So you're planning a DIY project. It's easy to feel somewhat overwhelmed simply by the idea of renovating but it doesn't need to be that way. There's plenty of useful information and advice from professionals available at your fingertips. Whether it's a full renovation or a room update, there are four key steps to consider.
1. Set a budget
You haven't really thought about how much it's all going to cost but you figure you'll start looking. After all, you have a general idea of what you want so how could it hurt to do a bit of online browsing and maybe even swing by a shop or two? Suddenly you've fallen in love with an incredible designer sofa (which would look amazing in your home) and the next thing you know you're confirming your home address for delivery. Never mind the fact that you've spent far more than you planned on a single item of furniture.
This is why it's so important to set a budget before you even start looking. Your budget will be the most defining aspect of your renovation project. It will determine many factors including where you should be shopping. A good measure that many renovators swear by is that your budget will most likely cost 20% more than originally planned and take 20% longer. Planning around these limits will help to make things more realistic.
2. Decide on the look
It's easy to get excited about that gorgeous designer sofa or even a particular shade of carpet but how will it look in the room with everything else?
These days we live in a world that's not short of information and inspiration, no matter what the project. Home renovations in particular have an abundance of material out there through media such as magazines and websites. Start browsing and getting an idea of the looks that appeal to you and would also suit your home and lifestyle. Create a scrapbook with pictures and add in your own notes.
If you love technology then social media channels like Pinterest and Instagram are even better as the updates are constant and never-ending. Use Pinterest to create your own boards with pins of beautiful images. You could have a board for current colour trends and another for kitchen or bedroom inspiration. It's so easy to add and delete pins. The more you look and pin, the better idea you'll get of exactly the kind of look you're after.
3. Where to begin
Two words – bottoms up! Once you've settled on the look that you want, the first step is to focus on the flooring. Trying to decide between carpet or timber? Think about the purpose of the room. Is it a playroom for the kids? If so, a good-looking and durable carpet could be the solution – try flooring experts Carpet Court . Alternatively, if it's an area being used for socialising, such as a dining room then perhaps some sleek and stylish floorboards could be a great starting point. Whether you're leaning towards carpet, timber, vinyl or laminate, your budget will play an important part in narrowing down these options. Also, be sure to keep in mind other costs associated with new flooring such as underlay for carpet and any labour that you're not doing yourself.
Once you've settled on the type of flooring, the next step is looking at the different colour and texture options. With your budget now taken into consideration through your choice of flooring, you're free to focus more on the aesthetics and how it's going to look in your home. Does the new floor need to work in with existing furnishings or have you budgeted for new furniture items? All the more reason to work out and stick to a budget from the start.
4. Accessorise the look
You've installed your new flooring and it looks fantastic. The next step is to review the furnishings and see how it all fits together. If you've budgeted for completely new furniture then it's time to grab your scrapbook or inspiration boards and go shopping. It's easy to get distracted with the huge amount of options available out there so be sure to use these images as checks when you find yourself drawn to a particular item such as that designer sofa. Will it work with the new flooring and is it within my budget? If so, go for it. If not, keep looking.
If your budget didn't include all new furniture, you can still make some dramatic design changes to your room. A new rug can make a big difference and can really pull the whole look together. New window furnishings can have the same effect and change the entire feel of a room.
Finally, use accents such as new cushions or an unusual vase with fresh flowers to finish it off. After all, you need to love the look so make it your own.