7 things to STOP doing if you’re designing a house
I’m about to share the 7 things I stopped doing overnight thanks to my training as an interior designer 5 years ago.
These actions were holding me back. It wasn’t until I learned how professionals delivered stunning results for clients, that I realised the majority of homeowners could be designing their homes a lot more effectively.
So if you're ready to learn some ways to:
✅ Manage your renovation stress-free
✅ Create your dream home (that’s cohesive!) with the budget you have
✅ Navigate your project at speed & to a high standard like a pro would
Then let me show you what I was doing wrong vs what I do now in my professional projects, which will help you create a show-stopping home even your family & friends will be amazed by!
What I was doing wrong vs what I do now:
1. Choosing colours & furniture on the fly
Back then I used to make decisions in a piecemeal way which stressed me out whenever colours or furniture choices didn’t work well next to each other 😫
It caused the room to look like a mish-mash of styles and something felt ‘off’. I couldn’t pinpoint why.
Now? I choose EVERYTHING for the room before I buy ANYTHING… and I create mood boards so I can visualise and I KNOW how every choice will look in the room.
The result is pain-free decision-making 🤩 AND a space that feels cohesive and beautifully curated 🔥
Putting all the pieces together visually
my client's home
2. Relying on contractors to decide for me
Years ago when the stress of renovating was high & I didn’t know whose job it was to decide on things like socket & light placement, if anything was left to the contractor to decide it always ended up with me being unhappy with the results! 😭
Now? I specify everything and create technical drawings & elevations for every part of the renovation I’m working on including some technical construction📝 🧐
It’s so important you do this too, because detail & communication is key to dodging any oversights or mistakes. It avoids costly rework and tough conversations when things aren’t done correctly.
If you’re not planning on hiring an interior designer to do technical drawings for you, you can easily create these plans yourself – I will provide you with easy tutorials and templates in my online courses & programs.
the engine behind every reno we support 🧠
3. Not tracking my spending 🚫
I used to feel heartbroken if unexpected costs popped up which meant I had to compromise or not do some of my design ideas 🤯
Then I started using our budget tracking tools and it completely CHANGED how I manage renovations 💰
I’m able to spread the budget effectively so that the design isn’t jeopardised if costs start running low.
During your renovation, make sure the money side remains controlled with trackers in place so that you can let go of that financial pressure while the project is underway and focus on the design details (the fun part!).
4. Arguing with my partner about design choices 😐
He wanted one thing, I wanted another. Our poor neighbours had to listen to some heated debates 😅But now…? I use clever, manipulative techniques (that may include crying) to ensure I get my way 👊🏻
🤣 Noo, I’m just kidding.
Sseriously, the process we follow together now has changed everything for us as a couple who work and renovate together. We use a systematic method for making decisions that I use with clients & students too… and it removes a lot of the misalignment when renovating.
It means Neil’s ideas get heard. My ideas get heard. We get aligned on what is a “YES this will work with our vision”
…and what’s a “NO this is not going to work, we need to bin the idea”.
The result is a less stressful, proactive conversation and a home that feels like us yet still looks cohesive. Not a jarring mix of different personalities that clashes.
I’ve used this method with clients who have very different personalities and it works every time!
our living room makeover
5. Thinking everything had to be EXPENSIVE to look good
I had champagne taste with a lemonade budget and it got me down! 😭
Now, I’ve learned the suppliers to splash & save with, plus the design hacks that are low-budget-but-people-will-never-know!
In case you missed my newsletter a few months ago, I released all of the affordable tiles I recommend you use in your bathroom design (they have taken me years to curate, they look fab but are at a cheaper price point - check them out if you have some time after reading this).
6. Being sucked in by trends
I don’t know about you but I was so easily influenced by Instagram & Pinterest that any time I scrolled and saw a gorgeous room, THAT was the look I wanted!
Or say if I went shopping in Dunelm, I’d see something I liked, buy it, then realise it didn’t suit anything in my home 🤦🏻♀️
What I didn’t realise is this was a surefire way to waste money and it got me so frustrated when everything looked mismatched.
But over the last 5 years, I’ve learned how to curate rooms professionally.
Put simply, it starts with you clarifying the style you adore and standing by it.
Even if the temptation is strong to change the look, you have to persist like an interior designer would.
I developed a quick method that students are working through right now which is helping them curate their homes to a high standard. Even their friends ask them “Did you hire an interior designer? Your place is stunning!”
It makes me overjoyed for them because they’re easing their decisions & creating their dream homes, enhancing their lives👍🏻
This is ossur student Deb’s renovation – it’s so cohesive!👇🏻
7. Not mapping out project timelines
Back in the day, I used to get impatient and disappointed when work wasn’t happening fast enough.
And it’s taken multiple slow starts and a lot of renovation experience to learn this truth bomb 😬…
If you’re not coordinating your project well, your project will suffer.
one of our renovation templates – reducing your workload
Your renovation needs someone to be the linchpin that brings consultants and trade professionals together to create the vision.
Preferably in an organised manner, rallying your team like a cheerleader, through what will be messy and stressful times.
Some renovators with large budgets outsource this to a project manager. But the costs are significant to do this – without the guarantee that you’ll be fully ‘hands-off’ either.
Our online courses show you how to quickly & effectively create a holistic project plan – without the need to hire costly professionals. The templates have most of the work done for you.
I like to give our students access to my real client examples too, so that you can easily reference them, and quickly produce your own bespoke plans with clear direction.
Do you want to renovate your dream home, affordably & stress-free?
I hope that hearing my experience has helped you identify some ways you can enhance your interior design planning.
If you're renovating & want access to our budget tracker tools, project templates and checklists to manage your project effectively, then join our online courses.
Alongside impartial advice from Neil and I, you’ll be working through your renovation plans at speed, using the same tools being used by renovators around the world 🏡
(P.s a cheeky discount & bonus is coming up so check it out 🤫)
I’m rooting for you! Until next week, happy designing! 🙏🏻
Fi xoxo
