The Stages of a Renovation: Your Reno Roadmap

Renovating is full of decisions and the earlier you map them out, the smoother the process becomes. From layout plans to picking tiles, there’s a lot to wrap your head around and even more decisions to make.

This guide breaks it all down for you. Step by step, you’ll learn what happens when, who to call in, and how to stay ahead of the curve. Whether you're updating a bathroom or starting fresh on your first home, consider this your reno roadmap.

1. Design vision & Vibe

Before your renovation plans hit the drafting table, it’s time to dream. This early stage is about tapping into how you want your home to feel. Warm and earthy? Light and coastal? Textured and tonal?

Your vision sets the tone for a lot of the choices that follow, so give yourself permission to explore without holding back. Start by creating a digital mood board. Pinterest, Instagram and our own Style Quiz are great tools to help you define your style. Save spaces you love, note common patterns in the images, and highlight any must-have elements.

Then walk through your current home. Ask yourself:

What’s staying and what’s got to go?

What parts of this space genuinely work for us?

What’s our dream outcome for how we want to live?

Where are we happy to splurge, and where can we cut costs?

Even if you don’t have all the answers yet, your renovation is a reflection of your lifestyle, so make sure the vibe aligns with how you live day to day.

Trust your gut. A strong vision gives your entire project clarity and cohesion.

2. Planning & Professionals

Once your vision is clear, it’s time to turn inspiration into action. This is where plans, budgets, and professionals come into the picture. While it may not be the most creative stage, it’s where things start to get real and your renovation starts to take shape.

Start by scoping out your project: What rooms are you renovating? Will any walls be moved? Are there council approvals to consider? From there, map out a working budget. Be realistic and always include a buffer of around 15 to 20 percent for unexpected costs.

Next, decide who you need on your team. For larger renovations, you may need a builder, architect or structural engineer. For others, a design consult could be all it takes to bring your vision to life. Our expert team can help you translate mood boards into real product selections. Book a design appointment here.

This is also the stage to explore your timeline. When will the work start? Who’s doing what and when? If you’re living on-site during the reno, make a plan for how to navigate day-to-day life around the construction.

You don’t need to know everything. But knowing what questions to ask and when will help you feel more in control. If you're not sure where to start, this read on choosing the right tiler is a good one. And before you lock things in, take a look at this piece on renovation regrets. It’s a helpful guide on what not to overlook.

3. Products & Fixtures

Once your plans are approved and your budget is set, it’s time for what some would consider, one of the most exciting parts of the renovation journey: choosing your finishes. This is where your space starts to take shape and your ideas become real.

Start with the big decisions tiles, tapware, cabinetry, benchtops, paint and lighting. Think about how these elements work together to create consistency across your home. Are you going for contrast or cohesion? Do your finishes feel complementary or chaotic?

Lead times can make or break your renovation schedule, so be sure to check availability before locking anything in. Some tiles and fittings need to be ordered well in advance, especially if you’re after something specific. Our sample packs let you see colour, finish and texture in your space, helping you make confident choices before you commit.

You might also want to read our Homeowner’s Guide to Choosing Tiles for tips on picking the right tile for your lifestyle. The guide breaks down material types, slip ratings, finishes and maintenance needs to help you make confident, informed decisions.

When in doubt, base your choices around a hero product. That could be a statement floor tile in the Main Bathroom or a dramatic splashback in the kitchen. Let that one piece set the tone and build around it.

Plan early and you’ll save yourself a lot of stress down the track.

4. Demo to Construction

Welcome to the messy middle. This is where your home is stripped back to the bones and slowly built back up. It’s noisy. It’s dusty. It’s chaotic. But it’s also incredibly satisfying.

The demo phase often moves quickly, clearing the way for plumbing and electrical work, commonly referred to as rough-in. This is followed by waterproofing, tiling, cabinetry and joinery. Your chosen layout starts to take shape, and you begin to see glimpses of your new space.

But keep in mind, no matter how perfectly you’ve planned, unexpected surprises are part of the process. Hidden water damage, out-of-plumb walls, supply delays can all happen. That’s why a solid schedule with contingency time built in is essential.

Stay in touch with your trades throughout. Weekly check-ins help you stay across updates, manage decisions in real time, and nip issues in the bud.

When you’re organised, even the dust feels more manageable.

5. Finishing Touches & Styling

The tiles are down. The paint is dry. The builder has packed up. Now comes the transformation: styling your finished space.

Styling is more than scatter cushions and ceramics. It’s about creating a home that feels intentional, personal and lived in. The best styling considers how light flows, how textures layer and how the space feels underfoot.

Start by grounding the room with functional pieces like stools, tables or storage and build from there. Add visual softness with textiles, bring in warmth with timber accents, and elevate your scheme with thoughtful lighting.

Resist the urge to fill every space. Let your tiles shine and give your design room to breathe.

Need ideas? Our Gallery features real-life projects from TileCloud customers to help you visualise how different materials and finishes come together. Or revisit your Style Quiz results to guide your final selections.

And for the final layer, our tile care guides will help you keep everything looking its best.