Decisions That Matter Most Early in a Renovation
If you’ve ever watched a renovation slowly drift off course, you know it rarely happens all at once. It’s usually a series of small decisions made later than ideal, or without enough information, that start to stack up.
I see it most often when clients come to me already feeling behind. The contractor is ready to start. Dust is about to fly. And suddenly the questions start coming. What flooring should we choose? Where should the lighting go? Why does this room feel tighter than we expected?
Those moments are uncomfortable. They’re also avoidable.
The decision I wish more people made
If I’m being honest, I wish they had involved an interior designer earlier.
Renovations don’t go off track when a good designer is involved from the start. That’s not because we wave a magic wand. It’s because we work through a clear system and a process that’s designed to remove guesswork before construction starts.
Early on, we explore layouts, selections, and details that people often don’t realize are connected yet. Things like how a room is actually used, what furniture needs to fit, and how all of that impacts the overall cost. Once those decisions are made, pricing becomes clear and the renovation feels grounded.
By the time construction begins, there’s nothing left to scramble over. Everyone knows what to expect. That early clarity is what makes the rest of the process feel calm instead of reactive.
Use the slider to see the before and after of one of our renovation projects.
Before finishes, let’s talk about your life
Before we talk about tile or paint or cabinetry, I want to get a clear sense of how your home works for you.
Where in the city is your home? I’ll often look at nearby listings to understand the context and value. Are you planning to stay long term, or might this be a home you’ll sell in ten years?
Then we get to the heart of it: your daily life. Who lives here? How old are your kids? Who’s up first in the morning? Is the kitchen a place where everyone gathers at once, or is it mostly one person cooking while the rest pass through?
I’ll often ask, are you the house that hosts Thanksgiving and Christmas for twenty people, or is it usually just the five of you around the table? Those answers change how much space you need, where it needs to be, and how hard those surfaces need to work. My goal is to create a home that truly fits your life.
Why space planning shapes everything
Space planning is one of the most important decisions to get right early, because it’s also one of the hardest to change later.
Once permits are approved, things like window locations, wall placements, and ceiling heights are locked in. That’s why it’s so helpful for us to be involved before those decisions are final.
We plan spaces while keeping furniture and daily use in mind. Imagine placing a sofa only to find the window ends up where you wanted a built-in. Or hanging curtains that have nowhere to stack neatly. Or realizing your king bed barely clears the door swing.
These details don’t come through on a floor plan alone. You notice them when you imagine living in the space, moving through it, how it feels, and how it works for your everyday life.
Use the slider to see the before and after of one of our renovation projects.
Where to invest and where to stay flexible
I always encourage clients to invest in the things you can’t easily change later.
Cabinetry, millwork, countertops, and flooring that runs through your home are long-term decisions. You touch them every day. You rely on them to function well. This is where quality and thoughtful design matter most.
Then there are areas where you can soften the commitment. Lighting, furniture, and decorative items can evolve over time. We often mix higher-quality pieces with more trend-driven items. A sturdy, comfortable sofa is worth the investment, while a side table or accent piece can be swapped out later with no stress.
If you’ve ever grabbed a door handle that felt loose or less durable, you know why hardware matters too. These small touchpoints shape how your home feels in ways people don’t always expect.
What a well-planned renovation actually feels like
A thoughtfully planned renovation makes a noticeable difference. Decisions are made early. Pricing is clear. Everyone knows what’s happening next.
We guide clients through the process with drawings and renderings. We walk through samples together. By the time construction starts, the excitement is real, because the hard thinking is already done.
When decisions are made later in the process, the experience feels very different. Timelines stretch. Costs can rise. Living arrangements may feel more disrupted. Some discomfort is normal, as renovating is always a commitment. But it doesn’t have to feel overwhelming.
If you’re at the beginning of a renovation, consider this: Have you given yourself the time and space to make the most important choices before work begins? If not, we’re here to help you slow down, get organized, and feel confident from the very start.