Best Free Floor Plan Software in the UK: Explore the Top Free Tools for Creating Floor Plans

I spend a good part of my week testing floor plan tools for quick feasibility studies, student workshops, and client pre-design. Free software has matured enough to handle accurate room dimensions, furniture libraries, and basic rendering—perfect for UK users navigating tight spaces, irregular Victorian layouts, and small refurb budgets.

Across workplace projects, I’ve repeatedly seen how early spatial planning influences outcomes. Steelcase research links well-planned layouts to improved collaboration and productivity, with space configuration ranked among top drivers in their workplace studies. WELL v2 also underscores planning fundamentals: clear circulation, access to daylight, and ergonomic distances contribute to occupant comfort and health standards.

When lighting is part of the decision, following IES recommended illuminance levels (roughly 300–500 lux for general tasks) keeps floor plans grounded in reality, especially for home offices and kitchen work zones. For color choices, neutral schemes can visually expand compact UK rooms; Verywell Mind’s color psychology notes that cool hues (blues, greens) tend to lower perceived stress—handy when planning multipurpose living rooms.

Top Free Floor Plan Tools to Try

I prioritize tools that balance accuracy, speed, and learning curve. Here’s how I’d pair them with common UK scenarios.

Coohom – Fast layout and visualization

Great for quick space tests with drag-and-drop furniture and clean visualization. If you’re rearranging a London flat or optimizing circulation in a suburban semi, the interior layout planner helps you validate clearances and sightlines before talking to trades. Try the room layout tool for small-space furniture placement and circulation checks: room layout tool.

SketchUp Free – Concept massing and precise dimensions

For users who want direct control over geometry, SketchUp Free enables accurate line work and basic 3D massing. It’s ideal for dormers, loft conversions, or irregular party-wall conditions common in UK terraces. Pair with a simple luminance plan: keeping desk areas near windows supports WELL v2 visual comfort goals and reduces reliance on artificial task lighting.

Floorplanner – Quick real estate and rental planning

If you’re staging rentals or testing furniture for a new tenancy, Floorplanner’s templates make it easy to iterate. Consider a sofa-to-TV viewing distance of roughly 2.0–3.0 m for 55–65" screens to maintain ergonomic posture, and avoid excessive glare by controlling window orientations.

RoomSketcher – Client-friendly exports

For homeowner projects, RoomSketcher offers intuitive drawing with neat export options for sharing. It’s useful for kitchens: respect typical UK galley clearances of 900–1000 mm for comfortable passage, and aim for a work triangle that minimizes cross-traffic.

Sweet Home 3D – Open-source option

If you prefer open-source, Sweet Home 3D covers essentials: dimension tools, custom textures, and basic walkthroughs. On small refurbs, I use it to test acoustic zoning—keeping bedrooms away from high-noise edges and buffering with storage walls.

What Matters Beyond the Software

Picking the right tool is only half the job. The best results hinge on disciplined planning standards and human-centred decisions.

Ergonomics and circulation

Plan minimum clear paths of 800–900 mm in tight UK hallways; 1000–1200 mm feels comfortable for two-way circulation. Maintain 450–600 mm buffer around beds for clean access and linen changes. For home offices, follow ergonomic fundamentals—adjustable chair, 90°–100° elbow angle, monitor top near eye level—to align with workplace research on musculoskeletal comfort reported by Steelcase.

Lighting and glare control

Target general ambient lighting around 300–500 lux per IES guidelines and dial task lighting up to 500–750 lux for desks and kitchen prep. Choose warm-white 2700–3000K for living rooms; 3500–4000K for kitchens and studies. Mix direct and indirect fixtures to reduce harsh shadows, and consider matte finishes near windows to mitigate glare.

Color and material psychology

Cool hues can make narrow rooms feel calmer; lightly tinted whites expand perceived volume. Use durable, low-VOC paints and FSC-certified timber where possible—sustainability adds long-term value and better indoor air quality. Acoustic rugs, fabric panels, and bookshelves become functional dividers in open-plan flats.

