Dos & Don’ts The of home remodeling for newbies

By Erin Feitsma, Times Total Media Correspondent

So, it’s time to do some home remodeling. If this is your first foray into overhauling an area of your home, you may be wondering where to begin. We’ll help you get started with the tips and tricks you need to know as a beginner – they just might help you save time and money along the way. To do, and what not to do, that is the question!

DO: Your research

It’s a good idea to know ahead of time what kind of remodeling project you want to accomplish and what you want it to look like. Perusing Pinterest, Google Images or blogs for ideas can help you envision the end result. Want to add a tile backsplash to your kitchen? Try searching online for pictures of backsplashes or keep an eye out in your favorite home design magazines for images that resonate with you. With that being said, according to Real Simple, too much inundation of inspiration images could influence your design decisions. The key is to make sure that whatever you choose is a true reflection of your tastes, so that you’re not swayed by design trends that just aren’t you.

DON’T: Forget to create a home renovation budget

Money matters. Setting a realistic budget for your remodeling projects ahead of time will help you stay on track financially and give you a practical idea of what you can accomplish with your funds. According to Real Simple, people often underestimate the cost of renovation projects, which can be quite expensive, especially these days. It’s recommended to budget 20 percent over the estimated cost of the renovation project in question, just in case.

DO: Think practically

When getting ready for remodeling, your mind may begin to wander, considering all the possibilities. Sure, you may feel inspired to swap out your staircase for a wonderful, winding slide (a dream renovation, to be honest), but the more practical projects and maintenance essentials, like updating an old appliance or putting a fresh coat of paint on your kitchen cabinets, are just as important, writes one Angi article. Real Simple echoes this ethos: By focusing on the more necessary upgrades first, you ensure that the important projects are accomplished before your renovation budget runs out. Remember: Remodeling takes time. Be proud of your progress every step of the way.

DON’T: Work in silence

During the remodeling process, you’ll be hard at work on making your home a newer, shinier, more upgraded version of itself, and at times, it might feel tedious or even overwhelming. Don’t lose morale: Put on some of your favorite tunes in the background (or a podcast if that’s your thing) to lift the mood and keep you motivated while you work.

DO: Stay hydrated

You can’t expect to remodel your home if you haven’t had enough water, now, can you? I thought not! (The same goes for snack breaks.)

DON’T: Hesitate to hire a professional

If you’re unsure of your renovation skills or have a project in mind that requires technical work, consider hiring a professional. Make sure you find the right person for the job: Real Simple recommends getting a few estimates first and asking any questions you might have before making your final choice. Remember, if the renovation is in an area of your house that you frequent, you will have to see it every day. So, make sure you hire someone who does quality work and understands what you’d like done. A good rule of thumb is to hire a professional when there is more than one trade involved in the renovation, such as plumbing or electrical work, according to a Martha Stewart article. When in doubt, give a contractor a shout!

DO: Take pictures

What’s the fun in undergoing an expensive and often timeconsuming home remodeling project if you don’t have before and after photos to show for it? Catalogue your journey by taking pictures or videos of your home before, during and after the remodeling process. Sometimes the best of memories can be made while you and your loved ones are hard at work, making your home your own. Don’t forget to take photos so you can see later just how far you’ve come. Happy remodeling!

surround in a traditional or arts and crafts style, or take it even further and install a doorbell with a camera (such as Nest or Blink). Add a new welcome mat and an outdoor wreath. There are loads of festive, affordable wreaths at HomeGoods and online. A final note of welcome: a potted topiary (or a matching pair) at the front door. It doesn’t have to be real, either — there are faux boxwood topiaries available on Amazon, Target, Nearly Natural and Wayfair that rival the real ones in appearance and require no care.

or the walls (or one feature wall) of your kitchen for an (almost) instant lift. Replace the drawer pulls and faucet; whether you choose black or bronze or brushed nickel, mission-style, traditional or modern, this is an opportunity to redefine your kitchen’s style without breaking the bank. If you have one of those obnoxiously bright but uninspiring fluorescent ceiling lights, consider ditching that and getting recessed or pot lights installed instead to give your kitchen a whole new ambience. Hidden lighting under and/or above

Elsewhere in the house, rearrange your furniture. Switch out chairs and lamps between rooms. Paint or recover dated chairs. Put new covers on your throw pillows (Bed, Bath & Beyond has a great selection). If you like your sofa, but want to give it a new look, consider a new slipcover. A formidable DIY project for those savvy with a sewing machine, but if you hire someone to do it, it’s still going to cost significantly less than buying a new sofa.

Stencil the top of a tired bureau or coffee table. Rearrange the contents of your bookshelves — whether by color or size or type of book — and weed out the ones that no longer interest you to make space for tchotchkes, framed photos, plants or a petite lamp. Somewhere in your home, where it makes visual sense, add a string of decorative lights.

Your living space…

Free or low-cost fixes: Move your art and photos around. Refresh them with new photos, or something unexpected, like an interesting mask, a vintage fan or a stencil quote. One fun way to make low-cost art for your walls is to find artistic greeting cards or vintage postcards (think antique stores and museum shops). With a deep mat and the right frame, voila!

What about the kitchen? Repaint the cabinets and/ the cabinets is another interesting way to change up the mood.

In the bathrooms, typically smaller and with one or two sizable mirrors, repainting the walls will bring real impact. But so will changing out the shower curtain (and it’s a lot quicker and easier). The new shower curtain might inspire other changes, like complementary rugs, new art, baskets and other accents. Here also, new drawer pulls and faucets will really make a statement.

Do you have a potted Areca palm or ficus in a corner? Place a spotlight on the floor angled up at the leaves to throw interesting light and shadows on the wall. If you’re feeling creative, paint a design or mural on an alcove or feature wall, or apply a stencil on the wall behind your sofa or bed. Inspiration teems for such projects on Pinterest, royaldesignstudio. com and cuttingedgestencils. com.

Any one of these ideas can make a difference in your home, as well as trigger all sorts of new ideas to try as well. Refreshing your home is a fun and creative way to make it reflect you, and serve you, better.