If you’re thinking about giving your Chicago home a design upgrade, there are some important things to think about before you get started. Whether you’re preparing to sell your home or simply investing in it for you and your family, adding some new design elements can breathe new life into a property. Preparing for this process in advance can make it go much more smoothly and help you achieve an end result you love. Here’s where to start:

Think About a Color Palette

This can be a fun way to spark some inspiration for your design process while also helping you to nail down specifics. It can be overwhelming when you’re thinking of updating a room in your home and it feels like there are endless options. Creating a color palette helps you narrow your focus to a few colors and gives you some direction when it comes to choosing paint and decor. You can browse color palettes online or pick up some sample swatches at your local paint store. Choosing a main neutral color with a couple of accents can help you give your room the right amount of comfort and flare.

Do Some Style Research

Similar to selecting a color palette, doing some specific online style research ahead of time can also help you focus your design ideas. Maybe the mid-century modern style trend has won you over too, or perhaps you like something a bit more rustic feeling. Save the images that appeal to you most, and then look for the similarities that unite them. This will give you some great information when it comes to refining the style of whatever room you’re updating.

Bring in the Professionals

Sure, if you’re just adding a coat of paint and a few new pieces of furniture, you’re likely alright on your own. But for more significant, structural design changes, don’t overlook the value of some professional advice. Errors can be costly and take significant time to repair, and hiring a good contractor can help you avoid them. If your redesign project feels a bit over your head, reach out and get the help you need.

Use Practicality as Your Design Foundation

A common mistake that homeowners make when it comes to design updates is that they get so caught up in style ideas, they stop picturing their actual lives playing out in the space. When you’re redesigning a room, start with how you use it. What’s its function in your daily life? When you let that practicality inform your design, you’ll wind up with an end product that’s not just visually appealing, but that’s also functional and feels like home.

Thinking of a redesign in your Chicago home? What’s your inspiration? What are your plans? I’d love to hear about it!