Don't leave the interior design until last
So, you’re planning a big renovation with the floorplan being extended and changed, bedrooms and bathrooms added, a new entertainer’s kitchen, a walk in robe, a pool for the kids, and perhaps a home office for work flexibility.
While you’ve probably thought long and hard about the additional space you want and how the layout will flow and work for your family, have you given as much thought to the interior design?
Don’t leave the interiors until last
Sometimes the interiors can be a bit of an afterthought. Often homeowners plan to make decisions about the interior as they go. But if you want to love your space, and ensure it works well for your family, make sure you leave room in your budget for the interior design and furnishings and preferably get a designer on board early in the process.
Making important interior decisions in the thick of a major renovation is a sure way to add a lot of stress and potential budget blow-outs to your project. There are a number of interior elements that you will want to have decided on (and budgeted for) well before the building starts. Although there is an upfront cost in hiring a design professional, you may be surprised to find that you will save money in the long run, not to mention your stress levels will be reduced once the renovation starts and you know you’re ahead of the game!
Click on the image to see more of this project.
Start with the kitchen
This is the pivotal space in any house and also one of the most complex and expensive, so it pays to get it right. Personally, I like to be involved at the planning stage if possible, as sometimes there are simple, small layout changes that can be made to greatly improve the functionality and design of the kitchen.
Let’s not forget the huge number of choices when it comes to kitchen materials and appliances. This can be overwhelming, but by talking about exactly how you plan to use the space, your preferences and your budget, an experienced designer can help you to select the best finishes and products to suit your lifestyle and budget.
If you are still in the planning stage, this is the perfect time to get us involved so that we can look at the layout and make suggestions that will improve the functionality of the space.
Don’t skimp on quality
Drawer and divider system by Blum
This is particularly relevant with kitchens. It’s worth spending good money on things you touch every day, like door and drawer hardware (for those beautiful soft close drawers), sink mixers, appliances, and perhaps a stunning feature stone bench on your island. You can counteract this with perhaps having a more functional, less expensive bench in the scullery.
Aged brass kitchen mixer from Plumbline.
If you have your kitchen design sorted before your building begins then you will have a clear idea of the costs involved for your space and can adjust your design or budget to suit before you are too far down the track if necessary.
Take advantage of trade discounts
When you engage us as your interior designers to help you with your renovation, you will be able to take advantage of trade buying rates that we receive through many different suppliers to the industry. We will share with you any trade discounts we receive from suppliers. Over the course of a project this can add up to thousands of dollars in savings, and will go a long way to offset the design fees that we charge.
Some areas where we are able to access trade pricing not available to the general public:
bathroom fittings
tiles
flooring (wooden and carpet)
furniture at a number of different suppliers
kitchen appliances
wallpaper
window treatments
lighting
Let’s talk about your project
In conclusion - don’t leave planning for your interiors to chance, there are many steps to consider and we can help you break it down into manageable chunks to get the best result.
If you’re thinking about renovating and would like to talk about your project in more detail, then please get in touch.