If you've ever undertaken a self-build, renovation or extension project you'll recognise the feeling of overwhelm that always arrives at some point during your project.
It usually arrives when someone is asking you to make yet another decision, and while it may not even be a big one, suddenly, decision fatigue kicks in, and you can't even remember why you started this whole project in the first place.
Having experienced it first-hand, I know only too well what it feels like. Keen to avoid others feeling the same, I asked design and build experts what you can do to avoid it, how they help clients manage it, and what they do to prevent it happening to them on your project.
When is decision fatigue most likely to hit you?
Of all the experts we spoke to, one thing was clear. We tend to be great at the start of a project when the bigger decisions need to be made, but as you drill down into the finer details, that's when we can start to stumble.
“We often find that decision fatigue appears once the main design decisions have been made and clients reach the detailed specification stage," Sophie Chapman, interior designer and associate at The Vawdrey House tells us.
"Choosing a layout or agreeing the overall direction can feel exciting, but the volume of smaller decisions that follows, from ironmongery and switches to grout colours, sanitaryware and internal finishes, can become overwhelming," she confirms.
Kitchen renovations are a prime example of the minute level of detail that needs our attention, says Emily Newmarch, design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, and one where you might start to question yourself.
“It's always when the client realises how many smaller decisions still need to be made, and, in a kitchen renovation, that can mean anything from appliance positions, extraction, sockets and kitchen lighting, to internal storage, handles, worktops, taps, paint colours and flooring. These decisions may feel small on their own, but together they can become overwhelming," she explains.
A founding member of The Vawdrey House, Sophie oversees the design team bringing her trademark energy & creativity to projects. With a BA in Interior Design & Environmental Architecture, Sophie develops unique furniture packages, styles projects & loves sourcing trips to antique fairs & French brocantes.
Emily is a design consultant at Kitchens by Holloways, a design and build company who create bespoke kitchens and thoughtfully planned interiors. Known for their holistic approach, the team considers not just the kitchen but the overall layout – whether it's a single room, an open-plan space or an entire home – to deliver beautiful, functional designs that enhance everyday living.
Why is decision fatigue a problem?
Does it really matter if you can't make a decision about something small? Quite simply, yes, say the experts.
While bigger decisions will naturally have more of an impact, even the detailed choices can all have consequences. This is primarily in two ways, as Sophie Chapman explains.
“The first is delayed decision-making. This can hold up ordering and create knock-on effects across the building schedule," she warns.
"At the other end of the scale, a client may also make a rushed decision simply to move the project forward and later regret it. A clear approvals process helps protect both the programme and the design.”
It's something I can relate to having made questionable decisions about a media wall towards the end of a project at a point when both timings and budget were tight. I simply couldn't choose what to do, made a panic decision and regretted it the minute it was installed.
Expert-approved steps to avoiding decision fatigue
While we can't promise that you won't ever get decision fatigue when homebuilding or renovating, there's no doubt there are ways to prevent it from causing total overwhelm, and to help get you back on track.
When working on my biggest project, my must-have was an insanely detailed spreadsheet that took on a life of its own. It contained the jobs to be done, who was doing them, what items to buy or source for each room, checklists of progress, supplier details and probably even which builder had tea, coffee and how many sugars they took. It was the only way I could manage the hundreds of decisions that come with a large-scale listed building extension project.
But what else do the experts recommend?
1. Have a clear and detailed brief
In the same way a detailed spreadsheet can keep you on track once you've started your project, an informed brief from the outset is what helps you to decide what needs to go on there, and is a must-have says Sophie Chapman.
"At the beginning of a project, we spend time establishing how the client wants to live, what they genuinely need and which elements matter most to them. This gives us something consistent to refer back to when choices arise later."
It can be invaluable if you are questioning why you want a certain piece of furniture, more kitchen storage or even why you are choosing a certain type of flooring. Once you remember your original plans, it becomes easier to make a final decision.
"Agreeing an overall material and colour palette early on also helps with the process too," she adds, "as each individual decision then forms part of an established scheme rather than being made in isolation."
