Before You Renovate: The 5 Design Decisions to Make First

Renovating is exciting. The idea of new finishes, better layouts, and a refreshed home is full of possibility.

Behind every successful project are early decisions that shape how well the renovation works once it’s complete. Many projects run into delays, budget issues, or design compromises because the foundations weren’t considered before construction began.

At Koto Designs, I focus on these early design choices with clients before anything else. They’re not about surface detail; they’re about structure, flow, and how a home will actually function.

Here are five design decisions to make before you renovate.

1. Define Your Floor Plan & Spatial Flow

The single most critical choice to make prior to renovating is how your spaces flow and connect. It's not simply a question of where the walls are located, it's where people move through the house, how light comes in, and how one space complements the next. A renovation that fails to factor in flow tends to look new on the surface but still feels disjointed underneath.

Proper spatial planning takes into account proportion and adjacency. For example, a kitchen which opens onto a living space feels integrated, but if there’s no separation or visual pause, the room will look cramped and lacking. Likewise, long corridors with poor sightlines can make a house appear smaller than it is. I lay out circulation paths early on in the design so that rooms are logical and you can move easily from one room to another without unnecessary obstacles.

In many Perth homes, older layouts don’t always reflect contemporary living. Tiny kitchens, separate dining rooms, or formal lounge spaces can constrain how families will actually live in the home. Renovation offers a chance to redesign these spaces so that they are more suited to current lifestyle needs, whether that involves opening up a living area, incorporating a study nook, or designing better indoor-outdoor connections.

When the floor plan is resolved first, every design decision that follows, from finishes to lighting, has a stronger foundation. It’s the step that ensures the renovation feels cohesive, rather than a series of disconnected upgrades.

2. Natural Light & Ventilation

Natural light has a direct impact on how comfortable a house is and how well materials will perform over the long haul. Renovation is the best time to plan for it.

In Perth, west-facing windows can flood rooms with afternoon sun. While this light can be beautiful, it also comes with consequences. I’ve had clients install new timber flooring only to see it bleach within months because the boards weren’t protected from UV exposure. This is the type of detail that needs to be considered early. Options might include using UV-stable finishes, choosing more resilient materials in high-exposure zones, or treating the glazing to reduce impact. Sometimes it’s as simple as layering window coverings to filter light throughout the day, or introducing outdoor shading that prevents harsh glare inside.

Ventilation is another comfort factor that is directly related to interior choices. Although window location may not be changeable, interiors can be designed to be more refreshing through the way air moves throughout spaces. Light, airy finishes, louvres, or open circulation paths all play a role in the difference in how a space is experienced on a day-to-day basis.

When light and ventilation are addressed at the design stage, the renovation not only looks good but feels considered and comfortable long term. These are the choices that save your interiors' beauty, performance, and money.

3. Set Your Material & Colour Direction

The most overlooked renovation decision is defining a direction for colour and materials. Without it, decisions will be fragmented, made in a rush or to solve an immediate problem. The outcome is often rooms that are disconnected or out of rhythm.

Establishing a material and colour direction early on doesn't mean finalising every finish. It's selecting the tone, texture, and colour scheme that will guide your choices as you go along. So you may decide on a warm, organic style with wood, stone, and soft neutrals. Or sharp, modern finishes like concrete, glass, and high-contrast colour. Either direction, having a firm framework steers you away from conflicting decisions and creates a cohesive underpinning throughout the home.

This also influences how durable and practical your renovation will be. Families with young children often need hard-wearing materials that conceal wear and tear, while a couple renovating a small apartment might prioritise lighter tones at the top of their list to provide a perception of space. Even something as simple as choosing consistent skirting profiles or hardware finishes across rooms can make a home feel unified.

With a defined material and colour direction, every decision, from tile to paint to upholstery, comes across as considered, not impulsive. It saves time, reduces overwhelm, and it gives the renovation a strong sense of identity.

4. Plan for Lighting & Electrical Early

Some of the most prevalent renovation regrets are lighting and electrical planning. Once plasterboard goes in and walls are constructed, changes are infuriating and inconvenient. This is why it's crucial that lighting layouts and electrical points are determined well prior to actual construction.

Consider how each room will actually be used. Where will you need strong, focused lighting, like kitchen benches, bathroom mirrors, or study desks? Where should lighting be softer, creating atmosphere rather than intensity? Thinking about these layers early ensures your lighting isn’t just functional but adaptable

Electrical planning goes hand-in-hand. Outlets positioned without reference to furniture layouts often create daily frustrations: extension cords in the way, plugs in places they shouldn't be, or media installation that's sloppy-looking. Early design ensures sockets, switches, and data points all support the way the space is lived in.

Done well, lighting and electrical decisions elevate comfort, support daily routines, and reduce the likelihood of costly changes once the build is underway.

5. Balance Budget with Priorities

Every renovation comes with a budget, but not every budget is approached strategically. The first and most important step is prioritising; figuring out what matters most and spending accordingly. Without this clarity, it is all too common to overspend on things that don’t offer long-term value, neglecting areas that determine the overall success of the project.

Start by identifying what will make the biggest difference to daily life. Is it opening up the living areas to improve flow? Adding storage to reduce clutter? Upgrading finishes in the kitchen or bathroom? Once priorities are set, the budget can be staged around them.

It’s also worth distinguishing between elements that are easy to upgrade later and those that aren’t. Paint colours can be changed in time, but poor space planning or under-specified joinery will be costly to fix down the track. Investing in structure and function first makes every dollar go further.

The Value of a Design Consult

Many homeowners in Perth begin renovations by going straight off a standard plan only to realise later that key design decisions were overlooked. Starting with an interior design consult ensures the project has a clear direction and understanding of your needs before trades begin.

At Koto Designs, I help clients set spatial, material, and functional priorities so their renovation is more efficient, cohesive, and cost-effective. It’s the step that saves time, money, and stress down the track.