This is what to do first when you move, says House of Ali designer

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Buying a new home can seem overwhelming. You may have many ideas about how to make the space your own but no idea about where to start.

Ali Budd can help you find a way forward. The award-winning interior designer, who’s based in Toronto, recently launched the second season of her Home Network series House of Ali. Over eight episodes, viewers can watch as she tackles high-end transformations on a global scale.

We asked Budd for tips on what to do first when you move into a new home.

1. Focus on structure and safety. Before you get caught up in things like colour palettes, design styles and statement pieces, create a strong functional base. “Safety first, and then everything else after,” says Budd.

“I mean, you can do your whole kitchen, but if your foundation sucks and you have a flood, what does it matter? These are not the sexy things that people want to think about — wiring or mould or HVAC. But these are the things that are going to come back and haunt you later if you do not fix them.”

2. Figure out a layout. Rather than immediately buying whatever catches your eye, make sure things will fit — in both measurements and aesthetic. “Putting together floor plans (can help), even if it’s just for the furniture layout, so you know exactly how your house is going to flow, exactly what sized pieces you need, and what exact pieces you need,” says Budd.

“You can do this with an AI app or hire a designer. … It really allows you to not just ask ‘Do I love this rug?’ but ‘Do I love this rug, and is it right for the space from a scale and proportion perspective?’”

3. Don’t get caught up in resale value or trends. According to Budd, your own needs and preferences should guide your decisions. “I think people consider resale way too much, unless (it’s something unconventional like) replacing your kitchen with a cocktail bar. … And trends are not relevant to me when it comes to choosing things for your home — these are big investments,” she says.

“Choose things you love. … Let’s say you want to furnish your living room. If you have a plan, you know what sized pieces you need. Start playing and putting pieces together. You can make your own mood boards. You can see how things work, and then press ‘order.’”

4. Make a budget. “I used to tell people to do a plan and go on a website that’s more accessible, like CB2 or West Elm. And with the rightsized pieces you need, you can put together a budget — not just of what you want to spend but what’s realistic,” says Budd. “Because for some reason in this space, the ‘what I want to spend’ sometimes trumps ‘what is realistic for me to spend,’ and then people get in trouble that way.”

5. Get help if you need it. “Mistakes cost money,” says Budd. And that’s where expert guidance can come in clutch — as long as you budget for it. “I don’t think there’s a world where having a great designer or builder isn’t advantageous to what you’re doing,” Budd says.

“That being said, there are lots of great designers who do consultations, so they can come in or charge by the hour if you need some additional help just to support you.”