Planner 5D Review: Can It Fix Your Mismatched Living Room?

Have you ever stared at an empty room and thought, “Where do I even start?” Maybe it’s the mismatched furniture you’ve meant to replace for years. Maybe it’s the dream kitchen you’ve sketched on a napkin a dozen times. Or perhaps you’re just trying to make your space feel more you, without blowing your budget or hiring a professional.

I recently came across Planner 5D, a beginner-friendly home design tool that helps bring your vision to life without needing a design degree. With its drag-and-drop simplicity and realistic 3D visuals, it makes planning your space feel less overwhelming (and even kind of fun).

In this Planner 5D review, I’ll discuss the pros and cons, what it is, who it’s best for, and its key features. Then, I’ll show you how I used Planner 5D to create and customize this 4K render of a bedroom:

I’ll finish the article by comparing Planner 5D with my top three alternatives (REimagineHome, Homestyler, and Foyr Neo). By the end, you’ll know if Planner 5D is right for you!

Verdict

Planner 5D is a beginner-friendly design tool with an extensive catalog, realistic rendering, and cross-platform access. It makes home and interior planning simple and accessible. While it lacks some advanced features and can slow down with more complex projects, it’s a solid choice for casual users, students, and professionals for quick and visual layouts.

What is Planner 5D?

Planner 5D is an all-in-one AI home design tool that lets you create floor plans and 3D home designs without any experience. It’s great for anyone fantasizing about renovating their entire house but has no clue where to start.

Notable Features

What makes this platform different from other design tools I’ve tried is how it combines artificial intelligence with user-friendly design features. The AI floor plan recognition tool alone saves hours of manual work!

For example, you can upload a rough sketch of your kitchen layout. Within minutes, you can convert it into a digital floor plan.

Another thing that sets Planner 5D apart from competitors is its massive furniture and decor library. They’ve got over 8,000 items to choose from!

Plus, the AI features help when you’re trying to make design decisions. The automatic furniture arrangement suggestions have saved me from some questionable layout choices.

Brief History & Evolution

The platform has been around for a while now (since 2011), and you can tell they’ve refined their approach over the years. They started as a simple room planner but have evolved into this comprehensive design ecosystem that covers everything from interior decorating to landscape design.

The growth has been pretty impressive, too. We’re talking about 120 million users who have created over 400 million home designs!

Cross-Platform Availability (Windows, iOS, Android, macOS)

The cross-platform availability is something I didn’t appreciate initially. You can access Planner 5D on pretty much any device: Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. The sync between devices means I never lose my progress.

What I love most about Planner 5D is how they’ve managed to make professional design tools accessible to anyone. The 4K renders produce results that look like they came from an expensive design firm, but I can create them from anywhere.

If you’ve ever stared at an empty room and felt completely overwhelmed about where to start, Planner 5D bridges that gap between having ideas and executing them. It’s an excellent tool for any home improvement project, big or small.

Who is Planner 5D Best For?

Here’s who Planner 5D is best for:

• Homeowners and renters can use Planner 5D to plan renovations, redecorate, or visualize changes in their homes or apartments with user-friendly tools.
• Interior designers can use Planner 5D to create detailed 2D and 3D floor plans, present design concepts to clients, and produce high-quality renders.
• Students and teachers can use Planner 5D to learn more about architecture and interior design through hands-on projects.
• Hobbyists and design enthusiasts can use Planner 5D to experiment with layouts and styles with its simple drag-and-drop interface and a vast furniture catalog.

Planner 5D Key Features

Here are the Planner 5D features you should be aware of:

• AI Design Tools: Create spaces quickly and effortlessly with AI suggestions for layouts, colors, furniture, and materials.
• AI Designer & Smart Wizard: Instantly generate room layouts with multiple furniture arrangements based on your preferences.
• 2D & 3D Visualization: Draw floor plans and toggle between 2D and 3D views for a full design perspective.
• 360º Walkthroughs: Take immersive tours of your projects.
• Extensive Furniture & Decor Catalog: Choose from over 8,000 items to furnish and personalize your space.
• Customization & Editing: Customize furniture and walls, add colors, and apply textures.
• Import Custom Models: Add your own 3D models or images for more personalization.
• Advanced Rendering: Render projects in HD and 4K for realistic interior images.
• Photorealistic Snapshots: Enhance images with shadows and lighting effects.
• Cross-Platform Accessibility: Use on Windows, Android, iOS, and web with content synced across devices.
• Floor Plan Recognition: Upload photos or scans to automatically generate digital layouts with AI.
• Virtual Staging & AR: Digitally furnish empty rooms and use AR to view designs in your actual space.
• Mood Boards: Collect and organize images and ideas for design inspiration.
• Community & Templates: Join a community of over 120 million+ users and browse ready-made design templates.
• Cost Estimation: Access hundreds of accurate home improvement and repair cost estimates based on real data.
• User-Friendly Interface: Drag-and-drop tools that are perfect for beginners.

