8-Step Plan of Action for Your Renovation
Got plans for a makeover or renovation? Let us steer you in the right direction with a step-by-step guide
Karen Egly-Thompson
26 May 2017
Houzz Contributor
If you have a DIY decorating project on your horizon but don’t know where to start, here’s a practical guide to help you navigate the process.
1. Commit to a Budget and Timeline
First, figure out your total project budget. If you skip this step, you’ll likely spend much more than you anticipated and make poor purchasing decisions you’ll later regret.
Also pick a date to complete your project by, even if you don’t have a looming reason to do so. Creating a complete-by date will fuel your project so it can take flight. Completing one stage of a project informs the next and the next. Otherwise, approaching your project piecemeal will delay completion, if you even complete it at all.
First, figure out your total project budget. If you skip this step, you’ll likely spend much more than you anticipated and make poor purchasing decisions you’ll later regret.
Also pick a date to complete your project by, even if you don’t have a looming reason to do so. Creating a complete-by date will fuel your project so it can take flight. Completing one stage of a project informs the next and the next. Otherwise, approaching your project piecemeal will delay completion, if you even complete it at all.
Set up a good system to keep track of your expenditures. I use an Excel spreadsheet, but even a spiral notebook can work for smaller projects. The key is to keep it updated.
Here’s an example of how I keep a running log of project expenses. While the main goal is tracking the total amount spent, I also indicate the store (which I left off here because stores will vary based on your location and preference), method of payment, general description and any notes, such as delivery fees – useful information that may come in handy later.
Keep all of your receipts together in one location. You can refer to them easily for warranty information and returns, if needed. I use a small zip pouch made for holding pens and pencils while I’m out shopping. After I return and enter them into the spreadsheet, I stapled each receipt to a piece of paper and store that neatly in a project folder.
Here’s an example of how I keep a running log of project expenses. While the main goal is tracking the total amount spent, I also indicate the store (which I left off here because stores will vary based on your location and preference), method of payment, general description and any notes, such as delivery fees – useful information that may come in handy later.
Keep all of your receipts together in one location. You can refer to them easily for warranty information and returns, if needed. I use a small zip pouch made for holding pens and pencils while I’m out shopping. After I return and enter them into the spreadsheet, I stapled each receipt to a piece of paper and store that neatly in a project folder.
2. Evaluate Your Needs and Lifestyle
Separating wants and needs is a hard one. Prioritise your needs by first creating a list of the furniture and accessories you envision going into your space. List any work you want to do, like painting or wallpapering, too. Then rate each item 1 through 5, with 1 indicating an absolute must and 5 reflecting a non-necessity. Reorder the items on the list with the necessities at the top and the more wishful items at the bottom. Involve other family members in this process. They may identify overlooked items.
Also, be honest about your family’s lifestyle requirements today instead of at some far-off idyllic future date. For example, if the kiddos use your family room as a play space, include toy storage on your list. You may have some child safety needs too. Also note any special concerns about pets, such as shed fur or the potential for furniture to get clawed.
Separating wants and needs is a hard one. Prioritise your needs by first creating a list of the furniture and accessories you envision going into your space. List any work you want to do, like painting or wallpapering, too. Then rate each item 1 through 5, with 1 indicating an absolute must and 5 reflecting a non-necessity. Reorder the items on the list with the necessities at the top and the more wishful items at the bottom. Involve other family members in this process. They may identify overlooked items.
Also, be honest about your family’s lifestyle requirements today instead of at some far-off idyllic future date. For example, if the kiddos use your family room as a play space, include toy storage on your list. You may have some child safety needs too. Also note any special concerns about pets, such as shed fur or the potential for furniture to get clawed.
3. Decide What Stays and What Goes
Based on your list, identify any pieces of furniture or accessories that you absolutely want to keep in the space. Remove the pieces you don’t plan to reuse; consider donating them if they’re in good shape or selling them online.
Based on your list, identify any pieces of furniture or accessories that you absolutely want to keep in the space. Remove the pieces you don’t plan to reuse; consider donating them if they’re in good shape or selling them online.