Spatial balance and ratios

Start with a 60/30/10 rule for visual rhythm: 60% base tone, 30% secondary, 10% accent. Keep major furniture to 60–65% of floor area in compact rooms to preserve circulation. In kitchens, protect a 1500 mm diameter turning circle where possible, especially for accessible design.

UK Use Cases and Tool Pairings

- Victorian terrace reconfiguration: Use Coohom for quick furniture tests and daylight visualization, then SketchUp Free to detail odd-angle walls and bay windows.

- Loft conversion feasibility: SketchUp Free for roof geometry and head-height studies; Sweet Home 3D to simulate bedroom layout under sloped ceilings.

- Rental staging: Floorplanner for fast furnishing schemes, consistent scale, and soft seating zones.

- Compact home office: Coohom for desk clearances and storage placement; set 500–750 lux task lighting and 3500–4000K color temperature to match IES and WELL guidance.

How I Evaluate Free Floor Plan Software

- Drawing precision: Snap-to-grid, custom dimensions, wall thickness controls.

- Library quality: UK-relevant furniture sizes, appliance footprints, and doors/windows.

- Lighting and material settings: Basic control over color temperature and finishes for realistic previews.

- Exporting: Clear 2D plans with dimensions; simple 3D views for stakeholder buy-in.

- Learning curve: The first 30 minutes should feel productive without tutorials.

Workflow Tips for Better Plans

- Measure first: Capture structural wall thickness, sill height, and ceiling slopes—older UK homes hide surprises.

- Light before layout: Place desks and prep areas near daylight, and supplement with task lighting per IES ranges.

- Zone by activity: Separate quiet work from social spaces; use storage walls to absorb noise.

- Test multiple schemes: Use an interior layout planner to iterate three variations before committing. Coohom’s layout simulation tool accelerates these comparisons: layout simulation tool.

- Document decisions: Keep a short design rationale for each iteration; clients align faster when trade-offs are explicit.

Authority Resources Worth Bookmarking

For deeper background on the impact of planning on productivity and wellbeing, explore Steelcase workplace research and WELL v2 guidelines. They’re practical references when turning a free software sketch into a space that genuinely works.

FAQ

Which free tool is best for UK homeowners starting a kitchen redesign?

RoomSketcher and Coohom are strong picks. RoomSketcher gives clear 2D plans with easy exports, while Coohom lets you validate appliance clearances and circulation quickly. Aim for 500–750 lux on prep surfaces following IES guidance.

Can free software handle irregular Victorian layouts?

Yes. SketchUp Free handles custom geometry and odd angles well; pair it with Coohom to visualize furniture placement inside bays and narrow rooms.

How accurate are these tools for measurements?

Most offer dimension tools precise enough for early planning. Always verify on-site and include structural wall thickness and door swing clearances before ordering materials.

What lighting levels should I plan for a home office?

General ambient around 300–500 lux, task lighting 500–750 lux. Position desks near windows to reduce eye strain, consistent with WELL v2 visual comfort objectives.

How do I reduce noise in open-plan flats using layout only?

Cluster noisy functions away from bedrooms, use storage walls as buffers, and add soft materials (rugs, curtains). Free tools let you test these zones before you purchase.

Are these platforms truly free?

Core features are free. Advanced exports, high-res renders, or expanded libraries may require paid tiers. For feasibility and early design, the free tiers are enough.

What UK-specific dimensions should I remember?

Comfortable hallway circulation is 1000–1200 mm; kitchens benefit from a 1500 mm turning circle for accessibility. Maintain 450–600 mm around beds for clean access.

Can I plan lighting with these tools?

Most free tools don’t provide full photometric analysis, but you can simulate fixture placement and color temperature. Use IES ranges for target illuminance as a reality check.

How do color choices affect small UK rooms?

Cool hues and light neutrals can make rooms feel calmer and larger, aligning with color psychology insights; limit strong accents to about 10% to avoid visual clutter.

What’s the fastest way to compare multiple layouts?

Duplicate your base plan and iterate three schemes—one furniture-light, one storage-heavy, and one balanced. A room design visualization tool like Coohom makes side-by-side comparisons quick.