Complete interior renovation- where to start and how to choose??

[Dhama]

I recently moved into a bungalow that hasn’t been touched for approximately 40 years, there isn’t a thing that doesn’t need doing 🙈

I’m feeling genuinely overwhelmed by where to start though my builder is coming tomorrow to have a look (he’s knocking the kitchen through) and he’ll hopefully be able to guide me.

But how do people choose what to have?!? I’m Pinterest blind, I change my mind over black fixtures in the en-suite to gold to bronze and back again. Don’t even get me started on the kitchen, main bathroom or my bedroom

Hit me with some ideas, I want colour, not grey or white everywhere- but it’s small so don’t want it to feel too dark either.

Please help….

Start slowly. There's no need to rush every decision. Take your time yo get the basics right. How you will use each room, whether the electrics need updating, what about radiators, plumbing and boiler? Boring, but much easier to sort at the beginning than after you've decorated.

Remember things like flooring, kitchen cabinets and worktops and bathroom sanitary ware are likely to be big and more permanent, so if you're unsure, go classic. Then you can add fun with colour on walls, furniture ans finish.

But mostly, take your time. Pinterest abs Instagram are brilliant, but remember it's your house, so should be your style.

How old is the bungalow? If 1940 or prior start with removing all rubbish plaster. You might as well do it first as all renovation in areas of rotten plaster will begin with all the plaster falling off.

If it's not been touched then:

Roof, render, soffits, gutters etc all need checked.
Then sort out your layout. Be detailed as lots hang on it - electrics, where radiators will go, etc. As part of that, decide on electrics - it'll need a new consumer unit at least, and you're likely to want to add sockets, even if you don't want to fully rewire.
Heating & plumbing (new hot water tank, or ashp, new radiators, etc)
Insulation - you will want to check roof insulation and cavity wall. Grants might be available.
Windows - theyre likely to be rotten and single glazed if little changed since the 1940's.

Make it water tight, then do the messy jobs (rewire, plumbing, bathroom, kitchen), and the tidy up after (replastering). Then flooring. Last thing is the decorating.

Thank you everyone. The bungalow was built in 1980, and despite my being dramatic a few things have actually been updated since it was built, the windows and facias were done about 12 years ago and are in weirdly good condition, my partners friend is a window fitter and is coming to double check them, but the front door definitely needs changing.

My family are electricians so they are sorting out the consumer units and new sockets and lights.

I have applied for an energy grant for loft insulation too so hopefully will hear soon on that front.

Boiler although old has been serviced and fixed this week.

I am having a kitchen design appointment with Wren tomorrow so will see what that throws up too (though I’ve seen awful things online about them)

Thats also excellent advice at decorating last as I think that’s where my head went first!

Can anyone recommend where is good for bathrooms?

I'm currently renovating my own never been touched 40 year old bungalow. Mine had some very specific challenges that aren't universal to all. Essentially start with what needs to be done for you to live there. I had to do some pretty big structural work and we're ALMOST done with that. It's been expensive but there was no point fitting a new kitchen if the kids didn't have a bedroom. My advice is accept everything will take longer than you think, and that you'll need to make compromises because everything will cost more than you think. I've renovated before but still found this to be true.

And shop around. I often find i'll get a shower from one place but a vanity from somewhere else etc. Marketplace can be great for both buying and selling. I was particularly surprised someone wanted my old beige bathroom, but they did.

I like colour too but echo what others have said about trying to use it in ways that I can easily change (soft furnishings and paint) rather than the expensive items.