The Goal of a Vision Board
Renovating without a clear vision is like sitting down at a Hair Salon and saying “Do whatever you want!” Chances are you’ll spend a fortune, be forced to live with something you don’t love, and it will all end in tears. So it makes sense to start any project planning with a Vision Board.
Creating a vision may sound a bit scary or maybe even a bit fluffy, but we know that when you spend quality time planning, you create solid building blocks for renovations that run smoother, quicker and deliver better results. Our success in the construction business comes from our experience. This experience tells us that decisions made ahead of time are better for all involved.
WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT TO HAVE A VISION?
Vision boards capture how you want your renovation to look (the aesthetics) and, more importantly, how you want to feel in the finished space (the vibe). Quite simply, they’re a visual summary of your goals. The vision board I created for my own home captured that I want my home to be cozy, warm and slightly bohemian, but with a sleek Mid-Century Modern vibe. I love warm wood tones paired with dark stone and lots of light for plants to soak in. It also helped me realize that I don’t steer toward the more popular large open concept spaces as I love art, loved knickknacks and mirrors. All those items need walls to put them on! Both elements of that vision (mood and style) were equally important to achieving my dream family home.
If you only plan to renovate one room in your home, that’s totally fine and what we see most. You may have already tackled other areas or perhaps you don’t want to do everything at once. However, when creating your renovation vision, you still need to work with the whole home in mind. Ultimately, you will want your home to have a consistent look and feel throughout. While many styles can be morphed into each other, you shouldn’t have a ultra modern kitchen with a colonial style living room. This leads to a very disjointed feeling in your home. So you need to create a vision for your whole home and then make sure any renovations you plan to do take you closer to that overarching vision. Think of it as a MASTER PLAN. You may also be able to do a few minor things to those parts of the home that you are not renovating to bring them closer to you whole home vision too. New lighting, a fresh coat of paint, or new window coverings can freshen a space without major cost.
WHERE SHOULD I START?
First, let’s get the dream juices flowing with a few BIG questions. Don’t hold back when you answer these – go broad with your thinking about your life, your family, your financial position, everything. Just brain-dump the little things and the big things. It’s totally fine if some answers overlap a bit.
WHAT CHANGES DO YOU WANT TO MAKE TO YOUR HOME?
For example: “I want to renovate my master bathroom.” or “I want to finish my basement with a guest bedroom and bath.”
HOW DO YOU CURRENTLY LIVE?
For example: “ I love to cook, but my kitchen is old and dated.” or '“My house is not conducive for entertaining because we have a small family room and a large formal living room that nobody uses.”
WHY DO YOU WANT TO RENOVATE?
Here’s what I wrote about my desire to renovate: “I want to renovate because I want to create my dream family home with a chef’s kitchen for my spouse that cooks each night and a large open family room and dining room that flows out onto the backyard. I want to have a place for everything and everything in its place. I want to have spaces to entertain in.
WHO WILL BENEFIT MOST FROM YOUR RENO?
Is it you? Your family? Everyone who visits the house? How will they feel living in this newly renovated space? Will it change how you interact with each other? For example, a recent home renovation benefitted the whole family. They became much more social as the kids spend more time outside and less time in front of screens because the backyard and deck is so well connected to the family room.
HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL IN YOUR HOME?
Insert whatever happy words you want!! Calm, relaxed, energized, warm, cozy…
HOW DO YOU ENJOY SPENDING YOUR TIME AT HOME?
Do you like entertaining? Do you love a quiet space to read a book? Are you in the kitchen while the kids are outside? Do you love soaking in a rain shower or deep luxurious tub?
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CURRENTLY GETS IN THE WAY OF YOU ENJOYING YOUR HOME EVERY DAY?
I don’t have enough storage. I have no counterspace in my kitchen. I have hardly any natural light.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE FRIEND’S HOUSE OR A HOTEL THAT YOU LOVE?
If the answer is yes, write down what you love about it. Are there elements you want in your own home? What are they?
WHAT MUST YOU HAVE IN A HOME?
Overhead lighting, more cabinets, hardwood floors…
WHAT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE/MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER/MAKE YOU HAPPIER?
This is your chance to think about your dream list. Remember, you may not be able to afford all of the items on a dream list, but you won’t know unless you ask.
IF THERE IS ONE THING ABOUT YOUR CURRENT HOME THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO NEVER EVER SEE AGAIN, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
For example: laminate countertops, wall to wall carpet, 4”x4” bathroom tile
WHAT DOES YOUR DREAM HOME LOOK LIKE?
Before you fall in love with a vision of your dream home, do a bit of research so you understand the style of the home you are wishing for. In our area, houses have little variation in exterior building style, but the interiors are widely different. Ceiling height, open concept versus defined rooms, period details such as crown moulding and built-ins, and many other options are out there, We can work with any style home, but some are suited to a transitional aesthetic, some modern, and others French-Country. Once you have a sense of what your style is CALLED you can start looking for inspiration on the internet.
Check out part two to see how to pull it all together.