It's no secret that interior design tools have evolved again and again since the art of creating a space began. Although the practice of sketching your ideas on paper is still forever valuable, gone are the days of needing to have every element in tangible form to design a home from start to finish. As designers evolve, so do the skills and tools they need to carry out their ideas.
The truth is, good interior designers today need more than just an eye for styling or pattern (but that helps, too!). A career in design can often mean juggling many different tasks — from project and budget management to client communication to creating that perfect color palette. Here are some useful tools to help you succeed as an interior designer.
When making big decisions in the space where you spend most of your time, a floor plan tool can be the difference between investing in the right or wrong piece of furniture for your wants and needs. An easy-to-use floor plan tool can help you get a bird's eye view of the parameters of your space, so you never have to second guess what you need and what you don't.
Visualizing how each element comes together before adding to your cart or making any final decisions is essential when working on any design project. The good news is that you no longer need to spend many years and dollars to learn fancy software programs. Instead, use an intuitive room visualization tool and furniture layout planner to "try on" pieces in your home, test out paint colors, accessorize, and more until it feels just right.
Designing a space can quickly go from fun to overwhelming when you have thousands of tabs and spreadsheets open to organize all the details. Using a project management tool will be a game changer in ensuring that all of your images, products, color palettes, and floor plans are in one shoppable, online place. Plus, if you plan on sharing your work with clients, friends, or your partner, you'll want a tool that allows you to organize products quickly, add notes for simple and collaborative feedback, and create an easy, presentable system.
Unless you're a fan of messy spreadsheets and painstaking formulas, having an intuitive budget planner and shopping list in your toolbox will make all the difference when it comes to ensuring you're on the right track. If you're working with clients, a budget tool and shop list that allows you to quickly ask for approval or add pieces to their projects is a huge bonus, too!
If you've been deterred from interior design because you aren't interested in spending half of your time creating and managing invoices, you're not alone. However, a good invoicing platform is essential for sending reminders, managing the status, and of course, cashing out on your earnings. Complex accounting software isn't hard to find, but it's worth opting for a more user-friendly invoicer to save you time (and a headache). This will also save you more time to do the stuff you actually love doing — designing!
Whether you are a seasoned designer or just getting started, having a design services shop to showcase your work and your offerings is an important tool for attracting and maintaining clients. If you don't want to create your own website, try hosting your services on Spoak’s Design Shop, a tool that allows you to share your work and communicate your offerings seamlessly.
Suppose you’re staring at your Pinterest board, trying to figure out what color to paint the walls and decorate with. In that case, it might be time to try a color palette generator that helps you clarify the mood and aesthetic of your project before you even start swatching.
We are an online interior design studio for enthusiasts and professionals. Get a real-world design education, easy-to-use tools, job opportunities, and a tight-knit community. All levels welcome.
Join now