5 Questions you MUST ask when Remodeling or Decorating
In today's day and time we have a schedule for our schedule for our schedule. Our kids and pets even have schedules. I guess that is a good thing. Being organized and planning your days is the key to keeping it all together, right?
Often times the to-do-list and execution "know how" for our homes is last on the list. We see Million Dollar listings and watch TV to get ideas, but think...... where do they get all this stuff? Is it really as easy as ordering online from that catchy jingle place? What was the name?
I think they have in really small print at the bottom of the commercial , don't try this at home......because it's really harder than it looks.
That's not to say it can't be done , but as my mom always says...Anything worth having takes work. Or another favorite parental saying... " The only way success comes before work is in the dictionary", but I digress.
To create a home you can't wait to come home to, requires you to start with the answers to some basic questions. You will need to ask:
1. What do I want to do in this room or rooms?
2. Who will be using this room with me?
3. If I have guests, how often will they be enjoying this room with me?
4. What is my budget for this room or rooms?
5. Will my needs for this room change over time?
Once you have the answers to these questions you can really begin to dive into the process of creating your best home environment.
That's really what the goal is, to create a space that is functional and beautiful and fits into your busy lifestyle, as well as promotes you recharging those ever-running batteries.
You will need to take your answers and start applying the answer to your major purchases. If you are buying a new sofa, consult all 5 of these questions to assist you in making the final selection.
If you are thinking of changing the flooring and painting the walls, consult all of the 5 questions mentioned above. These questions will , at the very least, lead you away from making some unnecessary and usually very costly mistakes.
An example would be..... you fell in love and you bought this lovely wood floor and white sofa and completely forgot, your house is the neighborhood hangout. You have a pool and nearly 35 guests at a time are running in and out of the back door. Your furniture and flooring wood be muddled and mistreated in no time. A smarter choice may be a porcelain tile and an indoor -outdoor fabric on the sofa. You may still be able to do the white, as fabric and the technology behind it has really come a long way.
The key , as I say all the time , is to have a plan.
Obviously , I would be remiss if I didn’t advise on the use of a professional to consult in all phases of the project. Doing that will ensure your budget is put to highest and best use. An interior designer, architect, and contractor all have very distinct and very different roles that are crucial to achieving the best possible results.
It has been said - “ Design requires a Designer -Author Unknown,
Once you space plan the room , allocate your budget, decide the overall use, and think about the return on your investment , you are well on your way to having a home you can't wait to come home to….
Download a budget planning tool here
