How to Design a Home From Scratch (interior finishes-not structural)

Be Your Own Interior Designer: The Basics

Hiring a Designer is a luxury not every homeowner can afford. Sure, having one at your fingertips is great (assuming they listen), but it often comes with a considerable cost, and the payoff isn’t always what’s expected.

How do I know this?

I’ve had countless Online Consulting clients frustrated that their designer isn’t 100% into creating the homeowner’s vision but rather their own (particularly paint colors). Of course, ideas and inspiration are great, and designers are full of them, but some Designers are full of somethin’ else…

If I hadn’t seen it countless times in my daily work, I wouldn’t say it. For those Designers and Consultants who are doing a great job – I love you! 

This kitchen design is destined to be beautiful! 

Here’s WHO I created this blog post…

• For those who are remodeling a room(s) from scratch
• Those who are building a home and want to do the design and decorating themselves.
• Homeowners picking up the pieces after a natural disaster, including flood, fire, hurricane, and more.

One of my E-Design clients permitted me to use the above photo of her home…hard to fathom

And here’s WHY…

• You should have 100% control over how you spend your money (whether you hire a designer or not).
• Not everyone can afford a Designer or Consultant.
• There are tons of resources, including the SEARCH function on my blog (over 500 blog posts—type in a word and see what comes up. If I don’t have an article on it, leave me a comment. If it has mass appeal, I’ll write about it!).

So, where do you start when you’re designing a room or home from scratch? First, you have a stiff drink (or two). Then, you keep on reading.

Please keep in mind that these are the BASICS. Of course, the minute details of each choice are a whole different blog post. However…

You’re getting a blueprint – a place to START your design journey and links to related blog posts to guide you.

But before we get into the super fun stuff, let’s cover a few important steps to make your life a bit easier…

 

STEP 1: GET A BINDER & A BOX

You’ll fly through products and pamphlets like it’s nobody’s business. A week from now, you might not remember the name of the countertop you picked or the specific brand of tile flooring you chose (or your own name). It’s important to keep track of what you need to choose and what you’ve already chosen. To do this effectively, you’ll need the following:

• BINDER. This will be your bible. Fill it with a few dozen sheets of lined paper.

• DIVIDERS. Use as many as you need to compartmentalize the rooms in your home. You can also divide things up by type of product, e.g., electrical, plumbing, paint colors, etc.

• BOX. Whether it’s simple cardboard or a pretty one, a box that is approximately 18×18 will be SUPER handy for all of your samples. This is their home, make sure they sleep there every nite so you aren’t searching hell’s half-acre every day for bits n’ pieces scattered around.

• Three pens that live in your binder or your box. A yellow highlighter earns you bonus points.

• A flask – fill as needed.

TIP: Get a bright-colored binder or box so that it’s easy to see whether you’re at home, in the car, or at a store.

Trust me, this will save a lot of stress and time. Every product you pick should be written in your book. Any sample you can get your hands on should be in the box. Trust the Ginger…

 

STEP 2: PICK YOUR WHITE

Assuming you have white in your home, either trims, ceilings, cabinets, or walls, pick your main white. The temperature and mood of your white will help you with many choices down the road.

Ideally, you’ll have the same shade of white on EVERY white surface in every room.

There’s NO reason to mix and match whites in a space like this

However, depending on the finishes you choose, some people paint their bathrooms a different shade of white to accommodate particular finishes.

 

THE 3 MAIN TYPES OF WHITE

WARM WHITES: These are the most popular shades of white used in 95% of homes (when it’s not a spec builder who puts bush-league ‘contractor white’ everywhere).

Benjamin Moore’s 4 Best Warm Whites

Sherwin Williams 3 Best Warm Whites

A well-chosen warm white goes with…

• warm colors
• cool colors
• almost everything in between.

 

BRIGHT WHITES: Bright whites are ‘whiter’ than the warm whites and are the most ‘genuine’ versions.

