Hmmm, I think jonnyp's "hd" might mean "Home Depot". They have their own program. I tried Google Sketch-Up two years ago, and couldn't get far on my own. It might be easier now and have more things from others to input and make easier instead of starting from scratch. We have Better Homes & Gardens Architectural Home Designer, and we have been delighted with the 3D views ("camera", "dollhouse", etc). Those views are so helpful to us so that we can see how it will really *feel* to be in the space. I'm not as proficient as my spouse, who was a whiz at graphic programs like Photoshop. Even so, I managed to mock up our existing kitchen so that it looked like our current kitchen. That's when I knew the program was really good. :-) I think AHD was $199 when I bought it. If I wasn't spending so much on my kitchen, I would have gone for the next higher version ($499) to get more flexibility on drawing custom cabinets. Still, the Arch Home Designer level was worth it for the visualizations out of the box. Plus every month, they have free webinars on how to do things--and those are good for learning as well. Here are some images from my use of AHD to plan my kitchen: http://s690.photobucket.com/albums/vv269/la_koala/June_kitchen_planning/http://s690.photobucket.com/albums/vv269/la_koala/June_kitchen_planning/ I just love how I can pretend to walk in the rear door and see how it'll feel.

Thanks for asking! I really want to run this past someone, but I think it will work well. Summerfield posted a few new ideas for my plan, after I showed you the other version. At first, I wasn't sure about the master bedroom in the front. Then, Summerfield posted another version, with the big living room in the back. Between the two, I thought...if the living room and bedroom would work in those spaces...we could have the kitchen/keeping room, on the other side of the house. I've always thought this was the best place for the kitchen/keeping room. It has the best views, the perfect big fireplace (really better than having this in the living room) the size is great...now the baking area can actually be IN the kitchen! And we have a lovely lilac hedge (15' high) on the other side of the proposed porch. So, with Summerfield's help, we came up with this new plan. I really like it, but like all things, it comes with compromises. The mudroom, laundry and utility areas either had to go where I want the porch...or on the other side of the house. Not only did we REALLY want the porch, but the parking will be on the left side of the house. It's about 25' between the kitchen and utility room. There is a small pantry by the fridge, but most long term food storage, paper products and pet supplies will be in the other area. However, we're used to a bit of a trek, so I think it will be fine...and at least we don't have to go to the basement! The claw foot tub will (hopefully) have climbing roses around the bay window, as well as the window seat in the master bedroom. This is the corner (south side) where we plan to have the garden, so it will be much easier to have roses, lavender and other flowers...off the bedroom than my husband's 'rustic' living room. And, the views out the living room will be of the pine trees on the back hill and the horses in their pasture. So...all things considered, what do you think?

If you have a PC (there is no Mac version) and have upper cabinets that are either 30" or 39" tall, with standard size widths, then I think that the Ikea software would be faster/easier to use. The Google Sketchup is more challenging, and you definitely need the tutorials, but the wonderful thing about it is that many folks have uploaded libraries into the "warehouse" so you can use pre-made models. I linked to a 3D Warehouse page having searched for "Kitchen Cabinets" - you could also search instead for search terms like "Kitchenaid" or "microwave" - lots of creative people out there. Hestia Here is a link that might be useful: google 3D Warehouse - Kitchen Cabinets

Is there any software you can get or sites you can use to plan what your kitchen will look like? I know lots of you post your kitchen plans, but don't know if you did that or your contractor. I cannot quite picture how moving/adding cabinets here will look! I'd also like if you could add paint colors, too, but don't know if that's possible. Thanks!