What’s in My Bag: An Interior Designer’s Daily Essentials

By Becky Asleson, Founder & Principal, Maple & White Design

Have you ever wondered what an interior designer carries from meeting to meeting? While each designer’s bag may look a little different, mine is filled with the essentials that help turn initial ideas into a beautifully completed project. Whether we are meeting a new client, walking with the contractor through a new construction home, or measuring an existing space for a remodel, these are the items that I always have within reach.

The Non-Negotiables

My Phone

This is easily one of the most important tools I carry. I use it to quickly capture photos and videos of a space before we begin the design process. We’ll reference these visuals later for layouts, lighting, and sourcing. It also keeps me connected to our project files and project management platform, which means decisions can keep moving no matter where I am.

Tape Measures (Yes, Plural)

I always carry both a manual and a laser tape measure - and I use them differently. The manual measure is essential for smaller spaces that require very precise measurements like cabinetry. The laser measure is invaluable for capturing large dimensions across open spaces. One isn’t better than the other; you truly need both.

Paint Deck

A paint deck lets me explore hundreds of color options instantly. Reviewing colors in the natural light of the actual space is always our preference; it’s the quickest way to start building a palette that feels right.

Tools That Keep Projects Moving

Plaud (My New Favorite)

This has quickly become a game changer. It’s an AI-powered note-taking tool I wear like a bracelet. It records, transcribes, and summarizes meetings, often turning them into structured notes, to-do lists, and even mind maps. It allows me to stay fully present in conversations, knowing I’ll have a clear, organized recap ready to share with our team, partners, and clients.

Notebook + Writing Tools

Even with all the technology we use, nothing replaces putting pencil to paper. I always carry a notebook for sketching layouts, capturing ideas, and documenting details from conversations on site. Alongside it: pens, pencils, highlighters, and a Sharpie. Highlighters help us clearly code elevations and placements, while a Sharpie is perfect for quick notes on framing or painter’s tape.

Laptop

I actually use a gaming laptop for high performance and display. Between site visits and meetings, there’s often a window to review plans, send updates, or refine selections to keep projects and the business moving forward.

On-Site Essentials

Blue Painter’s Tape

If you’ve worked with Maple & White, you’ve seen this in action. It’s one of the simplest but most effective tools we use to map out cabinetry, furniture placement, or spatial flow directly in the room. It’s easily removable and also perfect for leaving quick, visible notes via Sharpie for a sub.

Floor Plans

We often carry a rolled set of plans to reference on site. They anchor conversations, help confirm dimensions, and ensure every decision aligns with the bigger picture.

Business Cards

You never know who you might meet during a site visit! We are lucky to work with incredible vendors and contractors, so it is smart to always keep a stack of business cards handy for quick and easy distribution.

The Little Things

Reading Glasses

Let’s be honest: the notes and dimensions on plans are tiny. For my forty-something eyes,  these are non-negotiable!

Chapstick + Lotion

Long days on site call for a few small comforts. These always make the cut.

Snacks and Water

I never leave without them. Meetings can run long, job sites are sometimes an hour-plus away from the office, and no one likes working with a hangry designer! 

In many ways, my bag is a reflection of how Maple & White works: prepared, detail-oriented, and ready to adapt. Great design doesn’t just happen at a desk. It happens in the spaces themselves, one thoughtful decision at a time.

If you’re curious about working with Maple & White Design, we’d love to hear from you! Contact us here; we’d be delighted to chat.