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.
To create a room layout plan, record the room’s measurements, draw its outline, add fixed features and place furniture at its real size. Then compare arrangements using the same room outline. The useful result is a plan you can revise and discuss, not simply a picture of a room.
What should your planning tool let you do?
Start with three checks: can you enter the dimensions you measured, can you represent your actual furniture sizes, and can you save something useful? A tool that meets those needs is a better starting point than one with the largest decorative catalogue.
| Option | Useful starting task | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|
| Free Room Planner | Draw a measured room and compare furniture layouts | Branded PNG download; keep the original editable file |
| Canva | Present a plan with notes and visual references | Check scale and the template’s dimensions yourself |
| Planner 5D | Explore furnishing options | Required catalogue items and outputs may be paid |
| SmartDraw | Work with floor-plan symbols and diagrams | Check trial and ongoing subscription terms |
| Floor Plan Creator | Draw using Android or a web browser | Web and Android purchases have different terms |
| PlanYourRoom | Investigate as a furniture arrangement option | Current functionality could not be verified in this review |
| IKEA planners | Explore a chosen IKEA product system | Regional range and installation details |
| Graph paper | Make an initial sketch on site | Use one scale consistently for walls and furniture |
1. Free Room Planner
Use the room planner for a 2D arrangement and a simple 3D view. Drawing and Download work without an account. Downloads are PNGs with our badge and embedded editable data. Keep the original file to reopen it with Load.
Its limit is the level of detail: generic furniture is useful for a footprint, but does not establish product compatibility or construction feasibility. You need real measurements and product dimensions for a meaningful fit check.
2. Canva
Canva’s floor-plan maker offers templates and visual editing. Consider it when the plan forms part of a presentation. Do not assume a chosen template already matches your room’s scale; verify known lengths after editing or resizing it.
3. Planner 5D
Planner 5D lists free projects alongside paid catalogue and feature upgrades. Check that the furniture and output you want are included before committing to a detailed design.
4. SmartDraw
SmartDraw provides floor-plan templates and guidance on drawing to scale. It is a candidate when diagram symbols and a broader drawing workflow matter. Review its pricing; a free trial should not be described as a permanent free plan.
5. Floor Plan Creator
Floor Plan Creator offers Android and web versions. Its free web plan lists one project and low-resolution PNG/JPEG export; paid web plans add other formats. Our earlier description of an Android/iOS app without a browser version was inaccurate: the official page lists Android and browser access.
6. PlanYourRoom
PlanYourRoom appeared in the earlier version of this comparison. We could not verify its current saving, export or measurement features in this review. Check those steps on a small example before relying on it for your project; it is not included as a verified recommendation.
7. IKEA planners
IKEA’s planning tools are useful to investigate when you have chosen an IKEA system. They do not remove measurement uncertainty: fillers, clearances, uneven walls and installation instructions still affect the final fit.
8. Graph paper
For a small room, graph paper gives you a straightforward starting method. At 1:50, a 4m wall is 8cm on the page and a 2m sofa is 4cm. Use the same scale for everything. Label the real dimensions and photograph or scan the sheet when you need to share it.
How to create the layout step by step
- Record the room. Measure wall lengths and openings. Note the door swing, radiators and other fixed obstacles. Our measurement guide includes a printable worksheet.
- Draw the outline. Enter the measurements rather than estimating from the screen. Check the complete shape before furnishing it.
- Add fixed features. Position doors and windows using measurements from a consistent corner.
- Add the largest furniture first. Match its actual footprint, then consider smaller pieces.
- Compare two arrangements. Keep the same room outline and check routes, door swings and access to storage.
- Save and review. Keep an editable original and a viewable copy. Note questions for your fitter or supplier.
For a full worked example with an editor screenshot and editable plan, follow how to make a floor plan. This article helps you choose the method; the worked guide shows the drawing process.
What makes the plan accurate?
Measured inputs, consistent units and checked product sizes matter more than a grid alone. A to-scale plan can reveal a blocked doorway, but it cannot verify hidden services, structural conditions or an installation specification. Treat it as an initial planning brief and resolve those details separately.