How to Use Planner 5D

Here’s how I used Planner 5D to create and customize a 4K render of a bedroom:

1. Create a Planner 5D Account
2. Create a New Project
3. Select the Smart Wizard
4. Choose the Room Shape
5. Choose the Room Dimensions
6. Select the Room Type & Style
7. Furnish & Decorate Your Space
8. Arrange Your Furniture
9. View Your Project in 3D
10. View the Render
11. Adjust the Aspect Ratio, Angle, and Zoom
12. Choose the Photo Quality
13. Adjust Your Scene Settings
14. Add & Adjust the Sunlight
15. Render Your Project

Step 1: Create a Planner 5D Account

I started by going to planner5d.com and selecting “Get Started” on the homepage.

Step 2: Create a New Project

Once my account was created, I was taken to my projects. This was where I could create a new project from scratch or open one of the pre-designed renders.

I selected “New Project” to start from scratch.

Step 3: Select the Smart Wizard

Next, I was presented with six ways to add or create my floor plan:

1. From scratch
2. Using the Smart Wizard
3. Uploading a plan
4. Using one of the templates
5. Accessing one from my projects
6. Hiring a designer

I was most curious about the “Smart Wizard.” This option is best if you don’t have a floor plan but want to easily customize one with Planner 5D.

Step 4: Choose the Room Shape

Within the Smart Wizard, I was asked to choose the room shape. I chose the “L” shaped room and hit “Next Step.”

Step 5: Choose the Room Dimensions

The next step was adding room dimensions. These dimensions could be set in centimeters or inches. Make sure you measure your actual space to ensure your furniture will fit!

Step 6: Select the Room Type & Style

The final step was selecting the room type and style. There were a variety of room types I could choose from:

• Living Room
• Kitchen
• Bedroom
• Office
• Bathroom
• Child Room
• Open Space
• Studio

Within each room type were different styles I could choose from, with a preview of the room on the right. I went with a Japanese bedroom and hit “Complete.”

Step 7: Furnish & Decorate Your Space

Once the floor plan is set up, this is where the fun really begins.

The 3D house design tool lets you furnish and decorate your space with over 8,000 items. And their furniture library is massive, with everything from sofas to decorative plants.

Step 8: Arrange Your Furniture

I could arrange everything in the room exactly how I wanted by clicking and dragging any item where I wanted it to be. Selecting an item opened a menu with the following options:

• Rotate
• Style
• Copy
• Center
• Flip Horizontally
• Flip Vertically
• Add to Favorites
• Delete

Step 9: View Your Project in 3D

I could even view my room in 3D by selecting it at the top and clicking and dragging on my screen to change the angle.

However, the 4K rendering feature is what really impressed me. After placing all my furniture and decor, I could visualize the entire space with realistic lighting and shadows.

Step 10: View the Render

To access the 4K rendering feature (as well as screenshots, 360-degree panorama, and 360-degree walkthrough), I hovered over the camera icon at the top right.

Step 11: Adjust the Aspect Ratio, Angle, and Zoom

Next, I selected my aspect ratio, angle, and zoom.

Step 12: Choose the Photo Quality

I also chose the photo quality:

The highest quality was 4K, so that’s what I chose. You can test your lighting by exporting your render in Draft first.

Step 13: Adjust Your Scene Settings

From there, I adjusted my Scene settings:

• Ceiling lighting: Turn this on to light up the ceiling if you don’t have any lighting fixtures.
• Auto-brightness: Prevents your render from having lighting that is too bright or too dark.
• Background: Choose a background setting.

