Home Remodel: Beyond the Wants and Needs

When planning a home remodel, you will need to identify your wants and needs. Beyond that, I encourage you to reflect on how your days unfold in each of the spaces you want to renovate. When I ask these questions to our clients, I aim to get a sense of their individual and familial rhythms, habits, and preferences. I also touch on their likes and dislikes, including color, style, material preferences, and other relevant information that I can then apply to the design process.

These questions are designed to uncover needs and must-haves; however, what I am most interested in discovering is how they want to live after the renovation. By the end of our meeting, I leave with an understanding of the deep desires and hopes my clients may have hidden even from themselves.

Interior Design Styles

Most clients don’t know how to identify their interior design style, and this is perfectly normal. If you’re unsure of your style, that’s okay. Instead of focusing on identifying your style, I suggest spending time recognizing what you like and dislike. I once had a client admit he really loved purple but “knew” it wasn’t a good color to use. When I asked why, he wasn’t sure where he had heard that, it was just something he had absorbed and used to censor a personal desire.

Another client enjoyed cooking but didn’t feel she was very good at it. She believed her current skill level didn’t justify the kitchen design. By the end of our meeting, we decided that the new kitchen design would nurture her passion. I think this is an example of mixing up cause and effect. Giving herself permission to dream cleared the path for her continued efforts toward mastery. During this early ideation phase, she was able to envision a kitchen not for the cook she is now, but for the cook she will become.

Questions to Identify Your Interior Design Style

• What colors do you naturally gravitate towards?

• Which types of furniture and décor appeal to you the most?
• What textures and materials do you enjoy (e.g., wood, metal, fabric)?
• Are there any particular design eras or styles that you find inspiring?
• How would you describe your ideal living space in three words?
• Do you prefer a minimalist or more detailed and ornate design?
• What kind of art or patterns do you like to display?
• How do you want to feel in your space—relaxed, energized, sophisticated?
• Do you prefer symmetry or asymmetry?
• Are you comfortable in formal or casual spaces?

Home Improvements That Add Value

We often delay certain home improvements, thinking we need to “earn” them first. Underneath that mindset is a form of self-judgment. For example: “State-of-the-art kitchens are for chefs, and I’m not a chef.” I view these thoughts as mental blockages, obstacles that, once removed, can help you reach your goals.

How To Add Value To Your Home

Home renovations not only increase the value of your property but also enrich your daily life. Renovating kitchens and bathrooms, in particular, can provide the best return on investment, as these areas are often the most important to buyers. Energy-efficient upgrades, such as new windows or insulation, not only lower utility costs but also enhance your home’s market appeal. Expanding functional spaces, like finishing a basement or adding a home office, increases both square footage and livability. Even exterior improvements, such as landscaping or updating the exterior, can boost curb appeal and resale value while making your home a more welcoming space for you.

Consider “interviewing” yourself to uncover the core of what you truly want and understand why you might be saying, “not now.” It’s important to analyze these thoughts and emotions, as they may be influencing your decisions.

Make choices and decisions that align with your true desires and interests, rather than letting doubts or external pressures dictate your path. I encourage you to lead your own journey and pursue what genuinely excites and fulfills you, rather than settling for what might seem safer or more conventional.

A home renovation represents a major financial commitment to both your property and your lifestyle. I believe in the “measure twice, cut once” approach to ensure precision and minimize errors during the renovation process. This careful planning not only helps to avoid costly mistakes but also ensures that the final result meets your expectations and enhances your living space effectively. By taking the time to thoroughly assess your needs, preferences, and budget, you can create a design that truly reflects your vision and adds lasting value to your home.

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