2. Follow a clear timeline and decision-making schedule
Another way to avoid decision fatigue is by knowing in advance when decisions will need to be made. As well as being able to mentally prepare yourself for another round of 'this or that', it avoids panic purchasing.
"A decision schedule can be invaluable," agrees Sophie. "It allows clients to see what needs to be agreed and when, so choices can be made in a logical order rather than under last-minute pressure.
"To help with this, we break the process down into clear stages that naturally build the project, so nothing feels like a sudden or unexpected decision," she continues.
The added benefit? It can also make the process quicker in the long run.
"As the scheme develops and clients begin to see how each choice contributes to the wider design, their confidence grows and they become more assured in their decision-making," notes Sophie.
3. Understand the bigger impact in larger projects
"One of the best ways to avoid decision fatigue if you're adding a kitchen extension, or embarking on a large renovation is to get the layout and spatial planning right first," says Emily Newmarch.
"Before even looking at finishes, homeowners need to understand how the kitchen will connect to the rest of the home, how people will move through the space and how the main zones will work together.
"Once those foundations are clear, the remaining choices become much easier to make," she notes.
It's a process Lisa O'Hanlon, interior expert at the Shutter Store, refers to as a decision hierarchy.
"One of the biggest mistakes we see is homeowners giving every decorating decision the same amount of attention, when in reality some choices will have a much greater impact on the finished space than others.
"It's easy to get caught up choosing cushions, lamps or decorative accessories because they're the enjoyable part of decorating," she says, "but those pieces should complement the room rather than define it.
"The decisions that deserve the most thought are the ones you'll be living with every day and that are much harder to change, whether that's your flooring, wall colour, shutters or larger furniture.
"Once those key elements are in place, the rest of the room tends to come together much more naturally," she explains. "Rather than trying to make every item work independently, you're making decisions that support an established direction, which makes the whole process feel far less overwhelming. It also creates a more cohesive finish, as every layer of the room is building on the choices you've already made, rather than competing with them."
4. Trust the experts – less is more
If, like me, you have countless Pinterest boards filled with interior design inspiration, it's no wonder that you may start a project feeling the effects of decision fatigue – without having even yet made a decision.
It's why experts will always take a less is more approach, and it's why you should trust in it.
"We always curate the options rather than presenting an endless range," says Sophie Chapman. "Two or three well-considered choices are usually far more useful than 20 similar ones."
Emily Newmarch takes up the reins, telling us, "as designers, our role is often to reduce the number of decisions rather than add to them. Instead of presenting endless options, we narrow down the choices based on the client’s brief, lifestyle, budget and the architecture of the home. Too much choice can slow a project down and make people second-guess themselves."
Katerina Tchevytchalova, director at K’Arte Design is even firmer in her process, believing that two options is enough for her clients.
"Option number one being what I believe is the best solution, and then option two in case they reject my initial proposal." Why only two? "I feel that this is exactly why clients hire interior designers," she says. "To eliminate endless choice of options and give them guidance to the best solution."
5. Don't be too influenced by others
"One of the easiest ways to lose confidence in a decorating project is by trying to recreate rooms you've seen elsewhere," says Lisa O'Hanlon.
"Every home has different proportions, lighting and ways of living, so what works beautifully in one property won't always translate into another. Focusing on how you want your own space to function and feel helps you make decisions that are much more personal, rather than chasing someone else's idea of the perfect room.
"Once you've narrowed your shortlist down, the most valuable thing you can do is stop searching and start comparing them in the space itself," she advises.
"It's amazing how different a paint colour, fabric or finish can look once it's in your home rather than on a phone screen or in a showroom. Natural light changes throughout the day, existing furniture influences how colours are perceived, and the overall size of a room can completely alter the feel of a material or finish," she continues.
"Taking the time to live with a few samples for a day or two often gives homeowners far more confidence than continuing to scroll through endless alternatives online," says Lisa, "because you're making a decision based on your own home rather than somebody else's."
Lisa O’Hanlon she specialises in helping homeowners achieve a bespoke, high-end look with affordable made-to-measure shutters and smart DIY solutions.
