What’s in an interior stylist’s toolkit?

Imagine this – you’re knee-deep in a Christmas shoot, and the baubles won’t dangle right, the wreath keeps falling off, and the tinsel – well, let’s just not talk about the tinsel!

Everything seems to be going wrong, but us interior stylists always have a tool for that. You see, we never turn up to a shoot without a toolbox full of the most random kit.

We have our own way to be organised and ready for any shoot problem that pops up, and over time – as we gain experience- we know how to pre-empt a picture hanging problem, a lopsided table/bed/photoframe or a prop that just won’t behave.

I know what my toolbox essentials are, but I wanted to see what my interior stylist friends bring to shoots too. So I asked them.

“What’s the one thing you ALWAYS have in your photoshoot toolkit?”

So, if you want a nosey around our essentials, read on.

17 Interior Stlyist Toolbox Essentials

1. Hand Tools
   Hammer, screwdrivers (+/-), and those mini screwdrivers for glasses so you can open up battery-operated fairy lights. If I’m doing a Christmas shoot, I’ll bring with my portable electric screwdriver to speed up the process too.
2. Tape
   …of all kinds. Cellotape, masking tape, paper packaging tape to seal up boxes of props, pretty Washi tape to add a flourish and as Interior Stylist, Creative Director, Editor and Author, Sara Bird puts it “Double-sided tape- eco-friendly, obvs. A fixer of makes, moments, missing components and more!”
   Interior Stylist and Writer Charlotte Boyd says “Parcel tape on a dispenser… you don’t want to be using your teeth! Gaffer tape, but write your name on it otherwise it will end up in the photographers kit bag.”
3. First Aid Kit
   I’ve always had a first aid kit in my toolbox – usually in a teeny Ikea sandwich bag with tweezers for splinters, hayfever tablets for high summer and girly bits for emergencies. But I adore Stylist, Art Director and Set Designer Laura North’s answer,“Because of course our tool bags/boxes/kits are full of beautiful emergency props. Amongst the gaffer tape, the blue-tak, the screwdrivers, Allen keys and many many many scissors I also have lovely matches, a brass pen, posh looking but useless ‘styling’ scissors and pearl-headed pins for those inevitable last-minute client requests. However, none of these are my answer! My reply to your question, perhaps boringly,  is paracetamol and plasters. Because they are ALWAYS needed on a shoot and no-one else ever has any. I ensure I buy fun kids plasters with pictures of alligators and giraffes on purely for my own entertainment, especially if it’s a big burly bloke having to wear it.”
4. ScissorsI don’t know about you but I have a pair of scissors in every room in my house! They have such a diverse range of needs, so the thought of turning up to a shoot without them is the stuff of nightmares. We need them for fabric- yes the orange-handled ones! Opening up tons of prop boxes, very sharp needlework scissors for cutting sharp points on ribbon ends because there’s nothing worse than being on a time-sensitive shoot and attempting to cut ribbon with blunt scissors. The list is endless.I remember when I was interviewing Interior Stylist Sally Cullen for the Inside Stylists Podcast, and she told me she had a toolbox just for scissors. I have to admit – I felt a little envious! A whole box just for scissors. Bliss!
5. A Spirit level
   When you need it straight, you have to have a spirit level. I have a 20cm one, but a few years ago (like 10!) a photographer introduced me to the mini ones they have for cameras. They’ll fit in your pocket so they’re great for keeping art level and not taking up too much space in your toolbox.
   By the way you can listen to Sally’s podcast episode here
6. Secateurs
   Interior Stylist and Creative Director, Jessica Metcalf says that secateurs are definitely a toolbox essential
   “You can arrive on set with all the beautiful blooms, but sometimes all that’s needed is structural foliage. Secateurs are perfect for a quick on-set forage.” I couldn’t agree more. As the trend for bigger and thicker stemmed branches becomes more popular in shoots scissors just won’t cut it – pun intended.
7. Blu tac
   Oh, how we love Blu Tac. The ‘fixes all’ tool. Whether used to stick something in place, stop it rolling, or to raise it up “just a smidge’ this is the stuff to have close at hand at all times on photoshoots.

   As Charlotte Boyd puts it “Blutack… very boring but essential, as it can solve millions of problems, making things stand up if they keep falling over, levelling up things are a little bit wonky, I’m never without it.

