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A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home
January 7, 2025
A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home
January 7, 2025

With the new year, it’s common to have multiple resolutions and goals you want to achieve, and if designing your dream home is one of them, this blog post is for you because I’m about to show you step-by-step how you can start your design project and build your dream home this year.


Before diving into the content,
if your project is a kitchen or bath remodel, you need this guide. We share everything from the basics of remodeling a kitchen to all the elements and design tips to consider. Plus, we share exclusive access to a curated selection of elements for your space! It’s a must-have for every homeowner!

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home 


Most people think of a dream home as a luxury mansion with a pool, sauna, and gym.
But the reality is that your dream home is a space where you’ll feel like yourself—a place where you walk in and feel comfortable and functions for your family. 


You can create your dream home in your current space. All you need is a roadmap or a step-by-step guide to ensure you accomplish your goal of having a home that speaks to your wants and needs.


So, how do you design your dream home? I like to break it down into five steps:


  1. Define your design goal and vision
  2. Evaluate your space
  3. Set up a realistic budget
  4. Hire an interior designer
  5. Trust the process


Let’s jump right into the details.

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

1. Define Your Design Goal And Vision.


As with every project, you first need to answer the following question:
Why do I want to achieve with this project? 


Knowing the reason, or the why, behind your project will help you set the foundation for a successful project.


It’s important to know that there’s no right or wrong answer here. Your ‘why’ can simply be updating the look of your home because it feels outdated, or perhaps your kids have grown up, and their current bedrooms don’t speak to the phase of the life they’re in right now. 


Write down this goal and set up a vision.


  • If it’s a specific room, how do you picture it? Write down colors, styles, accessories, and everything that will help you bring your vision to life. A great tip is to create a board on Pinterest or Houzz with the style you want for your room to get inspired. 
  • When do you want it completed? Setting a realistic timeframe will help you determine the time you’ll need to allocate to accomplish your project.
  • How will you complete it? Will you do it by yourself or trust a professional with the project? Do you have the time to achieve it, or do you prefer to delegate to someone with experience to reduce stress? 


All these answers will help you pinpoint the WHY behind your project.


In our
Dreamy Tween Bedroom Project, our client contacted us because they wanted a more grown-up room for their daughter. With our design expertise, we transformed this outdated room into a place for many years to come! Check out the before-and-after and all the design details here! 

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

2. Evaluate Your Space


Look at your space and evaluate what works and what doesn’t. Is there a problem that needs fixing, such as more storage, awkward layouts, or furniture that is falling apart? Or perhaps the painting in your room needs a spruce up.


In this step, you should also consider elements you’d love to have in your space, such as a fireplace, statement lighting, or a piece of art to create a focal point. 


After knowing your needs and wants, prioritize the elements to add and move forward with a plan.


3. Set up a Realistic Budget


This step is tricky for most of us because there are many ways to build a budget and multiple resources to consider. To help you in this step, download my FREE resource where you can learn how to budget your design and set up the investment for your design project


Doing lots of research online or asking your friends and family who have gone through this process can help you. Especially if there’s construction involved, you want to have a number in mind and, most importantly, multiple quotes to perform your project.


This step is one of the most important reasons for adding an interior designer to your work project. Working with a designer can help you distribute your investment accurately and avoid costly mistakes. 

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

4. Add an Interior Designer to Your Project


Speaking of designers, here’s an important decision:
work with an interior designer to build your dream home. Partnering with a designer can save you costly mistakes, overwhelm, and time. Plus, they liaise with your contractor to ensure the project runs smoothly and help you make decisions along the way.


Other great reasons to add a designer to your project include:


  • They can help refine your vision and bring it to life.
  • Because of their exclusive vendor partnerships, they can source personalized furnishings, window treatments, and finishes that fit your style and budget.
  • They will help you manage the project details, including dealing with contractors, setting up installation, and providing insights to make the right decisions for your space.


Make sure your designer shares their process, timelines, what to expect, communication channels, and all the details with you. That will give you peace of mind and enough information to prepare you for what’s coming next.


If you’re ready to bring your dream home to life and live in the Charlotte or Waxhaw area, inquire about our services today!

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

5. Trust the Process


Design projects take time, and there might be unexpected surprises along the way. So, the final step to achieving your dream home is to trust your designer and the plan you’ve created together. 


If any hiccups arise, your designer will work with you to resolve them and make the best decisions
. Ultimately, it’s all about communication and having the patience to trust the process and wait for the results.


If you’ve never worked with an Interior Designer before,
check out our previous posts in this category, where we answer your frequently asked questions and encourage you to add a professional to your project to ensure you get a dream home with little to no overwhelm.


I really hope this 5-step process is helpful and has gotten you excited about designing your dream home. Comment below with any questions you have about working with a designer, and I’ll be happy to answer them.


Pin this article here as inspiration and share it with your family or friends going through a renovation!

A Step-by-Step Plan to Design Your Dream Home

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Interior Designer Jen Morrell | Charlotte & Waxhaw | An Inspiring Home

I work with busy families to create beautiful and functional spaces by providing local design services in the Charlotte/Waxhaw area and beyond through online design.

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What’s your design style?

Find out what kind of interior design best suits your inner self. From Transitional to Modern, it's time to make your home a place you’ll love!

You can opt-out at any time. Please note we do not share your information with anyone.

TAKE THE QUIZ

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