Everything You Need To Know Before Starting An Interior Design Project

Guest Contributor: Rebecca Alston (MamasLikeMe.com)

Whether you’re experiencing snow or just slightly cooler temperatures this season, the winter months tend to bring us all indoors. It can also be the perfect time to give your home a little facelift. This can range from changing up the living room, to enhancing your bedroom, to helping your basement become a more usable space.

While it can be tempting to jump right into action, there are some things you should decide on before beginning a project. These can help ensure the project goes well, and the end result looks exactly the way you want.

Without any further ado, this article will cover what you should know before you begin any interior design project.

Your Goals for the Space

Before starting any home renovation or interior design job, you need to have some goals or an ultimate vision for the space. If you design a space with no ultimate goal for how it looks or what it will accomplish, it can make the design project a challenging one. Your vision doesn’t need to be perfect or exact, but you certainly want an idea of what the space will look like. Create a Pinterest board to help organize your ideas into one place for reference.

As for what the goals are, it depends on your own unique needs and preferences. Some people may want a living room that is relaxing and subtle, while others may want the space to excite them and be full of bright and energizing colors and art. If you have a larger family, your living room might also double as a games room. Knowing your goals can give you a blueprint to ensure the space turns out how you wanted it to.

Not sure what your home style is? Take our quiz!

What You Can Afford

Interior design projects aren’t always cheap, and can involve purchasing everything from new furniture, to new decor, to new paint for the walls. As a result, be sure to go over your budget beforehand and take time to determine what you can afford.

Set aside a certain amount for the project, but allow a bit of wiggle room. Of course, be sure to familiarize yourself with how to set an interior design budget, too. Taking the time to set this budget and work through what you can afford can ensure that there are no surprises down the line, and that you don’t go bankrupt as a result of these home improvements. Also, if you want to hire an interior designer, it is a good idea to know how much that may cost you.

Check out our tips for budgeting a home renovation.

When to Call a Professional

When it comes to interior design, there is a lot of work that can be done on your own. However, don’t automatically assume you are well-equipped to handle everything. There are certainly some aspects that would be better left to a professional. These professionals can help save you time and money, ensure the end result matches up with your goals, and can ensure your entire project is tied together well.

It is crucial that you are aware of when you could benefit from the help of a professional. Being too prideful during your interior design project can lead to results you aren’t happy with and/or a lot more work than you expected.

Sure, bringing in a professional will cost you a little more, but having them on your team can help ensure the place turns out exactly the way you want. Whether you are simply improving the look of your living room, remodeling your kitchen, or need some help with AC installation, it is always a good idea to consider a professional to ensure the job gets done right.

Not sure if you should DIY or hire a professional? Reference our handy chart.