From Guest Blogger Amelia Atkins: Five Things Not to Miss During a House Renovation
Some people can’t wait to start their home renovation, while others are dreading all the planning, mess and issues that can occur. However, if you know what to concentrate on and what to expect, you can rest assured your house renovation will go smoothly and you’ll end up with amazing results. Here’s what to do during your home renovation.
Make a list of chores
No matter if you’re removing your whole house or just your kitchen or bathroom, you need to create a clear vision of what you want and how to achieve it. So, make a list of all the things you and your contractors need to do. Don’t miss a thing, because even if one thing looks very obvious to you, it might not even occur to your contractor. Create a bulleted list and collect sketches or photos of things you want. This will serve as a great reference point and help your contractors understand what you want your final result to look like.
Boost storage
No one ever said, “Ugh, I wish I had less storage space”! Usually, it’s the other way around, so unless you’re okay with living surrounded by clutter, make sure to boost your storage. Built-in storage is always a great idea and so is the double-duty furniture. These elements will not take too much space, but they will surely satisfy your storage needs. You’ll definitely not regret investing in extra storage!
Upgrade utilities
Home renovation is a great time to upgrade some of your utilities, especially if you live in an older home. For instance, older homes in Australia that were built during the 60s can’t really support new electronics and the sheer number of them, so make sure to bring your electric grid up to date. You can also use this opportunity to smarten up your home and fill it with useful tech that can make your life easier. Smart thermostats, bulbs and locks can all make your home more energy-efficient, comfortable and safer. However, every time you’re messing with electricity, make sure to call a professional. Your experienced electrician in Blacktown can quickly and efficiently take care of all your electrical work and leave your home upgraded and lit up!
Go green
This is also a perfect time to board the green wagon and something good for the environment, future generations and even your wallet (some green updates save a lot of money). Start by replacing your windows and doors with something more energy-efficient that will provide you with great thermal and noise insulation. You can also replace a few of the oldest appliances for Energy Star ones and switch out traditional bulbs for LEDs. However, if you want to really boost sustainability, invest in solar panels. When you combine them with a high-quality battery, you can become almost completely energy-independent.
Increase the size of small rooms
Not everyone is blessed with huge square footage, which means some room will be seriously handicapped size-wise. Many people think there’s nothing they can do to help these tiny rooms and choose to neglect these spaces during the home renovation. However, you can always implement a few tricks that can create an illusion of space and give small rooms a comfy and beautiful vibe. Boost light colors, get plenty of light inside and employ mirrors that will create depth and add extra illumination. If you only pay some attention to these small rooms, they will certainly give you plenty of love back.
Just these five tips will make your home renovation successful and cost-effective. Your home will look better than the day you built it or moved in! So, keep this list close to you all through the renovation process, consult it when you feel stuck and you’ll have nothing but smooth sailing in front of you.