Tips on How To Stick To A Budget From Noremax Interior Designers

Interior design projects notoriously run over budget. Things just never go to plan when it comes to redecorating your home because there are so many factors and, depending on the scale of re-design, your budget is dependent on so many other people. It may take your decorators longer to paint, a restoration or upcycling project might not turn out the way you had hoped… the list is endless. The important thing to remember is not to compromise, you deserve to love your space.

Noremax partner with some of the UK’s leading Interior Designers to deliver the best results. Based in Ilkley near Leeds, Caroline Wood-Robertson is the founder and interior designer at Storylines. Her spaces are determined to make your smile and she is used to working on a strict financial plan. We have been talking to her for the best tips on how to stick to a budget.

Be Clear At The Start

Just because it’s expected for a project to run over budget, does not mean that you should not set one at all. It is important to be realistic. Caroline Wood-Robertson states, “Don’t create a design scheme based on a budget you don’t have – you won’t be able to implement it fully and you’ll only be disappointed with the finished result”. It is possible to achieve amazing aesthetics on a small budget, you will just have to consider other factors, such as time scale. The chances are if you’re desperate to achieve your dream home in under a month, you’re going to need a larger budget.

Another top tip is to always build in a contingency plan. This can be used as a comfortable buffer when things don’t go quite to plan. Caroline Wood-Robertson advises allowing for 10% – and if you don’t use it, you can put it towards your next design project!

Investment Pieces

Sometimes an entire design hinges on one piece – a statement velvet sofa, for example – and nothing will substitute. These are called investment pieces, the components you simply can’t go without. An invest piece should be good quality and built to last. This will make them worth their price tag as they will bring your space together and you can enjoy them for a long time.

Our advice would be to spend on the permanent things. The fixtures in your bathroom, the quality of your floor, the colour of your kitchen countertops. Unless you are DIY aficionado, these are the things that will cost you to change up so it’s worth spending your budget on once and wisely.

Budget For The Little Things Too

Once you have settled on your bigger investment pieces, you can begin to consider the smaller styling pieces. Professional designers know that this is often the downfall for so many projects. Armin-Kousha (Armin Kousha Interiors), another of our interior design partners, based in South West London is all too used to this, he claims that one of two things tend to happen:

The budget has been completely blown and there’s nothing left for soft furnishing and accents. If this is the case, consider money-saving options such as re-upholstering cushions you already own, framing some posters for inexpensive artwork or browsing second-hand marketplaces.

Alternatively, too much money has been spent on the smaller things. This tends to happen early on in the project and usually if you have gotten excited and slightly ahead of yourself. It is possible to achieve great, unique results with budget and high-street accents. The best advice is to stick to a plan of action. There is little value in spending a large portion of your budget on styling pieces before the base of your room is finished, you may change your mind about the colour or the lighting or fall out of love with the piece. Try to restrain yourself and stay organised. In the meantime, make mood boards and shop around for budget dupes.

Of course, a budget is fictional numbers, it’s an estimation, so running over is not the end of the world. The biggest tip to take away here is to be as organised as possible. Design projects can be extremely costly, and a realistic plan will keep your finances in check.

Caroline Wood-Robertson partners with Noremax to provide a bespoke interior design service. She is available to hire to curate personalised kitchens and can handle every aspect of your decorating process, including a complimentary sample viewing of all Noremax products.

For more information regarding Noremax products, get in touch with the expert herself. Caroline carries our products and is available for sample viewing by appointment. Alternatively, you can arrange to view our products in Northampton, just contact: [email protected] or call 07866766028

All images are supplied by Caroline Wood-Robertson at Storylines.