The Renovation That Changes How You Live Every Day
IS YOUR HOME STILL WORKING FOR YOU?
A note from the Lumar Interiors team
Life has a way of quietly outpacing the spaces we live in. The kitchen that felt generous when you moved in now feels a little cramped. The primary bath that seemed perfectly fine hasn’t aged quite as well as you have. The family room that once pulled everything together has slowly started to feel like it belongs to a different chapter.
We think about this a lot. Great design isn’t just about beauty, it’s about how a home makes you feel on an ordinary day. Whether it lifts you or holds you back. Whether it reflects who you are now, not just who you were when you first walked through the door.
“The homes we love most are the ones truly designed for the life happening inside them.”
A renovation, done well, isn’t really all about the finishes. It’s about what changes the moment you wake up the next morning and every day after that.
BEFORE YOU CALL A DESIGNER
Five decisions that shape every successful renovation, before a single plan is drawn.
1. Know your non-negotiables
Identify the two or three things that genuinely aren’t working. This becomes the anchor for every decision that follows and protects you from scope creep later. The key is asking yourself: “What are the two or three things that will make me feel this renovation was worth it?” Those become your guide when you’re faced with budget decisions or tempted to add “nice-to-have” upgrades along the way.
2. Realistic timelines
Everything takes longer than you think. Sometimes its due to backorders, or you run into hidden issues behind walls. Allow 2-4 months before the reno starts for planning and designing and sourcing. Then add at least a month or two to whatever the contractor says the end date will be.
3. Set a Real Budget—Including a Buffer and Furnishings
Start with a budget you’re genuinely comfortable spending, then set aside 15–20% as a contingency. Surprises behind walls are common, and a buffer helps keep your project on track.
Don’t forget to budget for furnishings, lighting, rugs, and window treatments. These finishing touches are what make a renovated space feel complete and often provide the greatest satisfaction once the project is finished.
4. Gather your inspiration, but stay open
Bring images that resonate with you to your first meeting, not because you want to recreate them exactly, but because they capture how you want your home to feel. Whether it’s calm, welcoming, sophisticated, or full of warmth, those emotions are what matter most.
The best designs don’t copy a single photo; they use your inspiration as a starting point to create a home that’s uniquely yours.
5. Find a partner (a designer) you can make decisions with
Let the fear of making wrong decisions disappear. You want an expert who translates your vision accurately, so you don’t have to gamble on it yourself. You need someone who listens and you can trust. We at Lumar Interiors have a very collaborative approach. We like to say, we do you, only better 😊
Let’s talk about your home. Simply reply to this email or give us a call. Tell us a little about what you’ve been thinking and we can explain how we can help.
A LUMAR STORY : The family room transformation
When we first met these homeowners, moving wasn’t an option. They loved their neighbourhood. Their children had grown up there, and the home held years of cherished memories.
“But the space just wasn’t working for us anymore,” they told us.
One of the key areas we reimagined was the family room. The two-storey space felt unfinished, particularly in the upper portion, and the layout didn’t support the way the family lived. Television viewing was less than ideal, with the TV positioned on a side wall that was difficult to see especially from the kitchen, where the family often gathered.
To transform the room, we created a new feature wall incorporating light wood paneling, fluted detailing, and wallpaper to add warmth, texture, and architectural interest. Relocating the television to this wall improved sightlines and allowed for a more functional seating arrangement, encouraging greater interaction and connection within the space.
The result is a layered, welcoming family room that feels both beautifully finished and perfectly tailored to the way our clients live.
Months later, the homeowners reflected on their experience in a magazine feature:
“We knew we were in excellent hands… we never felt rushed and were comfortable asking questions. The ladies were truly invested in our project. Like us, they wanted it to be fabulous.”
— Kleinburg Project
That’s the part of this work we love most, not the reveal, but the quiet, everyday difference that follows it. If you’ve been wondering whether a renovation could do the same for your home, here’s where we’d suggest starting.
