Why you should create an Interior Design Budget and How to stick to it.

Setting a budget reduces the stress that comes with design projects. A budget will also minimize financial surprises.

Pre-Game

Before Creating your project budget, get into the right mindset.

What are your expectations? You should be honest with yourself and your finances. Get real about what you want out of your design project. The best way to accomplish this is to create a wish list.

Wish List Time

Get out your magazines, Houzz idea book & Pinterest boards! Now its time to write down everything you want to be included in your project. Create a checklist to breakdown your project into manageable stages.

Let's Get Real

Using the list, you created start to research the prices of the different items on your list. You may find that you like the luxury class of the items on your list. That said, your pocketbook may currently afford the budget items on your list. This doesn't have to mean heartbreak, and you don't have to settle. (Yuck! I hate that word) You are collecting data, and it helps to be objective about your current limitations because every goal is possible if you give yourself enough time to accomplish it! (Halleluja!) This is where you will answer how much time you will need to achieve your goal. A successful interior design project is mastered piece by piece. Every detail, no matter how tiny, makes all the difference. Therefore an excellent plan will make your job way more manageable. This tells you that you may be planning out your project over time. If you don't have the time or capacity to accomplish this feat, then a great designer (ehem lol excuse me, I had something in my throat) will help you achieve your goals and do all the heavy lifting for you.

Now that you know your project's overall cost, do you have the financial resources to take it on?

Planning and Allocating

In this scenario, size matters! (Doesn't it always?) What is the size of your project? Does your project include more than one room? In this case, you need to breakdown your project room by room for planning purposes. You will need to make two lists of what you'll require for each room. Make one list labeled, The Fixed Items. These items consist of construction needs, electrical, plumbing, lighting, & wall color. Then make a separate list labeled Secondary Items. These items include window treatments, wall decor, furnishings, etc. Tackling your fixed things first is the best and only way to go. Also, defining what areas you want to spend your budget on is crucial in getting the most out of your project. Budgeting like this is how you will get the most satisfaction out of your project as well! Your budget should be allocated mostly to what you want most. It's as simple as that. Whatever you have minimal interest in spending less on that because it isn't essential to you.

Functionality Vs. Aesthetics

Functionality should always be at the top of your list since this determines how useable your space will be. Nevertheless, you want to ensure your area conveys how you'd wish to feel in each room. You also want to ensure your new space feels like your design style.

Clock your Timeline

Create an ideal but flexible timeline you'd like to have things accomplished by. Timelines will change because of different variables like weather, work schedules, and product deliveries. Without a timeline, it will be impossible to efficiently plan and implement your project budget.

Staying within your budget will be no easy feat due to so many unknown variables revealed during the planning and execution of your design project. Don't go it alone. Interior Designers are experts at mastering everything from the mammoth design projects to the everyday living room remodel and everything in between. Utilize their keen eye and impeccable knowledgebase. When making such a massive decision to alter your home, you invested so much to be sure you have your guide in your corner quarterbacking your project play by play. Check out my plans page to see where your project fits in.