Top 5 Tips To Prepare For Your New Home Selections

Embarking on a new build or renovation project is a significant undertaking that often begins with a simple idea. However, I believe the process of selecting materials and finishes for your space plays a crucial role in bringing your vision to life.

To navigate the design process effectively, it is essential to prepare diligently to ensure you stay clear and confident in your decisions, as well as by embracing your individual style and preferences, which will maintain the authenticity of your final design.

Remember, your project will continue to evolve, and your choices can adapt alongside it. Focus on making selections that resonate with you in the present moment, knowing that adjustments can always be made as your project progresses.

By approaching the journey of your new build or renovation selections with a balanced mix of creativity and practicality, you can create a space that truly reflects your unique story.

Step 1: Define Your Aesthetic and Gather Inspiration

I ask all of my clients a number of questions before we begin working together, for example;
- What are your favourite and least favourite colours?
- Do you have a favourite designer or account that you follow that inspires you?
- What are three words that describe how you want your home to feel?
- What brands do you associate with? This could be clothing, shoes, jewellery, skincare etc.
- What are your hobbies and things you enjoy? What brings you joy in life?

The reason I do this is to gather as much information as I can to define your aesthetic. You can take these questions and ask them to yourself - what key words stand out? Search for these keywords on Pinterest or Instagram and begin collecting images that inspire you.

Side note: if you’re building or renovating with a partner, it is integral to the process that you both do this together, working out what you both like and dislike to ensure the overall process runs smoothly and that you achieve a cohesive home that you both love. Work through what you both must have, and try to find compromise - this should be a fun and exciting process!

If you’re working with a designer like myself, when I client comes to me with a clear direction as to what they at the very least, like and dislike, want and don’t want, it gives me a sense of where I need to lead and the overall feel you want to achieve. However, if you’re starting this process on your own, use these images and notes as your Bible throughout the selections process to help keep you on track and not distracted by new trends or differing opinions.

Step 2: Hire A Designer OR Create A Shopping List

At this point, if you’re already beginning to feel overwhelmed, I would 100% recommend hiring a designer to assist you with your selections as the wealth of knowledge we have will help to guide you and ensure your selections remain cohesive and on track.

If you’re feeling strong and in control, well done!

I would then walk through your plans marking out every item you need to specify a finish for, appliance, fitting or fixture you need to select. It helps by creating an FF&E Schedule that lists out all of the rooms, what product is being specified, how many are required, who is supplying it etc - use this as your checklist.

It would also be wise to consider and discuss what finishes you are thinking of using (timber, stone, tiles etc.), whether you will keep some finishes the same (i.e. kitchen and laundry bench tops, bathroom cabinetry etc.), and what your expectations are around your selections (what colour tapware, will these match the door handles, tiles throughout etc).

Step 3: Take Measurements & Wrap Your Head Around Your Plans

If you’ve hired a designer, this is their job to understand and to guide you, however, I would highly suggest you spend some time getting to know your plans and the overall space and measurements anyway, but especially if you’re doing this on your own.

If you’re working through your selections solo - firstly, I always recommend getting a plan and internal elevations drawn up so you know what you are looking at and how your internal walls will look (particularly bathrooms, laundries, kitchens etc). If getting plans is out of budget or you are embarking on a small cosmetic renovation, draw yourself a small plan with wall-to-wall measurements that you can refer to when selecting items like pre-made vanities, toilets, and baths.

Step 4: Consider Functionality

Other questions I ask at the beginning of a project are;
- How do you utilise the space currently? (If renovating)
- How do you wish to utilise the space better or in the future?
- What are the driving factors here? Do you need a bigger island bench? Do you require a better layout that is more functional to your family? Do you need to move that cupboard so you can fit a bigger bathroom into your plan?

All of these questions highlight the ‘pain points’ you have or have had in the past, and are keys to designing a home that you love.

Step 5: Budget!

This is the tricky step because often (much like weddings, babies, travel) you really don’t know how much things cost until you start!

In this instance, I suggest identifying your overall budget, and consider if push comes to shove, what things are you not willing to sacrifice and which items are you happy to forgo in lieu of keeping in budget.

Hot tip - often people forget to include a buffer for unexpected contingencies that may pop up! It’s important to keep in mind that when renovating you don’t necessarily know what you’re working with until it has been gutted or works have begun, plumbing sometimes needs to be moved, costs blow out, and there are some elements completely out of our control.

Need help designing your dream home?

If the mere thought of selecting finishes and fittings stresses you out, feel free to contact me to discuss how I can take the stress off your shoulders and support you in making your design dreams a reality.