Home renovation is one of the things that many homeowners aspire to. After ten or 15 years, it’s just time to give everything a fresh look. But creating a successful renovation isn’t just a matter of flipping a switch to reveal some new paint. It is a major financial commitment, a huge disruption to your daily routine, and a significant investment in the long-term value of your home.
A renovation is only successful if it involves every element of the home. If you omit any particular part of the look, the rest of it just won’t work. Instead, you should strive for a complete renovation that incorporates every element of the home.
On the Outside
This is a phase of renovation that intimidates some people. And there is a considerable inconvenience and even risk associated with getting into things like siding or shingles, because exterior renovations always carry the threat of uncooperative weather. Because time is of the essence, these jobs are more difficult to do for yourself, so the cost is immediately higher.
Whatever it takes, you need to plan on renovating the exterior and outdoor spaces. Improved siding, fascia, and windows can save you on energy, and years of activity have probably degraded your lawn and landscaping. Find some beautiful shrubs and trees to refresh the space, and shop Nature’s Seed best grass seed to get a beautiful carpet of green to finish the look.
On the Inside
This is the part that most of us think of first. Everything from floor coverings to wall treatments is on the table when you renovate the interior. These elements are where people typically get the most excited–and do the most work. They get samples, consult with designers, and endlessly surf catalogs and the internet for the best ideas.
With all these competing sources of ideas, it can be very easy for the project to become fragmented and chaotic. Make plans to do it in an organized way. While it may seem like enough simply to choose a great look for the bedroom or an improved kitchen style, it is important to keep the look tied together. Remember that no room stands alone. If you have one style in the living room and another in an adjoining foyer, the intersection of those two spaces just won’t look its best if the two rooms don’t make sense together.
Somewhere in Between
We typically think of a renovation as involving only what we see, but the reality is that it involves a lot of things that are out of view. Dealing with problems like moisture buildup or rotted beams is easily done when you’re already tearing out floors or walls, so as you choose your renovation plan, be sure to prepare yourself for the prospect of termites, settling, concrete cracks, and other unpleasant surprises.
But that’s not the end of it. Most interior renovations call for new appliances. Is your water heater large enough to supply that massive garden tub? Do you have enough electrical capacity for a larger range or an indoor grill? Failing to allow for the increased utility demands of a renovation is a sure way to end up with tripped breakers, damaged appliances, or even a fire.
Renovating is an exciting process. It can increase the value of your home and wash away the rut you may feel like you are living in. Like any large project, it calls for careful planning. If you find a way to tie everything together and you also incorporate all the logistic things associated with digging into the depths of your home’s structure, you have a much better chance for a long-term outcome that is satisfying.