K’Arte Design is a luxury interior design and art consultancy founded by Katerina Tchevytchalova, specialising in high-end residential and commercial projects. Prior to launching her practice, Katerina spent five years at Kelly Hoppen Interiors and worked with several of London’s leading design studios.
FAQs
Does the size of project make a difference when it comes to decision fatigue?
If you were feeling smug about the smaller nature of your project, assuming you won't get decision fatigue, I'm afraid to say you shouldn't sit back on your laurels just yet.
Size really is irrelevant when it comes to decision fatigue – and in fact smaller projects may induce even more overwhelm as a result of the desire to get the best out of your budget.
"I think smaller projects can actually end up being more problematic," confirms Katerina Tchevytchalova. "With large projects there is usually more budget and more time to make the decisions, whereas in smaller projects the clients tend to overthink every decision."
And, it's the same according to our other experts as well. I must admit, although I'd initially assumed it was larger projects that were the main cause of decision fatigue, in hindsight, I've experienced it regardless of the job in hand.
While extending a listed building was a big project, and one where it got to the point that some days I could barely decide if I wanted another coffee, let alone which colour bathroom tiles to choose, it's even reared his head during a recent small hallway makeover when I couldn't decide how many shelves to have in my shoe storage.
So why is it that size isn't really relevant?
“Large renovations naturally involve more decisions, but smaller projects can be just as difficult because every choice is highly visible," explains Sophie Chapman. "In a compact kitchen or small bathroom, for example, a relatively small number of materials and fittings may need to work especially hard together.
"Problems also often arise when a project appears simple at the outset, so the same level of planning is not applied," she adds.
It's the same on kitchen-related projects too, confirms Emily Newmarch. "Decision fatigue is more common on larger renovations because there are more moving parts, but smaller projects can be just as difficult.
"In a small kitchen for example, every decision matters because there is less room for compromise. A sink in the wrong position, a kitchen island that is too large, or a storage choice that does not suit the way the homeowner cooks can have a big impact."
How do experts avoid decision fatigue?
Given you may have your own decision fatigue issues, it's fair to wonder if professionals struggle with the same feelings when designing other people's projects – including yours.
It seems it's the same sense of structure that help them avoid it.
“A strong design concept provides a framework for every later decision. We also make decisions in the right sequence," says Sophie Chapman. "The layout, building services and fixed joinery need to be resolved before decorative details, as each stage informs the next.
"Samples, drawings and mock-ups are also helpful," she adds, "because they allow several elements to be reviewed together rather than relying on isolated product images.”
Of course, there's also experience and expertise that mean while you may be making the decisions for the first time, it's second nature to them.
"Years of working with materials and suppliers mean many decisions become instinctive," confirms Katerina Tchevytchalova, telling us, "I rely on proven combinations, trusted manufacturers and an understanding of proportion and balance, rather than starting with a blank canvas every time."
I would also add to this list, the fact they don't have an emotional attachment to the project as one of the reasons why they don't experience decision fatigue in the same way as a homeowner.
What caused me sleepless nights was the worry of making a wrong decision and having to look at it every day. I did, of course, make some, and had to live with them, but without that fear, decision-making becomes more logical than personal.
Katerina Tchevytchalova shares her final piece of advice if you feel decision fatigue is starting to creep into your project.
"One situation we see quite often is clients continuing to browse social media after key selections have already been approved. They discover a new kitchen trend, tile or light fitting halfway through the build and begin questioning earlier decisions.
"I therefore always encourage clients to trust the design direction they've invested time in developing rather than chasing every new interior design trend that appears online," she states.
Something that Lisa O'Hanlon also supports. "We've seen homeowners delay projects for months because they're waiting to feel one hundred per cent certain about every choice. The reality is that homes are designed to evolve over time. Accessories can be updated, furniture can be moved and walls can always be repainted.
"Sometimes the best thing you can do is trust the decisions you've already made and enjoy living in the space you've created."
Words I'd heed, as if you don't, you could end up ricocheting out of decision fatigue into another common syndrome referred to as 'fear of being outdated' or FOBO. Combine the two and you'll undoubtedly experience delays that could have been avoided if you define your path, and stick to it.
