diff --git a/backend/app/api/routes/designs.py b/backend/app/api/routes/designs.py
index 07edad6..bed6d9e 100644
--- a/backend/app/api/routes/designs.py
+++ b/backend/app/api/routes/designs.py
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ async def create_design(
     db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
     _: str = Depends(get_current_user),
 ) -> DesignResponse:
-    design = Design(name=body.name, design_type=body.design_type)
+    design = Design(name=body.name, design_type=body.design_type, icon=body.icon)
     db.add(design)
     await db.flush()
     # Create empty canvas state for the new design
@@ -47,6 +47,8 @@ async def update_design(
         raise HTTPException(404, "Design not found")
     if body.name is not None:
         design.name = body.name
+    if body.icon is not None:
+        design.icon = body.icon
     await db.commit()
     await db.refresh(design)
     return DesignResponse.model_validate(design)
diff --git a/backend/app/db/database.py b/backend/app/db/database.py
index 03a09a8..3da2212 100644
--- a/backend/app/db/database.py
+++ b/backend/app/db/database.py
@@ -183,6 +183,19 @@ async def init_db() -> None:
             ")",
             label="designs.table",
         )
+        # Add user-chosen icon to designs (idempotent), then backfill existing rows
+        # so legacy designs keep a sensible icon based on their original type.
+        await _try_migrate(
+            conn, "ALTER TABLE designs ADD COLUMN icon VARCHAR", label="designs.icon",
+        )
+        with suppress(OperationalError):
+            await conn.exec_driver_sql(
+                "UPDATE designs SET icon = 'zap' WHERE icon IS NULL AND design_type = 'electrical'"
+            )
+        with suppress(OperationalError):
+            await conn.exec_driver_sql(
+                "UPDATE designs SET icon = 'dashboard' WHERE icon IS NULL"
+            )
         # Seed default Network Topology design if designs table is empty
         _default_design_id = str(_uuid_mod.uuid4())
         row = await conn.exec_driver_sql("SELECT COUNT(*) FROM designs")
@@ -190,8 +203,8 @@ async def init_db() -> None:
         count = count_row[0] if count_row else 0
         if count == 0:
             await conn.exec_driver_sql(
-                "INSERT INTO designs (id, name, design_type, created_at, updated_at) "
-                "VALUES (?, 'Network Topology', 'network', datetime('now'), datetime('now'))",
+                "INSERT INTO designs (id, name, design_type, icon, created_at, updated_at) "
+                "VALUES (?, 'Network Topology', 'network', 'dashboard', datetime('now'), datetime('now'))",
                 (_default_design_id,),
             )
         else:
diff --git a/backend/app/db/models.py b/backend/app/db/models.py
index e74b7fa..caccdc0 100644
--- a/backend/app/db/models.py
+++ b/backend/app/db/models.py
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@ class Design(Base):
     id: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String, primary_key=True, default=_uuid)
     name: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String, nullable=False)
     design_type: Mapped[str] = mapped_column(String, nullable=False, default="network")
+    icon: Mapped[str | None] = mapped_column(String, nullable=True, default="dashboard")
     created_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True), default=_now)
     updated_at: Mapped[datetime] = mapped_column(DateTime(timezone=True), default=_now, onupdate=_now)
 
diff --git a/backend/app/schemas/designs.py b/backend/app/schemas/designs.py
index 92b67ab..32ae107 100644
--- a/backend/app/schemas/designs.py
+++ b/backend/app/schemas/designs.py
@@ -5,17 +5,22 @@ from pydantic import BaseModel
 
 class DesignCreate(BaseModel):
     name: str
-    design_type: str = "electrical"
+    icon: str = "dashboard"
+    # Vestigial: kept for backward compatibility. The UI no longer branches on it;
+    # the chosen icon now drives presentation. Defaults to a generic canvas.