The 6 Whitest White Paint Colors

Bright white paint colors best suit…

• cool colors
• some warm colors (you have to be careful)
• a mix of colors in between

 

COOL WHITES: Not many people choose cool whites for their trims, cabinets, ceilings, and walls. Of course, you’re welcome to be the exception, but research the white you love before slapping it on any walls.

Reviews of Benjamin Moore Super White / Decorator’s White / Sherwin Williams Ceiling Bright White

Cool white paint colors go best with…

• Cool colors…that’s it.

Here are my three top white paint color blog posts (but there are more if you type WHITE into the SEARCH)

The 5 Best White Paint Colors for Kitchen Cabinets

The 5 Types of White

How to Choose Your Best White Paint Color

 

STEP 3: KNOW WHAT YOU DON’T LIKE

One of the hardest questions you’ll be asked about any product or finish is ‘What do you like?‘ With thousands of options, it can be hard to figure out exactly what you like (for some people; for others, it’s easy!). If you struggle with knowing what you want, focus on what you DON’T want. This will be important when choosing countertops, tiles, paint colors, etc.

Why?

Because sometimes it’s easier to refine what you DON’T like rather than what you do. 

For example, as it relates to paint colors…

• If you don’t like cold or bright whites, this tells me you like warm whites.
• Or maybe you don’t like gray and want your walls painted a softer color with muted warmth.
• If you like contrast but not too much color, we can discuss your favorite colors for feature walls, kitchen island, or the inside of your front door!

As it relates to other finishes, like countertops and tiles…

• If you don’t like to follow trends, this tells me you want a more timeless design.
• If you don’t like busy-looking countertops, I can direct you to countertops with minimal variation. You might see one you like!
• Or maybe you don’t like tile backsplashes and want to install a countersplash instead.

The key is to avoid what you DON’T LIKE and relay that to the salesperson/consultant/etc.

 

WHAT COMES FIRST WHEN DESIGNING A HOME?

This list isn’t set in stone, as needs can vary depending on the scale of the project you’re doing and your budget. Use this as a basic blueprint for making design choices and tweak to your needs.

It also covers the large-scale vision of your home and has the best advice for single rooms.

1. CHOOSE YOUR WHITE PAINT COLOR

As mentioned above, whether for cabinets, walls, trims, ceilings, or ALL, it’s best to pick your white before making other choices. The white you choose will guide you in choosing everything from countertops and backsplashes to tiles and furnishings.

• If you’re not doing white cabinets, you still need to pick your white, as it’s a key player in your trims, doors, and ceilings (assuming you aren’t doing wood).
• If the only white items in your home will be the ceilings (i.e., wood cabinets and trim), you can choose the white later.

My best advice is to choose from these whites and not branch out (unless you’re a glutton for punishment)…

• Sherwin Williams Pure White
• Benjamin Moore White Dove
• Sherwin Williams Extra White
• Sherwin Williams Alabaster (shown above)
• Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace

 

2. THE COUNTERTOP (kitchen and bath)

The kitchen (or bathroom) countertop is hands-down the most important choice, as all your decisions will flow from it. If you don’t have to replace your countertop, the colors and vibe of your current counter should dictate your next choices.

As for the big decision, there are hundreds of countertops to choose from, but realistically, there’s only a handful that you might fall in love with (kind of like my dating experience).

But before you can choose your countertop, you need to figure out what type of countertop you like—and hopefully, it falls within your budget. Pricing can vary from region to region, but here are some basics…

LAMINATE COUNTERTOP

Laminate (often called Arborite or Formica) is the most affordable countertop product. And it’s come a long way, so don’t judge it till you see it! In particular, Formica’s 180 Collection.

• This isn’t your Grandma’s laminate countertop. Today’s laminate/arborite countertops can be pretty amazeballs.
• Where I live, the average kitchen countertop is approx $1500 / bathroom $400

 

QUARTZ COUNTERTOP

Quartz is pretty darn durable. While nothing is bullet-proof (although quartzite takes a run at it), a quality quartz countertop is worth the investment.

