At some point when building a new property you'll come to the finishes and colours selection time. Some people dread it, others love it.
When it comes to the finishes and material selection there is a lot to be taken into consideration but two common factors that are pretty well at the top of the list are Trends and Budget. Getting the right look without making the budget look like the GDP of a small nation can be very stressful and challenging! There have been a lot of examples over the years of couples, blissfully in love, approaching their first new property build together only to end up calling the whole thing off and never talking to each other again!
So here is our "7 Simple Things To Consider" list to help you get the look you want, without blowing out the budget (or starting WW3 with your partner!)
There is no need to follow everything you see: Architectural and interior design trends are great to get inspiration from, but unless you plan to redecorate every year to keep up with the ever changing fashions, there's no need to treat them like a step-by-step guide.
Houses last for a long time: Trends change regularly while a house is planned to last decades, ideally without much in the way of major renovations. We all remember those old-fashioned pastel colour bathrooms, "interesting" floor tiles and sand-paint feature walls that were once the latest in design choices!
Be smart when choosing what to follow: It's way easier to change a wall coating, or light fittings or even kitchen cupboard doors than it is to swap out the entire flooring of a house.
People have different preferences: It does not matter if bright colours and tartan curtains are in vogue, if you are neutral tones type of person build something that will work for you. Trends will change over time and before you know it everyone will be copying you!
Functionality is important: Select materials and features that are appropriate for each use and location. For example do you really need heated floors if you live in a warm climate? It's just a waste if you're only going to use it for a month or two each year. Get nice rugs instead.
Do not compromise quality just to save a few dollars: Building can be expensive, and any savings you can find are welcome, however, it's worth investing a little more in quality materials and finishes. You don't need to go for the top of line but the cheapest option usually comes back to bite you later in constant maintenance costs.
You can make improvements later: Be considerate of your budget, if you are planning to live in a place for a long time there is no point blowing the budget. Sure, it's nice to have everything you've ever wanted on the day you move in, but what's the point if you then have to live like a hermit pay it all off!
In conclusion:
Finishes and material selection is all about prioritising preferences and managing the budget for it. At Devlink Group we consider everything carefully before finalising our material selection and schedule of finishes. We gather feedback from all our departments as we know our buyers are as diverse as our team, and we want to make sure we provide the best outcomes for our properties.