Most people save inspiration images of rooms they love: Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, screenshots. That’s helpful, but knowing what you don’t like is just as important.

When you collect photos of spaces that bother you – maybe they feel too dark, too shiny, too minimalist, too cluttered – you start to see patterns in your dislikes. Maybe you realise you really hate glossy black cabinets, or that all-white kitchens make you feel cold, or that you can’t stand very busy patterned tiles.

Showing both “yes please” and “no thanks” images to a designer or contractor gives them clearer boundaries. They can avoid suggesting finishes or layouts that go against your gut and focus on ideas that sit in your comfort zone.

Renovation regret often comes from choosing something that looked trendy but never felt right. Knowing your “no” ahead of time is a quiet way of protecting yourself from that.