Interior Design Tools that Measure Up

Photo by William Warby

Invest in the right tools to for your interior design project

When I started my interior designer career, I used a lightweight, narrow tape measure. It sagged when I extended if further than 10 feet, and I didn't have an assistant to hold the floppy end. I somehow made it work while avoiding swearing in front of my clients.

After one particularly frustrating measure, I drove to the hardware store and bought the biggest, most expensive tape measure they sold. I could extend it 15 to 20 feet with no sag. It took me half as long to measure a room. Contractors started mistaking my tape for their own. One even said to me, "You're the first interior designer I've met who owns a decent tape." Soon after my husband gave me a laser measuring tool. It was even better.

It's not only skill that separates professionals from amateurs. Pros have the right tools. Tools that measure up. Tools that get the job done.

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About the author

She didn't know it, but Jackie Lopey's days as an advertising executive were numbered when she bought and renovated a 1950's bungalow. She soon went back to school and started her own design studio. Jackie is an award-winning, California certified interior designer and the founder of Wide Canvas.

As a California Certified Interior Designer, Jackie Lopey is qualified to plan, design, and document nonstructural, non-seismic interior work—including space planning, finish and fixture specifications, and interior construction documents suitable for permit submittal by clients and their licensed design professionals—within existing buildings in the state. Her services include programming client needs, developing code‑aware layouts, preparing detailed interior drawings and specifications for licensed contractors, and guiding the installation of finishes and furnishings.

In Nevada, Wide Canvas provides design consulting focused on selections and visualizations, helping you choose cabinetry, surfaces, fixtures, furnishings, and finishes that fit your style and budget. The team develops clear concept layouts, mood boards, and 3D views to communicate design intent, and then collaborates with licensed design and construction professionals so they can translate those ideas into compliant plans and a successful build.