What’s In Our Install Kit
Our Install Kit: What’s in the Bag
The top tools and essentials to help you furnish your space.
The most exciting part of incorporating new designs into our clients’ homes is the installation.
Install days are some of our favorite days. It’s finally time to put the house together — which can sometimes be long after our initial meeting with a client. But if you’re not in the design world, you may not know what exactly an install entails. Let us fill you in.
You might think the pretty pictures you see in our portfolio or on our social feed “just happen.” Sure, we’re always proud to share the end result, but let us tell ya — it doesn’t “just happen.” An install is serious business. It’s the day (or several days) where we move the client into their new space — furnishings, art, decor — the whole nine yards. It takes a lot of planning, coordination, and heavy lifting. In fact, it’s the least glamorous thing, ever. It involves several types of tape, heavy-duty scissors, a very good steamer, and all sorts of things you may not have thought of. While all these items are must-haves for an install, they’re also good-to-have items if you’re moving into a new apartment, home, or dorm room.
So today we’re sharing the must-haves for your own personal (or professional) install kit with intel on our go-to tools for ensuring a successful setup. Our install kit is the bag we keep on hand with everything from tools, cleaners, and utility items, to snacks and a water bottle to keep us energized and hydrated. Here are the tried-and-true essentials in our kit:
Handheld Steamer
One of our top essentials. We take it everywhere. Small enough to fit in our bag but still powers through days of steaming table linens, drapery, and bedding.
Vacuums
This is a must-have in our kit! Our lightweight vaccuum is perfect for everything from cleaning floors and large spaces to vacuuming out drawers and any bits of styrofoam when unpacking, dirt when repotting, or dust bunnies when moving furniture away from the wall.
Scissors
We always have a few different pairs of scissors in our kit, including small precision, office ones, utility knife and shears. They’re great for everything from opening packages to pruning plants or trimming flowers. Bonus: they’re beautiful, too!
Cleaners
This is great to have on hand for any stains or dirt that somehow make it onto the upholstery during an install.
Furniture Sliders
These are great to have at the ready; if a piece of furniture is too heavy to carry, furniture sliders come to the rescue. We always the ones listed below or felt pads to make sure we don’t scratch the floor when moving those larger pieces of furniture.
Command Hooks
An absolute staple! These hooks are great to hang lightweight art with. We often use these when staging art for our shoots.
Snacks and Water
No one wants to be hangry while they’re exerting energy, working hard to bring all the pieces in a space together.
Plus, more below!
All of our picks in one place:
We hope you enjoy the items recommended here. At A Good Home, we put a lot of thought and intention into our recommended items, only suggesting things we love and use (and think you might, as well). We also like transparency, so, full disclosure: We may collect a share of sales or other compensation if you purchase through the external links on this page.