4. Draw a Preliminary Furniture Plan
If your project is small, this step may not be necessary. However, if you’re buying new furniture or just considering a new configuration, it’s extremely helpful to try out pieces in different locations to see what fits and what doesn’t. The last thing you want is to end up with a too-big piece of furniture. You’ll need a tape measure or laser measuring tool to measure your space and a scale ruler to draw it to scale. A simple sketch illustrating only the outside dimensions is all that’s necessary.
If you don’t have these items or don’t feel comfortable with drawing to scale, an alternative is to ‘draw’ the outlines of furniture with masking tape on your floor or cut furniture-size shapes out of butcher paper to manoeuvre around on the floor.
Don’t forget about circulation space. Ideally, you’ll want to keep 45 centimetres between the edge of the sofa and the coffee table. Maintain 45 centimetres for comfortable general circulation. Since you may not have found specific furniture pieces yet and don’t have detailed furniture dimensions, you may need to revise the size of some furniture pieces as your project progresses. Nonetheless, this exercise is a good starting point.
Also measure your entrance door and the pathway to the room, including building elevators if you live in a high-rise. Bring these notes with you when shopping. If there are any delivery dimension concerns, you can address them then and there.
8 approaches to take when placing living room furniture
If your project is small, this step may not be necessary. However, if you’re buying new furniture or just considering a new configuration, it’s extremely helpful to try out pieces in different locations to see what fits and what doesn’t. The last thing you want is to end up with a too-big piece of furniture. You’ll need a tape measure or laser measuring tool to measure your space and a scale ruler to draw it to scale. A simple sketch illustrating only the outside dimensions is all that’s necessary.
If you don’t have these items or don’t feel comfortable with drawing to scale, an alternative is to ‘draw’ the outlines of furniture with masking tape on your floor or cut furniture-size shapes out of butcher paper to manoeuvre around on the floor.
Don’t forget about circulation space. Ideally, you’ll want to keep 45 centimetres between the edge of the sofa and the coffee table. Maintain 45 centimetres for comfortable general circulation. Since you may not have found specific furniture pieces yet and don’t have detailed furniture dimensions, you may need to revise the size of some furniture pieces as your project progresses. Nonetheless, this exercise is a good starting point.
Also measure your entrance door and the pathway to the room, including building elevators if you live in a high-rise. Bring these notes with you when shopping. If there are any delivery dimension concerns, you can address them then and there.
8 approaches to take when placing living room furniture
5. Concentrate on Big Items First
Focus first on the big-impact items, then concentrate on smaller accessories. Too often people get hung up on a small detail that can derail the flow of the bigger items. The idea is to work from large to small.
Find furniture
Unless you’re lucky to find the furniture you want in stock, most furniture takes several weeks for fabrication. However, even in-stock furniture may not be delivered right away. If available, get a swatch of the upholstery or finish sample to help with other room selections.
Unless you’re comfortable working with a complex colour palette, minimising your scheme to two colours, as in the space here, will make shopping easier – and your space will look sharp and put-together.
Focus first on the big-impact items, then concentrate on smaller accessories. Too often people get hung up on a small detail that can derail the flow of the bigger items. The idea is to work from large to small.
Find furniture
Unless you’re lucky to find the furniture you want in stock, most furniture takes several weeks for fabrication. However, even in-stock furniture may not be delivered right away. If available, get a swatch of the upholstery or finish sample to help with other room selections.
Unless you’re comfortable working with a complex colour palette, minimising your scheme to two colours, as in the space here, will make shopping easier – and your space will look sharp and put-together.
Work the walls
Compared with any other design material, wall paint gives a room the most bang for your buck. I find it easiest to select a wall paint colour or wallpaper after the furniture is selected. You have much more leeway with paint colour choices than furniture upholstery. Plan to get your space prepped and painted prior to the furniture delivery.
Compared with any other design material, wall paint gives a room the most bang for your buck. I find it easiest to select a wall paint colour or wallpaper after the furniture is selected. You have much more leeway with paint colour choices than furniture upholstery. Plan to get your space prepped and painted prior to the furniture delivery.
