Tips for Remodeling Your Home

Whether you are moving into a new home that needs a lot of work, or you feel it is time to update your existing home, remodeling can be a lot of hard work and stress if you do not plan it and are not prepared for the upheaval it will cause. Remodeling can breathe new life into a home, but you need to set a budget and stick to it. It is too easy to let the finances get out of hand, and if you run out of funds when you are only halfway through, you may have to live in a building site until you have the rest of the money. Planning is key, but here are some other things to consider that may help.

What Can You Do?

Once you know what you want to be done, you need to look to see what jobs you can do yourself and which ones you need to hire professionals for. Things such as electrics and plumbing should always be carried out by competent tradespeople, as getting them wrong can cause an enormous amount of damage to your home. As electricians and plumbers are likely to have to make holes in walls, it is sometimes a good idea to get them to do their work before you start anything else. You may need to call them back for minor things at a later date, but if they have done the bulk of their work, it will mean no damage will be done to new decorating.

Painting and decorating you may be happy to do, and it could be that you or friends and family are good at plastering or carpentry. You can save quite a lot of money by doing some of the less-skilled jobs yourself.

Kitchens

Kitchens are the hub of the home for many families. People cook in them, have a chat and coffee in them, kids do their homework and sometimes meals are eaten in them. They are a room that brings a family together without the distraction of a TV (in most cases), and it is important to try and create the right atmosphere.

The style of your kitchen should blend in with the rest of the home. You can buy whatever style you want from ultra-modern to old farmhouse styles and anything in between. If you are short or tall, you can have the height of the worktops adjusted to make them comfortable to use, and fitting integral machines will hide them from view.

You can spend many thousands of pounds on a kitchen or buy the units and worktops from a local store and fit them yourself. It depends on what type of kitchen you want, and how much of the work you are capable of. For some people, the kitchen is so important that they would not dream of anyone except professionals doing any of the work.

Bathrooms

If you attack any bathrooms after the kitchen, then the worst of the jobs will be done as far as electrics and plumbing are concerned. Even if the rest of the home is still a mess, you will at least be able to cook, use the toilets and take a shower.  The more tiles you have on a bathroom wall, the easier future maintenance will be. Don’t forget the storage too. Under the sink is a good place, but also, especially if the bathroom is small, there is usually space over the door as well.

A bathroom should be a haven where you can go and relax for an hour while having a soak in the tub. Keep them simple but welcoming and your bathrooms will be a pleasure to use.

Windows

Windows are another job that can cause some remedial work such as plastering, and they are well worth doing at an early stage of your remodeling and using professionals for the job. You can find window national and local window companies in your area by looking online. Companies such as American Vision Windows will ensure that the best type of windows for your home are fitted by professional workers who will create as little disruption as possible. They will be able to explain the pros and cons of various materials and styles and will give you a free no-obligation quote for the job from start to finish. They will also be able to fit new front and back doors for you.

The right windows will not only make a huge difference to the look of your home, they will be more energy-efficient too.

Storage

Whatever room you are planning, allow for plenty of storage. Your newly refurbished home will be much simpler to keep clean and tidy if everyone has room to put things away. Clutter is one of the worst things for making a home look messy and is totally unnecessary if each room has some storage space.

Every home has nooks and crannies or unused corners where some shelves or a small cupboard could be placed. Using these for storage can make the housework a whole lot easier.

Living Rooms

The living room tends to be used for relaxing and entertaining. It’s a room where the family can unwind and watch TV or you can entertain friends. Before you start, consider the effect you want to create and at how the room will typically be used. Often, to freshen up your living room it just needs a coat of paint and some new drapes or blinds. If you are changing the furniture as well, look for sofas that are comfy and side tables to be used for drinks and snacks.

Use ceiling medallions and coving to help give your living room a touch of class.

Bedrooms

Each bedroom should be planned to suit the age and interests of the person it is for. For instance, you would not do two rooms the same if one was to be occupied by a three-year-old and the other by a teenager. Just remember to use furniture that is durable and will last so that you are not having to replace it every year.

Decorating wise, especially with small children, it’s best to avoid painting their favourite TV or film characters on the walls. Their tastes change often, and it is simple to change a few teddies for their latest fad, and not so easy to have to keep decorating every time their allegiance alters.

Children use their bedroom for more than just sleeping in. They tend to play in them and take their friends to them as well. Make sure they have the room to have fun, and enough storage to put everything away.

Your own bedroom should be exactly as you want and is the one room where you should not have to consider the rest of the family as it’s your place to relax and unwind.

Hallways

Hallways are a space that is often forgotten when you’re remodeling, yet even people who do not step inside can see into it when they are at your door. Your hall is very important, and you should take some care with what you do with it. Decorate your hallway to show off its best features, and if you have room, have a plant or two as they always look good in a hallway.

General Tips for Remodeling Your home

There are some things that apply to every room in your home and can improve the way any of them look. Let as much natural daylight in as possible as this is the finest way to make a room look bright and airy. Use mirrors to make rooms look bigger. They are particularly effective if they can be placed on a wall opposite a window, as they will reflect the light and give the illusion of a larger space.

Hang pictures on the walls. It could be pieces of art, prints that you have framed, or family photos. These will help to make your home feel homely and are much better than blank walls.

Carefully consider the flooring of each room before you lay it. For instance, a kitchen is better without carpets, but for a bedroom they are ideal. Real wood floors look brilliant but do need a bit of care, whereas laminates are simple to look after with a mop and bucket.

Don’t be frightened to use bright colours on some of your walls or with furnishings. An accent wall in any of the rooms can look really good, and the color will not be overwhelming unless all the walls are covered in it. Cushions and throws as well as curtains, blinds, and drapes are a great way to add some color into your come.

Don’t Be Swayed by Other People

Always remember that this is your home, and it is you and your family that are going to be living in it. Don’t be swayed by the opinions of others unless they truly do have a good idea for remodeling that you like. It is your home, your money, and your choice.

Images: Pixabay

1