| | Published February 6th, 2019
| Questions to consider when deciding on design
| | | By Amanda Eck |  | | Living room remodel Photos provided |
By Amanda Eck
During the beginning of the new year I always have a surge of clients reaching out to make changes in their home. Whether it be a single room design, whole house update, kitchen or bath remodel. Many times clients know they want to make changes but do not know where to start. Today I wanted to share some tips and questions to ask yourself to help with that process.
Room Designs
For single room or multi-room designs, ask yourself:
- How do we live in this space?
- Does the layout of the furniture work
for us?
- Do we need more storage?
- Does this room have adequate lighting?
- Do you want/need window coverings
- What do I love about this space?
- What do I wish I could change in
this space?
- Are there furniture items or family
heirlooms I need/have to keep?
- What colors, patterns, and textures are
you drawn to?
- Do you have small children and/or
pets and the furnishings need to take
this into account?
Next, spend some time on Pinterest or Houzz.com looking for spaces that you are drawn to. Take notes on what it is about that space that appeals to you. Is it the color? The layout? The feeling of the space - comfortable, sophisticated, clean, casual, etc.
Then decide on a budget. How much are you willing to invest in your space? A good gauge on what to expect to spend on fully furnishing a space is to take the square footage of your room and multiply it by:
$60 - Low
$80 - Medium
$100 - High
$200 & up - Luxurious
Kitchen
Here are some general questions to get you started for the kitchen; I have a more exhaustive list that I send to clients.
- Do you want to do a full remodel (i.e. relocate it? Switch up the layout?)
- Do you want just cosmetic updates (new countertops, backsplash, flooring,
cabinet color, etc.)?
- Do you like the function of your kitchen?
- Do you like the flow from your kitchen/dining table to the kitchen?
- Do you like the location of the sink? Can you see out a window?
- How is the existing lighting?
- Do you like the color/stain?
- Do you have enough outlets?
- How big is the space? Do you want it bigger? Wider? Smaller?
- Do you like your island/peninsula? Do you want one bigger or smaller?
- How is the countertop? Does it hold up the way you want it to?
- Do you like your backsplash?
- Do you like your sink? Do you like having the single/double bowl?
- Do you have enough storage space?
- Do you like your pantry space? Cabinet space?
- Do you like the height of your cabinets?
- Do you like your faucet? The finish? The style?
- Do you like the size of your existing fridge/freezer/wine storage?
Now head to Pinterest or Houzz.com for some kitchen inspiration. Decide on a budget. This can be a harder number to nail down depending on if this is a full gut remodel, remodel using existing floor plan, or cosmetic. This can range from $20,000 to well over $200,000.
Bathrooms
(Again, these are some general questions to get you started, I have a more exhaustive list that I send our clients.)
- Do you like the function of your bathroom?
- Do you have a place for everything you want in the space?
- Do you like the flow from your bathroom to the bedroom?
- Do you like the location of the sink?
- Do you prefer to take baths or shower or both?
- Do you have natural light from a window?
- How is the existing lighting? Do you have existing task lighting?
- Do you have enough outlets?
- How big is the space? Do you want it bigger? Wider? Smaller?
- How is the countertop? Does it hold up the way you want it to?
- Do you like your backsplash?
- Do you like your sink? Do you like having the round, oval or square bowl?
- Do you have enough room for your makeup?
- Do you like your mirror/s?
- Do you like your faucet? The finish? The Style?
- Do you have enough cabinets for towels and sheets?
Head to Pinterest or Houzz.com for bathroom inspiration. Decide on a budget. Similar to kitchens, this number can be difficult to nail down.
Hopefully these tips will help jumpstart you on your home project(s). How you use your space and what you want in your space is important and it is worth the time and effort to discover these. Until next time friends! |
 | | Living room before |  | | Kitchen remodel Photo provided |  | | Bathroom remodel |  | | As the Owner and Principal Designer of Lamorinda-based Amanda Carol Interiors, Amanda Eck believes your home's interior should be both approachable and well- appointed. She often asserts, "Beauty is a necessity." With a distinct sense of style that mixes contemporary and classic design she fashions spaces that are both elegant and inviting. Her design aesthetic is inspired by anything visual but especially fashion, architecture and art. Visit http://amandacarolinteriors.com for more design ideas. |  | | story-photo-caption6 | | | |
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA