Design Timeline

Are you building a new home or are you renovating your existing home? Here are some great tips on selecting your finishes in sequence to ensure a cohesive overall design in an organized manner.

1. Exterior Finishes

When selecting your exterior finishes first think about the overall look you would like to achieve. Select your brick, stone, stucco, siding or a combination of these, then decide on a colour schemes for your window trim, soffit, shakes and shingles to compliment the main features of your home. 

A Traditional Exterior with board & batton, stone accents and
contrasting windows, trim and soffits.

2. Select your appliances

When designing your kitchen cabinetry exact sizes of appliances are needed in determining the perfect, functional space. Whether designing a modern kitchen with a stainless steel hood or a professional kitchen with a 60" wide refrigerator and range, all of these decisions need to be made before moving forward with cabinetry design.

3. Cabinetry Design

Whether designing custom cabinetry or standard box cabinetry there are many options and it may be an overwhelming process. I suggest searching for some inspiration photos and pick some elements that you love and the design style that works best for you and your home. Cabinetry for your kitchen, bathrooms and laundry room should all coordinate throughout but may have different finishes.
Countertops and backsplashes should also be selected at this point.

A farmhouse kitchen design with crisp white cabinets, white subways
tile backsplash & granite countertops 

4. Flooring

Once the cabinetry is determined it now time to move onto the flooring selections throughout your home. This would include hardwood, carpet, tiles and wall tiles for your bathrooms. Create a unique tile look in your ensuite shower by combining standard rectangular tiles infused with a mosaic design.

5. Doors & Trim

There are many different styles and finishes of interior doors and trim. Select a style and finish to best suite the rest of your selections thus far and that will coordinate with the overall design style of your home.

6. Paint Selections

At this point selecting your paint colours for each room becomes easier when most of your finishes have already been determined. I suggest only choosing 3-4 colours to carry through your entire home to allow a proper flow from room to room.

7. Lighting

Determine the amount of light that is needed for each space and select statement fixtures that add interest and style. There is an abundance amount of lighting fixtures available that it may be an overwhelming task to select for your entire house. Stay tuned for an informational post on everything lighting.

Standard lighting options are not always the best choice. I love the chandelier in the middle of the ensuite and two sconces flanking the mirror.

  8. Bathroom & Kitchen Fixtures

When selecting fixtures for your bathrooms and kitchens make sure the finishes coordinate with all of the hardware on the cabinetry that has already been selected. Remember to never forget the details such as a great shower head, hand held shower fixtures and unique faucets.

9. Furniture

Furniture throughout your home can be a very personal thing. By this point in the process the design style should already be determined and by carrying this style through in the furniture will allow the entire home to look cohesive and flow together nicely. Arrange your furniture in a functional way and select larger pieces that are neutral that will withstand the test of time.

10. Window Treatments

In keeping with the design style of your home choose a window treatment that is again neutral in colour and timeless. Determine the amount of light that you would prefer to allow into the room and the amount of privacy needed for the space. Drapery panels in a pattern are a fun way to add personality and design to a room and are easy and cost efficient to change out.

Building and renovating a home can be extremely stressful and overwhelming. If you require professional interior design assistance to create a stunning home please contact me today to set up an initial consultation.