As we are currently in the final stages of our personal kitchen remodel here in Nashville (follow along on Instagram for updates and our reveal), we know all too well that a home remodel can be exciting, rewarding, stressful, and overwhelming – all at the same time! If you’ve been through a home remodel before or are starting to plan for one, you know that there are SO many decisions to make. It can be tough to even know where to start! That’s why we’ve compiled our list of five things to remember BEFORE you remodel your home or start a design project. These same tips apply whether you are doing a large-scale remodel, a new build, or even a single-room furnishing project. We hope you find them helpful!

Hire the right team

One of the most important things you can do when planning for a home remodel is to hire the right team. This includes not only a great interior design firm (like us!), but also contractors, architects, and subcontractors. Make sure you’re working with a team you trust, and who has experience in the type of project you’re undertaking.

PS – and don’t wait until you’re ready to start your project to find your team! Most contractors and designers who are excellent at what they do have some sort of waitlist, so don’t be afraid to reach out early and lock your team in

Don’t rush the planning phase

Good planning is key to a successful remodel. Whether you are doing a furnishing project or a full-scale remodel, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of taking time to plan. Rushing through this phase can lead to last-minute decisions, additional stress, and mistakes that can be costly to fix. Take the time to think through every detail of your project (or hire a design team to think through them for you!), and work with your team to ensure everything is planned out ahead of time.

Solidify your design plan well in advance

Like we said, last-minute decisions are always the most stressful. A great design team can help you develop a design plan and think through all the little details before you start living in a construction zone. Trust us, we can tell you from personal experience that living through a remodel is extremely challenging! Even with the best-laid plans, problems and delays still happen. We promise – you’ll thank yourself for planning ahead everywhere you can.

Order materials before the project begins

Ordering materials before construction begins can save you a lot of time and hassle. This is especially true for smaller projects for a single room like a kitchen or bathroom remodel. Your contractor and/or design team can help with this! Having all the products on-site before construction begins ensures that product delays don’t add to the timeline of your project.

Leave a little wiggle room in the budget

Finally, leaving a little wiggle room in your budget is important. Additional costs always come along, and if you plan for them ahead of time, you can roll with the punches. On our projects, we generally tell our clients to plan for a 10% buffer for the project as a whole. The buffer isn’t always needed, but planning this way will help you avoid stress and surprises during the remodeling process.

We hope these tips have been helpful! Remodeling your home can be an exciting and rewarding process, but it requires careful planning and the right team. By hiring the right professionals, solidifying your design plan, ordering materials ahead of time, and leaving some wiggle room in your budget, you can make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Remember, trends come and go, so invest in things you truly love and will enjoy for years to come.

And if you need any help along the way, we’re here for you! If you’re looking for interior design services in Nashville or abroad, don’t hesitate to reach out via our contact form!