• Depending on where you live and which brand you buy, quartz can be anywhere from 3 to 6X as expensive as laminate. With quartz, you DO get what you pay for, so be careful.
• Where I live, the average cost of kitchen quartz is $7000-$10000. Lower-quality quartz can cost around $5000 in some areas.
• If I have a choice in my kitchen between cheap quartz and nice laminate, I’ll probably choose laminate as it could be a heck of a lot hardier.

 

GRANITE COUNTERTOP

It’s all natural baby! Granite is pretty darn hardy…as long as it’s sealed. You don’t have to seal quartz – you DO have to seal granite…and reseal it.

• Granite can be anywhere from 3-4X as expensive as laminate, depending on where you live.
• Where I live, the average cost for granite in the kitchen is $6000-8000
• Granite is often seen as the most outdated countertop choice, with few exceptions – but you do you, boo!

Of course, there are other products like marble, butcherblock, concrete, etc., but those three—along with the Taj Mahal quartzite —are absolutely the top contenders.

There are ALWAYS exceptions – these ideas and lists are just to get you on the right track. Tweak things to suit your needs! 

Once you’ve decided on the type of countertop you want, narrow it down to the 2-3 that speak to you the most based on your favorite neutral color.

Why neutral?

Well, of course, there are blues, greens, and other glorious colors out there, but if you want a countertop that is easy to coordinate with and that will have more of a decorative lifetime, neutral is the way to go.

WHAT’S TRENDY IN KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS FOR 2025?

• 95% of my clients favor quartz over granite. This is because it’s hardy, doesn’t need to be sealed, and is offered in a wide array of patterns/styles—some that mimic granite! That said, Taj Mahal quartzite has risen considerably in popularity.
• For quartz colour, it’s defintely white with gray veining. We’ll also see some demand for soft white quartz with warmer, beige-brown-gold veining.
• Many are choosing quartz countertops with a honed finish rather than glossy. Just choose wisely, as some show water spots like crazy (like the concrete-look one in my powder room that drives me crazy(er).
• Laminate that looks like marble or quartz – laminate that looks like granite is NOT popular.
• Laminate that has a more simple, not busy look to it.

WHAT’S NOT TRENDY IN COUNTERTOPS FOR 2025?

• Color – any type of definitive colour (beyond small scale)
• Super busy, graphic design – other than countertops that mimic marble
• In laminate, the matte finish is not trending

If you want a headstart on your kitchen design, check out my PREMADE PALETTES! 

The 13 Best White & Off-White Quartz Countertops

Laminate Countertops & Why They Rock

Taj Mahal: The Most Popular Quartzite Counter

The Best Bougie Laminate Countertops on a Budget

 

3. FIREPLACE STONE, BRICK OR TILE

You might still want to read this, even if you aren’t doing your fireplace!

Whether you cover your fireplace with stone, brick, or tile, this product should be well-coordinated with the kitchen countertop, even if they’re not in the same space! The exception would be if the fireplace is downstairs and the kitchen is upstairs, in which case, you’ll still want a familiar palette, but they don’t need to be so closely coordinated.

It’s incredible how many people treat the kitchen countertop and fireplace stone/brick as if they’re for different homes!

Determine whether you want natural stone, manufactured stone, stucco, brick, or even shiplap (keeping in mind it’s no longer trendy). When you go to the supplier, get pamphlets, hole punch ’em, and tuck them in your binder!

WHAT’S TRENDY FOR FIREPLACES FOR 2025?

• Square or large rectangle inserts – no long linear ones, except in the odd modern home
• Stone (natural), faux concrete, limewash/stucco
• Brick is also coming back!

Of course, a classic fireplace like this is always in style in the right home.

WHAT’S NOT IN STYLE FOR FIREPLACES?

