Remodeling Tips When Living In Your Home
Navigating the Chaos: A Survival Guide for Homeowners During Renovations
Living through a home renovation is a bit like riding a rollercoaster – it’s thrilling, terrifying, and you’re never quite sure if you’ll make it to the end in one piece. But with the right mindset and a healthy dose of flexibility, it’s a journey you can absolutely conquer.
As someone who’s been there, done that (and survived to tell the tale), I know firsthand just how disruptive and downright messy a remodel can be. From the ever-present dust that seems to coat every surface, to the incessant noise that rips you from your slumber each morning, there are countless challenges that can make living in your home during a renovation feel like a living nightmare.
But you know what? It doesn’t have to be that way. With a little advance planning and a whole lot of creative problem-solving, you can transform your house from a chaotic construction zone into a livable, functional space – one that keeps your family sane and your contractor on track.
Embrace the Mess (Within Reason)
Let’s start with the obvious: your home is going to be a mess. There’s simply no way around it. The moment the first sledgehammer hits the wall, a cloud of dust will descend upon every nook and cranny, and it will feel like you’re living in a perpetual haze.
As the experts at Southern Living advise, “Be prepared for there to be a mess throughout the project. No matter how much attention your contractor focuses on keeping it clean, it’s still a process, especially during the demo phase.”
The trick is to go into the project with the right mindset. Accept the chaos, embrace the dust, and don’t expect your home to maintain its pristine pre-renovation state. Instead, focus on containing the mess as much as possible by sealing off work areas with temporary barriers, and be proactive about protecting your valuables.
As the team at Blackline Renovations suggests, “Temporary barriers, alternate routes, and substitute facilities will help keep you and your family away from the dust, noise, and dangers of an active work site.” And don’t forget to clear out any furniture or decor that could be damaged – it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Adapt Your Routine (and Your Taste Buds)
With entire rooms rendered off-limits and your daily flow disrupted, living through a home renovation requires a serious overhaul of your normal routine. And nowhere is this more apparent than in the kitchen.
As the experts at Southern Living point out, “The biggest inconvenience in home remodels is extensive downtime in the kitchen. Other than the bathroom, the kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house.”
But don’t let that get you down. Instead, embrace your inner MacGyver and get creative with your temporary cooking setup. Whether it’s setting up a makeshift kitchen in another room, firing up the grill, or indulging in a little more takeout than usual, the key is to stay flexible and open-minded.
As the team at Blackline Renovations suggests, “Cooking is going to get funky in a kitchen remodel. Plan out meals for grilling out, date nights, or family nights, or invite yourself over to a friend’s house for dinner.”
And don’t forget about the bathrooms! As Southern Living notes, “Working on one bathroom at a time is the best way to go about these projects so you at least have one full room for your showers and other needs.” Just be prepared for some temporary inconveniences as plumbing and electrical work is completed.
Create Oases of Calm (and Fun)
In the midst of all the chaos, it’s essential to carve out spaces of respite and normalcy. After all, your home is supposed to be your sanctuary, not a war zone.
As the team at Blackline Renovations suggests, “Repurpose non-renovated living areas to perform multiple functions including substitute eating and resting spaces.” Maybe that means transforming a spare bedroom into a cozy movie-watching nook, or turning the dining room into a temporary workspace.
And don’t forget about the great outdoors! Blackline Renovations recommends taking advantage of your backyard and outdoor areas, where you and your family can enjoy meals, playtime, and a much-needed respite from the noise and dust.
Of course, keeping the kids entertained (and out of harm’s way) is a whole other challenge. As Southern Living advises, “Have children’s areas that are separate from the construction zone, filled with toys, reading material, electronics, and games to keep them entertained and safe.”
Maintain Your Sense of Humor (and Sanity)
Let’s face it, living through a home renovation is not for the faint of heart. There will be days when you feel like you’re drowning in a sea of sawdust, and nights when the constant noise makes you want to pull your hair out.
But here’s the thing: keeping your cool is crucial. As Blackline Renovations puts it, “Staying focused on the vision of your future home will help you overcome the many challenges you and your family will face seeing it through.”
And don’t be afraid to lean on your sense of humor, either. As they suggest, “Rather than fighting against the mess, find fun things to do you otherwise normally wouldn’t. If nothing else, LIYH renovations force quality time with your family, and create endless valid excuses for just wasting time and enjoying yourself.”
After all, what’s the point of going through all this if you can’t have a little fun along the way? Embrace the chaos, roll with the punches, and remember that this is all in service of creating your dream home. ABC Home is here to help guide you through every step of the process, ensuring your remodel is as smooth and stress-free as possible.
So take a deep breath, put on your best problem-solving hat, and get ready to write the next chapter in the story of your home. The journey may be a bit bumpy, but the end result will be worth it. I promise.
