Top 5 Online Patio Design Apps Worth Knowing
Transforming your outdoor space has never been easier. Whether you’re dreaming of a cozy patio retreat, a stylish entertaining area, or a complete backyard makeover, online patio design services and apps can help bring your vision to life. Explore the best tools and platforms that make planning, visualizing, and designing your perfect outdoor space simple and inspiring.
What to Know Before You Design a Patio Online
Before diving into your search for the best online patio designer or app, it’s important to set clear expectations. Keep in mind that every patio project is unique; timelines, costs, and results can vary depending on the designer, tool, or service you choose. Defining your desired outcome for the patio redesign is essential to guiding your decision.
To help you choose the right patio design tool for your needs, consider the following:
- The scope of your design: Understanding the size and complexity of your project will impact the timeline and the tools or services you’ll need.
- Your desired results: Knowing exactly what you want helps determine which service package will best fit your vision, whether it’s a full redesign or a simple update.
- Your budget: Have a clear idea of your budget to ensure you choose services, apps, and tools that fall within your price range.
Pro Tip: Create an outdoor oasis that’s truly yours! Unsure of your style? Take a quick style quiz to discover your perfect look today!
Best Online Patio Design Tools & Apps
No matter which level of service you prefer, there’s a perfect patio design tool or service for you. You have the choice to be hands-on, laid-back, or somewhere in between. Simply go through our list to find your perfect patio planner.
1. Decorilla Online Patio Design
Decorilla provides a full-service, online patio design for discerning homeowners. With a team of hundreds of designers nationwide, each affordable flat-rate design package includes initial concepts from two designers. You’ll choose your favorite, and they will work closely with you to create photorealistic 3D renderings, a color scheme, a floor plan, and a comprehensive shopping list with exclusive discounts that often cover the cost of the design.
Decorilla’s Online Patio Design Process
The process is simple and user-friendly: start by completing a style quiz and selecting the spaces you need help with. From there, their experts will match you with two patio designers, who will compete to create a design that fits your vision. Once you select your preferred designer, they’ll finalize the design, provide all the included deliverables, and remain available for any questions that may arise.
Once the design is complete, the White Glove Shopping Concierge takes over to streamline the ordering and delivery process. They handle everything from coordinating with vendors to ensuring the best deals, saving you both time and money. With one-stop shopping and exclusive discounts, they ensure a seamless experience from design to delivery.
We Love:
- The unique choice of designers: Decorilla is the only service that allows you to select between two talented designers, ensuring your design fits your vision perfectly.
- 3D renderings: Visualizing your patio design before committing to any purchases helps you avoid costly mistakes and ensures every detail is just right.
- Exceptional value: Get high-end interior design services at a fraction of the cost, plus enjoy exclusive discounts of up to 45% on furniture and decor from top brands like Crate & Barrel and Four Hands.
Perfect For
Decorilla is the go-to choice for homeowners who want a beautiful patio but lack the time or expertise to bring their vision to life. With expert designers handling every detail, from customized designs to an all-inclusive shopping list, you can sit back and relax while your dream patio becomes a reality.
Love their work? Get started on your patio design project today!
2. Houzz Decorating App
Houzz is the one-stop DIY homemaking solution. On the Houzz app, you can access the latest patio trends & inspiration, an online shop, industry specialists, home improvement articles, newsletters, and the Houzz community. The latter is especially useful when you design a patio online. Once you post your project in the Advice section, you can get feedback and tips on your ideas.
Houzz’s Patio Design Process
If you want to design your patio online, the Houzz app’s features will be useful in every aspect of your project. Save and share your favorite outdoor inspiration and ideas, connect with contractors or designers, and shop for décor and materials to get everything done.
We Love:
- Houzz’s online shop that features over 10 million products and a View in My Room 3D visualization.
- The Sketch feature lets you annotate and draw directly on beautiful patio ideas from Houzz.
- That you can collaborate with any professional your online patio design needs, from architects to decorators to builders.
Perfect For
Houzz is ideal for homeowners who want to take the reins in designing their patio but appreciate having expert assistance just a click away. With its vast resource library, it’s perfect for anyone looking to tackle a contemporary patio design makeover on their own while feeling confident every step of the way.
