The beginning of a new year is traditionally a time of reflection on the past and resolution for the future. Even if we do not write-out our desires per annum, most people will confess to a list of mental dreams with the fresh start of January. Aside from personal ambitions, what about setting goals for your home? What do you want your home to achieve in 2017?
Have you always wanted a place of solitude in your house, a personal retreat? Do you need added storage and efficiency in an effort to make life a little more streamlined? Is an inviting space on your wish list for entertaining guests? Do you need additional room for a growing family or aging parent?
Identifying your top desires is key so that a ranking of priorities can be created. Recognize the difference between needs and wants, as wants can be established in a secondary list. Communicate with other decision-makers- be it a spouse, banking institution, or other to formulate a realistic budget. If you are completely "in the dark" as to how much your intended project might cost, HomeAdvisor or a quick online search can help to provide a range in pricing. Please remember that this is for reference only and all factors are dependent on complexity of the project, selections made, contractors utilized, as well as geographic location.
Take the time to consider a reasonable timeframe. The majority of re-models are not completed in two weeks despite what HGTV projects. Not only the length of time, but timing of the start date should be considered. If an entire house of flooring, light fixtures, and window treatments is to be replaced before the summer, May is not the time to start preparing. Gather inspiration from online (Houzz, Pinterest) or paper resources (books, magazines) to help you communicate what you are drawn to and visualize what could be. Collecting photos of design elements that you do NOT like can often prove just as helpful.
Lastly, enlist support. An interior designer can help to not only develop the vision for your space with you, but also aid in the process of interviewing an architect and/or contractor while managing logistics and more. There are many decisions to be made in the painting of a home as well as building custom or re-modeling an existing. Let us guide you through the steps to realizing your home's true potential.