How Much Do They Cost?

Prices for software that has the capabilities you need vary widely in price.  You can pay for high end software that you can use for other projects, such as planning a kitchen remodel, and some soft available is also capable of doing other tasks.  Some will integrate with Excel and Microsoft Word, and gives you many other programs to access as well as remodeling your bath.  If you have use for this type of soft, be prepared to pay the price.

Let's look at some soft available today, their features, and what their prices are.

       1. SmartDraw from smartdraw.com is a very popular 3D
       software that has the capability of helping you
       design your entire home if doing a full-blown remodel.
       The program has a lot of features you probably
       won't need or use, such as integration with Excel and
       Microsoft Word, and is used for all around design
       work.  At $99.00, it is a good buy.

       2. Punch! is another good soft capable of giving you
       what you in a bathroom remodel.  Punch! is an all-design
       soft that allows you to go through a remodel project
       for your entire home, including landscaping.  Available
       from punchsoftware.com, it also costs $99.00, and
       would be my soft of choice.

       3. Kitchen & Bath Floor Plan 3D 6.0 is good software
       for those who don't wish to spend a lot of money on soft
       yet want the capabilities of a decent 3D program.  At
       $14.95, it has the capability to pick textures, colors,
       and the ability to control lighting, which is a very
       good feature.

There are many more types of design software online.  One thing to be aware of is that many manufacturer's that have an online presence allow you to design your bath using free online interactive software.  The downside is the soft is designed around their products, and it does you little good if you have no interest in their product.  It can, however, help you get a feel for 3d software, and even an overall design for your bathroom project.

Whatever choice you make, it is always to your advantage to see what your project looks like in 3D.  As a 3d modeler, I know that getting the perspective of all views will show you where your design might have a flaw.  Check out these resources, make your choice, and have fun designing your bathroom.