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Working with a Design Professional

No amount of cutting-and-pasting snippets from magazines and sketches will ever give you the full picture of what your remodel will look like when all is said and done.

That’s what design professionals are for! Design pros ensure that the money you’ll spend during your remodel will actually get you the results you want. Work with a design pro to do both space planning and 3D rendering of your ideas. This gives you a sort of virtual walkthrough of your remodel before anyone starts demolishing anything.

While you may think of design pros as artistic types, space planning is actually more of a science than an art.  A lot of data and analysis goes into creating a space that is both functional and attractive, including:

• Communicating what you want to get out of the remodel, such as how you use the space now versus how you would like to use the space when you’re done.
• Sharing any restrictions your family may have, like limited mobility or health concerns, that should be planned around.
• Considering improvements that could be made to air circulation, especially if the existing space suffers from cold spots or ductwork that blows in your face.

Only after you finalize your space plan should you seriously think about visual design. Start considering the mood you want to create in the room as this will inform the colors you’ll use in the space. When I think of colors I’m always reminded of Bill Crystal’s impression of Fernando Lamas’ saying “You look mahvelous!”  When it comes to the color palette you select for your home, think less about color trends and more about the colors that make “You look mahvelous!”.  Then, think about the materials you want to use for floors, countertops, roofing or siding, and more.  Next, think about the smallest details, like fixture styles, lighting choices, and window coverings.

When it comes to hiring a design pro, one concern many homeowners often have is whether it is worth it, partly because they’re anxious about having a hard time deciding what direction they want to go.  Here’s a sneaky tip that will help reduce your anxiety:

Since a designer’s hourly rate is typically less than an architect, it’s often worthwhile to start planning with a designer, then switching to an architect as needed. It’ll cost you less than doing the whole process with an architect.

Avoid working with someone who gets carried away with their own ideas or gets stuck in a design that doesn’t suit your needs.

Remember, you are your best advocate for your design! Not even a designer knows what you want better than you do.