If realism is your goal you can expand the collection by getting extra objects online, so for example you can download particular garage doors, lighting ranges or potted plants. They’re organised into clear categories – architectural, backdrops, exterior and interior features and so on – and include everything from speakers to spiral staircases, chandeliers to computers. Home Designer Suite 2020 also includes an extensive library of predefined objects that you can drag and drop into your floorplan.

As you’d expect there are predefined objects for essential items such as doors, windows, stairs and electrical outlets (if you’re outside the US, these might not be appropriate: for example the UK symbols for power outlets are different than the ones the app provides). The Build menu makes it really easy to create almost any kind of structure, with options not just for walls but for fencing, decking and railings too. The app also includes standard CAD drawing tools and shapes and text boxes. They also snap to each other, so when two sections of your wall meet the app automatically creates an angled join. Dimensions are displayed as you draw, and unless you specify otherwise your drawings snap to the grid. To build your first structure it’s just a matter of choosing the section you want to add, so for example to draw an exterior wall you’d select Build > Wall > Straight Exterior Wall and then position it by drawing it on screen. While the interface might appear a little frightening at first, it’s actually very easy to use.

To create a structure, create each floor in the Floor Plan view and then switch to 3D to see the results (Image credit: Carrie Marshall)

Best home design software for mac 2020