10 Interior Design Disasters and How to avoid them

Interior design renovations can greatly increase the value and aesthetic appeal of a home. However,
many homeowners are apprehensive about beginning a remodeling project because of the cost and
unpredictability that a large scale remodel often brings. While interior design projects don’t always go as planned, some problems can be avoided with careful consideration.

1. Building codes are usually stricter than the homeowner may think. For the most part, large scale
remodel projects will need a building permit, especially if it’s to be completed within city limits. Before beginning any major renovations, research the regulations that you may be liable for.

2. A homeowner should never take on a project that he or she has little to no experience with, or that
the project’s scope is too large to handle on one’s own. For instance, removing carpet and installing
hardwood flooring may be too big of a job for just one person. In this case, the homeowner can save both time and money by hiring an experienced contractor.

3. Unforeseen structural damage may be found in the home, thereby increasing the budget and causing
major time delays. While a homeowner can’t anticipate every problem that arises, many experts recommend setting aside 10 percent of the renovation budget for unexpected problems.

4. It is not uncommon for signed contracts and receipts to be misplaced or mishandled. Luckily, this is
an easy problem to solve. Stay organized by purchasing a large folder and storing receipts, contracts, and other important documents in it.

5. Items may not be delivered on time, causing the workers to fall behind schedule. When something such as a mosaic tile backsplash or hardwood flooring is delivered late, other projects may have to be delayed. Stay on top of things by calling and confirming scheduled delivery dates.

6. Looking closely at one’s home may result in the discovery of hazardous substances. For instance,
asbestos can be found in ceiling and pipe fittings. If your home was built before the early 1980’s, have
a qualified inspector examine your home. This can either identify a problem or eliminate any health
concerns.

7. Major renovation items like hardwood flooring, mosaic tile, and cabinetry may end up being more
costly than your budget allows. For this reason, homeowners should calculate a slightly higher cost for
every major item.

8. New cabinets, furniture, appliances, and other large items may not fit into its space. However, this can be resolved by carefully measuring the space before purchasing the items.

9. Sometimes a homeowner may not have the funds needed to furnish a recently renovated space.
Fortunately, thrift stores and flea markets provide inexpensive, quality furniture, artwork, and accessories.

10. Don’t stress if your renovation is not done on time. Delays are often unavoidable and may be due to weather, workers’ schedules or other circumstances. When starting an interior design project, allow for an extra week or two of renovations.

Unexpected costs and delays are almost always a part of any interior design project. By approaching a
renovation with realism and a healthy budget, the homeowner can avoid many frustrations. In the end,
you will find that careful planning and a little patience can go a long way.

Erin Devine writes for Floor and Décor, a tile and flooring company based in Atlanta, GA. In

her free time, she loves updating her own interior design and home renovation blog, DIY
Home and Floor.

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2 Comments

  1. Those are great tips up there! There are really disasters that could happen in interior designing. Sometimes, we cannot avoid it no matter how hard we try. Just always remember that the errors will be your memories. If you succeed with your home improvement project, the result will always be in your front. But what will make it more meaningful are those experiences that you got while doing it.

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