7 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Tackling Home Renovations Yourself
January 2025
Renovating your home can be an immensely fulfilling endeavour—a chance to craft a space that mirrors your lifestyle, caters to your needs, and captures your unique vision. However, taking on a renovation without proper planning or expertise can lead to missteps that drain both your time and resources.
Over the years we have witnessed how insufficient preparation, or knowledge can transform an exciting project into an overwhelming ordeal. To help you sidestep common pitfalls, at KHAIA Interior Design Studio, we have identified seven mistakes often made during DIY renovations—and offer practical solutions to ensure your journey is smooth and rewarding.
Planning, budgeting, and scheduling are key parts of a successful interior renovation, whether it’s a small or large job.
what to avoid?
1. Failing to Define a Comprehensive Budget and Timeline
Every successful renovation begins with a clear and meticulously outlined budget. Without one, unexpected costs can snowball, from unforeseen structural repairs to last-minute design upgrades. A well-thought-out budget should account for all foreseeable expenses—materials, labour, permits, and even a contingency fund of 10–20% to manage the unexpected.
Equally essential is establishing a realistic and phased timeline. Many projects encounter delays, and a carefully planned schedule helps set clear expectations. Sharing this timeline with any contractors or tradespeople you hire ensures that progress stays on track and costly overruns are avoided
2. Expanding the Project Without Reevaluating the Budget
It’s easy to get inspired mid-project and decide to add new features or upgrade materials. Yet expanding the scope of a renovation without recalculating costs can cause financial strain and compromise the overall design.
For example, opting for bespoke finishes or adding features like underfloor heating without allocating additional funds can leave you scrambling to cut corners elsewhere, potentially diminishing the quality of the final result. Carefully assess whether a mid-project addition is essential to your overall vision or can be incorporated later, ensuring your resources are allocated wisely.
3. Neglecting Thoughtful Lighting Design
Lighting often takes a backseat during renovations, yet it is one of the most influential factors in how a space looks and feels. Poor lighting can render even the most beautifully designed rooms flat and lifeless, while a well-planned lighting scheme enhances both aesthetics and functionality.
Begin by assessing the natural light in your space—observe how it shifts throughout the day—and complement it with layered artificial lighting. Incorporate ambient lighting for general illumination, task lighting for practicality, and accent lighting to highlight architectural or decorative features. Smart lighting systems and dimmer switches can further elevate the ambience and adaptability of your design.
Achieve a warm, inviting atmosphere with layered lighting that adapts beautifully to both time of the day and change of seasons.
4. Assuming Architects Cover Interior Design
A common misunderstanding is that architects will naturally handle both the structural plans and the interior design. While architects are adept at creating layouts and ensuring structural integrity, their expertise often lies in the broader framework of a home rather than its interior details.
Interior designers, by contrast, focus on the harmony of colour schemes, furniture, textures, and finishes—ensuring each element works cohesively to create a space that reflects your personality. Collaborating with both an architect and an interior designer guarantees a seamless blend of form and function, both inside and out.
5. Overlooking Future-Proofing
Homeowners often focus solely on immediate needs, neglecting to consider how their living requirements might evolve in the years ahead. This short-term approach can lead to costly adjustments down the line.
When planning your renovation, it’s worth thinking about your long-term lifestyle. Will your household grow? Will you work from home more frequently? Incorporating flexible layouts, durable materials, and forward-thinking solutions—such as pre-wiring for smart home systems—can save you time, money, and inconvenience in the future.
For more insights on future-proofing your property, explore our previous articles here.
6. Expecting One Builder to Handle Every Detail
While general builders bring a wealth of skills to a project, achieving a truly polished and high-quality finish often requires specialists. Intricate carpentry, bespoke tiling, or luxury plasterwork demand the expertise of artisans trained in their craft.
Investing in skilled tradespeople ensures that each element of your renovation meets the highest standards. While their services may cost more upfront, the longevity and craftsmanship they deliver are well worth it. Always review portfolios and references to find professionals who align with your vision.
7. Furnishing Exclusively from One Retailer
Curated interiors reflect personality and tells the story of the owner.
Image from: @autreligne
It can be tempting to purchase all your furniture from a single retailer for convenience. However, this approach often results in a home that feels impersonal and lacks the character that a curated space exudes.
To create an interior that feels uniquely yours, blend pieces from a variety of sources. Combine timeless, high-quality furniture with more accessible finds, and layer in bespoke or vintage items for added charm. This thoughtful approach allows for a harmonious yet eclectic design that feels curated rather than contrived.
Final Thoughts
Home renovation is a deeply personal and exciting process, but without proper planning, it can also be challenging. By avoiding these common mistakes, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, more enjoyable journey and achieve a result that truly reflects your vision.
At KHAIA Interior Design Studio, we understand the complexities of turning a house into a home. From crafting tailored designs to ensuring every detail is perfect, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Ready to transform your space?
Get in touch with us to talk about your home, we would be delighted to help. Have a look at our instagram feed for more KHAIA inspiration and to see current projects.
We cover Esher, Cobham, Weybridge, Walton–on–Thames, Hersham, Epsom, Guildford, Godalming, East Horsley, Wimbledon, Kingston and New Malden.