When the designer hands you a 3D design print of your future home, it is completely understandable if you feel touched by the beauty of it.
In the blueprint there is no clutter. The lights look great. You don’t have to worry about cleaning. There are no renovation flaws.
With the photo salon effect, the blueprint looks just impeccable. And this, is exactly what leads to bad decision-making.
As many experienced home owners will tell you, the design blueprint and the reality can differ so much that it eventually makes you feel cheated.
How to read a design blueprint
Decoration
The blueprint your designer hands over to you often features the most expensive, beautiful and stylistic decoration in order to achieve the best visual effect.
As the home owner, you should consider what kind of decorations you will want to have in your future home.
If the design company is purchasing decorative items for you, remember to discuss the budget with them. You should make sure the final blueprint you can only contains decorations you have planned for.
Domestic needs and practicality
Before the renovation starts, take photos and make a list of miscellaneous items that are going to be ‘hanging out’, like washcloths, rubbish bins and clothes.
This gives you an opportunity to design for storage, and distinguish storable items from those that will be exposed in the space.
Non-existent and extreme points of view
Since the view of the design blueprint is often non-existent (extremely wide angle) or simply extreme (from the corner between two walls), you can hardly experience the space in the way the blueprint lets you.
Ask your designer for a blueprint with a realistic point of view, for example, from entering the room, or sitting on the sofa.
Then you can make design modifications in a reasonable and practical way, remedying unseen problems effectively.
Lighting
Depending on where you live, the amount of sun you can get will affect how you feel about your home’s appearance.
Home owners should consider how different lighting situations can affect the house, add sources of light or shades accordingly.
Furnishing and how it affects cleaning
If you have any cleaning concerns, always approach your designer to talk about it. Some designers put more emphasis on the visual effect of the design, instead on the living experience of the home owner.
Engage and participate in the designing process so that your needs are met accordingly.
