Creating a Renovation Wishlist: Prioritizing Your Needs and Wants
/Or, How to Turn a Pinterest Fever Dream into a Real-Life Space You Actually Love
So, you’ve decided to renovate. Congratulations! 🎉 You’re about to enter the chaotic, beautiful world of paint chips, budget spreadsheets, and the occasional existential crisis in the tile aisle.
You’re standing at the starting line, bursting with ideas. Maybe you’ve saved 172 photos of kitchens that look nothing like your house. Or maybe your bathroom “inspo” board is so long it’s starting to look like a scroll from a medieval library. You’re excited, you’re motivated, and… you’re also completely overwhelmed.
Where do you even begin?
That’s exactly what this blog is here to help you figure out. Because no matter the size of your project—whether it’s a little facelift or a full gut job—every renovation begins with a single, deceptively simple thing: a wish list.
Let’s walk through how to build one that works, how to separate the must-haves from the nice-to-haves (without bursting into tears), and how to start shaping your ideas into a space that feels so perfectly you, you’ll want to high-five your past self for starting this whole thing.
First, Take a Breath. You Don’t Have to Know Everything Right Now.
If you’re in that early planning stage where everything sounds possible and impossible at the same time, let us gently tell you: that’s completely normal.
This blog is for you—the dreamers with big ideas, the homeowners staring at that peeling vanity or sad 1980s kitchen, wondering, Where do I even start?
The answer? Start by dreaming. Then organize those dreams into something that helps guide every choice you’ll make from here on out.
Because your wish list isn’t just a list. It’s a road map. It’s the thing that keeps you grounded when decisions feel overwhelming or when reality (read: the budget) starts doing that annoying thing where it ruins all your fun.
Your Wish List, Three Ways: Must-Haves, Like-to-Haves, and Would-Be-Nice-to-Haves
When it comes to building your renovation wish list, we like to break it down into three clear categories. Think of it like packing for vacation: there’s what you absolutely need, what you’d love to bring, and what you’ll only pack if there’s still room in the suitcase (and your carry-on isn’t already bursting at the seams).
🛠️ 1. Must-Haves: Your Non-Negotiables
These are the things that have to change. Maybe your kitchen layout makes zero sense, or your shower leaks every time it rains sideways. Maybe your electrical panel is so old it’s practically carbon dating itself. These are the items that affect safety, function, or daily sanity.
Think:
Fixing bad layouts (like the fridge door that blocks your oven)
Replacing worn-out or broken fixtures and finishes
Improving storage where there currently is… none
Updating dangerous or outdated electrical/plumbing
These aren’t the sexy parts of the renovation. They’re not the marble countertops or the waterfall-edge islands. But they’re the foundation of a livable, safe, and usable home. Start here, even if it’s not what makes your heart skip a beat on Pinterest.
🌟 2. Like-to-Haves: The Things That Make Life Easier (and Nicer)
These are the upgrades that elevate your space. They’re not absolutely essential, but they make life smoother, better, more enjoyable. They solve everyday annoyances, add comfort, or improve how your home works for you.
Think:
Heated floors in the bathroom (because stepping onto cold tile in February is rude)
A pull-out garbage/recycling cabinet in the kitchen
Built-in linen tower to tame the bathroom chaos
A pot filler above the stove (because why should pasta water involve cardio?)
These are the things you’d really like to include—if the budget allows. They’re the little luxuries that remind you your home isn’t just a place you live. It’s a place that should make your life better.
💫 3. Would-Be-Nice-to-Haves: The Dream Elements
This is where the “swoon” lives. It’s the Pinterest-worthy, HGTV-glow-up zone. These items are firmly in the “maybe someday” column unless your budget is generous—or you’re willing to compromise elsewhere.
Think:
A steam shower
Custom built-in shelving with a hidden charging drawer
That jaw-dropping quartzite waterfall island
Decorative wood ceiling beams or feature walls
We’re not here to crush your dreams. We’re here to help you build them strategically. This list can stay a little dreamy and romantic. It’s okay. You never know what clever design or extra wiggle room might make one of these wishes doable.
Feeling overwhelmed trying to sort through all your renovation dreams?
You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it out on your own, either.
We love helping homeowners turn “wishful thinking” into clear, confident plans.
👉 Click below to schedule a time to chat—no pressure, just possibilities.
But What If I Don’t Know What Category Things Belong In?
That’s exactly where the magic of working with an experienced contractor comes in.
Sometimes what feels like a must-have turns out to be less critical than you thought. And sometimes, with the right design solution, a “would-be-nice” becomes a reality without breaking the bank.
