Approximate time you'll need

1. Find out all about your target market. Who is the likely guest for your area? Why would they choose you? Are they on holiday or business people? Will there be children? How much can they pay. This is important when you decide on the look and quality of furnishings.

1 hour

2. Get a plan of the property or spend time drawing it and measuring it.

1 hour

3. Work out what size sofa, dining table, bed, bedside tables, coffee table etc would work best. Be careful not to buy a sofa that's too large or too tiny!

1 hour

4. Choose your colour palette. What colours go with your floors, walls and the afternoon light? What colours does the market like?

1 hour

5. Work out your budget. Your budget must include not only furniture and appliances, but also the cost of deliveries, handymen, globes and plugs and other miscellaneous items, and payment for anyone who's going to help you deliver and set up.

1 hour

6. Draw up an excel sheet with all the furniture, accessories, appliances and kitchen things. You need to list every single item, because as you order them, you will cross them off. You also need to write down every cent you spend to stay in budget.

1 hour

7. Get to work on choosing your furniture and accessories. Check each item's dimensions, shape, availability, durability, price, colour and how it will work with the rest of your design.

   
   

   Also check if the item is flat pack and needs assembly.

7-10 hours, depending how decisive and experienced you are

8. Create a mood board. Not a Pinterest board. An actual presentation for yourself with all the items you plan to buy. How do they look together? Does the bedroom work with the living room? Is the throw the right colour for the cushions?

2 hours

9. Measure curtains. How wide, how high and what fabric should they be? Can you buy off the shelf and install your own rods, or do you need to get someone in to help?

30 mins

10. At last, you can start ordering online or going to shops. You'll need to make payments and keep your invoices for tax and follow ups.

4-7 hours

11. Think about where you're going to store a bed, sofa, fridge etc if you need to.

12. Plan a target delivery date so that everything can be delivered on the same day, if possible.

13. If you're in an apartment, check the rules about using the lift. Budget for people to help you.

14. Set aside 1 day on site to accept deliveries and unpack everything. There will be a lot of boxes and wrapping material. Be prepared to take a truck load of it to the dump.

6 hours, with helpers

15. Set aside another 1,5 days to hang art and headboards, make the beds, hang hooks, install the TV, troubleshoot and sweep and clean.

6 hours, with helpers

TOTAL TIME SPENT

31- 40 hours