+    design_type: str = "network"
 
 
 class DesignUpdate(BaseModel):
     name: str | None = None
+    icon: str | None = None
 
 
 class DesignResponse(BaseModel):
     id: str
     name: str
     design_type: str
+    icon: str | None = None
     created_at: datetime
     updated_at: datetime
 
diff --git a/backend/tests/test_designs.py b/backend/tests/test_designs.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f70dbeb
--- /dev/null
+++ b/backend/tests/test_designs.py
@@ -0,0 +1,165 @@
+import uuid
+
+import pytest
+from httpx import AsyncClient
+
+
+@pytest.fixture
+async def headers(client: AsyncClient):
+    res = await client.post("/api/v1/auth/login", json={"username": "admin", "password": "admin"})
+    return {"Authorization": f"Bearer {res.json()['access_token']}"}
+
+
+def node_payload(**kwargs):
+    return {"id": str(uuid.uuid4()), "type": "server", "label": "N", "status": "unknown", "pos_x": 0, "pos_y": 0, **kwargs}
+
+
+def edge_payload(src, tgt, **kwargs):
+    return {"id": str(uuid.uuid4()), "source": src, "target": tgt, "type": "ethernet", **kwargs}
+
+
+async def _create(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict, **body) -> dict:
+    res = await client.post("/api/v1/designs", json={"name": "D", **body}, headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 201, res.text
+    return res.json()
+
+
+# ── auth ──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async def test_list_designs_requires_auth(client: AsyncClient):
+    res = await client.get("/api/v1/designs")
+    assert res.status_code == 401
+
+
+async def test_create_design_requires_auth(client: AsyncClient):
+    res = await client.post("/api/v1/designs", json={"name": "X"})
+    assert res.status_code == 401
+
+
+# ── list / create ─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async def test_list_designs_empty(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    res = await client.get("/api/v1/designs", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert res.json() == []
+
+
+async def test_create_design_defaults(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Workshop")
+    assert design["name"] == "Workshop"
+    assert design["design_type"] == "network"
+    assert design["icon"] == "dashboard"
+    assert "id" in design and design["id"]
+
+
+async def test_create_design_explicit_type(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Net", design_type="network")
+    assert design["design_type"] == "network"
+
+
+async def test_create_design_with_custom_icon(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Power", icon="zap")
+    assert design["icon"] == "zap"
+
+
+async def test_update_design_changes_icon(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="D", icon="dashboard")
+    res = await client.put(f"/api/v1/designs/{design['id']}", json={"icon": "server"}, headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert res.json()["icon"] == "server"
+    # Name left untouched when only icon is sent.
+    assert res.json()["name"] == "D"
+
+
+async def test_update_design_name_and_icon_together(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Old", icon="dashboard")
+    res = await client.put(
+        f"/api/v1/designs/{design['id']}", json={"name": "New", "icon": "network"}, headers=headers,
+    )
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    body = res.json()
+    assert body["name"] == "New"
+    assert body["icon"] == "network"
+
+
+async def test_create_design_creates_empty_canvas_state(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Has Canvas")
+    # Loading the new design returns an (empty) canvas without falling back to another design.
+    res = await client.get("/api/v1/canvas", params={"design_id": design["id"]}, headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    body = res.json()
+    assert body["nodes"] == []
+    assert body["edges"] == []
+
+
+async def test_list_returns_created_designs_ordered(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    a = await _create(client, headers, name="First")
+    b = await _create(client, headers, name="Second")
+    listed = (await client.get("/api/v1/designs", headers=headers)).json()
+    ids = [d["id"] for d in listed]
+    assert ids == [a["id"], b["id"]]
+
+
+# ── update ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async def test_update_design_renames(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Old Name")
+    res = await client.put(f"/api/v1/designs/{design['id']}", json={"name": "New Name"}, headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 200
+    assert res.json()["name"] == "New Name"
+
+
+async def test_update_design_missing_returns_404(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    res = await client.put(f"/api/v1/designs/{uuid.uuid4()}", json={"name": "X"}, headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 404
+
+
+# ── delete ────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────
+
+async def test_delete_last_design_blocked(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    design = await _create(client, headers, name="Only One")
+    res = await client.delete(f"/api/v1/designs/{design['id']}", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 400
+
+
+async def test_delete_design_missing_returns_404(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    # Need >1 design so we get past nothing; 404 path is checked before the count guard.
+    await _create(client, headers, name="Keep")
+    res = await client.delete(f"/api/v1/designs/{uuid.uuid4()}", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 404
+
+
+async def test_delete_design_removes_its_nodes_edges_and_canvas(client: AsyncClient, headers: dict):
+    keep = await _create(client, headers, name="Keep")
+    victim = await _create(client, headers, name="Victim")
+
+    # Populate the victim design with nodes + an edge via canvas save.
+    n1 = node_payload(label="A")
+    n2 = node_payload(label="B")
+    e1 = edge_payload(n1["id"], n2["id"])
+    save = await client.post(
+        "/api/v1/canvas/save",
+        json={"nodes": [n1, n2], "edges": [e1], "viewport": {}, "design_id": victim["id"]},
+        headers=headers,
+    )
+    assert save.status_code == 200
+
+    # Populate the kept design too, to prove scoping.
+    k1 = node_payload(label="K")
+    await client.post(
+        "/api/v1/canvas/save",
+        json={"nodes": [k1], "edges": [], "viewport": {}, "design_id": keep["id"]},
+        headers=headers,
+    )
+
+    res = await client.delete(f"/api/v1/designs/{victim['id']}", headers=headers)
+    assert res.status_code == 204
+
+    # Victim gone from list.
+    listed = (await client.get("/api/v1/designs", headers=headers)).json()
+    assert [d["id"] for d in listed] == [keep["id"]]
+
+    # Kept design's node survives untouched.
