An interior designed to grow with you: how to plan your home to avoid redoing the renovation in a few years

After a renovation, one often wants to change at least half of what seemed perfect just a short while ago. Smart planning helps avoid such mistakes. How to create a home that is comfortable today and remains relevant for years to come—specifically for LIGA.net said interior designer Anna Desiatnychuk.We are sharing tips as part of a weekly interior design series, in which we gather non-obvious yet practical recommendations for refreshing your home space.How can you plan an interior in advance so that the rooms can evolve along with the family?According to designer Anna Desiatnychuk, the key elements of any space are ergonomics, comfort, and atmosphere. This trio forms the foundation of a harmonious interior that remains functional and cozy, regardless of changes in the family’s life.A lot depends on the size of the living space:– It is one thing when the bedroom alone measures 60 m², and quite another when the entire apartment has that same area. Yet, even in a small space, it is possible to establish a sound living logic by thoughtfully planning the zoning, flow, storage, and usage scenarios.A room designed to grow with the child should not be tied to a specific age or single function: for instance, a nursery can eventually become a teenager’s room, and later even a guest room or home office. That is why it is important to avoid an overly “childish” design that would look out of place in just a few years. The foundation should be understated, high-quality, and versatile, while character can be added through textiles, decor, lighting, color, and movable furniture.Today, there is a vast selection of convertible furniture, making it much easier to furnish even the smallest spaces. Fold-away beds, mobile workstations, modular storage systems, sliding partitions, and flexible lighting—all of these allow the space to adapt to a family’s changing needs.There is another modern trend, notes Anna:– We no longer necessarily spend our entire lives in the same interior. People change cities, countries, jobs, and lifestyles. That is why, even when we design a home for ourselves, it is worth considering its future suitability for sale or rent. The space should be versatile and adaptable to various scenarios. I like to think of an interior as a living organism: today it is an apartment for a family with a child, tomorrow a space for a couple, and the day after, a home office might appear. In today’s world, versatility is not a compromise—it is a new form of luxury.What technical solutions should be considered before starting the renovation?Technical solutions need to be incorporated right from the start, and the designer advises never to skimp on this aspect. Electrical wiring, plumbing, ventilation, air conditioning, underfloor heating, appliance connections, internet access, lighting schemes, charging points, and connections for mirrors and kitchen appliances—all of this must be planned out before the finishing work begins.– Yes, modern building materials sometimes allow for additions or corrections using concealed methods. But it is not the same level of freedom you have at the start. Once the renovation is complete, any rework entails expense, dust, stress, and often compromise.First, we establish the “skeleton” of the space: the layout, ergonomics, utilities, lighting, flow, and storage areas. Only then can we experiment with the details—changing the decor, furniture, colors, and textiles. However, if the foundation isn’t right, the interior will never be truly comfortable.The quality of materials is also crucial. These are the elements you look at every day, touch with your hands, and live alongside. An interior cannot simply be an image on a screen. That is why you shouldn’t skimp on the professionals who create this space:– A good designer or architect thinks not only about beauty but also about how you will live in this interior a year, five years, or ten years from now.What solutions look beautiful on Instagram but become a problem in everyday life?Nowadays, one should be very cautious about trending images on social media, and especially about idealized visualizations. Artificial intelligence can create a “wow” effect, but that certainly does not mean such a space would be practical in real life.It is not the object itself that matters, but the context. The same design solution might be appropriate for a hotel or a showroom yet prove completely impractical for an apartment intended for daily living. Temporary spaces can afford more striking experiments, whereas residential interiors must remain true to the practical needs of everyday life.Before choosing any solution, it is always worth asking: what is the purpose of this space? Is it to impress guests, or to help the family unwind after a hard day and ensure comfort without unnecessary domestic stress? Beauty, practicality, and functionality should not exist in isolation—in a well-designed interior, they work as a unified system.If the budget is limited, what can you save on, and what shouldn’t you skimp on?When working with a limited budget, you should never skimp on safety, utility systems, layout, ergonomics, or professional expertise. These elements form the foundation; if the foundation is poor, even the most expensive furniture or décor cannot save the project.At the same time, the renovation process can well be divided into stages:– First, establish a solid “rough” foundation and the necessary utility connections for future usage scenarios. Only then can you gradually furnish the space.For instance, you do not need to purchase expensive artwork or all your textiles right away. However, space for them should be planned in advance. Even lighting for a future painting should be factored in during the electrical wiring stage. A well-designed interior is one that is prepared to be organically complemented by new items over time.Which trends quickly lose their relevance, and which solutions remain timeless?Trends are very fleeting. You shouldn’t blindly follow the “color of the year” or a trendy new faucet collection just because they are everywhere right now.Color is not just about fashion; it is energy. You should choose it not because of trends, but because it creates harmony specifically for you.Timeless, there always remain:well-balanced proportions and a convenient layout;good ergonomics;high-quality natural materials;well-planned multi-level lighting;a calm, basic color palette.Anything related to a person’s physical and emotional comfort will never go out of style. Trends may change, but a harmonious space will always remain relevant. After all, a true interior is not about trends; it is about life, beauty, the body, habits, memories, and the feeling of home.Read alsoHow to Avoid Clutter in Your Apartment: 15 Design Solutions That Really Work