Interior Design Amsterdam: Common renovation wishes among expats.
Before starting any work, it's essential to clearly define your renovation goals. Based on our experience, expats often have a set of recurring wishes.

A top priority is usually a modernized and possibly larger kitchen, ideally with an open connection to the living or dining area to create a more social and spacious layout. Bathroom renovations are also popular, ranging from new tiles and sanitary fixtures to the addition of a guest or children’s bathroom. Families often seek the comfort of a second toilet on upper floors to avoid relying on a single facility. Reconfiguring rooms to create a larger master bedroom or children's room, alongside a compact home office, is another common request. All of this is absolutely possible, but each decision comes with its own architectural and logistical challenges.

Interior Design Amsterdam: Understanding permits in the Dutch system.
In the Netherlands, many renovation works require a permit especially when they involve structural changes. Creating new openings between rooms or merging spaces that currently include a load-bearing wall will almost certainly need approval. Even seemingly smaller changes, such as removing a fireplace, can fall under regulated work. Before starting any renovation work, it’s crucial to check whether a permit (vergunning) is required. This helps you avoid unexpected issues later on, such as fines or being forced to undo completed work. At Buro Maak, we often handle this step for our clients, but it's also something you can explore yourself.

The Dutch government provides an online tool to check permit requirements: omgevingswet.overheid.nl/checken. You can enter your renovation plans, such as removing a wall, adding a dormer window, or modifying the façade, and at the end, you’ll receive an indication of whether your project requires a permit.

Please note that the website is entirely in Dutch. A useful tip is to use your browser’s built-in translation feature (such as in Google Chrome) to translate the page into English. While the translation may not be perfect, it gives you a good idea of what’s being asked and whether your plans might require official approval. If you need help interpreting the results, we’re always happy to assist.

Interior Design Amsterdam: Planning and construction timelines.
Renovation planning in the Netherlands must take several local factors into account. One major consideration is the bouwvak, the summer construction holiday. This annual break, which varies by region, typically falls between mid-July and mid-August. Since Amsterdam could involve subcontractors from different regions, it's possible that the lead contractor’s bouwvak does not align with that of their subcontractors, potentially causing delays.

Another critical factor is the yearly price indexation common in the construction industry. Costs often increase at the start of a new calendar year. If your project is set to begin after the summer holidays, make sure to request quotes as early as possible to avoid being hit with price hikes mid-project.