+    kept_canvas = (await client.get("/api/v1/canvas", params={"design_id": keep["id"]}, headers=headers)).json()
+    assert len(kept_canvas["nodes"]) == 1
+    assert kept_canvas["nodes"][0]["label"] == "K"
diff --git a/frontend/src/App.tsx b/frontend/src/App.tsx
index 4c885ee..7e4d800 100644
--- a/frontend/src/App.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/App.tsx
@@ -72,23 +72,27 @@ export default function App() {
   const [exportModalOpen, setExportModalOpen] = useState(false)
   const [zigbeeImportOpen, setZigbeeImportOpen] = useState(false)
 
-  // Declare handleSave before the Ctrl+S effect so it is in scope
-  const handleSave = useCallback(async (designIdOverride?: string) => {
+  // Declare handleSave before the Ctrl+S effect so it is in scope.
+  // Returns true on success, false on failure — the design-switch effect relies
+  // on this to avoid loading (and clobbering) the canvas when a save fails.
+  const handleSave = useCallback(async (designIdOverride?: string): Promise<boolean> => {
     try {
       const saveDesignId = designIdOverride ?? activeDesignId
       if (STANDALONE) {
         localStorage.setItem(STANDALONE_STORAGE_KEY, JSON.stringify({ nodes, edges, theme_id: activeTheme, custom_style: customStyle }))
         markSaved()
         toast.success('Canvas saved')
-        return
+        return true
       }
       const nodesToSave = nodes.map(serializeNode)
       const edgesToSave = edges.map(serializeEdge)
       await canvasApi.save({ nodes: nodesToSave, edges: edgesToSave, viewport: { theme_id: activeTheme }, custom_style: customStyle, design_id: saveDesignId })
       markSaved()
       toast.success('Canvas saved')
+      return true
     } catch {
       toast.error('Save failed')
+      return false
     }
   }, [nodes, edges, markSaved, activeTheme, customStyle, activeDesignId])
 
@@ -162,16 +166,37 @@ export default function App() {
   // Reload canvas when active design changes (after initial load)
   const initialLoadDone = useRef(false)
   const prevDesignRef = useRef<string | null>(null)
+  // Set while we programmatically revert activeDesignId after a failed save, so
+  // the re-entrant effect run skips save/load and just re-syncs the refs.
+  const revertingRef = useRef(false)
   useEffect(() => {
+    if (revertingRef.current) {
+      revertingRef.current = false
+      prevDesignRef.current = activeDesignId
+      return
+    }
     if (!STANDALONE && isAuthenticated && activeDesignId && initialLoadDone.current) {
       const oldId = prevDesignRef.current
-      if (oldId && oldId !== activeDesignId) {
+      // If the previous design was deleted (no longer in the list), don't try to
+      // save into it — just load the newly-selected design.
+      const oldStillExists = oldId ? useDesignStore.getState().designs.some((d) => d.id === oldId) : false
+      if (oldId && oldId !== activeDesignId && oldStillExists) {
         // Save current (old) canvas data under the old design ID before switching.
         // We call handleSave directly (not via ref) so it runs in this effect's
         // closure where activeDesignId is already the NEW value — the override
         // ensures data is stored under the correct design_id.
-        handleSave(oldId).then(() => {
-          loadCanvasFromApi(activeDesignId)
+        const targetId = activeDesignId
+        handleSave(oldId).then((ok) => {
+          if (ok) {
+            loadCanvasFromApi(targetId)
+          } else {
+            // Save failed: don't load the new design — that would overwrite the
+            // unsaved in-memory canvas. Revert the selection back to the old
+            // design so the UI matches the data still on screen.
