When you opt to live in a house that is being remodeled, the stress and inconvenience of renovations are exacerbated tenfold. For the duration of the remodeling process, there will be a lot of noise, a lot of dust, and a lot of filth all over the area. Not everyone is suited to living in a house undergoing renovation, especially those who are impatient and anxious. However, we have some advice on how to survive a whole house remodel. If you follow these essential five tips, you’ll do just fine!
1 Plan in advance
A whole house remodel requires more planning than simply renovating a single room. If you’ve never done a complete home redesign, you’ll have no idea what to expect. But don’t be afraid to ask for help! Contractors and other homeowners who have undertaken such complex remodels can be a good source of information when planning your own.
You also need to plan your design ahead of time. Think about if you want something trendy or something timeless. The planning phase allows you to have a clearer picture of what you want for your home. Taking into account your individual preferences and demands and future plans for a different way of life is one approach to go about it. A well-planned project also gives you a better sense of how much it will cost to complete it, so it’s important to take your time in this phase.
2 Organize Your Things
De-clutter, pack up or relocate anything in the renovation area to make the process go as smoothly as possible. Consider renting an off-site storage unit to keep your stuff safe and sanitary throughout a major home renovation project. You might be wondering what kind of items you can store in a unit. Among some typical items that people put away in storage units are furniture, appliances, and seasonal items. Whatever you decide to put there will be safe and sound until you need it again. Renting a storage unit might be the right choice for you, as it keeps your furniture safe and allows for additional space in your home during a remodel, too.
3 Pay attention to cleaning
The hardest part of living through a whole house remodel is the dust. You need to be able to protect yourself and your family from it. This task might seem intimidating at first, but the way to do this might be simpler than you think. Create a clean zone in your home and block it off your remodeling area with thick plastic and masking tape sheets. Another tip is to lay a damp towel on the floor to keep work boots from tracking dust into the living space at the end of the day.
Another issue that comes up with remodeling is waste. In order to reduce the amount of waste, you need to plan disposal in advance. Try to recycle or reuse as much material as you can. Then there are also strong odors and harmful chemicals that you have to minimize the effects. You could try using low VOC paint and investing in a portable fan or two to keep your area safe. Taking necessary precautions will ensure your, and your family’s well-being during a whole house remodel.
4 Protect your furniture
One of the most critical steps to a remodel is protecting your expensive furniture. You can do this by purchasing drop cloths or plastic tarps. These can be bought at your local hardware shop for a low price and can be taped or stapled to the wall. Eventually, though, they will come off, exposing your furniture to dust and other foreign objects. The dust will probably cover your lovely furniture entirely before you even notice it.
For this reason, you may choose to put your furniture in a storage unit or even a spare room in your home. This way, you won’t have to think about it while working. Just make sure the doors are locked to keep dust out of the rooms where the furniture is kept! Use a fan near an open window to push the dust outside if you can. In this way, you can keep dust from spreading to other parts of the house. If you choose to put your more expensive furniture into a storage unit, you must meticulously prepare every piece. Make sure you use high-quality moving supplies and tape all your boxes well to avoid damaging your furniture.
5 Make a No-Renovation Zone a Reality
You should set aside an area for your family to meet in semi-relaxation before beginning the process. If you need to work from home while you’re remodeling, you will also need a quiet focus room. It would help if you tried equipping these spaces with as many utilities as possible. For example, a kettle or microwave can be a great addition to a relaxation room. That way, you can gather with your family and friends to relax and unwind at the end of the day with some popcorn or a heat-up meal. You might want to bring in a TV or some board games, in order to always have something to do. If you create a no-renovation office zone, bring a coffee machine in if possible. It will definitely help out during the workdays!
Final words
If you follow our advice, you should be able to get through renovations without too much difficulty. We understand a whole house remodel is stressful and filled with challenges. But the important thing is to remember that everything will be worthwhile in the end. Happy remodeling!
