Five (Emotional) Phases of Design

If you are thinking about building or remodeling, know one thing: The design process is exactly that—a process—and a rather involved one, too. Maybe you are already preparing yourself for the time and financial commitment, but are you ready for the emotional rollercoaster? Yes, emotional. To give you a better understanding of the design process, here are five emotional phases our clients typically go through, along with their corresponding stages in design. 

Understanding these emotional phases that typically accompany the design process can help you navigate your project with greater ease and confidence. 

Here are five common emotional stages experienced during home design:

The Honeymoon Phase (Conceptual/Schematic Design)

At the outset, the excitement and enthusiasm of remodeling are at their peak. During the honeymoon phase, you are elated that after weeks, months, or (more likely) years of waiting, you are finally sitting down with a designer sharing your dream project, complete with pictures from your Pinterest boards and Houzz account. The next time your designer presents you with ideas, you will be inspired and encouraged. 

This phase is characterized by various possibilities and creative brainstorming as initial concepts and sketches begin to take shape.

The Reality Check (First Budget Meeting)

Following the initial excitement, for most homeowners, this meeting often introduces a sobering dose of reality. It's common for the ideal and dream design to exceed the anticipated budget, leading to feelings of disappointment or anxiety. Homeowners may struggle to reconcile their desires with financial constraints, necessitating adjustments to the project's scope or materials.​ You may even experience some denial, as you may think about finding a different builder who can provide everything you want.

(Very Important Note: You may find a builder that promises your dream at near-to-rock-bottom pricing; however, be cautious. While you may find temporary satisfaction, you may also set yourself up for a nightmare of a building process: lower quality products and/or craftsmanship work, a much longer project length, no warranties, or, likely, spending even more on your remodeling project than promised.)

The Acceptance Phase (Design Development)

After reassessing your priorities, budgets, and expectations for the project, realizing you won’t get a gourmet steak on a Happy Meal budget, you enter the acceptance phase. Your designer reassures you that, though it may not be exactly what you envisioned, your project will still turn out beautifully and achieve your end goal without breaking the bank. Hope returns. This stage restores optimism, as a feasible and beautiful design emerges that meets essential goals without overextending resources.

The Patience Phase (Construction Documents) 

aka, also known as,

“Oh My Word! Will This Ever Be Over?” Phase

With the design has finalized, and major selections, such as flooring and countertop materials and colors decided. . . it’s time to start building, right? Not yet.

Attention now turns to detailed construction documents. This phase can test patience, as it involves meticulous planning and decision-making on finer details, such as fixtures and finishes.

As your designer begins to guide you through the never-ending and little-known details of design and selections, your head may want to explode. If you have to look at cabinet knobs and towel bar mounting heights ever again, you will scream. You are exhausted. And just when it seems like there is no end in sight, it stops. Everything stops, it seems. And you wait. You become impatient, frustrated, and maybe even a little anxious about getting started. You’re done. Right? What’s the hold-up?

During what seems like an eternity (though it actually may only be a couple of weeks), your designer is hard at work pushing through even more details regarding the construction and installation of your project, gathering final bids for pricing, and making sure all necessary paperwork is completed. Trust your designer. The more details they flesh out before, the smoother the actual construction process will go.

The Relief Phase (Contract and Construction Handoff)

Once the details have been worked out and the construction drawings and budget are finalized, you can sign a contract with a builder. Hallelujah! It is time to get the design off paper and into something tangible.

The sight of workers at your project site amplifies your relief and fuels your hope once again. If you’ve reached the relief phase, congratulations! You have made it through design. Prepare yourself, though, as you will go through another set of phases during construction. We aren’t joking; building and remodeling are involved processes. But remember one thing: You are not alone. We (your Meadowlark design team, construction project manager, and support staff) are here to guide you through the process to make it as painless as possible. The final result will be worth it, and our goal at Meadowlark Design+Build is to make the remodel or home building journey a positive experience.

Recognizing these emotional phases can help homeowners prepare for the natural highs and lows of the design process. By setting realistic expectations and maintaining open communication, the journey from concept to completion can be both rewarding and fulfilling.