Best SketchUp Course for Interior Design Beginners
Are you an aspiring interior designer struggling to bring your ideas to life in 3D? Or maybe you’re already in the field but tired of hand-drawing layouts or using outdated software? SketchUp has become the go-to tool for interior design professionals, hobbyists, and students alike. But with dozens of online SketchUp courses available, how do you choose the right one for interior design?
In this guide, I’ll share my expert breakdown of the top-rated SketchUp online courses for interior designers and creatives, including in-depth comparisons of features, skill level, and real student reviews. Whether you’re a total beginner or a practicing designer wanting to boost your rendering game, this article will point you in the right direction.
Why Learn SketchUp for Interior Design?
SketchUp is widely considered one of the easiest and most intuitive 3D modeling tools for interior design projects, from room layouts to realistic renders. Its user-friendly design and powerful capabilities—especially when combined with Vray and LayOut—make it essential for modern interior design work.
Interior designers use SketchUp for:
- 3D floor plans and furniture layout
- Realistic renderings and visual presentations
- Scaled construction documents using LayOut
- Designing custom cabinetry, lighting, room finishes, and more
In fact, according to a recent review of elearning platforms, SketchUp has become a preferred tool for designers wanting faster approval from clients and smoother collaboration with builders (source: Udemy course analysis, 2024).
The Two Best SketchUp Courses for Interior Designers
Based on detailed research and student feedback, two SketchUp for interior design courses rise above the rest:
- The Ultimate SketchUp Course for Interior Design by Anna Rangel
Let’s get into what makes each of these courses stand out and which is the right pick depending on your goals.
1. Anna Rangel’s “Ultimate SketchUp Course for Interior Design”
Anna Rangel, founder of Balika Homes Design Academy, brings a fresh and structured approach tailored to beginners in the interior design space.
Course Highlights:
- Basic to intermediate SketchUp + LayOut training
- Focus on 3D modeling, room spacing, and creating scaled construction drawings
- Projects include specific spaces like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms
- Great for developing a polished workflow between design concept and documentation
What sets her course apart is the tailored content built around actual interior design problems. It’s not just about learning SketchUp—it’s about efficiently communicating design intent to clients and contractors alike.
“No words, honestly, one of the best courses on Udemy for SketchUp and LayOut. Anna is amazing…” – Verified Student Review
💡 Tip: LayOut training is a huge plus for designers needing to generate technical documentation. Many courses skip this entirely.
🔻 Downsides:
- You’ll need a SketchUp Pro license to access all course content, which can be an added expense.
- Fewer overall students (just over 100), though reviews are glowing.
This course is ideal for anyone who wants the full package: SketchUp, rendering with Vray, and even some Photoshop for post-processing.
What You’ll Learn:
- 6 full interior projects including living rooms, kitchens, and bedrooms
- How to create photorealistic renders using Vray
- Lighting, material design, plugin use, and advanced modeling techniques
- Bonus: Post-production tips in Photoshop to give your renderings that magazine-worthy finish
Manish Simon is an architect and 3D artist who brings both design and technical depth into the course. With more than 36,000 students and 5,100+ glowing reviews (4.5 stars), this is a top choice if you want to add realism and advanced visuals to your work.
🔥 Realistic decorative elements like curtains, blankets, and pillows are covered—small details that add major realism to your final designs.
🔻 Downsides:
- If you’re 100% new to digital tools, the software range (Vray, Photoshop) can feel overwhelming at first.
- Less emphasis on LayOut or construction document workflows, so it’s more suited to designers focused on visual output.
SketchUp Course Comparison
| Feature | Anna Rangel’s Course | Manish Paul Simon’s Course |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Beginners, designers creating plans | Intermediate, visual-heavy renderers |
| Software Covered | SketchUp Pro & LayOut | SketchUp, Vray, Photoshop |
| Realistic Rendering | ❌ | ✅ |
| Scaled Floor Plans | ✅ | ❌ |
| Number of Students | 118 | 36,000+ |
| Duration | ~4 hrs | 7+ hrs |
| Instructor Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
Which Course Is Right for You?
Still on the fence? Let’s break it down based on your experience and design goals.
🎯 Choose Anna Rangel’s course if:
- You want a focused course centered on professional interior design workflows
- You’re a beginner and want guidance using SketchUp for layout and documentation
- You’re interested in real-world room design (kitchens, bathrooms) with scaled plans
🎯 Choose Manish Paul Simon’s course if:
- You want stronger rendering skills with Vray for client presentations
- You’re okay navigating additional tools like Photoshop for post-processing
- You’re building a portfolio with stunning, photo-realistic 3D visuals
Pricing & Access
Both courses are hosted on Udemy and typically cost anywhere from $12.99 to $129.99 during promotions. Considering many design software workshops cost hundreds (even thousands) of dollars, either option represents major value.
Also note: Both courses require you to get a SketchUp Pro license for full functionality (approx. $299/year), but there is a 30-day free trial ideal for getting started.
What Real Students Are Saying
- 📌 “This course gave me the confidence to start freelancing as an interior designer.”
- 📌 “Game-changer! Finally understood Vray and how lighting affects space.”
- 📌 “Anna’s class was easy to follow and exactly what I needed as someone new to SketchUp.”
These reviews reflect a common theme: these courses work for real-world design projects. Choose based on what matters more to you—efficiency and design planning or stunning visuals and client presentation.
Final Thoughts
SketchUp is more than just a modeling software—it’s a gateway to professional project presentation, client approval, and faster workflow for interior designers. Whether you’re just beginning your design journey or upgrading your rendering skills, the right online course can make all the difference.
If you want to master professional room plans and scaled documents, start with Anna Rangel. For a deep dive into realistic rendering with Vray, Manish Paul Simon is your guy.
One thing’s for sure—learning SketchUp as an interior designer in today’s market is no longer optional. It’s the new standard.
Take control of your design career today.
📚 Research source: Based on 2024 analysis of Udemy SketchUp courses and student review data. See: https://www.udemy.com/course/sketchup-for-interior-design