The business of interior design has evolved a lot since the first days of the early 1900’s. Elsie De Wolfe was considered the first interior designer and was on contract to the rich and famous only. Since then we’ve become obsessed with seeing homes designed on TV, in magazines and online. It has also made the business of design grow in ways that can accommodate various needs and budgets. And there’s enough information out there for a homeowner with a keen eye for design to renovate without a full-time designer at their side.
If you’re hoping to dig into your own renovation without a designer here are 5 tips that will help you survive and make it through to the other side.
1/ PLAN YOUR CALENDAR
My design clients are often surprised to find that there is a lot of work that happens before we can begin to design. The design aspect is something you can’t tackle until you have a really solid design plan in place and work through the logistics.
Start by organizing your calendar and determining a good time. Know that whatever timelines have been given should be padded. For example, don’t plan a big birthday dinner with 20 guests for the day after the scheduled completion date. When timelines go astray it’s most often because materials were delayed or there were hidden surprises behind walls that added on time. Always be prepared for either of those to happen to you during your renovation.
We haven’t yet fully recovered from covid in terms of supply chain issues. Try to have a complete understanding of what to expect before your project begins and know that an item that would normally take 8 weeks in production may now take 6 months. The fewer surprises you have later, the less stressful the project will be.
2/ PLAN YOUR PRIORITIES
You’ve got your timelines and calendar planning complete. Now it’s time to start planning what’s really important to you. Create a list of all the things you would love to see included in this renovation. I would suggest keeping a list for each space you’re renovating. Go through each room and think about every aspect of how you live and how it could be most functional for you.
This is the time when you can dream. What would the dream version of this space look like? For some kitchen renovators, it might be just a functional space that can accommodate large groups. For someone else it could be having a walk-in pantry or a pot filler. Whatever it is, think of it all and write it down.
Once you have this dream list you can take a second look and tighten it up. That doesn’t mean you won’t get anything from the wish list but it means you’ll begin the process of prioritizing. What is a must-have and what can be done later or even excluded?
My tip is to spend money on fixed materials that aren’t easy to switch up later. This is flooring, countertops, cabinetry, etc. Nobody wants to change those materials in 3 or 4 years, or less. Instead, create a list for later that might include upgraded light fixtures and faucets. These are things that you can do on your own when the time is right.
3/ RESEARCH AND BUDGET
In spite of the horror stories you’ve heard, a renovation can be completed on budget. The key is to have a thorough understanding of the amount you have to spend and matching that to what is realistic. To say you want a kitchen renovation with high-end appliances on a $5k budget is not realistic. Go out and look at prices before you start to crunch numbers.
Often we hear these stories because a homeowner was not being realistic about what the real cost of the renovation would be. Sometimes it’s the contractor who has presented a budget that includes base level materials but the homeowner selects all high end materials. Anytime you’re presented with a quote, be sure to ask for clarification about what’s being quoted.
And again, it might take some careful future planning to get this right. If you can see from the numbers that you can’t afford all the high end appliances you wanted, that will feel disappointing. What if you install the beautiful gas stove now and plan for the refrigerator purchase in a couple of years. Don’t blow your budget when some of these items can be switched out in the future.
I’ve written an entire post about Why You Need to Focus on Budget First in a Renovation.
4/ BE FLEXIBLE
Renovations are stressful and are often made worse by a lack of flexibility. You’re going to experience delays, out-of-stock item cancellations and disruptions to your regular life. Be prepared to make changes quickly and without too much attachment to the original plan. If you hold too tightly to any material or timeline you’ll create unnecessary stress.
My best suggestion is to have an overall vision for the space. I’ve seen projects be put on hold for months to wait for a backsplash tile. The time and aggravation it’s costing needs to be factored into decisions. If you find a substitute for that tile and it fits into the overall scheme I say do it. I bet a few months after you move into the space you won’t even remember the tile that never arrived.
5/ BRING A DESIGNER IN FOR SELECTIONS
If you’re a homeowner about to embark on a renovation with just your contractor and trades, there may be times when you’re stuck and would love a hand with the design aspect of the project. What if you could have a designer consult with you for the big things that can save you a ton of money and disappointment? Well the good news is that you can.
My Designer By Your Side service was created for this situation. You purchase a 20-hour block of time and during that time I help you work out your design issues. Maybe you have a keen eye and a passion for renovating. You’re happy making most of the major decisions but feel overwhelmed with some of the details.
Here are some of the ways I can help you with your renovation:
- I can review your entire project before you begin and offer feedback;
- I can help with the materials selections including flooring, tiles, countertops, plumbing and electrical fixtures;
- I can review your plans and offer design and architectural feedback;
- I can go shopping with you to help you avoid expensive mistakes;
- I can help you source furnishings and decor that will tie into your new space
If you want to find out more about Designer By Your Side, you can go here to learn more and contact me.
I hope this helps you to understand the importance of planning if you’re about to renovate without a full-time designer. It can be successful but don’t rush the planning to get to the design.
Happy Planning,
Kristina