8. Temporary hooks
   As good as Blu Tac is at sticking the invention of the Command temporary hooks was revolutionary to interior stylists. No more having to bang holes in shoot location walls and get set builders in to repair. As long as you use them correctly – it took a while to learn to pull the sticker tab directly downwards in a VERY SLOW motion to remove them without a trace – yes, I learnt the hard way. But once you get it they are brilliant. That’s the reason I got so excited when I saw Command at The Big Christmas Press Event. This year they’ve brought out wreath-hanging hooks that are a rubber loop that is really tough. But it’s the small but mighty hooks we keep tucked in to our tool boxes.
9. Ribbons
   There is nothing that doesn’t look a lot better with ribbon. A stash tucked into an Ikea sandwich bag will save any dull shot. I swap mine out with the colour of the shoot, but a reel of white, natural and a length of string will act as a great backup when the client has a “great idea’ that hasn’t been planned for.
10. Snacks
    I thought it was just me that had a healthy stash of snacks for those ‘no one brought breakfast, and we don’t know when we’ll get to eat lunch’ shoot moments. I’m rubbish if I get hangry, so I always have snacks hidden away in my handbag but when I asked Sara Bird what she always has in her kit she replied “Tea bags spring to mind and a snack bag for the team”. I like her thinking!
11. Big Clips
    Sometimes only a bulldog clip will work to hang fake curtains or to weigh down a crumpled duvet out of sight. These take up quite a lot of space inside my kit box but I’d be lost without them. So handy for unexpected moments.
12. Matches
    Oh, I once took my matches out of my toolbox to light candles at home and completely forgot to put them back! Big mistake. There’s nothing like the panic of an interior stylist on a Christmas shoot with a ton of candles – and no matches! Luckily, I dug deep in my massive toolbox and found a very old lighter. Phew! Since then I have always double-checked I have matches in my kit – a bit like you check you’ve turned the iron off and unplugged the hair straighteners. That’s the interior stylist’s version.I now have long matches – soooo much easier to light big or deep wicks with, and I also have one of the long clicky lighters with a bendable end. Very handy.No more panic stations.
13. Glasses
    Creative Director, Interior Stylist, Writer and Editor, Dilly Orme shared “If all is going to plan it makes great sense to keep key essentials such as scissors✂️ phone📱 and glasses 👓 in a bum bag so they are constantly at hand.”
    I’m not sure if Dilly means prop glasses or reading glasses, but in my case I NEEEED both!
    

And these tips may be useful for your next shoot too…

• 14.Clear Pencil cases
  When my kids started taking exams, I was introduced to clear pencil cases. Wow, they are BRILLIANT! They are small and neat, and you can keep loose items all together and see exactly what’s in them. They also stack neatly in the toolbox which is ridiculously pleasing to the eye.
  
  
• 15. Never forget a replacement
  When I first went freelance, I got into a really good habit of sticking a blank address label on the top of my toolbox on each shoot. Every time something in my toolkit was getting low on supply, was broken or I just simply thought I could do with a fliberdyjibbit I would write it on the label.
  As soon as I got home, I would see the label and get everything on it. I also never put my toolbox away until I had done this. My toolbox is huge and gets in the way wherever I put it, so I am pretty good at doing this right away.
• 16. Travel toolbox
  I did a shoot with models a few years ago, and the hair and makeup artist had this fantastic envelope file. Inside each clear sleeve she kept new mascara wands, disposable eyeshadow applicators, wipes, cotton buds and more. It was only A5 size and fitted in neatly with all her masses of (gorgeous) makeup. I was inspired. I immediately went home and ordered a file with 20 sleeves and created a travel toolkit. I had mini screwdrivers, matches ;0), blue tack, Allen keys, paracetamol, and more. It was perfect for when I had a shoot I had where I had to fly and space was at a minimum. I’ve since used it on shoots where I’m not driving and taking my big box would be very difficult. It’s been a game changer.
• 17. Tool Belt
  I know a lot of stylists wear bum bags on shoots so they can keep the always-needed items close at hand – scissors, Blu-Tack, mobile phones etc. I made a tool belt specifically for styling shoots for the same reason. I attached scissors to a pocket with elastic – because if you put them down, they’ll never be there when you need them- Blu-Tack (cut into a small chunk), a phone pocket and a pocket that’s full of whatever the current shoot needs. I designed it so I can climb up or sit down without it getting in the way. I have to say I love my tool belt. I am currently on version four. In the past, I’ve have had Cath Kidston florals, Laura Ashley vintage and my original fave vintage Spidermand and Superman. I wouldn’t shoot without it.
  
• 18. Clipboard
  I’ve long been a fan of clipboards. They make finding a piece of paper a doddle and keep all lists and receipts together. I can lose a shoot list on a piece of paper, or it can get buried in boxes. A clipboard is easier to keep track of – just a thought.
• 19. First Aid Training
  It may seem a bit “extra”, but do a one-day first aid training course. Earlier this year I was on a shoot when an installer badly cut his hand. I’m First Aid trained (a benefit of volunteering with Scouts) and I’d literally just been on a refresher course. I cleaned up his wound, applied Steri-Strips – lifesavers, and bandaged him up. I was doubly pleased to not only have my first aid kit in a tiny plastic bag with essentials but to have the knowledge of how to help him too. Also, I wasn’t the least bit squeamish and stayed calm the whole time. I’ve never had to put my training into practice before, so this was very reassuring. St John Ambulance runs one-day First Aid Training Courses around the country. Find out more here

And just for fun

Thank you to Laura North for introducing us to the Instagram account  @ArtDeptPockets . Go have a look. If you’re an interior stylist or work on shoots you’ll totally relate!

Find some of the tools mentioned in this post over here 

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