The key is to work with a renovation team who knows how to listen, ask the right questions, and help you make choices that balance beauty, budget, and practicality. (Hint: Multi-Trade Building Services is really good at that.)
Tips for Creating a Realistic, Grounded Wish List
Because let’s be honest—if we’re left alone with our Pinterest boards and no supervision, we’ll all end up wanting a fireplace in the bathroom and a slide from the upstairs hallway to the kitchen. (Just us? Okay.)
Here’s how to start narrowing things down in a way that still feels exciting—but also do-able.
✏️ 1. Walk Through Your Space with a Critical Eye
Before you dive into wish lists, take a tour of your home. What annoys you? What slows you down? What makes you sigh every single day?
Those are your clues. The things you notice every day are more important than the things you might want to add.
💭 2. Dream Big—Then Trim with Care
Write everything down. Everything. Don’t filter. If you want a skylight over your bathtub and a coffee bar beside your vanity, jot it down. You won’t get everything, but giving yourself permission to dream helps uncover what really matters.
Later, you’ll start trimming that list down into your three categories. And it’ll feel so much more manageable.
💵 3. Be Honest About Budget Sooner Than Later
Nobody likes talking money at the start, but it’s a kindness to your future self. It helps shape your plans before you fall in love with a feature that would blow your entire budget.
An experienced contractor can walk you through how far your budget might stretch and help you make smart trade-offs that still give you a space you’ll love.
📐 4. Consider the Realities of Your Home
This is a big one. Not every dream works in every house. A massive island doesn’t fit in every kitchen. A curbless shower isn’t always possible without reworking floor joists.
But don’t be discouraged. Good design is about creative problem-solving. A trusted renovation team (hi again!) can help you find clever ways to get the feel of your dream—even if it needs to be reimagined a little.
🧠 5. Don’t Forget Function
It’s easy to get swept up in finishes, fixtures, and “oooh pretty” moments. But your home has to function first. That means planning for:
Storage (more than you think you need)
Lighting (and dimmers!)
Power and plumbing access
How many people will use the space at once
Pretty is nice. But practical is peace.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Renovation Planning (Yes, It’s a Thing)
You’ll feel a lot of things while making your wish list. Giddy excitement. Paralyzing indecision. Budget guilt. Pinterest fatigue. Random urges to just set fire to the whole room and start over.
It’s all part of the process.
This stage of planning is full of potential—and that can feel like both a blessing and a burden. You’re shaping the way your home will look and feel for years to come. That’s not small potatoes.
So it’s okay if it feels big. It is big. And it’s also okay to want more than just “what works.” It’s okay to want beauty, ease, comfort. To want to feel proud of your home.
Your wish list is where that starts.
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve got a clear wish list broken down into your musts, likes, and dreams, it’s time to talk to a contractor you trust (👋 that’s us!). This is where ideas become plans, and plans become action.
We’ll help you:
Assess what’s possible in your space
Estimate costs
Understand where trade-offs might happen
Offer solutions you might not have considered
Support you through every phase of the journey
You don’t have to figure this all out alone. In fact, you shouldn’t. That’s what we’re here for.
Closing Thoughts: Your Home, Your Life, Your Call
At the end of the day, renovations aren’t just about tile and paint colours. They’re about creating a home that feels good to live in. A place that makes everyday life easier, more joyful, more you.
Your wish list is your blueprint for that. It’s not about perfection. It’s about intention. And with the right plan—and the right team—you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
So pull out those Pinterest boards. Make a mess of notes. Doodle ideas on napkins. Let your dreams run wild.
We’ll help you sort them out when you’re ready.
Want to keep planning and dreaming?
Here are a few more helpful reads to guide you as you move forward with your renovation plans—from narrowing down design decisions to avoiding common renovation regrets.
Why Quicker Isn’t Always Better in Renovations
How to Handle Unexpected Issues During a Renovation
Top 10 Renovation Questions We’re Asked All the Time
Why White Kitchens Work (Even If You Think They’re Boring)
10 Mistakes to Avoid When Renovating Your Bathroom
Thinking of Renovating?
We’d love to help you start your wish list—and bring it to life. Whether you’ve got a full vision or just a vague “we should probably do something in here,” we’re here to listen, guide, and get it done right.
📞 Call us at 905-999-8524
📩 Or visit our website and send us a message—let’s turn that dream board into a reality.
Because your home should be more than just walls and windows. It should be your haven. #LoveYourHome 💙
