Getting inspiration from social media or using AI-powered tools for interior design and home renovation can be easy and exciting. These resources can quickly generate ideas you might not have considered yourself, plan furniture arrangements, and recommend thoughtful color palettes; however, executing these design concepts can be challenging. Once you have a digital mood board, what should you do next? To consider next steps for your dream space, we connected with Jon McCauley, a Renovation Consultant for Block Renovation. His valuable insights break down the best approach for proceeding with these seemingly realistic visualizations. Plus, he provides broader intel on the renovation timeline, the necessity for human creativity, hiring and working with design professionals and contractors, and ethical considerations from generative AI.
Thinking Critically About Your Mood Board
"When creating a vision board, it's important to keep in mind the functionality and practicality of the design," notes McCauley. You don't simply want a home that looks good on Insta or in a design tool. Make sure it's practical. "It's easy to get caught up in the aesthetics and design trends, but it's important to consider how the design will work in your specific space."
Some key factors to consider as you organize your inspiration board:
- The size and layout of your space
- Your lifestyle and needs
- Your budget
He adds, "Try to cultivate a vision board with these functional factors in mind. If you have a small kitchen, for example, look for examples of small kitchens to help inspire a functional design. A grand open layout kitchen might look great on a mood board, but might not translate well to your space."
Is it easy to mirror a design aesthetic you love on social media?
"When considering specific design elements you've seen on social media, it's important to do your research and ensure that the design style will work in your specific space," cautions McCauley. "One way you can do this is to try and find examples of these features in a space that looks similar to yours — or if you want to go the extra step, you can overlay a creative feature, like a light fixture or color scheme onto a picture of your existing space. Even if it’s not professional quality, a rough Photoshop will give you a visual representation of how it’ll look and function in your future space." Even generative AI tools struggle to produce realistic renderings. Always look to a human designers who'd be willing to review the design options you have in mind, and recommend or validate, lighting and furniture options, and creative aspects from an architectural perspective.
How long does it take to hire a pro for a renovation?
"When planning for a renovation, it's important to start as far in advance as possible," notes McCauley. "This will give you plenty of time to research, plan, and hire a contractor. The timeline for a renovation will vary depending on the scope of the project and external factors that influence the design process, but it's generally a good idea to allow several months for the planning and design phase as town permitting and materials procurement all come into play. Once construction starts, the timeline will ultimately depend on the scope of the project and how extensive the project is.
Is permitting always necessary?
"The requirements will vary depending on your location, building type, and the scope of your project," shares McCauley. "It's important to do your research and ensure that you have all the necessary permits before starting your renovation— usually a local contractor will be able to help you identify the relevant permitting necessary for your desired scope."
Don't Overlook These Factors For a Successful Renovation
- Allow for more time than you think you'll need. Renovations can be unpredictable, and unexpected issues can arise that can cause delays. It's also important to vet your contractors carefully and ensure that they are licensed and insured.
- Have a contingency budget set aside for any unexpected costs. You never know what may arise during the renovation process.
- Plan for temporary housing. Depending on the size of your home, know that you might need to relocate for a bit, especially if you’re doing a kitchen renovation or have a single-bath residence—the demo phase can be really loud, so even if you have the living space, you might want to relocate if you’re working from home.
- Stay involved. Have clear communication with your contractor and make sure that you are both on the same page throughout the renovation process.
