We just purchased our first townhouse in Canada, and while it was lovingly maintained by a sweet elderly couple, the interior looks pretty dated with dark floors and heavy paint. We're eager to modernize the space and make it feel brighter and more open, but we're completely lost when it comes to design. I've noticed the floors are just too dark, and the walls could use a lighter color, but I have no clue what choices to make or how to pull it all together. We don't plan to tackle any renovations ourselves; we'll hire contractors for the job. What I need help with is figuring out a design plan that we can hand off to them. Are there decorators or interior designers available for this type of service? Do they charge a lot? Alternatively, is there a way we can manage to do this ourselves with the right tools or guidance? I'd love any advice, design inspiration, or tips to get started!
1 Answer
Congrats on the new townhouse! It’s totally normal to feel overwhelmed trying to create a "brighter and modern" vibe. Here are some concrete steps to consider:
1. For paint and flooring, I recommend:
- **Paint**: Consider warm whites like Benjamin Moore's "White Dove" or "Simply White" to brighten things up without making it feel too sterile.
- **Flooring**: Light to medium oak engineered hardwood or luxury vinyl plank (LVP) would look great and feel modern yet warm.
2. When it comes to professional help, you have different options:
- Go for full-service interior designers (typically $75-150/hr in Canada).
- Look into design consultation packages (around $300-500 for 2-3 hours).
- Online design services are usually more affordable at about $150-400 per room.
Quick tip: Having a clear design plan will save you money during the renovations by preventing costly mid-project changes. You might also want to check out the GRAI real estate AI advisor; you can upload photos of your space for personalized design suggestions. It’s a cool way to visualize before spending big bucks!
Lastly, start saving inspiration photos of spaces that resonate with you. It helps a lot when explaining your vision to designers or contractors!
Thanks for the great tips! I’ll definitely look into the GRAI app. Can you suggest where to find more on those online design services?