8 Things to Know When Renovating Your House
From city dwellings and quaint cottages to modern apartments and sleek condos, the idea of giving our living spaces a makeover has crossed our minds at least once. If you find yourself going through this piece, it’s because you’ve previously embarked on this journey or are keen on taking the initial steps toward it. Regardless of your situation, you’ve arrived at the perfect spot.
For those who think it’s only a veteran’s domain: no. For those who think it’s achievable with the right blend of finesse and wisdom: yes.
People don’t just give their homes a makeover when they have some important guest coming over. Some people do it to make their space look more visually appealing, for self-satisfaction, and even to better their lifestyle by improving functionality. Keep reading to get your hands on eight pre-makeover tips to slide your design game up a notch.
1.Move your furniture out of the way
When you’re renovating a newly acquired place and haven’t lived there before, it’s important to think about moving your belongings from your previous house to the new one. Even if you’re not shifting to a new place, you might sometimes need to clear your house temporarily (as stated in the second tip below) to better understand what you’re working with. Also, storing away your furniture during the renovation will keep it safe from all the dust, paint splashes, and damage.
One strategy that most people prefer to employ is hiring removalists to make the job easy. The benefit of enlisting help from outside for this task is not having to shoulder the burden all by yourself. Removalists are professionals who can cater to the task competently since they know how to handle furniture. This ensures your belongings are transported safely and saves you a lot of stress and time. If you live in a place like Gold Coast, Australia, you don’t have to worry, as Optimove’s Gold Coast service extension is there to save the day. They come with a myriad of services in their arsenal, and their moving packages are budget-friendly. Additionally, the facility is not just local – they have some interstate drop-off locations too.
Now that we’re done shifting let’s continue renovating.
2.Explore all options
Take out the time to have a good look at your house. Yes, we know you’re already aware of everything – you live there. But sometimes that’s not enough. Once you empty the space your furniture occupies, you get a much clearer picture of your house. Keep in mind its previous image, and look for the new additions you’d like to make.
Figure out a plan and order a sequence. Decide what you want to do first and where to start.
Once you conduct proper research, you’ll realize how the place you shop for your furniture greatly affects the weight of your pocket. Stalk all the options before you make your choice. Whether you want to buy stuff online, second-hand, or from thrift stores.
3.Talk to yourself and figure out your style
Instead of going for random changes here and there, try to stick to a theme. Themed looks make a huge difference between an ordinary and well-thought-out interior design. Look for inspiration on Pinterest, or talk to interior designers. You can also send a model of your desired room to Lone Fox. He’s an emerging YouTuber who makes videos based on interior design, with a curated playlist of What would Drew do to help people model their spaces. He makes a 3D model, making it very easy for people to visualize their space and see it modeled in real-time.
4.Get all the permits
If you live on rent, make sure you have the required permissions before making any property changes; otherwise, you may be liable for a heavy fine. On the contrary, if you have your owner’s consent, try exploring rental-friendly options to make it easier for you to remove all your renovations once you leave.
Another thing to ensure is that your residence is not among listed properties. Several properties constructed near the early 19th century are listed. These properties must be tackled with the reverence they require, so make sure you choose appropriate supplies when going over them.
5.Consider getting a crew vs. DIY
You don’t necessarily have to figure it out yourself. If you don’t feel like going for a DIY, don’t have qualms about hiring a crew to lend you a hand. In fact, it proves to be helpful since they usually have more experience than us and are quick to point out important elements that we may otherwise miss.
Consider interviewing multiple contractors and evaluate the fares likewise. Different people make different bids for the same work, so select wisely before making the final decision.
6.Set a budget
When you begin exploring ideas, it’s very easy to get carried away. You must consider your budget and allocate the money you want to spend on the reformation accordingly.
Calculate the costs for every room, and cut your expenses if needed. Deliberate from every angle, and consider approaching a professional to help you allocate the right amount. If you’re working on a tight budget and feel like you don’t have to do something over from scratch: don’t.
A rule of thumb: always, always, always make room for hidden expenses. You might think you have it all figured out, but you can’t predict the unforeseen. There are always some last-minute changes that make you change your mind about something.
7.Narrow down your time frame
Time is often a neglected factor amongst the long list; however, it’s equally important. If you’re going for a major transformation, make sure you have made proper arrangements. If you have labor staff roaming your house, or if the house is going through major structural changes, you might have to consider moving away for a while.
If you have a limited window of time, plan your moves accordingly. Certain makeovers take more time than others, so choose based on your schedule.
It’s wiser to take some time off from work or prioritize both dominions so you don’t jeopardize one or the other.
8.Be realistic
Even the weather is sometimes impossible to predict, and we’re only discussing remodeling a house. Anticipate the unanticipated. Take every nook and cranny into account. If your house is old construction, be realistic and rebuild suitably.
Take advice from veterans, and if they tell you there’s something that needs reconstruction or is dangerous, don’t overlook it. The smallest of ignorance can end up in major regret later on. It makes the difference between renovation and destruction.
You might want a new Italian kitchen, but listen to what your house is saying too. If it’s creaking under pressure (and I mean it literally), have mercy. You don’t have to do everything; try going for a modern look with what you already have. Most of the time, we’re so occupied trying to turn something a certain way we fail to notice the possibilities for other, better innovations. Go into the business with a clear mind, and be open to new ideas.
The takeaway
Renovation doesn’t always have to be a daunting task to cater to. Given the right amount of research, hard work, and time, it can be the perfect change for your house and probably your life.
