Most homeowners don’t struggle with the idea of renovating. They struggle with the timing. We often get asked the same question: When is the best time to get started? The answer is simple: it’s when it works best for you and your family. Consider your activities, work, school, sports, church, travel plans, and accommodate your project to work with your life and not the other way around.

In today’s blog post I want to share a real story from one of our clients and how we created a renovation plan that made their dream kitchen possible without chaos.

If you’re in the design phase of wanting to create the kitchen of your dreams but don’t know where to start, here’s the tool that you need to save you research time, give you a clear direction of where you want to head, and formulate a plan with the next steps to achieve your goal. 

Next Stop: The Kitchen

Our clients were so happy with their experience that they asked us to help renovate their kitchen. They had a clear goal in mind: to have their kitchen finished and ready for the holidays in 2026.

Then again, they asked the same timing question: “When is the best time to start?”

This part of the process is where things get interesting, because their next comment was one of the smartest things a homeowner can say during our kick-off meeting.

“Our children don't want to live in a construction zone when they're home for the summer.” Great point! 

Also, their kids are involved in sports in the fall, so the family eats out frequently during that time. Good to know!

After considering these two important requests in their lifestyle, we realized their ideal timeline wouldn’t be a generic “start in January” plan. They needed a timeline built around their real life. This factor is the difference between doing it yourself and having a designer walk you through your project. 

The Kitchen Renovation Plan 

After talking through their schedule, we created a plan that felt realistic, strategic, and less overwhelming.

Step 1: Start the design process in the spring

What we'll do:

• Create the layout and present the best option to our clients
• Confirm cabinetry design. Use what this family loves as inspiration and build around it to present an option that works for them.
• Select finishes and create something that feels unique to this family.
• Build a complete plan, with a clear goal, resources, and deliverables, to enjoy the process.

Step 2: Place orders at the beginning of summer

This step is a huge factor because once we make selections, the clock starts ticking on lead times. Sometimes these items can take weeks or months to arrive, so the sooner we place the order, the better.

Step 3: Begin construction in late summer or early fall

This timing was perfect because when the kids go back to school, their home is less busy during the day, reducing the stress of having kids walking around a construction site. 

Plus, starting this soon gives us a lot of buffer time to finish the kitchen before the holidays. 

Step 4: Place furniture orders in the early fall

The same goes for furnishings. They can take weeks, sometimes months, to arrive if there's a backorder or shipping delay. Always plan!  Waiting until the last minute means items may not arrive in time for your desired date, which causes frustration. 

That’s why great design takes time. It’s intentional and tailored to your needs.

The Big Takeaway

I think the biggest takeaway from our client’s story is a perfect example of what we believe at An Inspiring Home: a renovation should support your lifestyle, not disrupt it.

That’s why, at the beginning of our projects, we don’t just ask “When do you want it done?”

We also ask:

• When are your kids home?
• When do you travel?
• When is your busiest season?
• What time of year would feel the least stressful?

The answers to those questions create a renovation plan that works for you and your family.

If you’re planning a renovation and wondering which season is best for your family, reach out today to help you. Together, we can build a plan to help you avoid overwhelm and enjoy the process from start to finish. 

Save this article if it was inspiring to you! Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post with the reveal of this amazing home!