3. My Patio Design
If you’re unsure about your backyard ideas, My Patio Design is a good place to start. The platform offers numerous downloadable designs that range from courtyards to backyards with up to ten corners. What’s more, with their custom package, you can have your patio design customized to your unique style.
My Patio Design’s Process
My Patio Design’s process is straightforward. Browse through their extensive design collection or search according to your home’s specifications, such as Patio Designs for 4′ Corners. Additionally, their accessory designs are handy if you want to add a built-in barbecue, kitchen, fireplace, or pergola. After downloading your selections, you can get started by yourself or enlist the help of contractors.
We Love:
- The extensive catalog of patio designs also includes designs for the avid DIYer that are easy to construct.
- My Patio Design’s plans for hardscape accessories, like fire pits, grill stations, pergolas, and patio steps.
- The ease of use and accessibility of the patio planner designs.
Perfect For
My Patio Design is perfect for homeowners who want to kickstart their project with creative patio ideas and inspiration. If you’re comfortable sourcing contractors or handling the build process on your own, this platform offers a great starting point to bring your vision to life.
4. iScape Patio Design App
iScape is a free landscape and patio design app that allows Apple users to design a patio online from a smartphone or iPod. The interactive patio planner provides not only a way to visualize your outdoor living area but also handy plant information and tips. As a professional designer, you can also use iScape to show clients your vision before engaging in the traditional design process.
iScape’s Patio Design Process
Upload photos of your outdoor space to iScape or use the augmented reality function to visualize your ideal landscape. You can create either 2D or 3D designs, collaborate with your partner or designer, and buy products directly from iScape. What’s more, you can change or redesign your patio online as many times as you want! If you need an expert’s insights, hire an iScape designer and design your dream patio together.
We Love:
- You can dive into designing your patio as soon as the app is installed.
- The in-app hiring option that matches homeowners with a professional iScape designer.
- iScape’s user-friendly interface lets you add textures, cut out, and clone your design.
Perfect For
iScape is a great tool for Apple users who want to visualize and plan their patio design with ease, using interactive tools and access to plant info.
5. HomeByMe Patio Design
HomeByMe lets homeowners get an authentic taste of being their own designer. With an easy-to-use 3D planner, you can create a realistic model of your home, add furniture, and decorate to your heart’s content. You can even shop directly from the patio design interface.
HomeByMe’s Online Patio Design Process
Getting started is as easy as clicking the ‘Try Now’ button. This takes you to a generic home design that you can modify or scratch entirely to input your home’s floorplan. Add walls, terraces, textures, doors, windows, patio, furniture, décor, and driveways to match your vision. You can also toggle 2D and 3D views to get a better idea of your patio design. Once you’re happy with your creation, click the ‘Visit Store’ button to buy the products you’ve used in the virtual home plan.
We Love:
- That you can furnish your design with branded items and buy them when your patio is complete.
- HomeByMe’s beautiful interface and ease of use.
- That, if you’re struggling, a HomeByMe expert can draw your floorplan for you.
Perfect For
HomeByMe is ideal for homeowners who want full control over their design and enjoy easy shopping with branded furniture, though it may be limiting for those seeking non-listed items.
Online Patio Design FAQs Answered
The process starts by selecting a design service or platform. Depending on the option you choose, you’ll either work with a professional designer remotely or use DIY tools to create your design. You’ll typically provide input on your style, needs, and budget, and receive 2D or 3D visualizations of your patio to implement yourself.
Yes, most online patio design services allow you to make adjustments to your design throughout the process. Whether you’re collaborating with a designer or working through DIY tools, you can tweak the layout, colors, and furniture choices to better fit your vision before finalizing the plan.
It depends on the design. Homeowners can typically handle furniture placement and decor based on the visuals and instructions provided. However, if the design involves major landscaping, hardscaping, or structural changes, hiring a contractor is recommended to ensure proper installation.
Design Your Dream Patio Today!
Create your perfect outdoor space with expert help. Schedule your Free Interior Design Consultation now and start designing your patio with ease!
