Grab the hammer, the saw, and the nails. That’s what home renovation is about, right? Wrong. Home renovation isn’t only about the physical process of changing a structure. Technology can now be used every step of the way to be more efficient and to have renovations be more fun.
This year, digital tools are going to revolutionize the way homeowners approach renovations. In 2025, you will have tools to streamline your initial plans and show off the final product. Let’s check out 2025 tools that will only improve your next project.
Make Planning a Breeze
You can’t start any renovation without a plan. Well, you can but it’s not advised. There are digital apps that make it easier than ever before to create, modify, and share blueprints. RoomSketcher or SketchUp let you design your dream space with very little expertise needed. You can create 3D renderings with precise measurements and even work on a virtual walk through. Around 65% of the population use visuals to learn and make decisions.
An app like this to visualize how removing a wall would change your living room can make all the difference. We’re hardwired to use visuals as 50% of our brain is used in design to process what we see. Imagine being able to see your results without ever lifting a crowbar.
It’s not only about planning your renovation either. Acts like this can also help bridge the gap between what a homeowner is visualizing and what the contractor sees when you talk about what you want. You can share these detailed plans to make sure that everyone is on the same page.
Miscommunication can cause some expensive errors. If you’re working with images or designs you can use online PNG to JPG conversion to make sure everybody sees the same thing. Converting image formats makes it easier to share files across all the different platforms that everyone uses.
Visualize Your Redecorating
Most of the major paint brands now have digital color visualizers. Have you ever picked out a paint color, gotten it up on your wall and then hated it?
That’s a lot of work, especially if you paint stripes, that you know you’re going to start all over again. These digital visualizers allow you to upload a photo of your space so you can test out the different shades on your maybe list. Say goodbye to plastering your walls with tiny little paint chips. You can now get a full room view of any color you choose. Take confidence in your decisions.
Augmented reality takes this a step further. You can easily bring your design ideas to life with the right apps. Apps like Houzz or IKEA Place let you use your smartphone’s digital camera to superimpose furniture and decor items right into your room.
You can stand in your living room and hold your phone to see exactly how that new sectional sofa you’ve been eyeing will fit in your space. AR is like the crystal ball for your redecorating desires.
Better Communication and Group Effort
There are very few renovations that don’t involve a team. You’ve got contractors, you’ve got architects, and you’ve got interior designers. There are many platforms out there designed to help streamline group projects. Trello or Asana might be the most popular at keeping everyone organized.
These apps allow you to assign tasks and track their progress. Anyone invited can share updates in real time. Digital mood boards are very trendy right now. You can share your mood board with potential tile patterns and countertop materials with the entire group in one click.
Precision Budgets
What’s a renovation without a budget? Honestly, a potential disaster. Sticking to your budget is one of the biggest challenges. Why make it harder on yourself? Financial planning apps like Mint or YNAB (You Need a Budget) allow you to track your expenses but also forecast some of your costs.
There are other tools that are specific to renovation as well. Some of these can even provide you with cost estimators based on details that you input about your project. Every project has the possibility of unpleasant surprises but these apps will help you cover most instances.
There are even specialized tools like Homewyse and Remodeling Calculator that can help you get cost estimates for your materials and services. You input your project details and get price comparisons. If you’re trying to decide whether you want quartz or granite countertops, these tools can tell you about durability and give you user reviews to help you make the decision.
Document and Share
We are a sharing society. Sometimes we take this a little over the top but everyone loves a good before and after of a home renovation. This is a big journey that you want to document. You can share your progress with friends or create a portfolio to look at later. Side by sides make far more impact in a social media post.
There are apps that allow you to collage and work with your photos about this particular journey with ease. You can even use time lapse photography to show the entire transformation of your backyard into an outdoor Oasis. Just make sure you’re converting your images into a web friendly format. With the digital tools available today, your stunning slideshow to inspire others is only a few clicks away.
Taking on All the Challenges
There is not one renovation out there that didn’t come with hurdles. Some of these hurdles could be dealt with ahead of time with digital tools. A common issue is uneven flooring. Calculating how much flooring you need and the steps you need to take can be complicated.
Measure by Google uses AR to let you assess the dimensions and slopes right from your smartphone. Those project management platforms can also stop some of these issues because you’ll see potential delays ahead of time. You can see your timelines and adjust accordingly.
Work Smarter, Faster, Better
Home renovation is not excluded from the advancement in technology. There are AI powered design tools that can suggest layout changes to maximize your natural light or even predict which materials will hold up best in your local climate. Digital tools are also increasing sustainability.
There are apps that can calculate a project carbon footprint. They can recommend eco-friendly materials so that you can make greener choices. In 2025, renovating your home is about improving aesthetics but it’s also about creating a space that aligns with your values as easily as possible.