Renovating your home can be incredibly exciting if you go into it with the right mindset. But it can also be quite confusing for people who might have never considered themselves DIY experts. If you’re a first-time home renovator that doesn’t know a fitted wardrobe from a corner cupboard, allow us to get you started on the right path.
Storage
The first thing you’ll want to consider is all your actual stuff. A remodel is, after all, a potentially disruptive and messy undertaking. As such, you’ll need to store some of your belongings or furniture, so make sure you have plenty of space in your house to do so. If you don’t think you have the room, book a storage container to keep everything clean and out of the way.
When it comes to the renovations themselves, meanwhile, think of what storage you’ll need afterwards and incorporate this into your work. The very best storage is hidden away out of sight and out of mind so think about hidden drawers and furniture with multiple functions. For example, when shopping for a bed consider beds with ample storage space underneath.
Time
Remodelling is something that is going to take a lot of time and that means organising your life around it. Whether that’s working your plans around your work shifts, choosing the optimum time of year depending on your plans (winter might not be the best time to get a new roof, for example), or doing it before/after a new baby arrives, time is of the essence.
The best time of year to renovate is arguably the spring, as the weather will be temperate and there isn’t that much else going on the disrupt. The summer is a nightmare as it’s incredibly warm and you’ll want to take some time for a holiday and the winter is just as bad as it falls around Christmas and New Year when you want to be relaxing and spending time with your family.
Space
Remodelling projects are all about making the most of your space. Take time beforehand to plan the most effective use of the space you have to work with. You can’t make more space but you can make the most of the space you have.
Don’t choose bigger furniture just to fill up the room, think fitted wardrobes to maximise the use of your space or incorporate organisational hacks into your drawers or cupboards. IKEA might get a lot of stick for being ‘generic’ but it’s an inspiring place to look for ideas when it comes to maximising space.
Budget
Finally, you have to ensure everything falls within your budget. Because if you go over it, you’ll always end up regretting it. Factor in all renovation costs before starting (no matter how small) and keep under budget if possible so you have an emergency fund to turn to if anything goes wrong.
