Creating your dream home interior: A step-by-step guide
In recent years, the UK has seen a surge in interest in home renovations. With more people spending time at home due to remote work trends, there's been a noticeable shift towards personalising living spaces to suit new lifestyles and needs.
This guide aims to navigate you through the exciting process of transforming your home into a space that reflects your personality and meets your requirements.
Creating your renovation checklist
Before diving into the aesthetics, it's crucial to prepare a comprehensive renovation checklist. This list should start with a thorough assessment of your home to identify which areas need improvement, repair, or complete redesign.
Include everything from structural elements (like walls and flooring) to details such as light fixtures and sockets. It’s also important to work out if you’ll need any specialist equipment such as rotary lasers – this can save you time and stress sourcing them later down the line.
Prioritising tasks in your checklist will help ensure that crucial steps are not overlooked and can help streamline the renovation process.
Defining your style
Choosing a style for your home interior can be both thrilling and daunting. To define your style, start by gathering inspiration from interior design magazines, websites like Pinterest, and even local design exhibitions.
Whether you gravitate towards minimalism, rustic charm, or modern sophistication, understanding what appeals to you visually will serve as the foundation of your design choices.
Keep a mood board—either digital or physical—to consolidate your ideas and visualise how different elements might come together.
Prioritising your needs and functionality
While aesthetics are important, your home must first and foremost fit your lifestyle.
Consider how each room is used. Does your living space need to be child-friendly? Do you routinely work from home?
Tailor your design to accommodate these needs. For instance, easy-to-clean surfaces might be preferable in family homes, while a home office might benefit from extra shelving for storage and an ergonomic setup to boost productivity.
Choose furnishings and fixtures that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also durable and practical. For instance, if you have a busy household, opt for robust materials that can withstand wear and tear.
This approach ensures that your home remains comfortable and practical without sacrificing its visual appeal.
Setting a budget and preparing for hiccups
One of the most practical steps in home renovation is setting a budget. Determine how much you are willing to spend and allocate funds accordingly to different tasks on your checklist.
Remember to include a buffer of around 10-20% for unforeseen expenses—renovation projects are notorious for unexpected costs. Keep track of all expenses in a spreadsheet to avoid overspending in one area and compromising another.
Renovations often come with a set of surprises—whether it's structural issues uncovered during the process or delays in the supply chain.
Prepare mentally and financially for such scenarios by setting aside time and money for unexpected developments. Regular communication with contractors and suppliers can also help you stay on top of potential issues before they become major problems.
The benefits of a home renovation
Transforming your home interior is a rewarding endeavour that enhances your living environment and could potentially increase your property's value.
Taking on aspects of the project yourself, whether it’s planning, demolition or refurbishment is also a richly rewarding experience and can increase your sense of satisfaction and comfort when you come to enjoy the final result.
By following this step-by-step guide, you’ll be well-equipped to manage your renovation project effectively, ensuring that your dream home becomes a reality.
Jenny Kakoudakis likes to blog about interiors and lifestyle. She launched award-winning Seasons in Colour in 2014. When she is not chasing criminals out of the financial system (her day job), she gets creative by redecorating her own home.
Download her free bathroom renovation guide here.
