10 TIPS FOR A WHOLE HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGN
As one of the top interior designers in Bend, our talented Complements Home Interiors team is often tasked with helping clients with whole house projects. What this means is that we literally take stock of every single square foot of living space within the residence and come up with a plan.
Sometimes this is new construction, but it can also be a renovation of what is already there. To help give you an idea of the process, we’ve put together this guide. Here’s how to plan for a whole house interior design.
1. TAKE STOCK OF SPACE VS. NEEDS
The first thing you want to do when planning your whole home renovation or design is to take stock of the amount of space you have versus the needs of your family. If you have five young children still in the household, chances are you’ll have to spend a lot of your time and budget on bedrooms, large bathrooms, and plenty of space for everyone to gather. In contrast, empty nesters have much more freedom to create hobby rooms or home offices. Make a list and keep it handy.
2. PLAN YOUR INTERIOR DESIGN BUDGET
Next, you should plan your interior design budget. You’ll want to take into account any structural or construction costs, plus enough for those finishing little touches that make a house really feel like a home. To be on the safe side, take whatever you think it will cost to come up with your dream space and add 30% to 40% more for overages. The good news is that if the money isn’t spent, it goes back to you. But if you’re short along the way, at least you’ve accommodated for those costs without having to give up an element that’s really important to you.
3. FIND THE RIGHT WHOLE HOUSE INTERIOR DESIGNER
After you’ve determined your budget, it is time for an interior design consultation. This is where a professional will review your goals and helps come up with a plan to make your space everything you’ve been dreaming about. During this time, they’ll ask tons of questions about your personal taste, needs, and (yes) budget. They will also draw up a plan to give you a visual representation of what to expect.
4. DECIDE ON A COHESIVE APPROACH FROM ROOM TO ROOM
Your interior design team next helps you decide on how to create a cohesive approach from one room to another. This means that the spaces have something that carries them through to create a space that looks good as an entire unit. For example, you wouldn’t want hot pink walls in one room and a golf themed wallpaper in the next. That might sound a little extreme, but you get the point.
5. ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING
Now that we have the vision settled, it is time to make decisions about electrical and plumbing changes. These are often pretty hard to do without the intervention of a licensed contractor, so planning for them takes a bit of work. Whether you’re moving a kitchen sink, putting in a new shower, or just switching out electrical outlets, this is the time to talk about it.
6. FALSE CEILING: NECESSARY OR NOT?
One of the lesser-known pieces of the interior design puzzle is figuring out the false ceiling. There’s a good chance your home already has spaces where the interior ceiling is a couple feet below the real one to accommodate for HVAC ducts and other mechanical needs. During this part of the process, we’ll address this and determine if it is really necessary and how to make it look good.
7. SELECTING THE RIGHT FLOORING
Flooring is another major decision you’ll have to consider as part of your whole home interior design plan. Some people really want plank flooring or tile throughout, while others prefer plush carpeting in the bedrooms. Understanding the various options and how they fit into your budget is crucial. In addition, flooring sometimes takes time to come in on a special order, which is why you need to have an idea of what you’re looking for well in advance.
8. FURNITURE AND APPLIANCES
By the time you’ve gotten here, you’re getting close to having a fully put together home space. That’s why it is time to look at selecting major items, such as furniture and appliances. These are the big focal points within a room, so it is important that they coordinate well with your overall vision. Plus, they can really eat up a big chunk of your budget.
9. DECK THE WALLS WITH PAINT
After you’ve decided on the large items, it is time to choose paint colors. Most likely, you already have a few ideas of what you want each room to look like. During this phase, you’ll sit down with swatches to find that perfect hue, such as the difference between buttercup and sunshine versus just a room with yellow walls.
10. THE LITTLE TOUCHES AND ACCESSORIES
Finally, the space is almost complete! This last step is finding those little touches and accessories that make it feel like your family has always lived there. This can mean new artwork, window treatments, throw pillows, or frames for that photo of your great-grandmother. We firmly believe in adding those special pieces that add family history or character, too.
CHI IS YOUR BEST WHOLE HOME INTERIOR DESIGN COMPANY IN BEND
If you’re looking for the best interior designer in Bend to help you create your ideal home, then you’ll love working with our team. Complements Home Interiors is experienced in all sorts of large-scale interior design projects and we can’t wait to discuss your vision for your home. Please contact us today for details.