Getting Started on Your Design Process: Planning and Budget

Welcome to the first step in your design process and sticking to your home resolution! The first step is always the hardest, but I will share how I get myself “unstuck.”

Digital Bubble diagram created in AutoCAD

Hand drawn bubble diagram

First, decide on the space you want to redesign. I would suggest taking the space that is bothering you the most because, in the end, the results will make you happier in your home. Ask yourself a few questions about which space in your home is disorganized, not functioning the way you want it to, overcrowded with too many items, not the right temperature, and therefore not used, or is plain ugly in your eyes. The space that keeps coming up is the one to start with.

Second, decide on your budget. How much are you able to spend? How much are you willing to spend on this space? Write down that number and buffer in another 10-20% in case unexpected costs come up as part of the project.

Next, determine whether you can still live in your current space while the redesign and renovation are happening. When I renovated the one and only bathroom in my condo (during 2021 and still in the pandemic), I had to move into an Airbnb for about a week until the project was over. I did have to spend more money, but I factored this into my budget ahead of time. If you decide to renovate your kitchen, determine where in your home you can set up a temporary kitchen or stay with family for a few weeks until the project is complete.

Design Process Planning

Now that you know which space you’re ready to tackle, it’s time to come up with a plan for the space. This is where you can start to brainstorm and really turn the space into one that you will use regularly.

Take measurements of the space and be sure to include all walls, doorways, windows (height and width), and ceiling height. You will also want to include the locations of all electrical outlets, light switches, heating and air conditioning vents, and smoke alarms. These are important to note and will be incorporated into your design plan later.

Brainstorm

Now that you have your measurements, take a blank piece of paper and start drawing out your space. This is where you can create a bubble diagram and sections for your space. A studio apartment I designed for a project needed a bubble diagram to differentiate between the kitchen, dining room, and living room (as well as other spaces). Make different versions and pay attention to where windows are located and whether you want to face those windows or utilize them to provide natural light inside.

Keep refining your drawing until you find a layout that you like the most for your space. Once you have the final layout, either draw out each bubble to the right dimensions or use painter's tape and start marking the spaces out on the floor and walls. It’s a good idea to do this now because it will help you decide whether your layout will fit in real life and whether furniture can fit in each bubble.

What would you most like to hear about when it comes to design? Let me know in the comments below.