With the new year in full swing, everyone’s home renovations projects are top of mind. Whether it’s a new paint job or a total house remodel, life can seem a little upended when you make changes to you home. To keep you from feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to stay ahead of the curve and avoid waiting until the job starts to get everything straightened up. Remember that a little bit of patience and planning can go a long way, and any efforts made to stay organized before the process begins will eventually pay off. Don’t let the fear of chaos deter you from remodeling your living space. These tips can help minimize the stress and mess that comes along with a home renovation.
1. Get a good security system.
Remodeling your home mean designers, carpenters, and delivery workers will be in and out of your house all day, every day. With so many moving parts, it’s hard to organize schedules to guarantee that someone will be home to manage this sort of traffic. Adding a lock that requires a security code may be smarter than leaving a key under the doormat. Video doorbell monitors or outside security cameras that can send alerts to your phone or other devices come in very handy during home renovation projects. Your home can never be too secure, and these investments will benefit you even after the renovation. Not only will it make easier for the remodeling team to access your home, but it will leave you feeling safer knowing that your home is secured while you aren’t there.
2. Control the dust!
There is nothing less inviting or discomforting than dust all over everything. Unfortunately, it’s inevitable for dust and debris to be in your home, but there are ways you can minimize the effects and clean up the area. Cover furniture with fitted sheets and close doors to rooms that are not being renovated. Lay tarps down on the floors. Sweeping or vacuuming the house frequently doesn’t hurt either. Roll up area rugs or put away any décor pieces that you don’t want to get dirty. Carpenters are normally very courteous about keeping the workspace as protected as possible. Managing the dust will help you to keep a clear mind and reduce allergies during your home renovation.
3. Stay organized.
This point is so crucial. Spend a weekend getting schedules organized on a calendar, packing away things to go into storage, and getting finances straight. Going into the renovation with a clear head knowing that you’re organized and ready to go will help you survive the process. From small closet renovations, to bigger projects like living room or kitchen remodels, staying organized makes sure everyone is on the same page so construction can go smoothly.
Consider setting up a Google calendar so everyone can look at it, whether it’s your spouse, your kids, or neighbors who may be helping you out during the renovation. Talk to your contractors and set up start dates and end dates to get a feel for how time is being managed. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions! After all, it is your home, so a sense of transparency during the design process can make you feel more comfortable.
Keep a binder filled with any paperwork from the design process. This may be paint samples, order receipts, design blueprints, financial balances, or contractor agreements. Having it all in one place can help you manage your budget and stay organized during design meetings.
As a general rule for packing, anything that you won’t be needing for the duration of the remodel should be put away. It helps keep these items clean and undamaged and can even help you get rid of things that you don’t need anymore. Renovations are a great time to get organized and declutter. The sooner you do it, the smoother the process will go.
4. If it’s a kitchen renovation, set up a temporary kitchen area.
Remodels can be messy and sometimes make you feel like your life is completely out of order. Having an area of your home that stays clean and organized can help you feel like your home isn’t actually a construction zone. Set up your microwave, mini fridge, coffee pot, and hot plate in the garage. It allows you to stay out of the way of the project but still enjoy a meal at home. If it’s your bathroom that’s getting a facelift, move your toiletries and bathroom supplies to a guest room or hallway bathroom. Anything that you can live without during the renovation, pack up or get rid of. Any efforts to relieve clutter will make a huge difference during a remodel. With a little effort and preparation, you can enjoy your home even with all the holes in the walls and floors torn up.
5. Keep up with your routines.
During renovations, it’s tempting to eat fast food for every meal or to let your kids stay up later. Be mindful of other family members’ routines, whether it’s your kids, your pets, or your spouse. As workers will be in and out of your house all day, it can make daily habits a little hard to manage. Make sure that others don’t feel the stress of a remodel, and it can minimize your stress levels too. Keeping everyone in line will help the situation feel less uncomfortable. Of course, some adjustments may be necessary, and depending on the size of the project, you may have to be more willing to accommodate. Having a normal routine around the house will help everyone feel less stressed and can help you survive the renovation.
We hope these tips help you keep your head clear during the home renovation process. Remember that the most important thing during a remodel is to be flexible. After all, things happen and a lot of times the process won’t go exactly as planned. While some of these road blocks are unforeseeable, be sure to think through the inconveniences that may pop up – you can never be too prepared. At the end of the whole process, the time and money spent will be more than worth it.