By Free Room Planner · Updated
How this comparison was prepared: We publish Free Room Planner. Competitor features below were checked against the official pages linked beside them on 20 September 2026. This is a researched comparison, not a timed hands-on test of every product. Check the current offer before committing to a paid plan.
A free kitchen planner can help you compare an L-shaped layout with a galley, check an island footprint or prepare questions for a kitchen supplier. Choose it around the result you need: a layout image, a cabinet shopping list or a realistic preview. Those are different jobs.
Free kitchen planners at a glance
| Planner | Useful for | Limit to check |
|---|---|---|
| Free Room Planner | Testing the room layout before choosing a supplier | PNG downloads carry our badge; no cabinet ordering list or photorealistic render |
| IKEA Kitchen Planner | Planning around IKEA cabinets | Use your country’s planner and check the available range |
| kitchenplanner.net | Exploring cabinet arrangements in 3D | Confirm that its printout contains the measurements your fitter needs |
| RoomSketcher | Developing a furnished room presentation | Free access and paid output features differ |
| Lowe’s kitchen design service | Discussing a US kitchen purchase with a retailer | Confirm current tool access and services directly with Lowe’s |
1. Free Room Planner: compare the footprint first
Use the kitchen planner to draw walls, position generic units and appliances, and compare layouts before settling on a brand. Drawing and the 3D view are free without an account. The 3D view helps explain the arrangement; it is not a photograph of the finished kitchen.
Download saves a PNG with a “Made with freeroomplanner.com” badge. Keep the original file: Load can reopen the editable plan embedded in it. Sending that image gives your fitter a starting brief, not a cabinet order, installation drawing or guarantee that every fitting will work.
2. IKEA: when the cabinet range is already chosen
IKEA’s official planning page provides its kitchen planner and product planning tools. The US page says its kitchen planner is not compatible with mobile devices. Use the regional planner that matches where you will buy.
A retailer’s tool is useful when product selection is the main task. Still check fillers, end panels, handles, worktop overhangs and appliance instructions with the supplier. A catalogue model cannot verify your walls or service positions.
3. kitchenplanner.net: a kitchen-specific 3D option
kitchenplanner.net describes a free browser planner without registration, with configurable room outlines, cabinets, a 3D view and printing. We have not completed an end-to-end export test, so we do not promise a particular downloadable file format.
Before drawing the whole kitchen, try one cabinet and inspect the printed result. Check whether the labels, dimensions and view are useful for your next conversation.
4. RoomSketcher: inspect the output allowance
RoomSketcher’s pricing page lists a free account with starter credits. Measurements and print-to-scale are listed under Pro; output can consume credits. Choose it if those presentation features match your project, after checking the total cost of the outputs you need.
5. Lowe’s: check the current retailer service
The Lowe’s website is an option to investigate for a US kitchen purchase. We could not verify the current online designer and export workflow in this review, so it is not scored as a confirmed free drawing-and-export tool. Ask about cabinet planning, appointments and what documents you receive.
Try an island decision before committing to a tool
Draw the room, add the existing cabinet run and place the proposed island at its real size. Record the gaps on each side, then allow for an open dishwasher and pulled-out seating. Compare the same footprint without the island. Our worked island layouts show why the route past the island matters as much as its size.
Save both options and list unresolved details for the fitter. Have the supplier verify site measurements and installation requirements before ordering. Software selection is useful only if it helps you make this decision more clearly.
Frequently asked questions
Does free to draw mean free to export?
No. Try the saving or export step early. Check the image resolution, branding, dimensions and whether the file can be edited again.
Can I use a free plan to brief a fitter?
Yes, as an initial layout brief with your measurements and questions. It does not replace a site survey or the supplier’s final installation drawings.
What should I measure first?
Record walls, openings and fixed services before placing cabinets. Use our measurement checklist and printable worksheet to collect the information.