5 DESIGN CHOICES NOT TO LEAVE TO THE LAST MINUTE
THINGS TO PLAN FOR EARLIER THAN YOU’D EXPECT DURING A RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD
Not all design decisions are created equal. Some, like paint colors or styling, can come together organically as your project unfolds. But others? They need to be locked in early.
We’re talking about the decisions that directly impact your home’s structure and flow. The ones that, if left too late, can trigger a domino effect of compromises, added costs, or frustrating delays.
And of course, making these calls before they become urgent sets your home up to be not just beautiful, but smart, functional, and perfectly you from the ground up.
So, here are five design decisions you don’t want to leave to the last minute (and what to keep in mind before they slip through the cracks):
01. Ceiling Treatments
Whether you’re drawn to rustic beams, a coffered design, a smooth or even a textured finish—these details make a big visual impact. But they also affect more than just looks.
Ceiling treatments often need to be coordinated with lighting placement, HVAC runs, ceiling height, and sometimes even added structural support. Everything’s connected behind the scenes.
When your vision is clear early on, it’s much easier (and more cost-effective) to bring it to life—without having to make last-minute adjustments.
02. Custom Millwork + Built-Ins
Nothing elevates a space quite like thoughtfully crafted millwork. But to make it feel intentional and not like an afterthought, it needs to be considered from the start.
Think built-in bookcases, window seats, mudroom cubbies, or dining room storage. These pieces impact everything around them: where outlets are placed, how walls are framed, window sizing, baseboards, and even how trim is detailed.
When planned early, they become part of your home’s architecture. If left too late, they can cause delays—or worse, feel forced into a space that wasn’t designed for them.
03. Recessed Lighting
This one’s simple: if you want recessed lighting (or any hardwired lamps), the decision needs to be made before drywall goes up.
These fixtures require precise wiring and planning, and they often impact how ceilings or walls are constructed.
Waiting until the end could mean tearing into newly finished surfaces—or even having to settle for lighting that doesn’t truly work for your home.
04. Flooring
Flooring decisions do more than define your style—they influence how your entire home flows.
Selecting materials early ensures your subfloor is prepped correctly and helps you manage height transitions between rooms. Want a flush transition between hardwood and tile? Prefer a subtle step between zones? These choices affect everything from leveling to layout and need to be accounted for in advance.
Waiting too long may leave you with limited options, awkward thresholds, or patchwork solutions that disrupt the overall look and feel of your design.
05. THE Layout—Beyond the Basics!
You might have a broad layout mapped out already: number of bedrooms, general room placement, where the kitchen lives. But to design a home that truly works for your lifestyle, you need to dig deeper—earlier than you might expect.
Think about how your daily life will unfold within your home. Will the living room fit a deep, comfortable sofa? Is there room for that cozy reading nook you’ve always dreamed of? Can the dining area accommodate easy movement around the table, even when every chair is pulled out?
These decisions impact more than just furniture—they influence window size and placement, wall lengths, outlet locations, and even the direction of door swings. In short: getting specific early helps your floor plan reflect not just how many rooms you need, but how you want to live in them.
