As the spaces that we spend most of our time in, homes are undeniably an important part of our lives, which also makes it essential that they are designed to suit our personal preferences and daily needs. So read on, and take note of these 5 important pre-renovation questions that will help you achieve the abode of your dreams in the most cost-efficient manner possible.
1. What is the best look for my home?
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For first-time homeowners or those who are unfamiliar with interior design, this may be a tough question to answer. After all, there are a myriad of decor styles that a home can be done up in, from rustic industrial-chic to fancy Art Deco-inspired glamour. However, there is a direct method of discovering the best aesthetic for your home and that is by examining the type of property it is.
Depending on size, flow and structure, certain houses lend themselves better to specific decor styles or features. For instance, a compact studio apartment will do better with a minimalist design – one that adds flair through simple architectural details, as opposed to visually heavy characteristics such as elaborate patterns and dark colours that will weigh down the entire space.
2. What furniture and/or fittings do I need?
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While the majority of interior designers will give their input on the style of furniture and fittings that are best suited to a chosen look, it is ultimately up to a homeowner on how each room is equipped. Other than taking size into account, a rule of thumb for kitting out each room is to consider its purpose or usage.
To illustrate, most modern-day living rooms are equipped with the essential trio consisting a sofa, TV console and coffee table, in addition to shelves and cabinets for storage. However, in the case of more specialised fixtures like storeroom facades or mirror accents, you may wish to consider how important they are to the overall look and functionality of your home.
3. How much time do I have?
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As the saying goes, time is precious. And having an idea of how much time you have available is an important determinant of how well your home renovation will turn out and how efficient the entire process will be. The reasoning behind this is simple: planning, conceptualising and gathering the necessary resources to create your dream home is a stage-by-stage process, which in turn translates into a need for sufficient time to complete each task in a precise manner.
4. How much should I budget?
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This is a slightly tricky question to answer as there may be a difference between the sum of money that you have set aside and the final cost of achieving your desired interior. As such, the best approach to this conundrum is to come up with a cost breakdown and/or a reasonable estimate for each of these segments. Aside from new furniture, these may also include wiring of electrical components, painting, replacing old plumbing as well as other construction-related works.
5. Is there anything I wish to retain?
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Last but not least, if you are a sentimental person, “What existing features should I retain?” may be on your list of questions to ask before starting a home renovation. Otherwise, keeping certain architectural features the way they are is a prudent choice (in terms of time and money saved), especially if they are a good fit for your abode’s new look.
