3D Renderings: What They Are & Why Your Renovation Needs Them

Have you ever been to a new build in progress? If so, all you may have seen were the frame and the foundation. Which room is which? Is that the closet or the bathroom? If a home hasn’t been built yet, it’s even more difficult. All you have are construction documents showing floor plans and electrical. 

When your home is in the planning stages — whether it is for new construction or a simple redesign — it is difficult to visualise the finished result. Choosing your finishes, furnishings, and colour palette seems impossible. 

This is where 3D renderings come in. 3D renderings allow you to instantly see what your future home will look like, to scale, and they give you confidence in the design concept for your home, before your construction project or redesign begins. (Which also helps prevent mistakes or regret.)

Today, I want to share a few ways 3D renderings can be vital to your project’s success, along with our process for creating renderings and a video sneak peek of the program I use! Come take a look…

An example of a 3D rendering for a recent kitchen renovation we designed.

How can 3D renderings save you time, money & stress?

1. Visualisation & functional planning

Renderings help you visualise colours and materials in your project, since most people have a difficult time imagining a space and design concept without seeing it. 3D imaging helps you instantly see the look and feel of the completed space. 

Design is also about bringing function and beauty together. 3D renderings allow us to effectively plan the dimensions of a space, maximizing your home’s function and ensuring that you will love living in the final space.

2. Smart decision-making

Renderings allow you to make timely, confident decisions (and there are hundreds of decisions to make in a project). When you already have the entire design concept laid out for you, it’s much easier to make decisions and keep your project on track. 

Renderings also help you when your contractor has questions about materials or finishes. It’s already there and easy to access. 

3. Identify & solve issues early

Renderings help us identify and resolve potential design flaws ahead of time, such as realizing that two furnishings are too close together or discovering that, yes, you do want a new fireplace surround. This saves time and money down the road. 

4. Precise communication

Having 3D renderings can save you money. Yes, it helps communicate visually but also helps with budget planning and ordering suitable materials. Without an accurate representation, you may create costly mistakes. For example, in the case of a kitchen renovation project, the cabinet layout and wall elevations can be sent to the cabinet maker for initial quoting and to the contractor and tradespeople to establish realistic budgets for the project.

5. Virtual options for out-of-towners

One of the unique features of my 3D rendering service is that I don’t actually have to step foot into your space, and after 2020, this is a huge perk. Instead, we communicate through my digital design studio and collaborate to create your dream space. I can easily share 3D renderings via email or a video presentation. This lets me help homeowners in the Cranbrook community, as well as other parts of the country! 

As the only design professional in my city who offers 3D renderings, I have a solid process for delivering renderings that achieve your goals for your home and can be shared with your other contractors if needed. Here’s how it works…

Step 1: Style & Lifestyle Discovery

The most popular 3D rendering requests I get are for kitchen and bathroom renovations and occasional bedrooms and living rooms. The process for an entire new build is similar, too, just on a larger scale. 

Either way, every project starts with me asking you LOTS of questions! Designing a home or room for you is all about understanding how you want to live in and use the space. I want to fully understand what makes sense functionally and what design aesthetic makes you feel entirely at home. 

My initial design questionnaire aims to hone in on the finishes you like most, such as laminate or stone counters, tile or hardwood floors, painted or wood-stained cabinets. I even consider paint colour and lighting options. 

We’ll also take a look at the space you’re currently working with (if you’re not building new), to get an idea for how you use it now and would like to use it in the future. For example, here’s a look at the “Before” photo of a bedroom I am in the process of designing. Steps 2 and 3 will show you how we’re planning to transform it!

Before: Bedroom

Step 2: Creating Your Design Concept

Once I have an idea for your design style, preferred colours, and specific furniture requirements, I create a concept board. This step precedes the rendering, because it helps  us get a feel for the overall style and pieces we might want to use, before arranging them. 

At a glance, you can see if the colours and overall mood feel right for you. Here’s the concept board I created for the same client’s bedroom:

Example of a bedroom concept board

Once you approve the concept board, we’re ready to move on to the renderings.

Step 3: Developing Your 3D Renderings

After we do an initial walkthrough of your home and we record your space’s dimensions, I start designing using my Chief Architect software. I create both 3D photos and a video presentation of the space.

Here’s how the bedroom design concept translated into a 3D rendering. Neat, right?!

I’ll also share a detailed concept board and style board with a finalised list of items to be sourced for the project, along with a floor plan for future furniture placement and wall elevation for placing art. (Although this is the same process we use for Full-Service Interior Design, this project was created using a combined 2-Hour Work Session and my E-Design Package.)

I also made this video to show you how 3D renderings can be modified to create your ideal space. Take a look!

After you have received your 3D renderings, your next step is to get your project started. You now own these renderings and can use them to get quotes and materials. 

Final Step: Start Your Project!

Whether I’m managing your project, a contractor is, or you choose to manage the project yourself, a 3D rendering is the perfect way to communicate the design. If I am managing the project, I will begin to source furniture pieces and decor. 

If you would like to do this on your own, all of my renderings include specific furniture layouts and dimensions for easy, precise purchasing. The rest is up to you!

If you have a home project in mind, I’d love to help you succeed and bring your vision to life. You can learn more about my 3D Renderings Package here or reach out here for a complimentary discovery call. I can’t wait to meet you!

Warmly,
Adrienne