Home Handy Software Review: HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite

I received a review copy of HGTV Home & Landscape Platinum Suite a while back. Due to flu and storm power outage issues, it’s taken me a while to get around to posting what I think. The good news is that since I was housebound over the last week or so due to snow, I’ve had plenty of time to get the software up and running.

First of all, this is pretty hefty software; it’s jam packed with loads of handy home makeover features – WAY too many for one post. In this post I’ll list some of the overall features, and then later during the week, I’ll show some examples of what you can do with this software, tell you what I liked (or didn’t like) about it, and share some info about computer issues (i.e requirements, if it worked ok on my laptop, and so on).

Main product features and some quick notes from me:

• No major design experience necessary – although, if you’d like to try the build a house from scratch feature, it seriously helps if you have some prior knowledge of measurements, and building supplies.
• Quick and safe download – so far I’ve had no issues with the software, and it didn’t appear to download any weird extra programs (I hate that).
• Printed user book (like 500 pages) and lots of HGTV Video Tips to help get you started.
• Photorealistic 3D visualization – or you can use the 2D viewer – plus change the dimensional look of how you see your projects.
• Includes thousands of 3D appliances, home building options (walls, doors, windows, etc), furniture, lighting, landscape objects and more.
• Appropriate for all home styles in the U.S. and Canada.
• Software includes free technical support.

What you can accomplish:

Build a house:

In order to actually decorate, remodel, and make home plans, you need the house. This software allows you to create a house of your choice. You can build from scratch or use and modify one of the included designs. Plumbing, electrical, and heating/cooling options can be planned too. EVEN plan the surrounding areas of your home, such as hills, slopes, and more. This is not, obviously architectural software, but it’s way in-depth enough for a home owner.

Plan interior design projects:

Change paint, stain and fabric colors in your own digital photos of your home. Paint colors from brands you know are included.

Remodel:

Plan room additions, roof extensions, stairs, walls around your home, and other projects easily. You can view changes in 3D and there’s a cool walk-around feature (i.e. take a stroll through your new digs).

Remake your bath or kitchen:

Tools are included that allow you to refinish cabinets, lay new floors, and replace countertops with new materials.

Plan for furniture and appliances:

Hundreds of tables, chairs, sofas, dressers, and much more are included. Many styles available and a fairly well sized library of large and small appliances and electronics are available as well.

Plan paint jobs, surface features, and fabrics:

Plan new hardwood, concrete, tile, or carpeted floors (plus more). Plan surfaces and explore new fabrics and leather upholstery options for furniture. You can even scan in your own texture or material.

Cabinet plans:

See what your home looks like with new cabinets in any room – corner, upper and lower styles included.

Plan cool new landscaping:

The landscape feature rocks. You can plan decks, gazebos, fences, gates, paths, and there’s even a Plant Encyclopedia with more than 7,500 trees, plants, flowers, shrubs and groundcover options plus with info about light, watering and soil requirements. Best of all you can plan by season.

As you can see, this is pretty powerful software. There are a couple things I think it’s missing, which I’ll go over in my personal review, but overall, this software offers enough features for almost any homeowner looking to remodel or make massive home and landscape plans.

Learn more about the features at HGTV, and stay tuned this week for my reviews.

[images via HGTV]