Plan First: The Key to a Seamless Renovation

A Macon guest house new build interior design project with a living room that converts to a second bedroom.
Completed new build project in Macon, GA by Lesley Myrick Interior Design

If you’re planning to remodel your kitchen, build an addition, or design your forever home from the ground up, here’s the truth most people don’t learn until it’s too late:

Designing a beautiful, functional home doesn’t start with a contractor. It starts with a strategy.

As an interior designer who works with busy professionals on high-end, multi-room projects, I’ve seen time and again how projects go sideways when clients skip this essential first step.

Here’s what to consider before you hire a builder – or even think about oredering those gorgeous backsplash tiles.

(Prefer to watch instead of read? Check out the video of this blog post here.)

1. Know Your Vision (Beyond Aesthetic)

A Macon guest house new build interior design project with bold wallpaper and functional furniture
This Macon guest house was a ground-up new build, with function and space planning nailed down early in the process

Yes, it’s important to know what you like visually – colors, styles, and finishes. But great design is about more than aesthetics. It’s about how you want to live, entertain, work, and relax in your space.

At LMID, we guide our clients through vision discovery exercises to uncover what really matters to them. Not just “we like brass light fixtures,” but “we need a living room that can be reconfigured quickly as an extra bedroom.”

When your design decisions are rooted in how you want to live, you get a space that’s more than just pretty – it works beautifully for your life.

2. Understand the Scope and Sequence

A floor and furniture plan by Lesley Myrick Interior Design ensures a seamless renovation project
The planning process for a Macon new build project by Lesley Myrick Interior Design

One of the biggest mistakes I see homeowners make? Starting construction before design is finalized. This almost always leads to rushed decisions, delays, and expensive change orders.

Instead, let’s map out the entire project scope and timeline before the first hammer swings. That means:

  • Floor plan changes
  • Electrical and plumbing locations
  • Cabinet layout and storage details
  • Materials and finishes
  • Furnishing needs (yes, even if that’s planned to be a later “Phase 2”)

Our Full-Service Design process is built around this kind of strategic planning. We don’t just decorate – we design every detail, manage the team, and ensure the vision is cohesive from blueprint to final styling.

3. Bring in a Designer Early (Like, Now)

The construction phase of a Macon guest house before furniture and finishes were installed
Construction phase of a Macon new build guest house

If you think designers are only for fabrics and furniture, I’d love to shift your mindset. A designer is your strategic partner – someone who helps you avoid costly mistakes, make confident decisions, and create a home that truly reflects you.

The earlier you bring a designer into your renovation or new build process, the smoother things go.

If you’re in the planning stages, our Design Strategy Session is a great way to get clarity before committing to a full design engagement. It’s two hours of expert eyes on your project, with real solutions, recommendations, and next steps.

Ready to Renovate?

Every successful renovation or new build starts with a clear plan. As much as I love wallpaper and lighting, the real magic happens in the strategy phase – when your vision, your home, and your lifestyle align.

If you’re dreaming big for your home this year, don’t skip the step that makes everything else work. Let’s start with a conversation.

About Lesley Myrick

Lesley Myrick is an adventurous, intuitive, and exceptionally organized interior designer specializing in designing distinct “forever homes”. She works with high-achieving professionals to create playful, personality-driven and family-friendly spaces that are as functional as they are unique.

At Lesley Myrick Interior Design, we make the typically confusing design process seamless. Our high-touch, deeply engaged design process means that we accept just 6 large-scale remodeling projects per year. 

Learn more about our full-service interior design and inquire here to start your design project.