Whether it’s a new property or simply a property in need of an update, interior design should be fun. More often than not, though, it’s also pretty hard work. Particularly if you have a whole house to makeover, it can be difficult to know the best place to start, and the areas to spend your money.
However, as our property guru Phil Spencer knows all too well, making sure your interior design renovations are well organised and thoroughly planned, can mean the difference between a total transformation, and an interior design disaster.
Go back to basics
Whatever the plan is for your interior design project, this should always be rule number one. As much as you might want to start hunting for those one-of-a-kind antiques, that’s the sort of thing that can wait until later. Start by considering the style and colour scheme across the property, and planning the types of flooring you might need.
Well-fitted tiles, wooden floors and carpets could well be the features to add value to your property in the long run. For this reason, it’s often wise to call in a professional for such tasks, but if you’re adamant to give it a go yourself, make sure you know what you’re doing and buy quality materials to ensure that professional finish.
Sarah Bull from John Lewis Interiors advises that ‘it’s all in the preparation.’ That means you (or your builder) taking the time to fill cracks, sand down edges and prime your base with high quality tools. Don’t be tempted to save money on walls and flooring so you can splash out on nice furniture—a flawless finish throughout is key to a well decorated home.
Fine Fittings
Kitchen cabinets, bathroom fittings and any built in wardrobes or cupboards should be next on the agenda, as these make up the basic structure of your interior. Phil advises that ‘spending money on the basic infrastructure of your home is worth far more in the long run, instead of worrying about accessories,’—this is not the stage to cut corners.
The key here is to think carefully about your individual interior needs, and ensure that you factor in enough storage space in your home—there’s no point in having a beautifully designed kitchen if you’ve got nowhere to store all your utensils.
Consulting an interior designer at this point is often a good move. If you don’t want to hire one exclusively, however, a good kitchen or bathroom shop will have advisers on hand, and show rooms to guide you through the process.
Before you do anything, heed Phil’s advice and check out the electrics and plumbing in your property. Checking for any leaks, and sorting out problems before your fittings and flooring are installed, will avoid disasters ruining your interior design in the future.
Have Fun
Once the foundations are all sorted, you can get creative with what Phil calls the ‘cosmetics’. Wallpaper, shelving, furniture and all the accessories to go with them can be built up over time, so don’t feel you have to splash out on everything at once.
This is also the time to show some personality, so don’t just get everything from one place. Look through interior magazines and websites for inspiration, and remember to pay attention to the detail. Even little features like attractive doorknobs or curtain rails can really impact on the overall finish of a property.
If you are on a budget, don’t be afraid of upcycling what you have already. Something as simple as repainting your old furniture can make it feel like you’ve bought a brand new piece.
Calling the Professionals
A good professional builder is key to any renovation project, so make sure you do your research, and, if possible, get a recommendation.
For a major home revamp, an architect and/or interior designer can be invaluable in helping you to work out what you want, and the best use of the space you have. If your project doesn’t need any planning permission, then an architect isn’t essential, but a good interior designer can be really useful. If you can’t afford to hire someone for the whole project, get help on the rooms you think will be most complicated.
It might sound extravagant, but an interior designer can actually help you save money by helping you budget wisely.
