Planning your home design is a big project as it involves decorating a lot of rooms, so start by measuring each room and make a plan of each floor on a piece of paper. Next, scan it onto your computer and print a copy of your floor plan. You then not only have two copies of the plan, but as it will have been digitalised, you can also print it out as often as you need to, should you change your mind about some feature or other, or make a mistake.
Budget
The next thing to consider is how much money you have to invest in your project. At this stage, it’s a ‘chicken and egg’ situation, so look at each room in turn and decide what features you want to keep and what features you want to change. If any major structural alterations are required, then you’ll have to call in an expert for an estimate. Once you’ve made your wish list, you can calculate how much it will all cost. Then will come a period when you trade off one thing against another, until your design requirements match your budget.
Colour scheme
Here, you have a choice. Do you want the same basic colours throughout the house, for example white paintwork and walls, or do you want every room to stand alone? Having the same colour throughout gives a feeling of space, and may be a good solution for a small property. On the other hand, you may feel it lacks character. Rooms with individual colour schemes can work together very well, but can also look jumbled and messy if the colours aren’t complementary.
Fabrics, furnishings and fittings
These will very much define the ambiance of your home. They will dictate whether it feels warm and cosy, or cold and functional. As with colour, having the same floor covering throughout the building can work very well and give the impression of flow and space. However, whatever you choose by way of fabrics, furnishings and fittings, they should be sympathetic to the property type, while reflecting your own personality and taste.
Designing a home needs a lot of deep thought if the result is to be as desired. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice and suggestions from friends and shops. The more information you can gather, the better the result will be.
Picture: Wolfgang Filser
