Planning a project? We speak to homeowners who have been there, done that, and got the dusty T-shirt…
From designing around the way you live and expecting the unexpected to exploring preloved options, we’ve asked six interiors Instagrammers to share their top renovation tips for others looking to improve their homes, too.
1. @houseofhetheringtons
To make your renovation budget stretch further, try exploring second-hand and preloved options. You’ll be amazed at what’s out there once you start looking. Not only is the hunt for that perfect piece incredibly satisfying, but you also get so much more for your money and it’s a far more sustainable way to shop during a renovation.
You can often find surplus tiles or flooring on Gumtree and reclaimed materials like fireplaces and decorating supplies on Facebook Marketplace. Finishing touches such as lamps and furniture are easy to pick up at flea markets and car boot sales, too. Buying second-hand might take a little longer while you wait for the right piece to appear, but it always does – and it’s worth it.
2. @renovatingtudorlodge
My biggest piece of renovation advice is to plan absolutely everything in advance, and then give yourself far more time than you think you’ll need. Renovations have a habit of revealing surprises, and some can throw your whole schedule off course.
We’ve uncovered a wall completely covered in black mould, and tiles fixed straight onto plasterboard over crumbling walls! What we thought would be a simple job suddenly became a full strip-back and rebuild. I’d only factored in the time to finish the walls, not the extra days needed to tackle all the unexpected issues, which led to a frantic rush at the end, with several trades working on top of each other. Extra time equals less stress.
3. @lindwhitehome
Renovating a home isn’t for the faint-hearted, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. My biggest tip? Focus on one room at a time. It’s easy to want to do everything at once, but that’s when the overwhelm kicks in. If you’re stuck on where to start, begin with something you love – maybe a piece of furniture, a fabric, a colour, or a pattern that catches your eye. Once you’ve found that anchor piece, everything else usually falls into place.
Don’t be afraid to experiment, either; your home should reflect you. If you’re unsure about something, it’s probably not right. Go with your gut, take your time, and remember the mess is temporary, but the result is always worth it.
4. @styletheclutter
The best thing we learned during our kitchen renovation is to design around how you actually live and to expect the unexpected along the way. Before finalising anything, we paid attention to our daily habits in the old space, where clutter naturally gathered, how we cooked, and even how the kids used it. This shaped everything from the pantry layout to the nook, the flow around the island, and our goal to let in as much light as possible with a north-facing aspect.
Renovating our Victorian home meant uncovering surprises at every stage: uneven floors, hidden pipework, even a steel beam that was not structurally sound, alongside original features we hadn’t planned for, but fully embraced. Instead of fighting them, we adapted the design, adjusting cabinetry and rerouting services, and rethought layouts to make those quirks work. Embrace the unexpected – challenges often lead to smarter solutions and a more characterful result.
5. @fromblanktobloom
Spare rooms today need to be multifunctional, and ours had become a dumping ground that doubled as an occasional guest room. I needed a proper workspace, so I decided to transform a corner into a stylish office zone. After giving the whole room a fresh coat of paint, I chose a wallpaper I loved and cut a section around 170cm by 150cm – just the width of my desk.
I bought simple pine moulding, cut the angles, primed it and painted it with leftover wall paint (no need for a whole tin just for the trim!). Framing the wallpaper completely transformed the space. Now I have a beautiful backdrop behind my desk, and I feel more creative than ever. I’m so glad I took the plunge.
6. @elinmeadowss
Our 19th-century cottage has taught us patience. During the kitchen renovation, we learned to listen instead of rushing to replace. Old houses speak softly, and if you take the time, they’ll tell you what belongs. We kept the uneven beams and handmade local brick floors, added Shaker cabinetry, and chose materials that felt honest to the home’s history.
My advice? Let your house guide you. When you restore rather than reinvent, the result feels calm, grounded, and true.
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