+            toast.error('Switch cancelled — unsaved changes kept')
+            revertingRef.current = true
+            setActiveDesign(oldId)
+          }
         })
       } else {
         loadCanvasFromApi(activeDesignId)
diff --git a/frontend/src/api/client.ts b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
index ab63b1f..fb8eb34 100644
--- a/frontend/src/api/client.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/api/client.ts
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ export const settingsApi = {
 
 export const designsApi = {
   list: () => api.get<import('@/types').Design[]>('/designs'),
-  create: (data: { name: string; design_type: string }) =>
+  create: (data: { name: string; icon?: string; design_type?: string }) =>
     api.post<import('@/types').Design>('/designs', data),
-  update: (id: string, data: { name?: string }) =>
+  update: (id: string, data: { name?: string; icon?: string }) =>
     api.put<import('@/types').Design>(`/designs/${id}`, data),
   delete: (id: string) => api.delete(`/designs/${id}`),
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/DesignModal.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/DesignModal.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d488470
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/DesignModal.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+import { useState } from 'react'
+import { Dialog, DialogContent, DialogHeader, DialogTitle, DialogFooter } from '@/components/ui/dialog'
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button'
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label'
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input'
+import { DESIGN_ICONS, DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON } from '@/utils/designIcons'
+
+export interface DesignFormData {
+  name: string
+  icon: string
+}
+
+interface DesignModalProps {
+  open: boolean
+  onClose: () => void
+  onSubmit: (data: DesignFormData) => void
+  initial?: DesignFormData
+  title?: string
+  submitLabel?: string
+}
+
+export function DesignModal({ open, onClose, onSubmit, initial, title = 'New Canvas', submitLabel = 'Create' }: DesignModalProps) {
+  const [name, setName] = useState(initial?.name ?? '')
+  const [icon, setIcon] = useState(initial?.icon ?? DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON)
+
+  const handleSubmit = () => {
+    const trimmed = name.trim()
+    if (!trimmed) return
+    onSubmit({ name: trimmed, icon })
+  }
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={(o) => !o && onClose()}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-md">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>{title}</DialogTitle>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-4 py-2">
+          <div className="space-y-1.5">
+            <Label htmlFor="design-name">Name</Label>
+            <Input
+              id="design-name"
+              value={name}
+              onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
+              onKeyDown={(e) => { if (e.key === 'Enter') handleSubmit() }}
+              placeholder="e.g. Home Network, Rack Power"
+              autoFocus
+            />
+          </div>
+
+          <div className="space-y-1.5">
+            <Label>Icon</Label>
+            <div className="grid grid-cols-8 gap-1.5">
+              {DESIGN_ICONS.map((entry) => {
+                const Icon = entry.icon
+                const selected = entry.key === icon
+                return (
+                  <button
+                    key={entry.key}
+                    type="button"
+                    aria-label={entry.label}
+                    aria-pressed={selected}
+                    title={entry.label}
+                    onClick={() => setIcon(entry.key)}
+                    className={`flex items-center justify-center aspect-square rounded-md border transition-colors cursor-pointer ${
+                      selected
+                        ? 'border-[#00d4ff] bg-[#00d4ff]/10 text-[#00d4ff]'
+                        : 'border-border text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:border-[#30363d]'
+                    }`}
+                  >
+                    <Icon size={16} />
+                  </button>
+                )
+              })}
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button variant="ghost" onClick={onClose}>Cancel</Button>
+          <Button onClick={handleSubmit} disabled={!name.trim()}>{submitLabel}</Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  )
+}
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DesignModal.test.tsx b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DesignModal.test.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..681c668
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/components/modals/__tests__/DesignModal.test.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, vi } from 'vitest'
+import { render, screen, fireEvent } from '@testing-library/react'
+import { DesignModal } from '../DesignModal'
+import { DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON } from '@/utils/designIcons'
+
+function renderModal(props: Partial<Parameters<typeof DesignModal>[0]> = {}) {
+  const onClose = vi.fn()
+  const onSubmit = vi.fn()
+  render(<DesignModal open onClose={onClose} onSubmit={onSubmit} {...props} />)
+  return { onClose, onSubmit }
+}
+
+describe('DesignModal', () => {
+  it('creates with the typed name and default icon', () => {
+    const { onSubmit } = renderModal()
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText('Name'), { target: { value: 'Home Network' } })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Create' }))
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Home Network', icon: DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON })
+  })
+
+  it('submits the selected icon', () => {
+    const { onSubmit } = renderModal()
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText('Name'), { target: { value: 'Rack Power' } })
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Electrical' })) // zap icon's aria-label
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Create' }))
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Rack Power', icon: 'zap' })
+  })
+
+  it('trims whitespace and blocks empty names', () => {
+    const { onSubmit } = renderModal()
+    // Empty → submit disabled, no call.
+    const submit = screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Create' })
+    expect(submit).toBeDisabled()
+
+    fireEvent.change(screen.getByLabelText('Name'), { target: { value: '  Spaced  ' } })
+    fireEvent.click(submit)
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Spaced', icon: DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON })
+  })
+
+  it('prefills name and icon in edit mode', () => {
+    const { onSubmit } = renderModal({
+      initial: { name: 'Existing', icon: 'server' },
+      title: 'Edit Canvas',
+      submitLabel: 'Save',
+    })
+    expect(screen.getByLabelText('Name')).toHaveValue('Existing')
+    // The server icon button is pre-selected.
