10 Interior Design Tools Every Home-Owner Should Have
Home, sweet home! There’s no place like it. The magic of home is that it feels good to leave but it feels even better to come back.
When we build a home, we spend so much time deciding on the color scheme of the walls, the kind of furniture we want in each room and the overall style of the interior design.
But the design is only half of the job. The next bit is the upkeep and learning how to take care of your home.
Whether you prefer a modern or minimalistic interior home décor design, if you don’t maintain your home both inside and out, all your hard work will be for nothing.
A plumber or handyman may be just a phone call away but it’s much easier and cheaper, in the long run, to learn how to maintain your home yourself. And, armed with the right tools, it’ll be a breeze!
If you’re looking to do a little DIY, here are some trusty interior design tools that can come to your aid 24/7:
1. A Screwdriver Set
It’s hard to imagine a world without screwdrivers or impact drivers. These versatile tools can be used for anything and everything from simple home projects to heavy construction work.
There are various types of screwdriver heads. The most commonly used around the home are flathead/slotted, hex, Torx, square head, and Phillips.
2. A Level
Even if your room is beautifully decorated, something as simple as symmetry can have a negative effect on your interior design.
From deciding where to put a couch to the position of your bed, there are countless things to consider before your furniture’s perfectly placed.
Symmetry is crucial and unless you can measure to the ‘T’ with your naked eye, a level is essential.
3. A Measuring Tool
Measure tapes come in two types: a mechanical measure tape and a laser measure tape.
An old fashioned mechanical tape is cheaper but it’s harder to get a totally accurate reading – it will take at least a few tries. When it comes to mechanical measure tapes, the longer the better. We recommend one that can stretch to at least 10 feet.
On the other hand, a laser measure tape is more expensive than a mechanical one, but it’s very easy to use. Just point and shoot and you’re done!
Laser measuring tapes also provide more accurate readings and are ideal for measuring rooms and hallways.
4. Steamers
Apart from steaming your clothes, a steamer can also be used for removing wrinkles from drapes, pillowcases, cushions and other items likely to crease.
Wrinkly pillows, rumpled bedsheets, and drapes with curled edges at the bottom can all be tackled easily with a steamer.
Steamers come in various sizes. For easy use around the house, invest in a compact one as it’ll be easier to carry around.
5. A Staple Gun
A staple gun is a staple for any household. You can use it to put lanterns up on your patio or reattaching the cushions on your dining room chairs.
Apart from coming to your aid during an emergency, staple guns can also be used to make frames and fun artwork for your home.
An all-metal frame staple gun might last longer but it’s a bit trickier for a beginner to use.
There are two criteria you should keep in mind when choosing a staple gun: how comfortable it is to use and whether it fits into the palm of your hand like a glove.
6. Tapes and Scissors
Don’t underestimate the power of tape to maintain your home.
Tape is perfect for a variety of quick and easy fixes. You might need to stick a drape into place before a house guest arrives or keep an upturned corner of a rug in place to avoid becoming a trip hazard.
Fabric tapes are great for this or you can opt for an easy-to-remove Painter’s tape. They come in many shapes and sizes.
You can also find specific carpet tapes (choose one that works with the fabric, placement, and size of the rug). The best part about tape is that it doesn’t leave any residue behind.
7. A Set of Pliers
Pliers can be used to straighten bent electrical cords and to replace showerheads and other electrical gadgets around the house.
Pliers are basically used to pull, tug or turn something with a force your fingers can’t manage.
There are several types of pliers to choose from, specifically designed for different jobs. Locking and needle-nose pliers are the most popular choice for using around the house.
A set of five pliers would set you back around $40 but it’s completely worth it!
8. Protective Pads
Protective pads are great for keeping any surface safe from scratches, be it wood, stone, or tiles.
Felt furniture pads are available everywhere and they can be used on all sorts of items, from flooring to tabletops. They work well on the bottoms of chairs or underneath coasters to protect your coffee table.
If you’re moving furniture or installing accessories in a room, bubble wrap can also be used to protect the floor or the edges of your furniture.
9. A Picture-Hanging Kit
A picture-hanging kit usually includes all the necessary accessories or hardware you need, such as screws, hanger wire, D-ring, sawtooth hangers, and-wall fasteners.
The kit should come with detailed instructions on how to use it. If it doesn’t, you can find numerous videos or articles on the internet.
Keep in mind that each kit is designed for a particular weight so make sure you check the packaging first to determine whether it’s strong enough to hold your frame.
10. A Toolbox
Last, but not least, you’ll need a toolbox for storing all of the above tools inside.
Your toolbox can be a simple container or a specially designed toolbox. The idea is to have a go-to, clutter-free collection of tools within easy reach.
Rather than keeping all of your important interior design tools scattered all over the house or in a cluttered drawer, keep them in one convenient place. How you choose to do that is up to you.
Conclusion
To extend your interior design tool kit, you can also add a hammer, box cutter, flashlight, and sewing kit to your collection.
It’s all about personalizing the kit to your needs. Remember, any tool beyond the basics might be difficult for you to handle, so be sure to do your research first to find the best fit for you.
Good luck and have fun!