Have you just moved in to a new home and feel overwhelmed?  Worried that you may make the wrong decisions which may be costly?  Or do you need some advice on how to tackle the work that needs doing? 

It is unusual to move in to a new house or apartment that is exactly as you would like it.  Here’s our advice on how to approach the changes you may like to make.

Live there for a while: It is tempting to start doing things immediately, especially if there is hideous carpet, a granny-style bathroom, or simply no furniture.  If you possibly can, you should spend a little time in the property just getting acquainted with it.  You will learn about how you actually live there as opposed to how you thought you might live there.  

While you are getting to know the place, take time to collect images of things you love (colours, texture, materials, or anything).  Keep a scrap book or pin board and after while a pattern should emerge which will help you see the style you are aiming for.  

If you have souvenirs or beloved items, artworks, family heirlooms etc. you can build a scheme around those.  Every scheme needs a starting point which the whole design can be built around.  This may be a colour, a piece of fabric, a painting or a movie. 

Strive for some consistency.  For example using the same flooring throughout.  It will result in a more successful look.  

Plan! Plan! Plan! – We can not emphasise this enough  This is what professional designers do all the time and it is critical to success.  We never start a job (including our own homes) until we have an overall design that works. That way you don’t waste time and money on stuff you don’t like or that does not work.  Planning saves money.

Prioritise and Schedule – you may not be able to everything at once due to time or budgetary constraints, but once you know where you are headed, you can choose what is most important.  Of course there is a natural order to some works, e.g. if you are replacing flooring, that should be done first.  There is no point in decorating walls if you have messy electrical work to get done first.

Find good tradesmen/women.  Get recommendations from friends or use the Federation of Master Builders.  Always get references.  Get a few quotes.  Don’t just opt for the cheapest one!  It’s tempting, but, as with most things in life – you get what you pay for.  It’s important that you feel comfortable with the people coming in to your home.  Use your instinct.  For more help, click here to see our guide to finding good ones.   

Get some help if you need it.  Designers and project managers do this stuff all day every day.  We understand what you are going through.  You can decide how much help we give you.