+    expect(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Server' })).toHaveAttribute('aria-pressed', 'true')
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Save' }))
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Existing', icon: 'server' })
+  })
+
+  it('submits on Enter from the name field', () => {
+    const { onSubmit } = renderModal()
+    const input = screen.getByLabelText('Name')
+    fireEvent.change(input, { target: { value: 'Quick' } })
+    fireEvent.keyDown(input, { key: 'Enter' })
+    expect(onSubmit).toHaveBeenCalledWith({ name: 'Quick', icon: DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON })
+  })
+
+  it('calls onClose from Cancel', () => {
+    const { onClose, onSubmit } = renderModal()
+    fireEvent.click(screen.getByRole('button', { name: 'Cancel' }))
+    expect(onClose).toHaveBeenCalled()
+    expect(onSubmit).not.toHaveBeenCalled()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/components/panels/Sidebar.tsx b/frontend/src/components/panels/Sidebar.tsx
index c0f1e0b..effa9cc 100644
--- a/frontend/src/components/panels/Sidebar.tsx
+++ b/frontend/src/components/panels/Sidebar.tsx
@@ -1,11 +1,14 @@
 import { useState, useCallback, useEffect, useRef } from 'react'
-import { Plus, Save, ScanLine, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, LayoutDashboard, Clock, EyeOff, RefreshCw, Loader2, Square, Eye, Settings, StopCircle, LogOut, Network, Type, Zap, PlusCircle } from 'lucide-react'
+import { Plus, Save, ScanLine, ChevronLeft, ChevronRight, LayoutDashboard, Clock, EyeOff, RefreshCw, Loader2, Square, Eye, Settings, StopCircle, LogOut, Network, Type, PlusCircle, Pencil, Trash2 } from 'lucide-react'
 import { Logo } from '@/components/ui/Logo'
 import { Tooltip, TooltipContent, TooltipTrigger } from '@/components/ui/tooltip'
 import { useCanvasStore } from '@/stores/canvasStore'
 import { useDesignStore } from '@/stores/designStore'
 import { useAuthStore } from '@/stores/authStore'
 import { designsApi, scanApi, settingsApi } from '@/api/client'
+import { resolveDesignIcon, DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON } from '@/utils/designIcons'
+import { DesignModal, type DesignFormData } from '@/components/modals/DesignModal'
+import type { Design } from '@/types'
 import { toast } from 'sonner'
 import { useLatestRelease } from '@/hooks/useLatestRelease'
 import {
@@ -51,9 +54,37 @@ export function Sidebar({ onAddNode, onAddGroupRect, onAddText, onScan, onZigbee
   const [activeView, setActiveView] = useState<SidebarView>(forceView ?? 'canvas')
   const [prevForceView, setPrevForceView] = useState(forceView)
   const logout = useAuthStore((s) => s.logout)
-  const { designs, activeDesignId, setActiveDesign } = useDesignStore()
-  const [creating, setCreating] = useState(false)
+  const { designs, activeDesignId, setActiveDesign, addDesign, updateDesign, removeDesign } = useDesignStore()
   const [designSwitcherOpen, setDesignSwitcherOpen] = useState(false)
+  const [designModal, setDesignModal] = useState<{ mode: 'create' | 'edit'; design?: Design } | null>(null)
+
+  const handleDesignSubmit = useCallback(async (data: DesignFormData) => {
+    if (!designModal) return
+    try {
+      if (designModal.mode === 'create') {
+        const res = await designsApi.create({ name: data.name, icon: data.icon })
+        addDesign(res.data)
+      } else if (designModal.design) {
+        const res = await designsApi.update(designModal.design.id, { name: data.name, icon: data.icon })
+        updateDesign(res.data.id, { name: res.data.name, icon: res.data.icon })
+      }
+      setDesignModal(null)
+    } catch {
+      toast.error(designModal.mode === 'create' ? 'Failed to create canvas' : 'Failed to update canvas')
+    }
+  }, [designModal, addDesign, updateDesign])
+
+  const handleDesignDelete = useCallback(async (d: Design) => {
+    if (designs.length <= 1) { toast.error('Cannot delete the only canvas'); return }
+    if (!window.confirm(`Delete canvas "${d.name}"? Its nodes and links will be removed.`)) return
+    try {
+      await designsApi.delete(d.id)
+      removeDesign(d.id)
+      toast.success('Canvas deleted')
+    } catch {
+      toast.error('Failed to delete canvas')
+    }
+  }, [designs.length, removeDesign])
 
   // forceView acts as a one-shot trigger from parent; user clicks afterwards still control view.
   if (forceView !== prevForceView) {
@@ -101,9 +132,9 @@ export function Sidebar({ onAddNode, onAddGroupRect, onAddText, onScan, onZigbee
           >
             {activeDesignId ? (() => {
               const active = designs.find((d) => d.id === activeDesignId)
-              const Icon = active?.design_type === 'electrical' ? Zap : LayoutDashboard
-              return <><Icon size={14} className="shrink-0 text-[#00d4ff]" /><span className="truncate text-foreground">{active?.name ?? 'Select Design'}</span></>
-            })() : <span className="text-muted-foreground">Select Design</span>}
+              const Icon = resolveDesignIcon(active?.icon)
+              return <><Icon size={14} className="shrink-0 text-[#00d4ff]" /><span className="truncate text-foreground">{active?.name ?? 'Select Canvas'}</span></>
+            })() : <span className="text-muted-foreground">Select Canvas</span>}
           </button>
           {designSwitcherOpen && (
             <>
@@ -111,40 +142,49 @@ export function Sidebar({ onAddNode, onAddGroupRect, onAddText, onScan, onZigbee
               <div className="fixed inset-0 z-40" onClick={() => setDesignSwitcherOpen(false)} />
               <div className="absolute left-2 right-2 top-full mt-1 z-50 bg-[#21262d] border border-border rounded-md shadow-xl overflow-hidden">
                 {designs.map((d) => {
-                  const Icon = d.design_type === 'electrical' ? Zap : LayoutDashboard
+                  const Icon = resolveDesignIcon(d.icon)
+                  const isActive = d.id === activeDesignId
                   return (
-                    <button
+                    <div
                       key={d.id}
-                      onClick={() => { setActiveDesign(d.id); setDesignSwitcherOpen(false) }}
-                      className={`flex items-center gap-2 w-full px-3 py-2 text-xs transition-colors cursor-pointer ${
-                        d.id === activeDesignId
-                          ? 'bg-[#00d4ff]/10 text-[#00d4ff]'
-                          : 'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground hover:bg-[#30363d]'
+                      className={`group flex items-center transition-colors ${
+                        isActive ? 'bg-[#00d4ff]/10 text-[#00d4ff]' : 'text-muted-foreground hover:bg-[#30363d]'
                       }`}
                     >
-                      <Icon size={14} className="shrink-0" />
-                      <span className="truncate">{d.name}</span>
-                    </button>
+                      <button
+                        onClick={() => { setActiveDesign(d.id); setDesignSwitcherOpen(false) }}
+                        className="flex items-center gap-2 flex-1 min-w-0 px-3 py-2 text-xs cursor-pointer hover:text-foreground"
+                      >
+                        <Icon size={14} className="shrink-0" />
+                        <span className="truncate">{d.name}</span>
+                      </button>
+                      <button
+                        aria-label={`Edit ${d.name}`}
+                        title="Edit canvas"
+                        onClick={() => { setDesignModal({ mode: 'edit', design: d }); setDesignSwitcherOpen(false) }}
+                        className="shrink-0 p-1.5 text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground cursor-pointer opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity"
+                      >
+                        <Pencil size={12} />
+                      </button>
+                      <button
+                        aria-label={`Delete ${d.name}`}
+                        title="Delete canvas"
+                        disabled={designs.length <= 1}
+                        onClick={() => handleDesignDelete(d)}
+                        className="shrink-0 p-1.5 pr-2 text-muted-foreground hover:text-[#f85149] cursor-pointer opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100 transition-opacity disabled:opacity-0"
+                      >
+                        <Trash2 size={12} />
+                      </button>
+                    </div>
                   )
                 })}
                 <div className="border-t border-border" />
                 <button
-                  disabled={creating}
-                  onClick={async () => {
-                    setCreating(true)
-                    try {
-                      const name = `Electrical ${designs.filter((d) => d.design_type === 'electrical').length + 1}`
-                      const res = await designsApi.create({ name, design_type: 'electrical' })
-                      useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([...useDesignStore.getState().designs, res.data])
-                      setActiveDesign(res.data.id)
-                      setDesignSwitcherOpen(false)
-                    } catch { toast.error('Failed to create design') }
-                    finally { setCreating(false) }
-                  }}
-                  className="flex items-center gap-2 w-full px-3 py-2 text-xs text-[#00d4ff] hover:bg-[#00d4ff]/10 transition-colors cursor-pointer disabled:opacity-50"
+                  onClick={() => { setDesignModal({ mode: 'create' }); setDesignSwitcherOpen(false) }}
+                  className="flex items-center gap-2 w-full px-3 py-2 text-xs text-[#00d4ff] hover:bg-[#00d4ff]/10 transition-colors cursor-pointer"
                 >
                   <PlusCircle size={14} />
-                  <span>New Electrical Design</span>
+                  <span>New Canvas</span>
                 </button>
               </div>
             </>
@@ -254,6 +294,18 @@ export function Sidebar({ onAddNode, onAddGroupRect, onAddText, onScan, onZigbee
       </div>
 
       {!collapsed && <VersionBadge />}
+
+      <DesignModal
+        key={designModal?.mode === 'edit' ? designModal.design?.id : 'create'}
+        open={!!designModal}
+        onClose={() => setDesignModal(null)}
+        onSubmit={handleDesignSubmit}
+        initial={designModal?.mode === 'edit' && designModal.design
+          ? { name: designModal.design.name, icon: designModal.design.icon ?? DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON }
+          : undefined}
+        title={designModal?.mode === 'edit' ? 'Edit Canvas' : 'New Canvas'}
+        submitLabel={designModal?.mode === 'edit' ? 'Save' : 'Create'}
+      />
     </aside>
   )
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/__tests__/designStore.test.ts b/frontend/src/stores/__tests__/designStore.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..c8368b5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/__tests__/designStore.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import { describe, it, expect, beforeEach } from 'vitest'
+import { useDesignStore } from '@/stores/designStore'
+import type { Design } from '@/types'
+
+function design(id: string, type: Design['design_type'] = 'network', name = id): Design {
+  return { id, name, design_type: type, created_at: '', updated_at: '' }
+}
+
+describe('designStore', () => {
+  beforeEach(() => {
+    useDesignStore.setState({ designs: [], activeDesignId: null, activeDesignType: null, loaded: false })
+  })
+
+  it('starts empty and not loaded', () => {
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs).toEqual([])
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBeNull()
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBeNull()
+    expect(s.loaded).toBe(false)
+  })
+
+  it('setDesigns selects the first design as active and marks loaded', () => {
+    const a = design('a', 'network')
+    const b = design('b', 'electrical')
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([a, b])
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs).toHaveLength(2)
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('a')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('network')
+    expect(s.loaded).toBe(true)
+  })
+
+  it('setDesigns preserves the active design when it is still present', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b', 'electrical')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('b')
+    // Re-list (e.g. after creating another design) — active id must not jump back to first.
