7 Best Home Design Resources Reviewed 2025

Have you been thinking of doing up your home? If so, you’ll know how quickly the ideas can spiral. You start with a simple thought about repainting the living room, and before long you’re wondering if knocking through into the kitchen would make life easier, or maybe you should just start again with a brand-new build. It’s exciting, sure, but it’s also one of those things that gets overwhelming fast. The good news is you don’t have to figure it all out on your own. There are loads of design resources out there now, some giving you full blueprints, some letting you test layouts online, and some that are just plain fun for inspiration. I’ve rounded up seven of the best so you can pick the ones that make sense for you this year.

The House Designers – Best For Detailed House Plans

If you’re tackling something big, like a whole new house or a big extension, The House Designers is worth looking at before anything else. Their plans aren’t just nice sketches you show off to friends; they’re proper, builder-approved blueprints you can actually use. Everything is covered, from the roof and foundation to the windows and doors, and the detail means you’re not left guessing what might fit or whether it’ll even pass inspection. The plans are drawn to meet building codes, which is one less thing to stress about. They’ve also got advisors who’ll talk you through it if you’re stuck. Think of it like having a safety net for what is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make.

Homestyler – Best For Drag And Drop Design

Sometimes you’re not ready for full blueprints. You just want to mess about with ideas and see what sticks. Homestyler is great for that. It’s simple to use, even if you’ve never touched design software before. You can sketch out a room, drag furniture around, change the wall colours, and even flick into 3D mode to get a sense of how it’ll actually look. It’s not going to replace a proper architect, but it’s a good way to play around with layouts before you start moving heavy furniture in real life.

Havenly – Best For Personalised Interior Styling

If you want a designer’s input but don’t want to hand over a fortune, Havenly is a solid option. You start by filling in a quiz, upload a few photos of your space, and then you’re matched with a designer who puts together mood boards and layouts. You can go back and forth until you’re happy. Because it’s all online, it’s way cheaper than hiring someone to come into your house and start from scratch. It’s also less intimidating than walking into a big design studio. You get that polished look, but it still feels like your home at the end of the day.

ArchDaily – Best For Architectural Inspiration

If you’re the kind of person who loves to scroll through jaw-dropping houses just to see what’s out there, ArchDaily will eat up hours of your time. It’s full of projects from architects all over the world, showing clever ways they’ve handled tricky spaces, light, or materials. Some of it might feel completely out of reach, but even then you’ll pick up little ideas you can use. Maybe it’s a clever window placement, or a way to open up a room to the outdoors. It’s not the place to go for step-by-step how-tos, but it’s brilliant if you want your imagination kicked into gear.

Ikea Home Planner – Best For Budget-Friendly Layouts

Most people know Ikea for flat-pack furniture, but their planner tool is surprisingly handy when you’re working with a budget. You can design a whole room with Ikea’s products, move them around to see what fits, and figure out how much it’ll all cost before you set foot in a store. It’s not fancy, but that’s kind of the point. It’s made to be quick and practical. Perfect if you’re a first-time buyer or renter who wants to make things look good without spending weeks stressing over details.

Laurel & Wolf – Best For Quick Online Design Help

When you don’t have loads of time but you’d still like a bit of professional advice, Laurel & Wolf is a neat shortcut. You work with a designer online, tell them what you’re after, and they’ll send back concepts with mood boards and layout ideas. It’s faster than most other services, and while it doesn’t go into huge depth, that’s not really the point. It’s more about getting a good direction without dragging things out. Handy if you want your place sorted sooner rather than later.

Overstock – Best For Affordable Furniture And Decor

Once the planning is done, you’ll need stuff to actually put in your home. Overstock has pretty much everything like furniture, rugs, lighting and accessories, and usually at prices that don’t make you wince. They cover all sorts of styles, so you can pull a room together without feeling like you’re stuck in one look. Their filters make it easy to hunt for what you need, and the regular discounts mean you can usually get more for your money than you expected. It’s a straightforward way to get from plan to finished room.

So, Who Should You Pick?

That depends on what stage you’re at. If you’re going all in and building or taking on a major project, The House Designers is the safest choice because their blueprints cover everything you and your builder need. If you’re still experimenting with layouts, Homestyler is fun and Ikea Home Planner is practical if you’re on a budget. For more personal style help, Havenly gives you affordable access to designers, while Laurel & Wolf is a quick fix if you want something faster. For pure inspiration, ArchDaily is packed with ideas. And when it’s time to actually shop, Overstock will help you fill your space without draining your bank account. The truth is you don’t have to pick just one. Mixing a couple of these together gives you inspiration, guidance, and the tools to make your project work without sending you round the bend.

Related Articles:

• Renovation Transformation: Tips and Resources for Modernizing an Older Home
• Integrating Sustainable Design in Home Renovations