Mid-Year Project Planning: How to Start a Home Renovation Before Fall
Summer is in full swing here in the south Denver suburbs, and kickstarting a home renovation before the cooler months set in is one of the smartest design choices you can make. As your trusted Denver designer, we at Basil & Tate have guided countless home projects — from full-scale Denver home renovations to luxurious Denver custom homes.
Here’s your mid-year roadmap to planning a thoughtful, elevated renovation that reflects your style and fits seamlessly into your season of life:
1. Set Clear Goals & Assess Your Space
Before putting pencil to paper, take time to reflect on what you truly want. Are you upgrading outdated finishes? Expanding room layouts? Or designing a modern addition? Your goals guide every design decision — especially when aiming for a transitional design or neutral color palette warmed by earthy design touches.
Start by listing your top priorities:
Functionality (e.g. better flow, storage)
Style (e.g. organic design, natural light)
Seasonal needs (e.g. cozy fall entertaining)
This clarity helps you and us, as your Colorado interior designer, create a cohesive design vision before contractors bid on the project.
2. Contact an Interior Designer Early in the Process
You may have seen it happen to a friend or family member before: homeowners dive into contractor quotes without design drafted, which leads to delays, costly changes, and diluted vision.
Instead, begin with your friendly Denver interior designer: Basil & Tate! We guide conceptual design, space planning, layout, finishes, and aesthetics before you commit. With a clear plan in hand, you avoid costly change orders and timeline hiccups:
Discovery call (15 min)
In-home consultation
Design boards + optional 3D renderings
Final design approval
Contractor bidding
When general contractors bid on a unified design plan, you're comparing apples to apples — and receiving more accurate estimates.
*Explore why contracting should wait until after design in our post How We Work With Contractors.
3. Define a Realistic Budget & Timeline
Budget clarity is essential. Renovations include materials, labor, design and permit fees, and a contingency budget (10–15%). Your timeline should accommodate ordering lead times, contractor scheduling, and seasonal effects on outdoor work.
For holiday hosting readiness in Colorado, start design planning by late June or early July so contractors can price and begin work in August. Want your project completed by end of year? Let’s start now.
4. Embrace Our Signature Design Strategy
As your Denver designer, we create fully researched design boards and layouts tailored to your style, whether that means embracing an elevated design with curated statements or sticking to neutral design with organic textures.
Inspiration & Layout: Mood boards with finish combinations and space-flow plans
Material selections: Paints, cabinetry, tile, textiles, hardware carefully curated to fit your home
Optional 3D renderings: See how each element works in your space, greatly reducing decision fatigue
*Read more about how design boards and renderings inform successful home design in our post Design Boards vs. 3D Renderings: What’s the Difference & Why They Matter.
5. Solicit and Compare Contractor Bids
Once your design is finalized, we help coordinate bids from general contractors. With full plans in hand, contractors can give precise estimates. You’ll be able to compare even details like plumbing line relocation, cabinet and plumbing components, floor installation, and paint finishes.
Consistent design documentation prevents miscommunication. Our role as a full-service interior design firm is to facilitate transparent contracts, schedules, and trade communication.
6. Final Pre-Construction & Trade Coordination
With a contractor selected, we step into project management:
Finalize material orders
Schedule site visits to review cabinet paint, tile layout, fixture installation
Coordinate trades — painting, flooring, lighting
Serve as your “eyes and ears” on-site, reducing your time managing updates
Our process alleviates the stress of juggling multiple vendors and ensures your design remains intact as your project progresses.
7. Stay Involved, Without the Overwhelm
From here on, you can:
Relax while we oversee progress
Review milestone plans
Approve minor adjustments
Prepare for furniture deliveries and styling
The reward? A stunning final reveal that aligns with your vision and gets you ready for elevated living.
8. Final Styling & Reveal
Once construction wraps:
Final furniture placement
Accessorizing and styling
Lighting and artwork installation
Professional photo/video shoot to capture your new space
We'll ensure your home is dressed to impress and fully functional for everyday life.
Why Mid-Year Planning Is Smart
Seasonal lead times: Contractors are more available before fall
Efficient budgeting: Clear costs upfront prevent inflated quotes
Seamless timeline: Planning today lets you live in your refreshed home by the new year
Ready to Refresh Your Home?
If you’re planning a home bedroom refresh, full renovation, or custom build home, now’s the time to get started. Book your complimentary 15-minute discovery call and let’s create a timeless space you’ll love for years to come.
Welcome to Basil & Tate— a full-service residential interior design studio serving Denver, Colorado & beyond, curating bespoke interiors that seamlessly blend comfort, nature and timeless design. We describe our design aesthetic as earthy, organic, and elevated. If you like a combination of classic and modern design, mixed with soft neutral colors and natural textures, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re looking for an interior designer to save you time on your custom home renovation or to help bring your luxury new-build vision to life, the interior design experts at Basil & Tate will be with you every step of the way to deliver a turn-key, white-glove design experience.
Looking for interior design services within the Denver, Colorado area? Let's get in touch.
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