What makes a good home design? It’s an interesting question, because what works for some people would be a complete nightmare for others.

Living all on one floor in a flat or apartment with no outside space to maintain might work for one, while a house with a garden might be the only option for another.

Regular followers of the blog will know we’re a family of five living in a two-bedroom flat, and with baby number four due next month space is about to become even more of a premium.

I can’t tell you how many times people have said ‘I don’t know how you do it’, and while it’s true that in an ideal world we could do with more space, it works for us and we’re willing to compromise on both indoor and outdoor space because of the location (it’s a seafront property with panoramic views of the English channel).

So, how can you make the best of what you’ve got? In this collaborative post here are 5 things to consider when planning a home renovation to make sure your property is working for you!

5 things to consider when planning a home renovation

1. Is the timing right?

For example, a month before a new baby is due probably isn’t the best time to start ripping out an old kitchen. Similarly, if you’re about to start a new job or have other big events or upheavals going on in your life it’s probably best to put your renovation plans on hold until you can focus on them completely, without any other stresses or distractions.

2. Budget

Knowing how much – or little – you have available to spend before you start coming up with grand plans will help manage expectations and ensure you’re left feeling excited and optimistic – and not disappointed – with your home renovation plans. Having a budget in place will also help keep you on track when it comes to day to day spending and ensure the project is completed without going over budget.

3. Keep things simple

Don’t overcomplicate things. Experts agree that your design should be simple above all, because if it’s too complex you run the risk of ending up with an unpleasant place to live that doesn’t actually work for you. That said, keeping a design simple is easier said than done as anyone who’s ever used a virtual room-designing service or app will tell you!

4. Seek professional advice

You might have a picture of exactly what it is you want to achieve in your head, but the chances are you’re going to need some professional help, either in the form of tradespeople or decent residential architects. It’s important to find someone that you feel you can trust, gets what it is you want to achieve and who seems to know what they are doing. And don’t forget to check out their credentials and qualifications first!

5. Think about personal touches

Afterall, it’s no use being able to design or renovate your own home if you don’t really make it yours. For example, my dream has always been to have a bottle fridge in my kitchen separate from the main fridge and just for wine – a little extravagance just for me!

Do you have any home renovation plans in the pipeline? If you have any top tips I’d love to hear what they are!

This is a collaborative post.

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5 home interior trends I’m loving in 2020

Clever ways to fit 3 kids in one bedroom

Creating a home office when you don’t have an office