Step 14: Add & Adjust the Sunlight

Next, I adjusted the sun’s position and latitude. I was curious to observe how the morning light would filter into the room and transform the space.

Step 15: Render Your Project

Once I was happy with everything, I hit “Render” on the top right.

Immediately, Planner 5D began rendering my image. I could view its progress by selecting the gallery icon on the top right.

A few minutes later, my render was ready! Here’s how it came out:

Overall, I was pleased with the render. The level of detail was impressive, and it gave me a clear sense of how the lighting would interact with the space in a real-world setting.

I also love the cross-platform functionality. This made it easy for me to start designs on my laptop and continue tweaking them on my phone while waiting at the doctor’s office or during my lunch break. The cloud sync keeps everything updated.

What I love most about Planner 5D is how it’s helped me avoid expensive decorating mistakes. Before, I’d buy furniture on impulse and then realize it looked terrible in my space. Now I can test everything virtually first.

If you’re considering redesigning a space in your home, try Planner 5D. It’ll save you time, money, and design headaches.

Top 3 Planner 5D Alternatives

Here are the best Planner 5D alternatives I’d recommend:

REimagineHome

Homestyler

Foyr Neo

Planner 5D Review: The Right Tool For You?

After using Planner 5D, it’s clear that it’s one of the most user-friendly design tools I’ve tried. It bridges the gap between inspiration and execution without requiring a background in interior design.

The AI features (like floor plan recognition and smart layout suggestions) saved me time. Plus, being able to render everything in 4K gave me a clear vision of what the final space could look like.

Overall, Planner 5D helped me avoid expensive mistakes and confidently try new ideas. What started as a simple project turned into something fun and creatively fulfilling. I could experiment with styles, furniture placement, and lighting from my laptop or phone.

However, Planner 5D might not be for everyone. If you’re interested in the best Planner 5D alternatives, here’s what I’d recommend:

• REimagineHome is best for realtors or marketers who need fast, AI room makeovers with just a photo upload.
• Homestyler is best for designing with real products, creating 2D/3D floor plans, and ensuring you stay within your budget.
• Foyr Neo is best for interior designers needing fast 3D modeling, technical control, and high-quality renders.

But if you’re a visual thinker wanting to see how a space will turn out before buying a single piece of furniture, Planner 5D is a solid choice.

Thanks for reading my Planner 5D review! I hope you found it helpful.

Planner 5D offers a completely free plan where you can create and share an unlimited number of projects. Try it for yourself and see how you like it!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Planner 5D really free?

Yes, Planner 5D is completely free to use at a basic level. The free plan lets you create and visualize designs with limited features and a restricted catalog. Access to the full catalog, advanced customization, and premium features requires a paid subscription.

Is Planner 5D worth it?

Planner 5D is widely regarded as a user-friendly, versatile tool. This is especially true for homeowners and beginners interested in quickly visualizing and customizing small-scale residential projects. Users praise its intuitive interface, creative flexibility, and realistic 3D results.

However, some note limitations in advanced features, customization depth, and performance with large or complex designs. This makes Planner 5D less ideal for professionals tackling intricate or large-scale projects.

Is Planner 5D available on PC?

Yes, Planner 5D is available on PC. You can download and install it on Windows computers to design and render home projects from your desktop, even without an Internet connection.

What is the difference between SketchUp and Planner 5D?

SketchUp is a professional 3D modeling tool favored by architects and designers for its advanced features, precision, and ability to handle complex projects.

Meanwhile, Planner 5D is designed for ease of use and accessibility. This makes Planner 5D more suitable for beginners and homeowners looking to quickly create and visualize basic home designs.

Overall, Planner 5D excels in user-friendliness and fast mockups. On the other hand, SketchUp offers deeper customization, detailed modeling, and a broader range of applications beyond interior design.

What is the difference between Sweet Home and Planner 5D?

Compared to Sweet Home, Planner 5D offers a larger catalog of over 8,000 furniture and decor items, more customization options for colors, materials, and features like photorealistic Snapshots. Meanwhile, Sweet Home 3D is open-source, free to use, and allows you to modify the software. However, it has a smaller item library and fewer advanced customization features.

Both platforms support 2D and 3D design, blueprint import, and rendering. However, Planner 5D is generally considered more user-friendly and visually appealing. Sweet Home 3D is valued for its flexibility and open-source nature.