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There are several important things to think about before you begin your renovation, including having good communication with your interior designer, architect, and contractor.

You will save time and money if you take the time to think about what you truly want from your renovation before you start removing things from your home. By answering these 13 questions, you can achieve a more efficient, faster, and more fulfilling renovation process that meets your vision:

Photo by Houzz

1. WHICH ROOMS WOULD YOU LIKE RENOVATED?

You may think this is a no-brainer, but remember that renovating one space will affect the adjacent spaces as well. Will the dining or living areas connected to your open kitchen feel outdated after you renovate it? Even if your budget or schedule demands a one-room-at-a-time approach, consider how one renovated space will affect the next, and plan accordingly.

Photo by Ripples Bathrooms

2. HOW MUCH CAN YOU REALISTICALLY AFFORD TO SPEND?

What is included in your budget? Does it include tax and consultant fees? Is it inclusive of accommodations for you if you need to move out for a few months? Does it include appliances, lighting fixtures, and furniture? It’s important to think about questions like these and communicate them with your designer and contractor before committing to anything.

Photo by Ariel Bleich Design

3. HOW WILL YOU USE THE ROOM YOU’RE RENOVATING?

As an example, will you be using your living room to entertain guests or will you be using it for entertaining yourself with a large flat-screen television? When it comes to the kitchen, are you thinking of it as a shared living space for the whole family or as a space where the chef has full control? These decisions will dramatically change how you design, look, and function the room.

Photo by 2id Interiors

4. WHICH DESIGN STYLE DO YOU PREFER?

Is your style modern, transitional, contemporary, or traditional? Using image search engines such as Google Images and Pinterest will allow you to narrow down your design style, as well as your favourite images, so that you will be happy in the home you live in once everything is all said and done.

Photo by Visilift Elevators

5. WHAT ARE YOUR ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS?

You may want to consider including this into your renovation plan if you have anyone in your family suffering from a disability, or if you plan on staying in the house for a long enough period of time that mobility issues might one day arise. If this is the case, it might be better to take this into account now rather than having to deal with it later.

Photo by Jim Burton Architects

6. DO YOU CONSIDER SUSTAINABLE DESIGN TO BE IMPORTANT?

It is important to understand any possible trade-offs and costs associated with sustainable design before you begin your renovation. Sustainable development and increased energy efficiency are great for the environment, and can save you money in the long run.

Photo by Clay Construction Inc.

7. WHAT’S YOUR COLOUR PREFERENCE?

In the very beginning, let your designer know about your colour preferences. How do you like to feel about colours? Are you more comfortable with bold and bright colours, or are you more comfortable with warm and muted ones? Is it important to you for each surface to be filled with colour, or is it more important for your furniture and art to speak louder than your walls? Colour has been shown to affect people’s moods, so you need to be aware of how it affects you.

Photo by Laslo Custom Kitchens, Inc.

8. WHAT’S YOUR FLOORING PREFERENCE?

It is crucial to consider what is underneath your feet in order to make sure your home looks and feels good, just like a good pair of shoes. Today, there are so many options available; depending on how you plan your space, you will decide which is the most appropriate choice. Do you have a preference for hardwood, engineered wood, stone, porcelain tile, laminate or carpet? Make sure to let your designer know your floor preferences so that you can select other finishes more easily once the flooring has been determined.

Photo by Design Harmony

9. WHAT ARE YOUR STORAGE REQUIREMENTS?

In order to make the right decision about storage, you will need to consider a number of other questions as well. For example, how much stuff do you already have? How much do you plan to purchase? And how much stuff are you willing to discard? It is important to consider your storage requirements at the start of any renovation, since adding storage solutions at the end of a project can be difficult and expensive (requiring a lot of reconfiguration).

Photo by Fordham Marble Company Inc.

10. WHAT TYPE OF MATERIALS DO YOU LIKE?

The material and finish selections you make throughout your home will be influenced by your preference for sleek, shiny surfaces, such as lacquer and glass, or subtle matte finishes that you prefer. There are a lot of different materials for countertops, floors, doors, walls, you name it — you can choose which one best matches your personality and style.

Photo by ERA STONE & TILE

11. WHAT TYPE OF STONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

You may prefer engineered quartz, which is made from a chemical compound. Or perhaps you’d like granite, a durable stone that is beautiful and graphically appealing? The butcher block, which adds warmth and interest, is one option you can consider. Unlike marble, which is a timeless and classic stone, it is very hard to maintain and requires a lot of effort. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all the options you have when choosing a stone or composite stone for your kitchen or bathroom remodel, as it can have an impact on the entire renovation.

Photo by D for Design

12. WHAT IS YOUR CABINET DOOR STYLE?

Among the many doors you can choose from, you can choose slab doors, glass doors, shaker-style doors, French-style doors, etc. If you have a particular type of door, then it will help you with the design of all of your millwork, including the millwork in your kitchen, your bathrooms, and any built-ins that you may be adding to your home.

Photo by Bearded Builders

13. WHAT ARE YOUR APPLIANCE PREFERENCES?

A range of factors should be taken into consideration when choosing appliances, such as whether the unit is gas or electric, commercial or standard, high-tech or manual, one oven or two? Appliances can be some of the most expensive purchases you can make in a renovation, so be sure to make the right choice that meets your needs.

You have come to the right place if this list might seem to be exhaustive, we encourage you to contact our team of professional renovation contractors for a free consultation and estimate.