Your first house probably doesn’t look like your dream house, unless you’re incredibly lucky. Making dreams come true takes time. But, do not wait for years or decades to start giving your home a makeover. The best time to start is now. By following these tips, you’ll be much closer to having the house of your dreams.
Budget Wisely
It’s important to put everything on paper. When you’re not keeping track, costs can run high. A rule of thumb: the budget for a room shouldn’t be bigger than the value of that room. Before you set a budget, make sure you know exactly how you will fund it.
As a general rule, you should increase your set budget by 20% for unpredicted costs. There may be some issues hiding behind your walls. Before you start spending, do lots of window shopping.
Check the price on everything you plan to buy. Vet every contractor and see what they charge. Make sure you’ve negotiated the cost of labour before the work starts.
Prioritise
Start prioritising with things that have to do with more than just the home maintenance parts. If you’re planning renovation projects, see what can be done before and what can be done after. Make sure to check whether there are some underlying issues to be fixed first.
Personalise With Colours
If you’e bought a house from someone, chances are it isn’t exactly tailored to your taste. Don’t wait for ages to start painting. Until you slap a few of your favourite colours on the walls, your house may feel foreign to you.
Professional home decorators have lots of advice and rules on picking paint colours. Well, make your own rules! While professionals do have lots of useful tips, don’t pick paint colours that make the designers happy or that will sell in twenty years.
You’re building your own dream house. You’d want it to make you feel good and reflect your style. To get the idea of what colours make you smile, take a good look at your clothes, linens, accessories, and art.
Be bold. Break the mould or break the rules. If you feel like painting every single room purple: go for it!
A Little DIY Work
Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves. There’s plenty you can do with your own hands – painting is just the tip of the iceberg. For instance, it may be much cheaper to buy the tools you need for basic home maintenance than always hire someone to do the work. Studying YouTube tutorials and DIY forums can get you a long way.
Let’s say you found the perfect bathroom tile. Do a little digging to see where you can get the same product for less. Use comparison sites. When you are willing to do more yourself, a remodel can get a lot less expensive.
Fix the Fixtures
Next to big-budget additions and kitchen remodels, swapping out the little things can look insignificant. However, small things can make a huge difference.
If you never start, those changes won’t add up: ever. You can bring the style and finishes you like, bit by bit, by swapping faucets, hinges, doorknobs, outlet covers, and other small items.
Ductwork, Plumbing, Electricity
When people imagine their dream home, they are probably thinking about furniture, artwork, design, style, and comfort. The aesthetics are important, for sure. But, while the look of your house can bring you satisfaction, an inefficient home can cause a lot of distress.
While your home might be pretty on the surface, it will have a negative impact on your budget and your quality of life if it doesn’t function properly.
Ductwork is one of the most neglected features when it comes to home renovation projects. It’s one of the major causes of low comfort levels and high utility bills. That especially goes for kitchens and old houses.
If your ductwork isn’t configured properly (if it’s old, chances are it’s not), it can reduce your HVAC system efficiency by up to 70%. It can also contribute to the infiltration of mould, pollutants, and allergens. A beautiful home is not worth much if it’s destroying your health.
Solving plumbing and electrical issues should also be high on your list. You’d want to make sure ducts, plumbing, and power connections are up to par before you start bringing in major changes.
For instance, before you start buying new equipment and appliances, you’d want to make sure your underlying electrical plan can take the new load. Consult with the right experts. Make sure your house is an efficient and safe environment.
Conclusion
Don’t rush the process! Imagining and planning your dream home ought to be fun, to some extent. Take your time. Start slowly by filling you home with the things you love.
Then sketch plans, bring samples, and talk to the pros. It’s a gradual process, but the goal is certainly attainable.
