What do I need and where do I start?

[HouseHelpRequired]

I’m living in a small house I can’t leave for a couple of years. It needs some updates - mostly decorating - but I’m also considering layout changes (e.g. converting the garage, possibly a tiny extension).

I have a decent budget but don’t want to over-invest since this isn’t my forever home. I’d like to make changes that improve everyday living and retain resale value.

The problem is I’m totally stuck on where to start. An architect feels like overkill, but I don’t want to waste a builder’s time when I don’t have a clear plan. Storage is an issue—would an interior designer help with that, or are they more about soft furnishings and paint colours?

Really, I want someone to look at the whole house, help me make sense of my scattered ideas, and come up with a realistic plan that ties everything together (function, layout, and look) within a reasonable budget.

Does this kind of person exist? And if not, what would you do in my position?

We had a friend recommend a draftsman who had loads of ideas and did the steel calculations. Similarly it was such a small project it felt too small for an architect but the builders needed plans.

An interior designer. They would be able to help you make a rough design and at least a plan and storage ideas etc.

You could do it yourself… make a project on canva; take photo of each room and upload onto canva. Make chapters - firsts section kitchen for example, then living room.
Make simple list of ‘problems’ - in any order- eg:

• replace sink
• paint wall
• new worktop
• skirting board
• fit new cupboard unit in corner

etc etc.
Make mood board of colours, flooring, furiniture ideas etc for each room within each section.
look at the project many times and tweak.
put your list into a list that is workable; eg

• empty room into garage
• strip wallpaper or tiles
• replace sockets
• add new cupboards
• Paint walls
• fit blinds

so you have an order of works. You could rub it past an interior designer or a carpenter or anyone handy or in the trades if you know one.

start with one room at a time and finish before you begin the next!
lots of luck xx

Thanks. So the draftsman came up with the ideas too rather than just drew up someone else's vision? Is that standard?

I don't know if it's standard but he'd been doing it a while and had a portfolio and he talked about what might work in the area, he made really good suggestions about moving walls to maximise space and even considered plumbing when locating an ensuite.

hahaha... I am in similar position, maybe.
I am useless at DIY and can't love the house, ever.
I have zero interest in decorating.
I'm barely home, I travel a lot.
I only have a tiny mortgage, which helps. I live alone so nobody else cares about the condition of this house.

I can only manage one big project at a time so I do one thing at a time. I keep a specific minimum reserve of other funds and only do next house thing when I have the spare funds for it. I (mostly, one exception) only do house changes that I think will add value, which means I'm not sinking money into changes that are just personal taste (like decorating or moving a doorway slightly).

House changes are so insanely expensive. I know 2 people playing Lego Houses with their homes: literally moving boilers, walls, doors, toilets, windows, sinks, bathtubs often to produce only slightly different layouts .... Meanwhile, both properties still need "a new kitchen". I find those choices insane. Those homeowners earn huge amounts more than me and are fundamentally homebody personalities. Playing Lego Houses is their hobby, fair enough.

I do get creative ideas for my garden. I'll go work on that now...

I've not used Canva but thank you, maybe it's one I can look into.

The issue with doing room by room is I think there are knock on impacts hence the idea to look at it holistically. E.g. currently I've got a table in my living room but I wouldn't need that if I moved the kitchen layout. Do I convert the garage and if so, is it just for an office and utility, do I extend and knock into the kitchen. Should I make it a gym? Will any of that impact the rest of the downstairs? Should I box off the awkward shape in my bedroom to create built in wardrobes?

The reason I'm going round and round is because I can't work out how best to approach it all together. Head is all over the place!

That does sound handy. What area are you in?

Do you want to move in a couple of years or do you want to move but think realistically quite a bit longer? If short time you might spend much of the time in a building site if it even is a small extension. I presume you would not need planning. If you do longer still.

If it isn’t long check with a couple of estate agents that anything permanent will be neutral or add value.

