Now that the New Year (and decade) is fully upon us, you might be looking for a way to usher in new beginnings. If this sounds like you, you might want to consider renovating your home as a way to get your creative juices flowing – while also bringing in a change of scenery.
Thankfully, you can take your cue from plenty of interior designers and everyday homeowners around the world. Keep reading below.
Visualize It
If you really want to get your creative juices flowing, you can start by making a model of your ideal renovated space. It’s a trend that’s popular with homeowners in Canada. Reader’s Digest Canada suggests that all you need is a foam board, a ruler, masking tape, and a utility knife. A scale of half an inch to one foot should be enough to help you move everything around, but you can also simply mark spaces on the board to help you visualize where things will go. However, if you want to go the extra mile, feel free to carve out tiny windows and doors from the foam board that you can then move around.
Clear Your Pipes
Recently, a town in the UK experienced blockages after some restaurants were found to be dumping food into the sewage, which just goes to show you how poorly-maintained pipes can cause lots of trouble—whether in personal homes or businesses. While it can be tempting to scrimp on this particular expense, one way to go the extra mile in home renovation is by getting your plumbing examined and fixed. HomeServe’s guide to fixing water leaks at home notes that they can occur anywhere in your home from your bathroom to your radiators, so it’s important to identify where those drips are coming from. Even a small leak can be a huge inconvenience. An unfixed leak will end up costing you a lot more, if you need to do extra work after the renovation has been completed. Since some leaks require assistance, a good rule of thumb is to consult a professional plumber before making any drastic renovations, especially when you’re looking to go the DIY route in your bathroom.
Be As Hands-On As Possible
Renovation can be a lengthy process, but it’s important that you see it through. After all, you’re going to be the one living in the space once it’s done! This is why Singaporean creative director Choo Chin Nian recommends that homeowners “have a hands-on approach” to renovation. He visited his three bedroom apartment every day while it was being built! Constantly visiting the site allows you to see if your ideas translate well from the drawing board to real life, and it also lets you make sudden adjustments if needed. If you’re hiring an interior designer to help you renovate, it’s important that you keep all communication open whenever you visit in order for both of you to be on the same page. Be like the Singaporean creative director and micromanage. It is, after all, your home.
Our Give Your Home a Summer Decorating Makeover guide highlights the magic that a few simple touches can make when it comes to transforming your space. For those looking to make larger renovations, however, proper planning and lots of flexibility is required for you to achieve the space of your dreams.
