GALATEA

Home renovations often feel like an all-or-nothing challenge. We dream of having a perfect, finished space as soon as possible, but life and budgets rarely work that way. Over time, I’ve learned that progress – not perfection – is the real key to loving your space.

This series is all about celebrating the journey of home-making, even when it’s messy and incomplete. Through personal stories, lessons learned, and insights from designers, we’ll explore why an unfinished home can still be a beautiful one. Whether you’re tackling a renovation or simply rearranging your space, this series will help you embrace the process.

Part 3: Reno Reality Check

When planning improvements, a big question is whether to renovate the entire home in one go or tackle it room by room. I’ve tried it both ways (my initial all-at-once frenzy, followed by a slower one-space-at-a-time approach), so here’s my take on the pros and cons – with a bit of wisdom from experts.

All At Once – The “Big Bang” Renovation

Doing a full-home renovation in one sweep has a few clear advantages. For one, you get a comprehensive update with a consistent design throughout. If you hire pros, it might actually be more efficient: contractors can coordinate plumbing/electrical in one shot, and bulk buying materials can save money. You might finish the whole project faster (in terms of calendar time) instead of dragging works out for years. Plus, you get the disruption over with in one fell swoop.

However, the downsides are significant. The upfront cost is huge – you need a mountain of cash or financing ready. It’s also a massive life disruption: often you can’t live in the house while all this is happening, meaning paying for a rental or moving in with generous relatives. Stress levels will be through the roof with decisions and project management.

And here’s a sneaky con: if you make a mistake in the design (say, choose a flooring you dislike), it now runs through the whole house. Fixing that later can be a nightmare.

One Room at a Time – The Gradual Makeover

This is the route I eventually embraced. Renovating one space as a time (perhaps one per year, or whenever budget allows) spreads out costs and effort. You can live in your home during the process much more easily, caring out mini construction zones instead of having your entire house in chaos. The pace is more manageable – you can plan a room, finish it, take a breather, then move on.

Homeowners often prefer this for flexibility: you can pause when life gets busy, and you don’t need all the money upfront. Importantly, you also get to learn as you go. Tackle the guest bath and realise you should have added more lighting? You can apply that lesson when you do the kitchen next.

However, doing one room at a time can come with its own set of challenges. One thing I’ve noticed is that already finished rooms can get messy or dirty while working on other spaces. Dust and debris don’t always stay contained, and it can be disheartening to see your newly renovated living room end up covered in plaster dust from the hallway project. This means you need to be strategic about which rooms you tackle first. Starting with spaces that can handle a bit of disruption or those you use the least can make the process smoother.

Another reality of the one-room-at-a-time approach is feeling disheartened, especially when it seems like all your friends have beautiful, fully furnished homes while yours is still a work in progress. Believe me, we’ve been there. It can feel like you’re always playing catch-up, but it’s important to remember that every completed room is a step closer to your vision.

The Value of an Interior Designer

Here’s where interior designers can be invaluable, no matter which method you choose. If you go with the “Big Bang” renovation route, designers can help you plan and manage the entire process, ensuring you allocate resources appropriately, combat decision fatigue, and finish with a welcoming home (i.e., not forgetting the small decor items that make a house a home).

For the room-by-room approach, designers help keep the aesthetic consistent, even when renovations are spaced out over months or years. Their experience makes the entire process more streamlined, whether you’re doing it all at once or bit by bit. Plus, designers can help you avoid common pitfalls, saving you time, stress, and money in the long run.

Finding Your Best Approach

So which approach is better? It truly depends on your situation and personality. Designers note that achieving a perfectly cohesive look by doing it all at once is possible, but it “takes a specific design skill to create a deeply layered look that can be installed all at once” (House & Garden, n.d.). Most of us non-designers will likely get better results by going slowly, letting the design evolve naturally.

In my case, room-by-room was not just a choice, but a necessity after my budget implosion. And I’ve come to appreciate this slower path. Each space in my home now has its moment to shine, and I can give it full attention and care (without five other rooms screaming for money and time).

If you have the funds, patience, and temporary housing to do a full overhaul, go for it – you’ll get a freshly cohesive home. But if you’re like me and prefer to savour the journey, one room at a time can lead to home that feels layered and personal.

Conclusion

There’s no wrong answer, but remember: a home doesn’t have to be completely “done” to be enjoyed. You’re allowed to live in it and love it during the process, not just after. Stay tuned for the next post in the series, where we’ll explore the beauty of curating your space over time instead of rushing to finish it all at once.

JG x

About the Author

Sources

Brass and Brick. (2025). How To Embrace Your Evolving Style To Authentically Inspire Your Home Decor in 2025. Available at: https://www.brassandbrick.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

House & Garden. (n.d.). Why you should accept that your house will probably never be finished. Available at: https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Jenna Burger. (n.d.). Embracing the Beautifully Imperfect Home. Available at: https://www.jennaburger.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

The Good Trade. (n.d.). Why Living With An Unfinished Home Is Essential To Finding Your Design Vision. Available at: https://www.thegoodtrade.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Trulery. (n.d.). The Unfinished Home (And My Time Away). Available at: https://www.trulery.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Markley Construction. (n.d.). Should I Go for Full Home Renovation or Room-by-room?. Available at: https://www.markleyconstruction.ca [Accessed 3 April 2025].