Remodeling your home can be a rough season, and contrary to how remodels are portrayed on TV, they take a little longer than forty minutes. And unless you have a backup plan, such as living in a guesthouse or RV, or the funds to spend the entirety of your remodel in an Airbnb or hotel, odds are you’re going to be trying to live life while there is a lot happening around you. And since home is the place you go to forget about the rest of the world, this can be especially taxing on your mental health.
We’ve compiled a list of tips to help you through any current and/or future remodels.
Choose the right season
This can be tricky because immediately we think: just not during the winter! But tearing into your house during the summer means letting in a ton of heat, running the air conditioner non-stop, letting bugs in, but then again, fall or spring can mean rain, wind, severe weather, the list goes on, and on. Frankly, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer; the “right” season depends on what project you’re tackling.
Declutter before you start
The decluttering process can be a long one, and we highly recommend knocking this out before you even start your remodel. Not only will this be a huge relief, but it means there will be less stuff to try to find room for or walk around during the remodel. If you have a decent amount of stuff to get rid of, have a garage sale! After all, every penny counts.
Mentally prepare for chaos
We know this is easier said than done, but the more prepared you are mentally that your home life as you know it is about to completely change, the better off you’ll be once it all starts.
If you love it, protect it from the dust
Regardless of what your remodel is consisting of, there is bound to be a ton of dust everywhere. And we mean everywhere. If you have things around your house that you don’t want to get dusty, make sure they’re in a plastic tote, wrapped up, or placed in an area that is not being remodeled.
Consider child and/or pet care
Whether you have human children or furry children, consider care for them so they stay safe and don’t get bored. Child and/or pet care means your children are getting out of a messy, chaotic house to run some energy off and socialize and that’s a win for everyone.
Plan storage spaces
If there is a room that isn’t being torn up, consider making this room the storage space where all the extra chairs, books, tables, etc. are placed and stored until they go back to their rightful spots. Having a central location will at least make you feel a little more organized, and there will never be a question about where things are. Well, at least some things.
Plan on your kitchen and/or bathroom being out of order
Not forever, of course, but at least for a while. Plan on easy to make meals or budget for eating out because soon, ‘easy’ or takeout will be your only two options. The same goes for the bathroom, there is a good chance that at some point this room will be unavailable. Contractors are usually pretty good about doing this in a day so you aren’t too inconvenienced, but it still doesn’t hurt to confirm with a close friend, family member, or neighbor that you can come over and shower, do laundry, or ya know, use the bathroom.
Remember that it’s not forever
While it may seem like it during the thick of things, remodels don’t last forever. Eventually you’ll be standing in your newly remodeled home and what you can remember of the last few months, all the eating out, the late nights, early mornings, and chaos, will be funny.
