We've walked you through the steps of building a successful relationship with your designer, and given you a look into our teams expert advice when renovating; now it's time to present you with a beginners handbook on preparing to work with a design consultant.
When taking on any kind of project, it's important to do your research. "Always be prepared" are three words we live by. Going into a renovation or design project blindly can be a recipe for disaster, so we've put together a short step-by-step guide to help you get started. Think of it as the perfect renovation recipe to follow before cooking up your dream space.
Step 1: Embrace Your Inner Sherlock
Before you start binge-watching interior design shows (we see you ‘Property Brothers’ fanatics), take some time to Sherlock Holmes your space on your own. Embrace your inner detective and ask yourself a few questions:
What bothers you about your current setup? Is it the lack of storage, the paint colour that seemed like a good idea at the time, or the fact that your kitchen still feels like it's stuck in the '80s? Once you figure out your main problem (or should we say clue), you become that much closer to solving the mystery.
What’s your style? Are you a maximalist, trinket loving thrifter? Or are you a simple living, no clutter in sight minimalist? Even if you’re somewhere in between, it’s important to take time to reflect and really give your style preferences an in depth evaluation. Turn to Pinterest, Instagram and good ol’ Google to research styles, vibes and trends that resonate with you. Pro tip: Save everything to your camera roll. And we mean ev-er-y-thing.
Step 2: The Pre-Design Prep
Now that you've defined your functionality and style preferences, it's time to get into the nitty gritty. Before the real magic begins, here’s your pre-design homework:
Budget like a boss: Know your financial limits and be upfront about them. Setting a realistic budget along with a healthy contingency for any surprises gets an A+ from us. Transparency around finances will give your designer a full understanding of what they have to work with and allow them to find solutions within your budget. Money can be a tough conversation for some people but as designers, we won't know what you don't tell us. Being open about your budget will get you the most out of your project.
Understand timeline: You wouldn't expect to bake a cake in 5 minutes so your renovation timeline shouldn't be rushed either. We're not saying that "slow and steady wins the race" but setting realistic expectations around estimated material arrivals and contractor availabilities should be in the forefront of your mind. Allow yourself enough time to get everything done, and avoid planning your trip to Disney around the estimated completion date just in case there are delays.
Tailor your team: Before passing the baton to your designer, it's important to recruit all the other necessary team members for your project. This can look like talking to your accountant for help with budgeting, finding an architect or engineer (depending on what type of project your taking on) and most importantly finding a reliable general contractor to get the job done. There are many players in the game of renovating and it's important to hand select each one for a winning result.
Step 3: The Design Dating Game
At this point you should have a clearer picture of what you want (and don’t want). Now it's time to find the Chip to your Joanna Gaines (or vice versa). Here’s how to choose your design soulmate:
Ask for recommendations: Friends, neighbours, that person you met at a dinner party once—get the scoop on designers they’ve worked with. Personal recommendations usually hold a lot of value (just don’t ask your ex for one) and 9 times out of 10 can be well-trusted.
The interview process: Assuming that your dinner party friend already recommended one of our very own, it’s time for what we call a designer first date (or not if you wanna be all weird about it). Our initial consultation can be treated kind of like a two-way interview. Just like a design consultant interviews you to make sure your project fits into our process, you should be doing the same by asking lots of questions to see if your personalities mesh. After all, you’ll be spending a lot of time together—might as well like each other.
Step 4: Let the Renovation Games Begin!
Now that you and your designer are officially a team, it’s time to kick off the renovation marathon! A few important points to remember:
Communication is key: Keep those lines open with your designer and all other parties involved in your project. If you have a sudden urge to paint your bathroom purple, talk it out first. While new ideas are okay to have, it's important not to jump on your impulses. Discuss with your designer to avoid regret later on.
Expect the unexpected: Renovations are like life—a rollercoaster of emotions. Be flexible and trust the process. If you prepare for delays and obstacles you'll be less surprised when and if they happen. With all of that in mind, remember that you've built your renovation team with star players for a reason. Your contractor, designer and other team members are pros at handling curve balls.
Celebrate the wins: From choosing the perfect backsplash to finally saying goodbye to that avocado green bathtub—celebrate every milestone. Remember that renovating doesn't have to feel like a chore but should be exciting. You’re creating your dream space and this journey will be one you want to remember!
There you have it—your beginner’s handbook to diving headfirst into the world of design and renovations. Let this guide act as a "renovation compass" to point you in the right direction and help you start off on the right foot. Remember, it’s YOUR space and should reflect your personality! Pro tip: Don't skip on the choices you know will make you happy.
As the renovation game begins, keep in mind that every decision, big or small, contributes to a space that tells your unique story and gets you that winning trophy. Take your time, enjoy the process, and get ready for your MVP award.
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