If you read every décor magazine or focused on every interior design article, you might come to the impression that this discipline is something you intrinsically know and should be familiar with. But owning a home does not necessarily mean you become an expert in what that home requires and how to get the best out of it and understanding that can help us become more competent in the decisions we do make.
There’s absolutely no shame in feeling a little overwhelmed before you commit to your first-time home renovation. In fact, it can be wise to take a step back and focus on what kind of approach would actually apply well to your property, rather than simply applying whatever you saw in your weekly magazine digest that week or picked up randomly from the local home furnishing store.
First, it’s important for the home design novice to realize that it’s okay to have fun with this process, as this isn’t a “test” you have to “pass” in order to make your home “worthy.” We’re sure you’ll do a great job no matter what you choose.
It is possible to feel more informed about your choices if you hope to, however. In this post, we’ll discuss how that can be:
View A Worthwhile Showroom
A worthwhile kitchen and bathroom showroom can help you see exactly what fixtures are like and how they operate, including how certain design, materials and implements can make a profound difference over the scope of your space.
Sometimes, you just need to see fixtures in person, especially as this relates to the finishes of cabinets, handles, surface tops, and flooring. You don’t have to adopt every single element of a showroom of course but doing so can help you get an important picture of what options are on the table, why you should care about them, and what this means in the long run. You’d be surprised just how effective this can be in painting the mental map of your new home space.
Speak To an Architect
Architects are thoroughly trained individuals that go beyond interior design and also look at the structure and dimensions of your property in order to get the best from it. Their consultations can sometimes be expensive, but they can be invaluable in terms of the insight they offer.
From showing you how to achieve more vertical space in a room to designing a specific area to welcome more natural light than it may have otherwise, one or two consultations with an architect or having them draw up your floor plans can be absolutely essential when renovating thoroughly.
Moreover, if extending your household or vastly changing its function in certain areas, you may need to apply for planning permission from your local council or housing authority. An architect is familiar with all the compliance and practical measures you may need to fulfill in order to gain approval for your construction project. For instance, if you live in a rural area where construction is limited and protected based on the surrounding preservation of its beauty, they can help you submit plans that are more likely to be accepted, such as a one-story extension rather than two.
Gain A Few Quotes
It’s good to gain a few quotes from local contracting services based on wiring the design of a new extension or putting up a conservatory in the garden. While they might not be able to give you a perfect final costing during these initial stages, they can help you learn of the upper limit of what that might be so you can enter the contract in good faith and without hidden costs constantly accruing.
We’d also recommend that you check the reviews of these services to make sure that they’re above board and worth using, otherwise you may fall victim to scamming professionals without doing your due diligence.
Search For Materials and Fixtures
You might have a specific idea of what you wish your home to look like. That’s great, and there’s no shame in opting for something specific. Searching for materials and fixtures like this can make a big difference, and help you regain some authorial intent over your design.
Simply browsing a few interior design services that offer access to these materials, or looking at wholesalers for wood and other fittings can help you gain a relative budget for materials you wish to use, but remember that contractors and design services often leverage a trade discount when acquiring them as part of your project, so directing them towards materials you hope to implement is better than purchasing them yourself.
Estimate Your Budget
Now, it’s hard to budget a home renovation, but we can come to a ballpark figure, and we can certainly figure out how much we’re willing to spend, within reason. This can help you understand the scope of your project, be that a full reinstallation of your driveway and garden landscaping, or the creation of an exterior building for an independent home office.
Sometimes, your budget might just be limited to dividing a large master bedroom into two rooms with a worthwhile middle wall and two new door frames, given that you’re expecting your family to grow larger. There’s no shame in costing a smaller, less impressive and functional renovation. Your budgeting plans will help you understand your parameters more readily.
Plan Enough Time
It’s easy to think that your renovation is going to proceed at a perfect rate with seamless installation and nothing will limit it, but things can change and projects may need to be a bit more flexible than you imagine. For instance, it’s hard for contractors to work on a rooftop during a week of unexpected heavy rain. That’s not their fault, and it’s not your fault.
As such, it’s good to give yourself a bit more time than you need. This will give you the freedom to make choices and reschedule if necessary, without running against the clock at all moments. Knowing that this is possible can help you feel a little more relaxed and able to think clearly.
With this advice, you’re sure to feel more informed about your choices, even as a first-time renovator.
Images courtesy of pexels.com and unsplash.com
