Having a basement is like a house within a house. The space is available for extra bedrooms, entertainment, office space and even storage. When planning to remodel or finish a basement, there are a number of software packages with tools including 3-D renderings, supply checklists and cost estimating. With the right software, you don't have to worry about taking on your basement project.
Basement Explorer Software
Have an idea of what you want in your basement, but don't know if it will work? Well, Basement Explorer Software is the package for you. It lets you arrange rooms on the screen and see what different possibilities there are, and then see a 3-D tour of your designs. The software is easy to use, inexpensive and loaded with predefined design ideas, including game rooms, bedrooms, bars, wine cellars and bathroom/kitchen designs.
IMSI FloorPlan 3D Home Design Suite Version 10
Another easy-to-use design package is IMSI FloorPlan 3D Home Design Suite Version 10. This program is all about you customizing and visualizing exactly what you want in the basement. You can build rooms, cabinets, storage and other elements easily and then see them in 2-D or 3-D within minutes. The program can also be used for designing other areas of your house as well.
Home Designer Pro 9.0
With its drag-and-drop features, Home Designer Pro 9.0 makes it easy to plan your basement project. Choose from thousands of design elements from the program's built-in library. You can layout rooms in both 2-D and 3-D, and with the program's Glass House feature, you will see a full translucent view of your layout. Home Designer Pro 9.0 also lets you apply colors and textures to your room designs. The program is expensive, but has features for both basement and total house designs.
Punch! Home Landscape Design Suite
Punch's Home Landscape Design Suite is a moderately priced home design package that allows you to layout basement designs quickly and also see the results in 3-D. The program comes with a printing option for large-format printers, as well as regular desktop printers. Home Landscape Design Suite features a large library of photo-realistic design elements including cabinets, doors and furniture.
HGTV Home Design Remodeling Suite
Created for individuals with no design experience, HGTV Home Design Remodeling Suite is perfect if you are just getting into remodeling your basement. The program features wizards that will ask you a series of questions on what you want to design, photo-realistic 3-D views with virtual walkthroughs and the option to use your own digital photos of your basement to arrange design elements on so you can see exactly how the finished space will look.
