Making sure that you are well versed on the different stages within any self-build or renovation project you are carrying out is a must in order for the work which you are looking to have done to run as smoothly as possible. When you are planning to have large-scale works carried out, it is vitally important to be able to stick to a schedule, as any hold-ups could bring your work to a halt for a very long time.
Getting your measurements right
When planning to do any building work, whether it is to an existing property or to create your dream self-build, it is vitally important to get your measurements correct before work commences.
The task of ensuring that you are getting the sizes of rooms that will give you the desired amount of floor space once the furniture is in place can be aided by floor planning software. This will help you visualize the layout by drawing up a floor plan complete with furniture and then being able to view it in 2D and 3D.
This type of software will also aid you when you are considering the important task of your fixtures and dimensions, such as in your bathroom or kitchen areas. This can be a very handy tool, especially if you are changing the layout of an existing room and want to see the various options available to you in order to create the best look and most comfortable layout for you and your family. You will also be able to experiment with different design styles so that when you get the work done, you know that you are going to get exactly what you want.
Doing the basics
It is important to do the basics when you are designing either a home from scratch or renovating an already existing building. Make sure that you have plenty of plug sockets throughout your build area and that light switches are placed next to convenient doorways. Be aware of where and how internal and external doors open so that light fittings are not interfered with when doors are opening and closing. When thinking about internal doors, think about which way you want to have the doors open, whether it is best for the size of your rooms that they open outward to sit against the wall rather than to cut a chunk out of a room. If you do not have internal doors downstairs other than on a WC, think about the shape you would like for your room entrances.
It is also important to work out how large you want your entrances gaps to be for the different areas of your home. Too small can make rooms seem a little larger due to wall space but can be uncomfortable when moving from room to room. However, too larger a gap can give you very little wall space and make your little wall area look like an afterthought or a waste of space.
Choosing your materials
It is important to get the right materials in order to create the perfect look and feel for your home, regardless of whether you are thinking about the internal materials or the external look of your house.
Take a look at your neighbor’s homes to see what styles and colors of tiles, rendering, or weatherboarding they have and see if a particular one appeals to you. If they all have the same, you may find that there is a reason that could be due to the amount of protection that particular finish offers for the type of weather typical of the region or that there is some kind of restriction in place.
Regardless of whether you are looking at your internal materials or your external ones, it is best to go for the best quality available to you on the market and make sure that everything is done perfectly. This way, you will not necessarily have to redo any work completed for a good long while and will therefore be a very good investment.
Creating your perfect home
When it comes to the final stages in creating your perfect home, you can start to relax and enjoy yourself. Choosing the color palettes for each room can be quite breathtaking, especially with the number of paints and finishes available. However, it is wise to go for pastel shades on the walls and be aware that if you paint all your walls the same color, it is likely to make your home seem bigger and flow more naturally. Should you feel that you would like different colors in each living space, perhaps try to introduce splashes of color in soft furnishings such as couches, throws, and cushions, or even in ornaments and accessories.
By doing this, if you feel that you desire a change or you like to have a different color scheme for the different seasons of the year, you can do so with little effort and without having to have a full room redecoration. Also, should you feel that a particular color or shade does not work well within your environment, there is a quick fix available.
When it comes to bedrooms, of course, the color palette can be more personal, but you do need to be aware that some colors are a big no-no for rooms where relaxation is desired. These colors are the primary ones bright reds, blues, yellows, as these can overstimulate the mind and cause headaches. If these colors are wanted, it is better to go for the pastel shades, which will give a much calmer atmosphere.
Furnishings
When you are furnishing your home, think about the measurements of any furniture. If you buy your large items from warehouse-sized stores, your sense of perspective can play tricks on your mind, and furniture can look and feel smaller than it actually is.
Large items of furniture can make your rooms feel small and cramped unless, of course, you are lucky enough to have large luxurious rooms to fill. But only having a small amount of furniture in a small room can make it feel sparse and uncomfortable.
If you have small rooms, it is best to go for small furniture, so make sure to take a tape measure when you go shopping and know your restrictions. But do not feel that you are limited on just having a small number of items. Go for thin, tall items to make the most of your ceiling heights. Light-colored furniture can look smaller than dark colors, and obviously, going for clear perspex, mirrored items, or tempered glass can add to the feeling of space.
If you have large rooms to fill, you can go all out and get large furniture items, but be aware that if you go for a small couch in a large room, it can look totally lost and alone. This can cause as much discomfort as a small room overly cluttered.