• Shiplap isn’t so hot anymore.
• Long, linear fireplace inserts

If the room you’re updating is a bathroom, pick the ACCENT TILE before any other tiles (if you plan on doing one—it’s not necessary). Ensure it coordinates with the countertop, and then proceed to the following items on this list.

How to Update Your Fireplace: 5 Easy and Affordable Ideas

I’ll be writing a blog post on Fireplace Trends—stay tuned! In the meantime, if you have questions, leave me a comment!

 

4. FLOORING

Whether you’re doing wood floor, laminate, carpet, LVT, or tile, flooring is one of the more important choices. However, there’s one exception. If you’re installing wood kitchen cabinets, choose your wood/stain before your wood flooring. This is because you’ll have fewer cabinet options, but more flooring stains to coordinate with them.

Paint Colors that Go With Gray Flooring (& Countertops)

The Best WHITE Paint Colors for Gray Flooring

WHAT’S TRENDY IN FLOORING FOR 2025?

Wood and engineered flooring top the list, followed by LVT (tile look) and LVP (wood/plank look), which have quickly become more popular than laminate flooring.

Of course, tile is still kickin’ it in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and some kitchens. However, many choose to run their wood flooring through the kitchen as well.

• Wider planks (approx 5-7″)
• Low-sheen wire-brushed/lightly textured finish
• Lighter woods are still kickin’ it, but some medium-depth brown stains are coming in strong.
• Tile trends are still large, with 12×24 popular, but even larger tiles at 24×24.

Tile and LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile) also far outweigh traditional sheet vinyl/linoleum-type products.

WHAT IS NOT TRENDING FOR FLOORING RIGHT NOW?

• Smaller wood strips (5″ or less)
• Woods that have a stronger color to them ie, yellow/orange/red
• Definitely no 12×12 tiles – that’s a hard no
• No gray wash or gray anything in general. While some are still doing a warm gray/taupe carpet, trends are leaning warmer.

And remember, the key is not to have this information swimming around in your noggin—once you know what you’re choosing, get it down on paper in your binder. Maybe you don’t know the details right now and only know the basics, but the more you have on paper, the less you’ll have to think about (type, supplier, details).

Let me repeat that last part as it’s SOOO important…

The more you have down on paper, the less you’ll have to think about. 

 

5. CABINET STYLE & COLOR (NON-WHITE)

If you’re painting your cabinets white, you’ll have already decided on your shade of white and likely picked your cabinet door profile.

For the rest of you, because you’ve already picked your countertops and flooring, you can coordinate the best cabinet colors with these finishes. White is the most timeless. However, some love the soft look of off-white.

The Best White Cabinet Colors

The Best Off-White & Light Depth Cabinet Colors

Trendy & Popular Colors for Your Kitchen Island or Vanity (a mixed bag!)

The Best Island Paint Colors: Blue & Green

A FEW KEY QUESTIONS…

1. Decide what cabinet style you want—shaker style, flat, raised panel, etc. Then, go to Pinterest and see what catches your eye!
2. Decide what paint color/stain you would like. Start with the kitchen and then work out to the bathrooms.
3. The details ADD-up, so if you want all of the fancy tricks like spice drawers and lazy susans that do pirouettes – then you’ll be paying for them, so make sure you only get what you REALLY need/want

The cabinet profile with the LONGEST lifetime will be shaker style, but adding a few details takes it up a notch! 

WHAT’S TRENDY FOR CABINET DOOR PROFILES FOR 2025?

• While white isn’t necessarily trendy, it will always be in style as the most timeless choice for kitchen cabinets.
• I also have many clients exploring wood stains. These include light oak and oak and maple, which lean more to the medium depth (with NO strong undertone).
• You’ll also see some mix n’ matches, such as white perimeter cabinets and colored islands, although it’s not as strong as it used to be.
• Wood islands are definitely on point.
• Shaker style is still super popular, although some are venturing into a slimmer frame.
• Full-height cabinets

WHAT’S NOT IN STYLE RIGHT NOW?

