If you want to renovate your new home but are clueless about where to begin, this might sound cliche but you have come to the right place! Considering the sheer nature of the project, home renovations can be overwhelming. So, you are definitely not alone in feeling scattered and confused.
Sure, you may jump right into the process without properly understanding what needs doing, only to regret some of your decisions later. On top of that, only after being hit by unexpected hurdles will you lament about not having a concrete plan.
Whether it is a small siding remodelling project or a massive kitchen remodelling, thorough preparation is important irrespective of the scale and scope of your renovation. Without it, the process will be filled with obstacles and disappointments.
This is true especially in case of a new house since you are not adequately familiar with the space. Unforeseen problems can crop up and entail hefty expenses.
So, before you navigate the difficult twists and turns of renovating a new home, here are five effective tips you must be aware of. These tips will lay the foundation, no pun intended, for the successful completion of your project.
1. Invest Time in the Space for Well-Planned Decisions
Making impulsive decisions for your brand-new home can lead to some choices that you might not be on board with later. It is therefore important to hold back on making important decisions about things like colour palette, furnishing items or lighting fixtures until you have spent enough time in your new space.
For instance, you can be easily overwhelmed when choosing a sofa for the living room. What colour combination would look the best? Which type of sofa should you choose? Or what would be the correct size without crowding the space too much? Well, the answer depends on other aspects of the renovation like the layout, colour scheme, type of property and more.
If you select the furniture well in advance, chances are that it will not suit the overall aesthetics and you may no longer be happy with your choice. By spending a little more time in your new home you can save yourself from such scenarios, returning back to square one.
It will also help to make the necessary and key design decisions first so you’ll have a baseline and guide of sorts to work off from and choose other adjoining elements.
2. Start Your Renovation Project with the Kitchen Space
Without beating around the bush too much, we are going to state this outright – the best place to kick start your revamping project is with the kitchen, as it adds value to your home significantly. Regardless of its size, your kitchen is the centre of your home, wherein a myriad of activities from cooking to dining take place.
In addition to that, a recent study conducted by the National Association of the Remodelling Industry highlights the fact that, if homeowners sell their homes, they can easily recover three-fourths of the cost of a complete kitchen renovation.
Additionally, if you have an old kitchen, upgrading it first will allow you to utilise it during the renovation of the rest of the home. Instead of struggling with a substitute kitchen, you can enjoy the convenience of a fully functional cooking and dining space.
3. Set a Realistic Project Timeline
You may be eager to see your dream home come to life as soon as possible. However, there is a high probability that it will take longer than expected. In this case, being realistic about the timelines will save you from disappointments down the road.
For instance, if you are planning to set up a new playroom for your kids, removing the existing decor and furniture may only take a day or two. However, the real challenge is when you need to decide on the perfect storage units for the room.
Nine times out of ten, you will need to customise it which may take a few weeks. What initially seemed to be a quick project may easily get extended to a four-week task before your children can fully enjoy their new play space. So, it is best to set a generous timeline, allowing you to deal with unexpected delays patiently.
While you account for these timelines, it’s equally important that you partner with reliable kitchen and home renovation contractors, who come with glowing recommendations so you know you can trust them.
4. Be Ready For Unexpected Surprises
Your new home may hold secrets you don’t know about and your home renovation can uncover these hidden secrets. Regardless of how carefully you plan everything, redecoration and refurbs tend to throw curveballs at you. Whilst being excited about the new journey, you need to be prepared for some unexpected challenges that may arise along the way.
For instance, you are planning on adding a new deck and the contractor tells you the ground beneath the proposed deck site has a leaking drainage pipe. In this case, you might need to revamp the whole drainage system first, or even regrade the land, or consult a skilled gardener to ensure that the water flows away from your home.
Addressing this issue might mean accounting for unexpected costs. This is just one example of an unplanned issue that should compel you to keep extra time and money aside to handle such mishaps.
5. Compare Multiple Design Ideas and Options
It is easy for you to get caught up in the excitement of designing a new home and make rushed design decisions. Nevertheless, it is important for you to take your time and explore multiple design options. After exploring and researching various alternatives, you can settle down on a few and take things from there.
You can browse through design magazines or look for inspiration online. Understanding what you want for yourself will help you with your decisions. Remember this is your home and it should reflect your personal ideas and preferences.
On the flip side, equipped with the necessary information, you can be an active participant in the design process. From the beginning till the very end, you can convey all the possible inputs to the designer. By doing this you will be able to create a home that reflects your personal style and taste.
To Sum It Up
Buying a new home that requires some renovation is better than the one that is perfect but exceeds your budget. However, it can also lead you to a situation where everything falls over your head which calls for you to be careful and do your research beforehand.
If you are considering going for the renovation option, follow these tips strictly and conduct thorough research and planning first. Once you are sure that everything is in place, you can make the decision to buy and renovate your new home.