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b', 'electrical'), design('c')])
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('b')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('electrical')
+  })
+
+  it('setDesigns falls back to first when the active design was removed', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b', 'electrical')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('b')
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a')]) // 'b' deleted
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('a')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('network')
+  })
+
+  it('setDesigns with an empty list clears the active selection', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([])
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBeNull()
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBeNull()
+    expect(s.loaded).toBe(true)
+  })
+
+  it('setActiveDesign updates id and resolves type', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b', 'electrical')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('b')
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('b')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('electrical')
+  })
+
+  it('setActiveDesign with an unknown id sets a null type', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('missing')
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('missing')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBeNull()
+  })
+
+  it('getActiveDesign returns the active design or null', () => {
+    expect(useDesignStore.getState().getActiveDesign()).toBeNull()
+    const b = design('b', 'electrical')
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), b])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('b')
+    expect(useDesignStore.getState().getActiveDesign()).toEqual(b)
+  })
+
+  it('addDesign appends and makes the new design active', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a')])
+    const b = design('b', 'electrical', 'Power')
+    useDesignStore.getState().addDesign(b)
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs.map((d) => d.id)).toEqual(['a', 'b'])
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('b')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('electrical')
+  })
+
+  it('updateDesign patches name and icon in place without touching others', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().updateDesign('a', { name: 'Renamed', icon: 'server' })
+    const designs = useDesignStore.getState().designs
+    expect(designs.find((d) => d.id === 'a')).toMatchObject({ name: 'Renamed', icon: 'server' })
+    expect(designs.find((d) => d.id === 'b')!.name).toBe('b')
+  })
+
+  it('removeDesign drops a non-active design and keeps the active one', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('a')
+    useDesignStore.getState().removeDesign('b')
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs.map((d) => d.id)).toEqual(['a'])
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('a')
+  })
+
+  it('removeDesign reassigns active to the first remaining when the active is removed', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a'), design('b', 'electrical')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('a')
+    useDesignStore.getState().removeDesign('a')
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs.map((d) => d.id)).toEqual(['b'])
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBe('b')
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBe('electrical')
+  })
+
+  it('removeDesign clears active when the last design is removed', () => {
+    useDesignStore.getState().setDesigns([design('a')])
+    useDesignStore.getState().setActiveDesign('a')
+    useDesignStore.getState().removeDesign('a')
+    const s = useDesignStore.getState()
+    expect(s.designs).toEqual([])
+    expect(s.activeDesignId).toBeNull()
+    expect(s.activeDesignType).toBeNull()
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/stores/designStore.ts b/frontend/src/stores/designStore.ts
index faae460..2bce324 100644
--- a/frontend/src/stores/designStore.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/stores/designStore.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ interface DesignState {
   setDesigns: (designs: Design[]) => void
   setActiveDesign: (id: string) => void
   getActiveDesign: () => Design | null
+  /** Append a new design and make it active. */
+  addDesign: (design: Design) => void
+  /** Patch an existing design in place (name/icon edits). */
+  updateDesign: (id: string, patch: Partial<Pick<Design, 'name' | 'icon'>>) => void
+  /** Remove a design; if it was active, fall back to the first remaining one. */
+  removeDesign: (id: string) => void
 }
 
 export const useDesignStore = create<DesignState>((set, get) => ({
@@ -39,4 +45,28 @@ export const useDesignStore = create<DesignState>((set, get) => ({
