Home renovation is one of the largest projects one can undertake. It’s challenging, hands-on and time-consuming but it’s also immensely satisfying. But with any significant investment, you need to be strategic in order to make the most of it.

Whether you are an experienced renovator or a complete novice, asking the right questions before you start is essential for a design to be cohesive and well-thought-out.

In this article, we will discuss 3 essential renovation tips to avoid design headaches.

Set a budget

While there may be projects out there where money isn’t a factor, the reality is everyone should set a budget. Budgeting is important because it sets the scope and will help you understand which rooms you want to focus on.

Is this your forever home or a stepping stone? If you’re hoping to sell your home for a profit, it’s wise to pick design features that appeal to a wide variety of buyers. This means neutral colours, standard sizing and investing in a few accessories with a wow factor.

When it comes to splitting up the budget into rooms, we recommend choosing to make the kitchen and bathrooms stand out as these are what real estate agents see spark the most interest of potential buyers.

Pick A Style

One of the most common renovation mistakes is choosing a style that doesn’t suit your home. Before embarking on a major renovation, it’s important to build a rudimentary understanding of design fundamentals and the philosophy guiding your decisions.

Consistency is also important to avoid design confusion. A rustic dining table set in a modern kitchen can clash and make it hard to create a cohesive space.

There are several renovation styles that have evolved over the years. Learning a bit about each of the styles and how they differ from one another will help you to articulate the right mood in your home. Here are some of the most popular styles at the moment:

Modern – Clean, crisp lines, simple colour palette, use of materials such as metal, glass and steel.
Minimalist – Notions of modern simplified, natural colours, lack of excess, focused on functionality and ultra-clean lines.
Industrial – Draws inspiration from warehouses, raw materials like exposed brick, ductwork and wood, high ceilings and metal light fixtures.
Scandanavian – Spacious, natural lighting, functional furniture, white pallets and small pops of colour.
Coastal/Hamptons – Light and airy, cool neutral shades paired with blues and greens, elements inspired by the seas, striped patterns.
Luxe – Communicates glamour through metallic accents, faux fur, velvet and silk, bold statements, clean and modern furniture.

Choose Your Fixtures & Materials Before Starting

Whether it’s Bathroom Vanities, Basin Mixers or Flooring, smart renovators will begin choosing fixtures and materials well before ripping up the old carpet.

If you have the chance to live in your property for a few months, take it. You will be able to build a realistic idea of how it flows, where the light hits best and other natural elements.

Spending time in your house will also allow you to plan what kind of fixtures and materials to use. Depending on the state of the house, certain things like the cabinetry might have good bones but benefit from new pulls and fresh paint.

If you are unable to live in your property during renovations, think about hiring an interior designer and architect who can help you with plans before construction begins. They will have the expertise needed to look at your space and advise you on what will work best.

The benefit of choosing fixtures and materials before starting is it will help contractors make much more accurate bids and you’ll lessen the risk of delays because of backorders. Partnering with a design boutique also means you’ll have access to a wealth of knowledge, be able to compare pieces and pick out premium products that fit with your style.

Get Started On Your Project Today

Now that you know what you need to do, it’s time to get started! Set yourself a budget, pick a style and choose your fixtures and materials before starting. We promise you that doing these three things will save you a lot of headaches down the road!

FBI Are Experts In Renovation

Need an expert’s advice for carpet? You’ve come to the right place!

A renovators dream, FBI showcases a diverse range of the most on-trend and affordable flooring and bathroom products along with interior selections, decor and accessories to complement every room.

Browse our collection online or book a design consultation at our New Farm showroom and get the ball rolling on your project!