Renovation can be an exciting time, especially when the end result usually consists of fabulous updates and a facelift for your home. Keeping your sanity while renovating, however, may seem like a project in itself. You face an even bigger challenge if you plan to stay residing in your house while the construction takes place. Here are five tips to help you through the process of living in your house during renovation:
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Make Decisions Ahead of Time
Eventually, your plumber will come to you and ask if you have that new faucet ready to be installed. The painter wants to know what color you’ve chosen for the living room. Whatever items you are having installed or updated, there will come a time when it needs to be available. Making your purchases and decisions ahead of time will alleviate the stress of last-minute decision making. You have enough going on throughout your day, so planning ahead will help minimize the chance of having one more thing added to your to-do list.
Plastic Sheets and Painter’s Tape…Your New Friends
These two supplies should be a welcomed guest to your home during renovation. Sectioning off construction zones will help prevent the amount of drywall dust, insulation and other particles from creeping into other parts of your home. You want to keep living areas as livable as possible. If you are nervous about furniture these sheets will also help protect any furniture that you aren’t able to temporarily move out of the house.
Not Using It? Store It
Fragile and bulky items often need to be removed during renovation. Storage units provide a temporary home for the things you aren’t using at the moment. You can rent a portable one to leave at your home or use an off-site facility. Unlike storing items in a garage or basement, a storage unit can provide the best protection for your belongings while keeping them out of the way.
Think Safety
Not all contractors are great about cleaning up after themselves. At the end of each day, be sure tools, nails, and other construction-related implements aren’t left on the floor. This is especially important if you have small children or pets. Be sure there is nothing lying around that could pose as a “toy”. If you are still worried it may be a good idea to gate off the part of the house that is being renovated. Be sure that you are keeping everyone living in the house up to date with the progress of the remodel, so they are aware of what is and isn’t safe during different phases of the remodel.
It’s Only Temporary
Patience is probably one of the hardest lessons to learn, and hardest tip to follow. Give yourself constant reminders that it won’t last forever, and the experience will be well worth it in the end. Take the time to think about decorating your new space so you are able to make it an enjoyable and livable environment as soon as the remodeling work is over.
My husband and I have been talking about living in our home during renovations. It was helpful to learn that plastic sheets and painter’s tape will be our best friend if we choose to stay in our home. I’ve heard that it helps to invest in a container of some sort to hold debris, so cleanup is quicker.