The Top 5 Mistakes Families Make When Selecting Colours & Finishes for Their New Build (and How to Avoid Them)
Building a new home should feel exciting—but too often, families tell me it feels like a high-pressure exam. I’ve seen so many walk out of selections appointments in tears, worried they’ve made the wrong call.
Others stall for 5–6 weeks before signing off because they’re unsure, causing delays and extra fees. Some ask every family member for their opinion, only to end up more confused than when they walked in. And then there are those who copy their neighbour’s colour scheme—safe, yes, but missing the mark on reflecting their own lifestyle and personality.
It’s no wonder selections feel overwhelming. But it doesn’t have to be this way. After guiding countless families through the process, I know the most common mistakes that trip people up—and how to avoid them so your new build actually feels like your home.
Mistake 1: Picking Colours and Finishes Without the Bigger Picture
Many families fall in love with one item—like a benchtop, tile, or paint colour—and try to build everything else around it. Or they collect opinions from friends and relatives until they’re paralysed with second-guessing.
The result? A home that lacks flow and cohesion—or delays in sign-off that extend your tender.
How to Avoid It:
Step back and see everything together. Look at cabinetry, flooring, tiles, paint, and hardware side by side as a complete palette. This way, you’ll know each finish works with the others and supports your vision.
In my Colour & Finishes Consultations, I lay out the whole scheme so families can visualise their home as a unified story—not just individual swatches.
Mistake 2: Following Trends Blindly
Matte black tapware, bold green kitchens, terrazzo tiles—trends can be tempting, but not every trend belongs in every home. What looks amazing on Pinterest may feel dated or impractical in five years.
How to Avoid It:
Choose timeless foundations—like cabinetry, benchtops, and flooring—then layer in trends with accessories, lighting, or wall paint that can be updated later. Ask yourself: “Will I still love this in 10 years?”
As a designer, I track which finishes have staying power and which are fleeting, so my clients can enjoy a balance of timeless style with just the right amount of trend.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Lifestyle and Functionality
It’s easy to choose finishes based on looks alone, but ignoring lifestyle is a fast track to regret. High-gloss cabinetry in a busy family kitchen means fingerprints everywhere. A marble benchtop in a home with little kids means etching and stains.
How to Avoid It:
Consider how you’ll live in the home:
Durable laminates or 2-pac finishes for cabinetry.
Engineered stone for benchtops if you cook often.
Washable paint finishes for walls (especially with kids or pets).
I always start with lifestyle questions—who’s living here, how often you entertain, whether you’ve got pets or kids—and match finishes to your real life.
Mistake 4: Rushing Selections Under Pressure
Builders often give families a short appointment window at a supplier’s showroom. You’re expected to make dozens of decisions in a few hours—under fluorescent lights, without context. No wonder people panic-pick finishes just to move forward.
How to Avoid It:
Prepare in advance with mood boards or inspiration images.
Shortlist 2–3 options for each finish before the appointment.
Ask suppliers for samples you can bring home and test in your natural light.
Many of my clients book me before these showroom appointments so they arrive confident, with a clear palette already mapped out.
Mistake 5: Forgetting the Exterior and Long-Term Vision
It’s common for families to spend all their energy inside—on kitchens and bathrooms—while leaving exterior decisions to the last minute. Bricks, cladding, roof colours, and windows shape the entire first impression of your home, yet often get rushed.
How to Avoid It:
Start with the exterior palette—it sets the tone for everything inside.
Carry threads of those exterior colours indoors for a cohesive story.
Always check how finishes perform in your climate (UV, salt air, humidity).
In the Illawarra and South Coast, I often design homes where the exterior needs to withstand sun, sea air, and humidity—choosing the right finishes upfront saves headaches later.
Clarity Over Confusion
Your new build should feel like a home you love—not a series of rushed choices or second guesses. Avoiding these five mistakes will save you time, money, and stress—and ensure your home reflects you.
✨ If you’re building in the South West Sydney, Sutherland Shire, Southern Highlands, South Coast, Berry, Gerringong, or Illawarra, I’d love to help. My Interior Selections Consultations guide you through every decision with clarity and confidence, so your new build feels cohesive and timeless.
Book “The Essentials” or “Selections Deep Dive” here
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Colours & Finishes for a New Build
What are the most common mistakes people make with colour and finish selections?
Answer: The biggest mistakes are choosing finishes in isolation, rushing decisions, following trends without considering longevity, overlooking lifestyle, and leaving exteriors as an afterthought.
How do I choose finishes that won’t date quickly?
Answer: Stick with timeless foundations—like neutral cabinetry, natural stone, or oak flooring—and use trends sparingly in paint, hardware, or styling.
Should I get professional help for colour and finish selections?
Answer: Yes—designers see the bigger picture. We ensure every finish works together, suits your lifestyle, and avoids costly mistakes like tender extensions or rushed changes.
How do I make selections less overwhelming?
Answer: Break decisions into categories (exterior, flooring, cabinetry, benchtops, paint, hardware). Work with large samples, in natural light, and always view finishes together—not one by one.
What areas do you service for colour consultations?
Answer: I work with families across the South Coast, including Berry, Gerringong, Illawarra, and surrounding regions—offering both in-person and virtual consultations.
When should I focus on exterior selections?
Answer: Tackle exterior finishes first—they shape your home’s face and guide internal palettes. Starting early helps ensure interior and exterior work together beautifully.
How do I pick finishes that suit how I live—and will stand the test of time?
Answer: Think about daily life—kids, pets, cooking, cleaning. Choose finishes that are both beautiful and practical. Durable cabinetry, easy‑clean paint, and realistic trends make decisions that last.
Deanna is the founder of Elm & Ember Interiors, a Sydney-based interior design studio that helps families create beautiful, practical homes. She specialises in colour consultations, interior design and selections support for new builds and renovations.