I wouldn't do any conversions or extensions on a house I wasn't staying in long term. I'm slowly redecorating my house that I moved into a couple of years ago. There is potential to convert the garage which I would love to do but I will only consider that once a) all the current rooms have been decorated and b) I'm pretty confident I would be staying long term (another 10 years at least).

Only a couple of years.

Appreciate the point re building site but I'm thinking more and more that an extension of the size I am considering wouldn't be worth it. Only 2m x 2m.

I'm just a bit fed up living in a house I don't like. So there's an element of heart vs head. I can afford it but yes, I'd want to get the value back.

I don't think the garage conversion would necessarily be too much work or is that naive?

Our garage conversion took two weeks approx and did not cause much disruption. What was great was that the builder did a few other jobs for us at the same time and also created extra storage for us. You could ask for ideas with this when you are getting quotes. We did our garage rather than an extension because it was £10,000 versus almost £40,000 for similar space in an extension.

Thank you. Could I ask what work you had done when you did your conversion? I'm assuming you had a new window instead of the garage door plus at least boarding of the walls and ceiling plus a new floor? Did you have to move any meters or split into separate rooms? Any plumbing required?

@Elmo22 And did you get a garage conversion specialist or a general builder?

We're north Hampshire if that's any use?

Ah probably not. But I'll Google for draftsmen near me at least now I know that's an option. Thank you for the suggestion!

We got a general builder who had been recommended to us. He had done loads of conversions before. The work done included external brickwork, a new window installed, insulation in the walls and floor, plastering and wooden flooring. The builder also created two new cupboards, one to hide the boiler and one to house the electricity meter. No plumbing reqd. We opened it up to the kitchen and it has been a fab space!

@HouseHelpRequired don't get rid of your garage. That would immediately rule a sale out with a hefty percentage of buyers.

If you are in Hampshire, PM me and I can put you in contact with a good interior designer / stylist.

If you are moving in a couple of years then to be honest I wouldn’t really bother with a high level investment in refurbishing the property to this extent as you mention UNLESS you know you are going to get a significant return on your investment.

It is worth noting that when you do extensive renovation works, you can uncover other issues too that could completely blow your budget and it would be necessary for the works at that stage to be done.

An architectural technician is another option for basic plans. A garage conversion there are companies socializing in this, otherwise a good builder should be able to follow your basic home drawn plans if it's something simple like a playroom or dining room with big standard window in lieu of the garage door. You'll need building regs too but the builder may have a private one they recommend you use, otherwise council will sign it off.

Thanks @Elmo22 that's useful to know.

@HappiestSleeping I understand that point but it's not really big enough for a modern car and we have a driveway that can fit at least two cars so although it may put off a couple of buyers, I don't think it would deter the majority of potential buyers.

Cheers @Watwatwat - another one for me to look up.

@MN2025 It's definitely something to consider.

We had a garage conversion done about 7 years ago and it was £5000 plus fittings, and building regs fees. Costs will have gone up now however we did need to put a big shed in the garden to house what was in the garage (bikes, tools etc). We use the conversion for office space/playroom and it’s very handy.
to add we got builders out to discuss our vague plans (we had a conservatory done as well) and they were generally quite helpful in discussing our plans and giving us practical ideas to take it forward. We engaged with the council direct for the building regs and the builders spoke to them when they came out to inspect for change of use compliance.

An acquaintance of mine is an interior designer and this is the sort of work they do: https://drawn-london.com/#whatwedo

My SIL is an architect, and whilst I know she can do this sort of work it might be significantly more expensive! But if you're in the SW let me know and I'll tell you which firm she works for...

@PenCreed Thank you but I'm more north, sadly. I clearly need to get friends and family in the industry - bloody teachers and police officers are no use to me! 😂

How far North OP? My partner is an architectural technician/draftsman and does the sort of thing you’re describing. We are Newcastle.