Like any new experience, your first home renovation is likely to come with some uncertainty, surprises, and a big learning curve. As a designer who has worked with both first-time renovators and seasoned homeowners, I can tell you that the second go-round is always easier than the first.

That said, what can I do to help you navigate your home renovation as smoothly as possible? Well, a little behind-the-scenes knowledge never hurts!

This month, I’m sharing 7 things that most homeowners don’t know before renovating their homes for the first time. Armed with realistic expectations, our Pre-Renovation Guidebook (at the bottom of this page), and a solid team, you will be well equipped to survive your renovation, almost as if you’d done it before.

First up, the biggest misconception out there…

1. Renovating your home is not like you see on TV.

Who doesn’t love the feel-good home renovation shows where the charming designer transforms an outdated house into an incredibly beautiful home in 30 minutes flat? They make it look so easy and quick, but the truth is far from it. What are these shows not telling you?

The design process is not simply picking out splashback tiles together. It involves a complex and team-wide process of defining your home’s design direction, mapping out the floorplan and flow, creating innovative solutions, selecting suitable fixtures and finishes, and so much more.
The design phase happens first (not after demolition!) and is essential to your projects’ success.
The entire renovation process is much, much longer and more complex than you see or hear.

The renovation investments quoted are much lower than is realistic, largely due to sponsorships, lower quality standards, and the desire to shock and awe the public (and design professionals everywhere!).

2. Hiring a designer first will bring ease to your entire experience.

The biggest favour you can do for yourself and your home is to hire the right professionals in the right order. That means making an interior designer the first member of your renovation team. Why is this so important?

Design for Your Lifestyle: We get to know you and your needs and desires at the very beginning. Perhaps you love entertaining friends at home, or maybe you prefer a flexible indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Once we understand your goals, we can create a practical design plan to accommodate them. This is much harder and more expensive to do once construction has started!

Imaginative & Smart Solutions: We work through all design options during the planning phase, such as intentionally planning your home’s layout and flow, optimising function, consulting with your builder to consider potential issues (can that wall really be removed, or is it structural?), and ordering the exact fixtures, fittings, and furnishings ahead of time. Making these decisions before demolition allows us to begin the renovation with confidence and a clear result in mind.

Project-Long Support: Most people don’t know that interior designers are responsible for consulting during your entire renovation. We not only take the stress of team-wide coordination off your hands, but any decisions that will need to be made on the fly? (Like needing to select new cabinet hardware after learning our original choice is backordered.) We have the experience to make them with your ultimate goals, design direction, and project efficiency in mind.

3. Your renovation will get (really) dusty.

There’s no denying the fact that renovations are messy, and the noise (from all the tools creating that mess) is equally unpleasant. If you’re able to, we recommend temporarily living elsewhere during construction. Your life will be much easier, the builder’s life will be easier (since they won’t have to clean up the job site at the end of every day), and the project is likely to be more efficient overall.

If you do decide to live at home during your renovation, you’ll need to prepare for this disruption by making some adjustments to your lifestyle. You could set up a makeshift kitchen in your garage, temporarily relocate your living area, or get creative with other strategies for living with less for a while. Keep in mind that your home will look a whole lot worse before it looks extraordinary. But, oh, it will!

4. Trades start working on your home as early as 7am…

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a jackhammer to get you out of bed in the morning, right? (More effective than a cup of coffee, in my experience!) When your home is under renovation, you can expect tradespeople who are committed to your timeline…and who will begin working bright and early at 7am each weekday. Yet another reason to vacate the premises during this phase.

If you do happen to be around the house, you’ll soon become so accustomed to their presence that they’ll feel like part of the family! Oh, and you may want to bring a bottle or two of good wine to your neighbours. They’re likely to experience those jarring early morning wake-ups right alongside you.

5. Every renovation will have things that go wrong.

I know. It seems unfair after we’ve done so much planning, doesn’t it? But that’s the nature of renovating — there will be bumps in every single project, regardless of how well-planned it is. So, what can you do?

Hire experts in their fields. I can’t recommend this enough. We have a network of skilled professionals that we have worked with and can recommend. When we collaborate together, you are getting decades of experience, wisdom, and creativity — all channeled to solving problems efficiently and effectively. This is truly what makes all the difference in turning unexpected situations into opportunities for genius!

6. The in-progress design won’t make sense.

If you stop by your home to see your renovation’s progress, don’t be surprised if you feel a bit confused or disappointed. Your floor plan and design selections won’t necessarily make sense until everything is complete. (Can you imagine tasting cookie dough batter when it’s just eggs, butter, and sugar? Nope, we need the flour, salt, vanilla, and chocolate chips in there!)

Instead of having second thoughts, we’ll ask you to trust in us and the process. Think back to the delight of Presentation Day, when we guided you room by room through the design plan for your home. You saw a floor plan, samples, finishes, and materials that created a cohesive design you loved. Rest assured — this is your destination, and we will get you there.

7. Quality takes time but it lasts.

It’s natural to want your renovation completed as quickly as possible, but trying to rush the renovation process is a mistake. When a home renovation is completed too quickly, quality becomes an issue. Likewise, when it comes to materials, finishes and furnishings, those cheap options won’t last.

Frankly, I absolutely don’t want to put anything in your home that is going to cause you problems later. I want your home to look incredible, make your everyday life easier, and add joy to your family for years to come. This requires time, strategic thought, and a smart balance of quality and value. So, keep your mind open, be honest about what you’re looking to achieve, and we’ll make it happen as professionally and efficiently as possible.

Grab My Pre-Renovation Guidebook

I hope these insights have prepared you for a renovation that exceeds all your expectations. To get an even bigger jumpstart on your project, download my Pre-Renovation Guidebook below.

In the meantime, if you’re beginning the search for the right design team for your home renovation, I’d love to chat. Reach out to me here and let’s start the conversation. Until then…

Live, beyond ordinary.

Donna