THOUGHTFUL DESIGN — DESIGNING ON A BUDGET
Six months ago when we found out that our local yoga studio would be closing, we found ourselves suddenly wondering “Should we? Could we?”—and now here we are, months later with a beautiful space and a vibrant community! Now just because it was somewhat of a spontaneous idea, doesn't mean that it didn't come with an insane amount of careful reflection, discussions, planning, effort, time, and most importantly community! We knew when we made the final decision to open a new yoga studio in this space, that we wouldn’t have the budget to do the complete overhaul (we as interior designers just couldn’t help but keep dreaming about). So, initially we decided we would open our studio without changing the existing design and open as is—that decision lasted maybe a week! We just knew we had to bring our own touch to this place, not only in the way we wanted to move forward running the business, but also the physical manifestation of the space! But how? We didn’t want to invest heavily in the renovation, so we set out with our baby-budget and a whole lot of creativity and determination!
Thoughtful design doesn’t have to cost a lot! Getting creative and resourceful allows you to stretch a budget, and more often than not, end up with results that are unique and feel more personal! So, what did we do and what can YOU do to make an impactful design, without blowing the bottom line? We’re sharing some guidance below—so whether you’re opening your own business or renovating your home, thoughtful design can take your project higher, while maintaining a lower budget!
First and foremost, strategize! Take a look at your overall project and determine what are the nonnegotiables? What can you work with versus what absolutely needs to change? In our case, we decided we needed new flooring and paint, but we could leave the overall layout, keeping the studio and washrooms/change rooms as is, and instead addressing the front entrance area. Rather than blowing the budget and timeline with costly structural changes, we simply took down a couple walls within the previous lobby area to open the space and create a more expansive and welcoming lobby and lounge.
Now, once you’ve determined what your nonnegotiables, then you need to sync that with your budget! Where does the money need to be spent versus where can you get resourceful? For example, what can you maybe do yourself compared to what absolutely needs to be left to professionals! Obviously working in this industry, we have A LOT of friends to call on, and we definitely did! While this might not be your case, look to your community—maybe you can paint your own walls or have a friend you can call on to lay your flooring, and then allocate your funds to hiring an electrician or plumber!
PSA—Now, that being said, as interior designers we cringe whenever we hear the “we have a guy” phrase. Too often we’ve seen these scenarios tie up timelines and hinder results. So, if you’re going to pull in friends or family into your reno, first ensure they are capable of the job at hand, both in skill and availability, and that it is properly organized with the other trades coming into the job!
When it comes to materials, finishes, and furniture, first take a look at what you already have. What can stay, what needs a little love, and what needs to go! And when it comes to purchasing new furniture pieces and materials and finishes, consider previously loved options. Explore thrift and vintage stores and online marketplaces, for affordable furniture and decor; and check out salvage yards/businesses or ask suppliers/manufactures about end cuts and leftover materials. Often, these places have hidden gems at a fraction of retail costs that maybe just need to be reupholstered or require a fresh coat of varnish. Not only is this easier on your budget, but easier on the environment as well! Win, win!
For example, we pulled personal pieces of our own to furnish the lobby/lounge area; purchased a vintage dresser as a coffee bar from a local Mid Century Modern shop; had pouffes made from end cut fabric; and had tables and millwork all crafted from large format samples and offcuts from current projects (all luxury material incidentally); and for our pedestals and countertops, the supply and fabrication were donated to us from long standing vendors of ours!
And lastly, when designing and styling your space, consider a more minimalist approach and neutral palette. Minimalism, not only can simplify your space, but reduce costs by limiting the number of items you need to buy. A neutral colour palette can make a space feel fresh and open while allowing you to easily change accents and accessories over time without extensive costs. On that point, try to avoid trends or feeling like you need to fully furnish or style your space all at once. Start with what is needed for your space and then let it grow along side your budget, and collect meaningful pieces overtime. And get creative with paint! Paint is a relatively inexpensive way to make a big impact, and is something that is fairly easy to change out at a later date. When designing our space, we were drawn to the texture and feel of plaster, but knew bathing all the walls in plaster would not be within the budget. So, we experimented with a textured painting technique, and with the help of a friend, created what is now one of our absolute favourite features of the entire space!
Thoughtful design doesn’t have to be expensive; it simply requires resourcefulness! Utilize local resources and materials, repurpose leftovers from previous projects, and take the time to gather insights that will help you make the most of what you already have. Maximize the use of available materials, create designs that fit your existing items, and embrace recycling to prevent waste. Additionally, lean on your community by exchanging services or collaborating with others. There are countless ways to bring your design vision to life without breaking the bank!
