The Overlooked Strategy to Keep Your Renovation on Track
Renovating your home can be one of the most rewarding projects you’ll take on, yet it’s also a significant investment. You work hard for your money, and renovations can quickly drain those savings, especially when costly mistakes or unnecessary additions come into play. I’m here to share a simple, often overlooked secret to saving as much as 33% on your renovation budget—without compromising the design you love.
As a spatial interior designer, my focus is on reimagining your existing spaces. This means analyzing how each room works for you, how it impacts your family’s communication and flow, and whether it enhances your overall lifestyle. When done thoughtfully, reconfiguring a home’s current layout can eliminate the need for a large, expensive extension or, at the very least, reduce the size of the addition. So, before you commit to building out, let’s explore whether your space can work harder for you.
Why Your Design Should Be As Unique As You Are
In my 15 years of design, I’ve come to one essential conclusion: every home should be as unique as its owners. The spaces I design reflect each family’s individual needs and lifestyles, not just aesthetic trends. Whether or not you love the styles in my portfolio isn’t the point—my clients do. They love their homes because we worked together to create spaces that fit their lives and bring them daily joy
If you find yourself unsure of what you want, consider how you want to live in your home. A client once told me that, after returning from a two-week holiday, all they could think about was how much they couldn’t wait to get back to their home. That’s the goal: creating a space that feels like you and that you can’t wait to enjoy every day.
Avoiding the Worst-Case Scenario in Renovation
We’ve all heard of renovations going over budget—let’s say you planned for €200,000 but spent €220,000. Not ideal, right? But that’s not actually the worst-case scenario. The real nightmare is spending €200,000 on the wrong design, only to realize, after six months of living in it, that it doesn’t fit your lifestyle. That’s why I prioritize function just as much as style. By making your design work for your life, you avoid the costly mistake of a beautiful but impractical space.
Real-Life Case: Reconfiguring for a Smaller, Smarter Design
A recent client came to me after working with a design-build firm who recommended an extension that was entirely out of their budget. Feeling embarrassed, they reached out to me with the hope of finding a more affordable option. I analyzed the entire layout, not just the back half of the house where the extension would go. I showed them how resizing the front living room and rethinking the layout could allow for a smaller kitchen extension. This saved them over €45,000 and resulted in a home they are now proud to show off.
Another client came to me with an architect’s design that was beautifully drawn but wildly over budget. By revisiting their needs and considering their whole home, we revised the project from a €350,000 to a €200,000 design that achieved everything they wanted, thanks to thoughtful reconfiguration.
Quality Over Size: The Key to a Lasting Design
When it comes to renovation, you often face a choice between quality and size. Many people want a bigger space but don’t think about how their budget affects the quality of that space. My goal is to ensure you have a home that works for you in a way that feels spacious, even if it doesn’t mean adding square footage. Size for the sake of size can drain your budget; a quality design, however, can enhance your mood, energy, and day-to-day enjoyment.
Finding the Right Designer for You
I may not be the only great choice for a designer in Ireland, but I can help guide you to make the right choice. Look for a designer who listens to your goals, respects your budget, and understands how you live. The best designers won’t just add rooms—they’ll enhance the way you connect with each space in your home.
If you’re ready to see how rethinking your existing space can save you time, money, and stress, Click Here to book a clarity call to have chat. During this call, I’ll walk you through my Reconfiguration Review—a process designed to give you clarity and confidence by focusing on your family’s unique needs. Together, we’ll explore how to reimagine your space so it works beautifully for your lifestyle—without unnecessary costs or oversized budgets.