     const { designs, activeDesignId } = get()
     return designs.find((d) => d.id === activeDesignId) ?? null
   },
+
+  addDesign: (design) =>
+    set((state) => ({
+      designs: [...state.designs, design],
+      activeDesignId: design.id,
+      activeDesignType: design.design_type,
+    })),
+
+  updateDesign: (id, patch) =>
+    set((state) => ({
+      designs: state.designs.map((d) => (d.id === id ? { ...d, ...patch } : d)),
+    })),
+
+  removeDesign: (id) =>
+    set((state) => {
+      const designs = state.designs.filter((d) => d.id !== id)
+      if (state.activeDesignId !== id) return { designs }
+      const next = designs[0] ?? null
+      return {
+        designs,
+        activeDesignId: next?.id ?? null,
+        activeDesignType: next?.design_type ?? null,
+      }
+    }),
 }))
diff --git a/frontend/src/types/index.ts b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
index ed23a7f..db378e4 100644
--- a/frontend/src/types/index.ts
+++ b/frontend/src/types/index.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ export interface Design {
   id: string
   name: string
   design_type: DesignType
+  /** Lucide icon key (see utils/designIcons). User-chosen; may be null on legacy rows. */
+  icon?: string | null
   created_at: string
   updated_at: string
 }
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/designIcons.test.ts b/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/designIcons.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..554799b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/__tests__/designIcons.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,27 @@
+import { describe, it, expect } from 'vitest'
+import { DESIGN_ICONS, DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON, resolveDesignIcon } from '@/utils/designIcons'
+
+describe('designIcons', () => {
+  it('exposes a non-empty, unique-keyed icon set', () => {
+    expect(DESIGN_ICONS.length).toBeGreaterThan(0)
+    const keys = DESIGN_ICONS.map((e) => e.key)
+    expect(new Set(keys).size).toBe(keys.length)
+  })
+
+  it('default icon key is part of the set', () => {
+    expect(DESIGN_ICONS.some((e) => e.key === DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON)).toBe(true)
+  })
+
+  it('resolveDesignIcon returns the matching component for a known key', () => {
+    const entry = DESIGN_ICONS.find((e) => e.key === 'zap')!
+    expect(resolveDesignIcon('zap')).toBe(entry.icon)
+  })
+
+  it('resolveDesignIcon falls back to a component for unknown/empty keys', () => {
+    const fallback = resolveDesignIcon(undefined)
+    expect(typeof fallback).toBe('object')
+    expect(resolveDesignIcon('does-not-exist')).toBe(fallback)
+    expect(resolveDesignIcon(null)).toBe(fallback)
+    expect(resolveDesignIcon('')).toBe(fallback)
+  })
+})
diff --git a/frontend/src/utils/designIcons.ts b/frontend/src/utils/designIcons.ts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..6762bee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/utils/designIcons.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+import {
+  LayoutDashboard, Zap, Network, Server, HardDrive, Cpu, Wifi, Router,
+  Database, Cloud, Home, Globe, Lightbulb, Factory, Plug, Boxes,
+} from 'lucide-react'
+import type { LucideIcon } from 'lucide-react'
+
+export interface DesignIconEntry {
+  key: string
+  label: string
+  icon: LucideIcon
+}
+
+/** Curated icon set offered when creating/editing a canvas design. Keys are
+ *  stable strings persisted on `Design.icon`. */
+export const DESIGN_ICONS: DesignIconEntry[] = [
+  { key: 'dashboard', label: 'Dashboard', icon: LayoutDashboard },
+  { key: 'network', label: 'Network', icon: Network },
+  { key: 'zap', label: 'Electrical', icon: Zap },
+  { key: 'server', label: 'Server', icon: Server },
+  { key: 'harddrive', label: 'Storage', icon: HardDrive },
+  { key: 'cpu', label: 'Compute', icon: Cpu },
+  { key: 'wifi', label: 'Wireless', icon: Wifi },
+  { key: 'router', label: 'Router', icon: Router },
+  { key: 'database', label: 'Database', icon: Database },
+  { key: 'cloud', label: 'Cloud', icon: Cloud },
+  { key: 'home', label: 'Home', icon: Home },
+  { key: 'globe', label: 'Internet', icon: Globe },
+  { key: 'lightbulb', label: 'Lighting', icon: Lightbulb },
+  { key: 'factory', label: 'Industrial', icon: Factory },
+  { key: 'plug', label: 'Power', icon: Plug },
+  { key: 'boxes', label: 'Cluster', icon: Boxes },
+]
+
+export const DEFAULT_DESIGN_ICON = 'dashboard'
+
+const ICON_MAP: Record<string, LucideIcon> = Object.fromEntries(
+  DESIGN_ICONS.map((e) => [e.key, e.icon]),
+)
+
+/** Resolve a persisted design icon key to a lucide component. Unknown/empty
+ *  keys fall back to the dashboard icon so the UI never breaks on legacy data. */
+export function resolveDesignIcon(key?: string | null): LucideIcon {
+  return (key && ICON_MAP[key]) || LayoutDashboard
+}