Have you ever been working on a home design or decoration project and needed some calculation or tool that just wasn’t available? Well, the solution may be as close as your iPhone. Developers are coming out with new apps daily, and home design and architecture are not being overlooked. Here are 20 of the most useful 
iPhone apps that will keep you working and help you out in a pinch:
Painting
- ColorSnap. Sherwin Williams’ app lets you take a picture of a color and immediately match it with one of the paint company’s many colors. You can also fine-tune the color and create custom palettes. Free.
- ben Color Capture. Benjamin Moore’s version of ColorSnap works just the same, and it’s also free.
- ColorChange. Take a photo of a room, pick a new color and instantly see what it would look like. Works on the walls, ceiling and trim. $2.99.
Carpentry/Building
- iHandy Carpenter. This handy app works as a level to help you hang pictures straight. It also features a protractor so you can find that perfect angle, and a ruler as well. $1.99.
- I.D. Wood. This app is all about wood – it contains information on every type of wood imaginable – color, durability, and recommendations for cutting and nails. Also includes images of each type. $4.99.
- Home Sizer. Calculates the square footage of a project and estimates the construction costs. $2.99.
- Units. Quickly calculate the area, length, and width of an object or room. The app also converts meters to feet and vice versa. Free.
Architecture
- Architect’s Formulator. Can’t remember that complicated formula? This app has more than 200 formulas used in most of the trades, including carpentry, electrical work and plumbing. It eliminates the need to carry around heavy manuals. $9.99.
- cadTouch r2. Allows you to open DXF files on your iPhone as well as create drawings while you’re at a job or a site. $9.99.
- Architecture. Travel to any place in the world and this guide will tell you where the most interesting buildings around you are located – complete with a history, photos and directions. Free trial.
Shopping
- Ebay Mobile. Simply put, a mobile version of Ebay. Allows you to track your auctions from your phone and place that final bid while you’re on the go. Free.
- Craigsphone. The mobile version of Craigslist. Hit all the yard sales in your area with this app, which is linked to the main Craigslist site in your area. Free.
- SwedeShop. Do you have an Ikea nearby? This app allows you to take photos, make notes, and tab the locations of all the items in the store. 99 cents.
- Christie’s iPhone App. A mobile version of Christie’s Auction House. Allows you to browse sales and see the result of recent auctions. Free.
- Find Green App. Find green businesses, services, and contractors who are environmentally conscious. Organized by subject area. $1.99.
Design
- addDecor – Create, change and share your design ideas with this app. Take photos of all your rooms, record information on furniture and other products, and email ideas to others. $3.99.
- Dream Home. Uses high-resolution photos to suggest ideas for accessories and furniture. Select ideas by color, style, and room type. 99 cents.
- What the Font. See a great sign but don’t know what font the writing is? This app identifies any typeface with just a photo. Free.
Planning
- Evernote. A great all-purpose organizational app. Take pictures of ideas or furniture, record your thoughts or take notes and map out stores for your errands. Free.
- Mark on Call. This app from designer Mark Lewison has many features: Plan your space, create finishes and try them out on any part of your room, create a shopping list, and measure with the built-in ruler. $4.99.
Steven Farrell is the administrator of ReversePhoneLookup.org.