Are you ready for your design center appointment? Ready to choose your cabinets, countertops, flooring, fixtures, paint and more? Sounds overwhelming? It doesn’t have to be. Builders provide you with design consultants to help you make the best choices. Still, it doesn’t hurt to come prepared. Here are some tips.
A Blueprint for Success
Your builder uses blueprints to build your home. You need to come to your design center appointment with one for your décor. Create a mood board using pictures gleaned from Pinterest, design magazines, paint chips, fabric swatches and more. Bring pictures of your furniture, as well. That will tell your consultant what your aesthetic is so they can point you in the right direction.
What Do You Love?
Whether you currently live in an apartment or a house, there are things you love about your home and things you wish were different. Make a list of those things. Also check your floor plan. How do you imagine living in your new home? Will you entertain a lot? Do your teens need their own space? Those things will influence your decisions.
Set a Budget
At the design center, you will pick from a standard list of colors, fixtures and finishes. If you want to upgrade these, there will be a cost. It’s usually recommended to budget 10 percent of the base price of your home for upgrades, so for a $200,0000 home you would want to budget an extra $20,000 for upgrades. If you are thinking you might sell your home someday, concentrate on upgrades that add value such as hardwood floors, a finished garage, extended patios and additional storage.
Thinking Renovations? Think Again
Sometimes it’s better to spend a little extra money upfront rather than renovate later. What sort of things? Structural changes such as adding a home office or bedroom can be rolled into your new mortgage, making it less expensive than writing a check later. Kitchen renovations can be time-consuming, and who wants to eat out all the time? Get what you want now. Anything having to do with wiring and plumbing should be handled by your builder.
Be Honest
Be honest with yourself and your design consultant about your wants, needs and budget. If your budget doesn’t allow for one thing, they can show you something similar in your price range. Ask if you can take pictures of the items you’ve chosen. If you can’t make up your mind, see if you can arrange for another meeting — even if you have to pay for it. After all, you want to be happy with your new home.
