20 Tools for Wallpaper Design I Can’t Live Without (Updated 2025)
In this post, I share the 20 tools for wallpaper design I can't live without. From Pinterest, AVA CAD/CAM, and Adobe Creative Cloud to notebooks, paint charts, and manufacturer samples, these are the essentials that take designs from sketch to production. Whether you're a beginner or building a professional setup, this guide will help you explore the tools that make wallpaper design possible.
- Lauren Peploe
20 Tools for Wallpaper Design I Can’t Live Without
If you’ve ever wondered what tools for wallpaper design are truly essential, I’m sharing the twenty I use every day in my own creative processes. These are the resources, software, and studio essentials that help me take projects from an idea to a finished, print-ready design. Together, they make up the toolkit that supports my work as a freelance wallpaper designer.
Whether you’re a designer looking to build your own setup, or just curious about the behind the scenes of my workflow, here’s a peek at the tools I can’t live without.
Digital inspiration + research
1. Pinterest
Pinterest is my most visited site, and honestly, it’s an invaluable source of inspiration. I use it for mood boards, colour palettes, and to keep track of design references. It’s a tool I recommend to anyone starting out, it makes ideas quick and visually clear.
2. Instagram
Instagram isn’t just for sharing finished work. I use it to help spot trends, connect with other creatives, and save a bank of references. For wallpaper design, it’s also one of the best ways to see how patterns live in real spaces.
3. Reference books
There’s something grounding about physical books. I often source second-hand design, print, and interior books at car boots or charity shops. They’re fantastic for pattern inspiration and historical context, a timeless pattern lasts a lifetime.
4. Public domain imagery
Libraries and archives like the British Library, Smithsonian, or Rawpixel offer free imagery that’s a goldmine for both creativity and marketing. I use them when developing concepts or pulling together visuals for projects.
Hardware + studio setup
5. Mac Studio + Apple Display
This is my main workstation, and it’s the most important tool I own. Every email, design, and client project runs through here. Having a fast, reliable machine is non-negotiable for wallpaper design.
6. Wacom Intuos Pro
I use my Wacom tablet in place of a mouse – its precise, intuitive, and ideal for detailed design work. If you’re serious about wallpaper design, a drawing tablet is worth the investment.
7. Camera
A camera helps me to capture textures, colours, and visual inspiration on the go. I also use it for social media and quick documenting. A phone works, or consider a dedicated camera when you want higher quality shots.
8. A3 printer
I rely on my printer to proof designs before sending anything digitally. Printing lets me see scale, (rough) colour, and flow in a way that screens can’t replicate. It’s especially useful for catching small issues in repeats.
9. Storage (cloud + local)
Organised storage is crucial when juggling multiple client projects (or developing multiple designs at once). I use both cloud storage and local drives to keep files safe, structured, and easy to access.
10. Good lighting
Daylight bulbs, a blackout blind, and a secondary daylight bulb lamp help me work consistently without colour distortion. Good lighting is an underrated but essential part of any wallpaper design setup.
11. Manufacturer samples
Samples from production partners are one of the most practical tools in my studio. They help me to visualise how designs will translate to products and make sure scale and style suit expectations.
Software + digital tools
12. AVA CAD/CAM
AVA CAD/CAM is the most important software I use for wallpaper and fabric. Its designed specifically for repeats, separations, and colouring, which makes it the backbone of my technical work.
13. Adobe Creative Cloud
Photoshop, InDesign, Lightroom, and Adobe Fonts (with a hint of Illustrator) are in constant rotation. I even use Lightroom on my phone to touch up photos quickly. Adobe CC remains a versatile toolkit for both design and client work.
14. iPad (+ Procreate)
While I mostly use my iPad for streaming shows and music whilst working, its also fantastic for sketching on the go and taking quick photos for reference. Apps like Procreate make it easy to experiment and digitise ideas wherever I am.
Organisation + workflow
15. Zoom
Because I work with clients all over the world, Zoom is essential for meetings and collaboration. It makes it possible to build relationships and projects without geographical limits.
16. Sketchbooks (+ notebooks)
I keep both a sketchbook and a notebook with me at all times. The notebook is for quick notes, calls, and ideas, whilst the sketchbook is for developing concepts, ideas, and doodling.
17. My favourite pen
It may sound small, but the right pen makes a difference. My go-to is the Pilot Sign Pen – smooth, reliable, and perfect for writing and sketching out ideas or notes. Failing that, a trusty biro is always nearby.
18. Paint charts
I keep a big box of paint charts from all different suppliers. They’re fantastic for building palettes, checking colour balance, and understanding how tones might feel in real interiors.
Creative flow + extras
19. Music + podcasts
Working freelance means a lot of time on my own, so music and podcasts keep me company. I often have playlists running, or true crime podcasts, like I Could Murder a Podcast, while I work.
20. Inspiration sources
Sites like Tom Chalky, Unsplash, and Pexels are handy for textures, typefaces, and imagery. I use them for mockups, marketing, and sometimes design development.
The role of tools in wallpaper design
For me, these twenty tools are more than just accessories – they are the backbone of my workflow. They make it possible to balance creativity with technical precision and support clients with confidence.
If you’re building your own toolkit and wondering what tools for wallpaper design you really need, I hope this list gives you inspiration for where to start.
If you’d like to see how I can bring your designs into production using these tools and more, get in touch.
FAQs
Not at all. You don’t need to own everything I use. Start with the basics – a reliable computer, sketchbook, and design software – then build your toolkit as your projects grow.
For technical production, AVA CAD/CAM is the gold standard, but Adobe Photoshop is also widely used and beginner-friendly. Many designers use both in combination.
Yes, you can start with just a laptop and basic software. But tools like a drawing tablet, printer, and good lighting will improve your workflow and help your designs to translate better at production.
Everything I share reflects how I approach wallpaper design, balancing creativity with technical decisions moving a design into production. I’ve brought that process, from first idea to seamless, production-ready repeat, together in my digital workbook, How to Create a Wallpaper Design.
Grounded in real studio experience, it’s designed to help you approach your own wallpaper designs with clarity, confidence and technical assurance.
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