Hit the ceiling
Colour instead of conventional white on the ceiling is another cost-effective attention-grabber, especially if you have cornices to separate it from the walls, like in this living room.
Colour instead of conventional white on the ceiling is another cost-effective attention-grabber, especially if you have cornices to separate it from the walls, like in this living room.
6. Move Toward the Mediums
After you’ve figured out your furniture layout and colour scheme, focus on finding the midscale items that will pull your space together, such as an area rug. Your scaled drawing will also come in handy to see how prospective rugs will work with your furniture layout.
After you’ve figured out your furniture layout and colour scheme, focus on finding the midscale items that will pull your space together, such as an area rug. Your scaled drawing will also come in handy to see how prospective rugs will work with your furniture layout.
Window treatments like roman shades and drapery can offer lots of style compared to run-of-the-mill Venetian blinds. They can minimise less-than-perfect windows and help save on energy bills, too. New window treatments don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, either.
Hear expert advice on how to save money on window treatments
Hear expert advice on how to save money on window treatments
A feature light fixture, like the one in this dining room, can become a stunning design focus.
7. Save the Small Stuff for Last
Fill in your scheme with decorative accessories toward the end of your project. You’ll be able to see what areas need attention and have a better sense of scale, especially with artwork. With the furniture in place, you’ll also have easy access to key dimensions, like the clearance between shelves.
I also like to shop for table lamps, particularly lamps that will sit behind a sofa, after the furniture is delivered so I can see how all the heights work or don’t work together. Power cord lengths and switch locations are also easier to evaluate when the furniture is in place.
Fill in your scheme with decorative accessories toward the end of your project. You’ll be able to see what areas need attention and have a better sense of scale, especially with artwork. With the furniture in place, you’ll also have easy access to key dimensions, like the clearance between shelves.
I also like to shop for table lamps, particularly lamps that will sit behind a sofa, after the furniture is delivered so I can see how all the heights work or don’t work together. Power cord lengths and switch locations are also easier to evaluate when the furniture is in place.
8. Leave Room for the Unexpected
You may come across something surprising in your decorating journey that has special meaning or even adds a bit of humour, like these Hulk hand bedpost toppers. Don’t discount originality or quirkiness; it’s what makes your home truly yours.
TELL US
What renovation or decorating project are you about to start? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
Find an interior designer
How to Perfectly Plan Your Bathroom Project
You may come across something surprising in your decorating journey that has special meaning or even adds a bit of humour, like these Hulk hand bedpost toppers. Don’t discount originality or quirkiness; it’s what makes your home truly yours.
TELL US
What renovation or decorating project are you about to start? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
Find an interior designer
How to Perfectly Plan Your Bathroom Project
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I think the biggest difficulty is the budget to fit what one desires. I don't always know what something costs. I like things that are well built - quality as well as design to fit my desires.
As an example: I'm in a 5 year project that involves land as well as house. So there are a lot of parts to this project. Each one needs a budget, so I'm trying to work one in with flexibility depending on discovery. Right now I'm dealing with a landscape architect and civil engineer to work the land as to water retention and flow for wildlife habitat. The house will actually be a very small footprint - percentage wise.
Even today, I'm looking at furniture without a house design, but at least I have an idea of what I want. I see beds that I really like and think they will fit in, but the price tags to me are a bit overboard. So far I haven't found anything even close to the designer bed that I really like. I know the price tag is due to "designer" name and some of the rare woods used. I also know going cheap will mean a bed that won't last for years or even a bed that fits what I think is a good price for a quality bed but I don't like the design/materials. It's a constant balancing act.
While I think it's important to have a basic idea of what you want the room to look like, I don't want to be too detailed because I see it as a way to miss something along the way. If I'm fixated on "X", I might walk right past a better "Y" and not even notice it. Also, if you have a real deadline because the room is empty or unusable now, that's one thing. However, since I tend to make mistakes when I'm under pressure, I would not want to create a deadline just to have one. I guess I prefer it when a room comes together over time so it doesn't look too "matchy" or "decorated", but that's just me.
The hulk hands on the bed post are hilarious, love it!