Where to start with your home project?

choose exterior house colours

Depending on what kind of home reno project you’re about to start, knowing where to start with your home project is key to success. For example, are you changing the floor plan? Then you will need a drafts person. Are you updating the style only? Then you’ll need an interior designer. Getting the right help from the outset is key to a successful home project.

Given your project is costing you thousands of dollars, why not have just a one-off initial consultation with an interior designer. Whatever the nature or size of your project is, an experienced interior designer has an ‘umbrella’ perspective and can give you some advice on how and where to start with your project. Especially when it comes to your floor plan or spatial configuration or style.

A chat with an interior designer is an invaluable way to get a plan on where to start your home project depending on your personal circumstances. With a discussion around goals, functional problems, your why, sharing ideas etc. is an ideal way to start your home project.

An interior designer’s perspective to renovating

Let me explain why having a chat with an interior designer can be so invaluable. Also, what key questions I ask all my clients.  Firstly, as an interior designer I view a space differently to my clients.  Personally, when I walk into a room I’m consciously and unconsciously scanning the space. Things I notice include; light, shape, feel, pattern, function, textures.  The problems of a space are apparent to me intuitively.

What I perceive to be a problem is not always the same as the client’s perception of the problem. That’s why the first spatial configuration meeting I have is just a discussion around goals and functional problems.  This initial disconnect is not a bad thing.  It ensures a robust discussion and can be highly illuminating to the client.

Key questions to ask yourself before a renovation project

The client usually becomes a lot clearer and confident about the direction for their project and that this direction will achieve their goals and resolve functional problems.  So, these are the four key questions I ask my clients;

  • What kind of project is it? Design or styling. Renovating or refubirshing? Extending
  • Why are you renovation/refurbishing?
  • What are the functional problems in the space?
  • What are your goals for the space?  Both short and long term.
  • What’s your style goal and colour scheme?

I think it can be more confusing than helpful to see pictures of other people’s projects and want the same thing.  Everyone is different, the house is different, the land is different.  Each client is unique and each client deserves the house of their dreams that’s why getting the start of your home project right is important?