How to plan a renovation project the right way: An Interior Designer’s Guide

December is often the time when couples finally sit down together and talk about their plans for the year ahead. After spending time at home over Christmas — often the first proper downtime all year — people begin thinking seriously about the house projects they want to tackle. Renovating, extending, or redesigning a key room often sits high on that list, but knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

If you’re planning a renovation, here’s how to approach it the right way so you can avoid stress, stay on budget, and create a home you’ll love for years to come.

1. Start early — and don’t wait for the builder to tell you what to do

Many homeowners begin by booking the builder first, which is absolutely the right step — but what often goes wrong is relying on the builder for design advice or waiting until they’re about to start before making important decisions.

Builders are brilliant at building… but they’re not designers. By the time construction begins, changing layouts, lighting, or electrical plans can be expensive and disruptive.

The best time to bring in a designer is as soon as you’ve booked your builder, especially if they’re scheduled months ahead. This gives you the time and clarity to create a strong, well-thought-out design before anyone steps on site.

Colour schemes and sample boards are part of the design pack so you can see the materials and finishes in person.

2. Avoid the costly mistakes most people make

Renovating without a plan often leads to:

• buying furniture that doesn’t fit the room

• last-minute decisions under pressure

• paying higher prices or extra postage because you’re rushed

• lighting in the wrong place

• layouts that don’t support how you actually live

• design paralysis and arguments when trades ask unexpected questions

These mistakes are not just stressful — they’re expensive. And they almost always cost more than hiring a designer early on.

Professional design prevents wasted money and ensures your investment goes into the right things.

An example of the visuals I provide in my design package to give you a clear vision of your finished project

3. January is the perfect time to start planning your renovation project

January brings fresh energy and motivation, and many people have natural deadlines in mind — a summer completion, a big celebration, or “by next Christmas.”

Starting early means:

• enough time to explore options

• accurate quotes and lead times

• smoother communication with trades

• fewer surprises during the build

• a far calmer, more organised experience

And once the design work is underway, you’re free to focus on your career, your family, and the rest of the year — without spending every spare moment researching lighting, layouts, or flooring samples.

Looking at the details and knowing where to spend and where to save is all part of the design package

4. What a designer actually does (and why it matters)

Hiring an interior designer isn’t just about choosing colours. It’s about creating a home that feels cohesive, well-planned, functional, and tailored to your life.

When you work with me at Bailey&Co, I create a full design pack that includes:

• scaled floor plans

• furniture layouts

• lighting & electrical plans

• cohesive colour palettes

• sample boards of materials and finishes

• visuals to help you imagine the final space

Everything is designed around your budget and lifestyle, with smart decisions about where to invest and where to save. I also love incorporating existing furniture or meaningful pieces so the final space reflects you, not just a catalogue.

If you choose full project support, I can also handle procurement, ordering, deliveries, and communication with trades — giving you one point of contact and removing an enormous amount of stress.

Knowing how you live and your routines is all part of the process of creating your dream home

5. Real example: A family living room transformation

I recently worked with a busy family with two teenagers and a dog who had dreamed of redesigning their living room for years but didn’t know where to start. Over six months — including holidays and trade availability — we created a full design plan, rebuilt the room, and completed all installation and styling.

We:

• reworked the layout

• added new lighting and electrics

• created a modern, calm colour palette

• sourced furniture within their budget

• coordinated trades and deliveries

• styled and handed over the final space

Their finished room feels bigger, functions better, and is now a space they love spending time in as a family. They told me the result was “far superior to anything we could have come up with ourselves,” and we delivered it all within budget.

Creating a cohesive plan means you end up with a wonderful result

6. Tips for a successful renovation

Know what you want to change — and why. This gives your renovation project direction and purpose.

Have a realistic budget with contingency. This sets expectations and prevents overspending.

Be clear on your timeline. If you have a holiday, wedding, or guests coming, share it early.

Bring a designer on board early. The sooner we work together, the smoother the process.

Don’t worry about the details. You only need the vision. I handle the layout, colours, lighting, materials, and the hundreds of decisions that bring it all to life.

Understanding the project from the initial idea to the final handover is key to delivering the bets results

7. Ready to start planning your renovation the right way?

If you’re considering a renovation, now is the perfect time to reach out. My diary fills quickly and getting in touch early means we can plan calmly, thoroughly, and with confidence.

You can book a discovery call, enquire via email, or book a full Design Consultation directly through my website. The first step is simply a conversation about what you’d like to achieve and how we can make it happen.

Your home should support you, your lifestyle, and your family — and planning it properly from the start is the key to a beautiful, functional space you’ll enjoy for years to come.