Have you been dreaming about busting down some walls and opening up your kitchen, or finally creating the primary bathroom you have always wanted? Starting a renovation project is filled with so much excitement, but a successful renovation has a lot more involved than just choosing tile and paint colors.

Here are some things we want you to know before starting a renovation:

1. Start With What Is and What Isn’t Working

Before you start picking out finishes, think about what you actually want to change.

What isn’t working in your home right now? Do you need more kitchen storage, maybe a better bathroom setup, or a layout that helps make hosting easier?

Think about how you want your home to feel, to look, and to function when it’s done.

2. Figure Out the Big Changes First

Start with the bigger picture. Are you moving walls, changing room layouts, adding windows or doors, or completely reworking your kitchen or bathrooms?

Then think about the areas that may just need a refresh: new cabinetry, flooring, paint, lighting, or finishes.

Knowing what needs a major change versus a smaller update helps your team understand the true scope of your renovation from the beginning.

3. Bring Your Interior Designer in Early

One of our biggest tips? Don’t wait until construction starts to bring in your designer.

There are so many decisions that happen before demo day; from layouts and cabinetry to lighting, plumbing, flooring, and furniture placement.

And trust us, they’re all connected! Bringing an interior designer in early helps make sure everything works together from the start and saves you from having to work around decisions later.

At HSH Collective, we can also help with the architectural design side of your renovation, which means we’re able to look at your home as a whole from the very beginning.

4. Know What You’re Working With

There’s a little homework to do before we get to all the fun design decisions. We first need to understand what’s already happening in your home, from plumbing and electrical to HVAC, windows, doors, and flooring.

Taking the time to look at all of these details gives us a better idea of what can stay, what needs to change, and what we need to plan around. It also helps us catch things early! Once we know exactly what we’re working with, we can create a plan that not only looks beautiful but actually works for your home.

5. Make a List of Everything You Want

Seriously…write it ALL down!

If there’s something you’ve always wished your home had, add it to the list. More storage? A hidden appliance garage? Better lighting? A bigger shower? A designated drop zone for bags and shoes?

Your list doesn’t have to be perfectly organized. It simply gives your design team a better idea of what matters to you so we can figure out how to work those details into the overall plan.

6. Set a Realistic Budget

Your renovation budget goes beyond the cost of construction.

You’ll want to account for professional design fees, architectural work, engineering, permits, cabinetry, appliances, lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, and finishes.

And don’t forget about everything that comes after construction! Furniture, window treatments, artwork, accessories, delivery, and installation should also be part of the conversation.

Having an overall budget from the beginning helps your team guide selections and prioritize where you want to invest.

7. Think About the Whole Home

With a full-home renovation, you don’t want each room to feel like it was designed completely on its own.

Instead, we develop a vision for the entire home and think about how flooring, cabinetry, millwork, lighting, colors, and finishes will flow from one space to the next.

And yes, Pinterest boards are absolutely welcome! Save everything you love and bring it to us. Part of our job is figuring out what you’re drawn to and turning all of that inspiration into a home that feels cohesive and uniquely yours.

8. Make Decisions BEFORE Construction Starts

Trust us on this one... You do not want to be choosing tile or lighting because your contractor needs an answer tomorrow.

We work through the big design decisions early. That way, everything is ready when it’s needed, and you can actually enjoy the process instead of feeling rushed.

9. Prepare to Live Somewhere Else

If you’re renovating your entire home, chances are staying there during construction won’t be very comfortable or even possible.

Your kitchen, bathrooms, utilities, and everyday access to different areas of the home may all be affected.

Plan ahead for temporary housing and somewhere to safely store furniture and personal belongings. It’s one more thing to budget and plan for, but having a comfortable place to stay can make the renovation process much less stressful.

10. Expect Some Surprises

Renovating an existing home means we don’t always know what we’ll find until we get into it, so even with allll of the planning, it's good to mentally prepare for a few surprises.

Something behind a wall or under a floor may need a little more attention than expected, and plans might need to shift along the way. That’s normal! With the right team, we can work through it and keep the overall design moving in the right direction.

Ready to Renovate?

A successful full-home renovation really comes down to planning early, making decisions intentionally, and having the right team beside you.

There are a lot of moving pieces, but you don’t have to figure them all out yourself. From architectural design and space planning to selections, furnishings, and those final finishing touches, our team is here to help bring the whole home together.

Interested in renovating your home? Fill out our inquiry form to learn more about working with HSH Collective.

What to Know Before Starting a Home Renovation