Interior design tools: What the pros use

Have you ever wondered what tools are used in professional interior design? While each designer has their preferences and specialties, some tools have stood the test of time. Here is a simple guide to some of the most common interior design tools:

Drawing & CAD tools

Interior designers regularly use both manual drawing tools and computer-aided-design (CAD) software. Basic drawing tools like pens, pencils, rulers, compasses, protractors and graph paper are commonly used to sketch out room layouts and design concepts. CAD software then converts the sketches into workable 3D models designers can use to flesh out ideas with their clients.

Color wheels

Color theory is essential to interior design, and a color wheel is a powerful tool to help. With a color wheel, designers can find relationships between colors and choose the most harmonious and aesthetically pleasing combinations. By illustrating how different colors fit together, color wheels make coming up with color schemes simpler for designers and their clients.

Fabric samples

Color alone won't tell you everything, which is why designers rely on fabric samples in their work. Designers typically get books of samples from different vendors and fabric makers to test and select fabrics for a room design. By consulting the samples, designers can pinpoint the exact texture, color palette and style they need for a design.

Digital cameras

Digital cameras are extremely helpful to interior designers, even more so when built right into a smartphone. With digital photography, designers can create visual records of job sites and track progress. They can also make quick references of furnishings, accessories and other details they encounter during the process.

Some CAD programs and other software can even import the photos directly to integrate into design plans. With the advent of virtual and augmented reality technology, digital cameras have become a starting point for a more advanced and immersive client experience.