3 Tips For a Smooth Design Project
Thinking about tackling a design project yourself but unsure where to start? I’m here to give you 3 big picture items that you need to tackle your design project. Now, when it comes to designers I’m sure you hear it all the time that all we do is fluff pillows and pick paint colors, truthfully thats only about 1% of what we do. Professional designers spend a big chunk of the project timeline managing the project, the decorating is the icing on the cake! Here are 3 things you’ll want to in order to be professional designer level prepared for your next design project!
1. Budget
When planning for a renovation or furnishing project it’s important to have a budget in mind. Designers can help you determine whats realistic within that budget or how to best phase out the project so you can eventually get all your wants and needs. For example: let’s say you’re planning a bathroom renovation, designers create a proposed plan and scope of work in order get accurate pricing from a GC. Once we have the GC estimate we look at the remaining budget and determine if it’s realistic for all the finish product needed (tile, faucets, mirrors, sconces, etc). So let’s say your budget is $75k, the GC estimate for all your custom wants + needs ends up around $60k… that only leaves us $15k for product… thats really tight. So maybe we do away with the $3k steam shower which also lowers the labor cost $2k to provide the plumbing lines and install labor etc. We just gained $5k back for the more essential items, now we are looking at $58k for labor and $17k for product (that no longer includes a 3k steam shower)… and thats only one swap! Next up, you love the plumbing fixtures and don’t want to give those up but we could find a different mirror and hardware saving you another $2k to go towards your dream plumbing fixtures. Basically, if we don’t have enough money for the product needed, we help you reevaluate wants vs. needs in the design as well as where to spend and where to save!
2. Cohesive design
Creating a cohesive design always has two parts…the layout/function and the style/aesthetic. Here, at cpi we go by the idea that “form follows function” … so function comes first, which often coincides with the layout! Knowing how you function is one thing, translating that into a realistic layout and functional elements for you is another. Your home could be absolutely stunning, but, if it doesn’t work for how you function then you’ll never really feel at peace in your own home… and that’s crazy! For example, if you’re a shoes off kinda household, but don’t have a proper drop zone to keep the shoes organized, you’re going to have a mess of shoes in your entryway, all. the. time. Now, having the layout/function is the first step to a cohesive design, next is figuring out your style. So often I see people who like so many different styles… modern, traditional, mid-century, etc. Creating a cohesive design is also figuring out what elements of each style you are drawn to so we can seamlessly blend how to work them together. For example, clean modern lines for the architecture, a traditional color palette and some walnut accents would be a gorgeous combination! So there we have it, a cohesive design plan and a budget!
3. Game Plan
Lastly, having a game plan for purchasing + project timeline is what will make the process go as smooth as possible. It is almost always a guarantee that you’ll have a hiccup along the way, but being as prepared as possible can help any issues that may come up. Knowing how to layer your subcontractors is key for a quality final design result. Every design is different, but, typically for a powder bath you would have a vanity/toilet, wallpaper, paint, and sconce. This would involve a plumber, wallpaper installer, painter and electrician. I bet you’re thinking that paint goes last… but in this scenario it would be best to paint earlier. I would suggest, based on what subs preferences… start with rough electrical + rough plumbing, then you want painters to come in, then your wallpaper installer followed by the finish electrical and plumbing work. Can you imagine having the paint bleed through the tape onto the wallpaper and then needing to make a cut in the wall for the electrician to wire for the sconce.. nightmare!! Similar concept goes for purchasing, knowing when you need product on site based on order of installation and lead times is also going to be key. Rough plumbing valves are always going to be one of the first item needed on site, while finish plumbing is typically one of the last.
There you have it!
A brief look into 3 things you need for your next design project! Start with a budget, create a cohesive design and then work with your GC and designer to come up with a game plan. Still feeling overwhelmed? Get in touch and book a consultation!