• Shiny golden oak or cherry (no strong stain colors).
• While dark wood stains aren’t SUPER trendy, I’ve had a few pop up.
• Cathedral or arched cabinet profiles are the hardest no.

 

6. KITCHEN BACKSPLASH

In the kitchen, the backsplash needs to coordinate closely with the countertop (paint colors come later). While some people choose the backsplash first as a jumping-off point or inspiration, it’s best if it comes after the other surfaces.

Why?

• It’s less expensive to replace, and there are often MORE backsplashes you’ll love compared to how many countertops you’ll love.
• Subway tile is the most timeless backsplash (by a long shot). It’s best to pick your cabinet color first and then find a tile that blends or coordinates with it and the countertop.

Backsplash Trends: Zellige, Subway, Herringbone & More

Subway Tiles: 5 Ideas to Make Your Backsplash More Interesting

 

7. COORDINATING PAINT COLORS FOR WALLS

Now that your main hard finishes and cabinet color have been chosen, it’s time to pick your wall color! Of course, I make it sound easy, and it can be (when you have a cute lil’ Ginger tucked in your back pocket). But short of that, I have hundreds of blog posts—type the color you want in SEARCH and see where it leads you!

And above all else, avoid messy sample pots. Instead, check out Samplize Peel & Stick (which I swear by) to save yourself mess, time, and MONEY, HONEY!

Here’s a link to my FAVORITE WHITE PAINT COLORS for the average home.

I’ve included some of my top paint color blog posts below…

The Best Warm Paint Colors for your ENTIRE HOME

10 Best Warm, Off-White Paint Colors

The Best Gray, Taupe & Greige Paint Colors for Your WHOLE HOME

The Best Blue-Green Blend Paint Colors

 

8. PLUMBING, LIGHTING, CABINET & DOOR HARDWARE*

Mixing and matching hardware finishes requires a knack – you can’t go all willy-nilly with your finishes!

Figure out your favorite metal finish – whether brass, gold, polished nickel, black, or something else entirely. If you want only one finish, great. If you want to mix and match, consider your second, and maybe even a third finish.

• If you have two main metal finishes, you might consider a 70/30 split on a ‘whole home’ basis
• If you have three metal finishes, you might consider a 60/20/20 split.

Here’s your prioritization when choosing hardware…

1. Cabinet hardware
2. Faucet
3. Lighting
4. Interior door hardware

Your light fixtures and door hardware should be coordinated with your cabinet hardware, not just in the finish but in style/shape, too!

The Best Hardware to Update Cabinets (& Great General Tips)

Is Black Hardware and Metal Still Trendy?

Today’s trend is to mix metals, and while you CAN, it’s not that easy and can look a bit hodge-podge (super technical term). So, to keep things simple, here are the finishes that tend to mix n’ match well.

Use my search to find almost any topic you’re looking for! If I haven’t written about it and it has mass appeal, I’ll write an entire blog post about it! 

 

COORDINATING METAL FINISHES IN THE KITCHEN OR BATHROOM

• black: polished nickel, brass, oil-rubbed bronze, chrome, or gold
• polished nickel: black
• gold or brass: black
• oil rubbed bronze: black
• chrome: highly polished nickel or black

*The only things in the above list that could be shifted to the top (if you’re down to studs and potentially reconfiguring things) are plumbing and lighting fixtures.  For lighting, you’ll want to decide which lights are pot lights/hanging/wall; this way, the electrician can know what type of junction box to use/placement. For plumbing, you’ll need to decide on ‘placement’ (i.e., rainhead shower, freestanding tub, etc.).

Of course, there is so…much…more I could share with you. But, rather than drive both of us to the brink of insanity, type a keyword into my SEARCH and see what pops up!

READ MORE

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing White Paint Colors

How to Create a Timeless Home: 4-PART SERIES

NEED HELP?

Check out my Online Paint Color Consulting! 

WRITTEN IN 2017, UPDATED IN 2024