When you own a home, there is always another project around the bend. Sometimes, it means renovating a bathroom, and other times, your new project could mean landscaping your front yard. Whatever your home project will be, here are some tips to help you prepare ahead of time.
Budgeting is a Must
If your vision and your bank account don’t match, it can be a little frustrating. The best way to prepare is to decide how much you will spend on your project. Bathroom renovations can cost upwards of over a hundred thousand dollars for an entire revamp, while building a new deck may only run around ten or fifteen thousand dollars.
Having a budget allows you to plan the supplies you think you’ll need ahead of time. It also gives you room to hire professionals to build out your project if required. Remember to cushion your budget with wiggle room because there are always unexpected expenses that can pop up.
Audit Your Belongings
When you’re going to do any home project or major renovation, you’re likely to have multiple people in your home at any given time. Contractors will be in and out of the house along with the rest of your family. You don’t want to believe that anyone would take anything, but it’s better to be prepared.
Create a list of your valuables and store them in what you consider to be a safe place. Jot down where you put them so you can go back to them later and make sure you have them all accounted for. If something does disappear, you have a record of what you had before the work started.
Inspiration Boards
Let’s say you’ve decided you want to create a fresh outdoor living space, but you’re not sure what direction you want to go in. Head over to Pinterest for some inspiration on what you can do to create your oasis. Think about color palettes, the space you have to work with, and don’t be afraid to get creative.
Create a digital or physical mood board to help you put your vision into perspective. Maybe you like that furniture but prefer that patterned rug. Perhaps you are all about ambiance and want specific lighting to set the mood. That’s what your boards are for – to help you bring your vision into reality.
Contact an Interior Designer
Even if you plan to tackle some parts of your project DIY, don’t shy away from hiring an interior designer. The best designers will walk you through the process from start to finish. They will ask you about what you envision for the project you want to work on. Lastly, they will also help you keep track of your budget and all the fine details that are easy to lose track of!
Being prepared with at least some inspiration tells the interior designer what style you like or what colors you gravitate toward. After giving your designer some input, it’s up to them to run through the motions and bring your project to completion.
Always Use Timelines
A timeline is essential to the success of your project. It gives you a realistic view of how long it will take a project to reach its end. With milestones, you can also stay on track with what needs to be done to finish your project. When you work with your designer, they will help prepare you and let you know what to expect along the way. Your designer will create a timeline built around your project. An interior designer will also work with contractors for you, so you don’t have to deal with them directly.
Preparing for Your Next Project
Deciding on your next project is fun and exciting. Once you get your budget figured out, you can start getting your project off the ground. Don’t forget to record your valuables with pictures or writing things down. Once you’re ready, you can create inspiration boards to share with your interior designer here at WPL Interior Design. Remember, timelines are essential to your success, so don’t skip them. Have a plan with deadlines and milestones, and before you know it, your home project will be ready for you to enjoy.