So this is for anyone planning a renovation, including contractors and architects. I am writing this in the summer of 2023, and as far as I can see, there are a lot of renovations of older homes. I am getting a lot of questions about a renovation.

Many people, including architects and contractors, need clarity and awareness of how interior designers help during a major renovation. It is not just about shopping for pretty things. Interior designers are critical players in making sure a renovation runs smoothly.

Interior designers help with a renovation by;

By creating the interior design and setting the tone of your style that cannot be changed for decades and \what furnishings will look good in your home. When you do a renovation, a thousand little decisions end up making a big difference. It seems like picking out a few things, but it is not. Interior designers make sure that the renovation comes out right and on budget. If you make one decision in isolation – you could risk making a costly mistake. Interior designers treat the project as a whole, understanding how everything will play against each other in the final design.

Helping you decide on:

Walls Finishes – what finish of sheetrock, decorative molding, baseboards, crown molding, paint color sheen, finish, durability, and possible wallpaper or custom murals. What tile, marble, or stone, and what kind of grout is on the walls in the kitchen and bath, and which is more durable or age nicely?

Lighting and electrics. – where will the lights go so it lines up with the furniture? What color will the lighting be? Is the lighting automated? Is there a way to save money on the electric bill? What kind of switch plates? Is everything on a dimmer? (Yes) And, of course, what will the lighting look like – what finish – what will go with the type of furniture I love? Will what I pick still look nice two decades from now? Do I need under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen or by the floor for the night? Can we incorporate lighting in the stairs? Where should we place the outlets so we always have access to lights and devices?

HVAC – Will I sleep under a cold blast of air all summer? Can we heat the floor in the bathroom?

Window Placement and Size– Does the window line up with the furniture plan? Can the furniture be placed under the window? How should the window open? Should we put in a skylight?

Floors Selection – Ceramic, stone, engineered wood, natural wood planks, parquet, wide or narrow plank. Finishes and color – matt, custom color. It used to be you had four choices; now, there are thousands of flooring choices of wood and stone, which is excellent, but a lot to think about and test onsite.

Fixtures Selection – sinks, toilets, towel bars, heated towel bars, stand-alone sink tubs, shower stalls, shower heads, and faucets. These play a vital role in the design and the budget and how you will experience using your home for years, i.e., water pressure, how easy it is to clean under the toilet, …….on and on.

Cabinetry Selection What style of cabinet for the kitchen and bathrooms? Are there built-ins or extra storage needed somewhere else in the home? What color and color doors will last? Should I buy all kinds of inside cabinet organizers? How many cabinets do I need? Can I wipe off the cabinet first, does the first show?

Equipment Selection- what type of fridge and stove, and microwave? Are my appliances staying on the counter? Where there do the dishes get washed so someone can open the refrigerator at the same time? (personal pet peeve!) Where are we eating? How do you control crumbs near the stove and prep area? Where are we placing the TVs in the house – will they be mounted on the walls?

Doors – door style, door quality, hinge -will it be exposed, the color of the door handle? What kind of door handles do we want? Do we want glass doors? Do you need a new front door?

Outside – How do you want to treat the outside surface of your home? Stucco – which type and color? Stone? Brick – what type of pattern, what size bricks? How do you want the brick layout to be – do you want the grout to be flush with the brick? Do you like metal or wood siding? Do you want a porch or mudroom? What colors will look nice and are not too trendy? Decorative shutters?

Budget –What quantities of materials do we need for the job, and how much will it cost? If we buy 2$ less expensive door handles, will it make a difference in the budget? Where is the most important place to spend my money?

Timelines – When will all the materials come in? Will all the materials for the renovation be there be ready for when the contractor can start? Has there been a delay in materials? Can we choose something that looks just as good and will come in sooner for the same price?

Why Contractors and Builders Love Me;

I have everything ready for the contractor, helping them run the project, and I manage lead times and ensure everything is there at the right time. Contractors quickly need to know what’s going on so they can get their job done on time because, as we know, contractors are always busy. If you take less time, it will also cost you less money.

Sometimes a contractor will hire me to do this because either his client cannot make decisions, or it’s part of his general package that he suggests that he helps him with his business and offers to his clients. I also have done this for builders who are building and want it to be stylish and presentable, and able to sell.

How It Works

Floor plans and site visit
Determining how much of everything you need.
Determining a budget for the job with the contractor
Picking a style direction – ideas with drawings and samples for a final decision. Getting samples onsite and testing them at length.
Final decisions – How is this all going to look in the end?
Document handovers to the contractor and make sure the contractor has all the installation directions, and he is ok with the work he needs to do
Doing a project timeline for when all material will be delivered and having the contractor ready.

Either the designer or the contractor will;

Ordering and tracking all the materials
Monitoring the installation and re-order if there is damage to materials in the shipping process

For more information about my process, click here.

Final Note

It is best in all situations that everything is a team effort, and good communication between parties will get you the best budget and the more beautiful outcome. Architects, interior designers, and contractors all have our specialties, and when you combine everyone’s ideas, it’s a win, win, win, win!

Last Bits of Advice

Stay away from the start of the project by buying everything you love; you may run out of money and be unable to finish the project.
Only order something online after testing a sample of the color and finish onsite during different times of the day.